In the know.

Texas A&M University is steeped in rich traditions that bind its students, alumni, and community together with a shared sense of pride and heritage. I recently sat with one Aggie of many who are residents at The Langford. Mr. Joe O’Leary III said that it is known, “Once an Aggie, always an Aggie.” He agreed to lead me through the history of A&M as he repeatedly said, “There are so many more here you should talk to.” Still, he was very proud of his accomplishments as well as his family and friends, especially when speaking of A&M. I wish I could share more, but here are just a few memories, traditions, and mentions Mr. O’Leary shared with me of life in the pride and joy of College Station.

For a freshman today (known among the A&M confines as “fish”), stepping onto the expansive campus can be overwhelming. Texas A&M University has a student body of more than 77,000 and more than 5,200 acres on the College Station campus alone. Yet, in the 1960s, the year Mr. O’Leary attended, there were 9,000 men (women weren’t admitted until April of 1963). He told of how the university became coeducational through the years under the leadership of James Earl Rudder.

The first-year student would expect to attend “Fish Camp”. This would be an orientation experience well before the academic year. “Fish would learn in “Fish Camp” all that is expected of them, what they might expect of A&M, and learn about its values and history. It’s during this camp that they are introduced to “Howdy!” (the traditional greeting of an Aggie), what a frog is (a transfer), and even who the highest-ranking member of the core is. Her name is Reveille, the mascot and First Lady of   Texas A&M.

Central to the description from Mr. O’Leary’s memories seemed to be the Corps of Cadets. The military-oriented student discipline then, seems to have formed the heart of the University's traditions today. The presence of the Corps on campus is felt in the form of cadet parades, ceremonies, and traditions. These traditions have had a profound impact not only on the university but also on the broader community such as Bryan/College Station and further into neighboring towns. One other resident mentioned how he has gone all over the world and knows the consistency of the A&M brotherhood when seeing a ring on the finger in countless business, and government sectors.

For the Aggie community, certain phrases and slogans are a part of the daily vernacular, terms that only an Aggie truly understands. Examples include “Gig ‘em Aggies,” a battle cry that originated in the 1930s when an Aggie football player used it to signal the attack. Mr. O’Leary also mentioned code names for items in the Mess Hall such as “sky” meaning water, and “cow” for milk. Mr. O’Leary also emphasized the ring ceremony and how it has become much more than it used to be.

I have learned with my visit with Mr. O’Leary and while in the community that many of A&M’s traditions have evolved. While the university retains a strong military tradition, it has increasingly become a school sought after for all professions, welcoming students from all backgrounds. The Corps of Cadets, though still seemingly central to A&M's culture, now represents a broader range of individuals, and many of its historical practices have been adapted to meet the needs of a modern student body. Despite this evolution, the essence of the traditions—values like loyalty, respect, and service—remains unchanged, ensuring that A&M’s legacy will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Written by Chaplain Gabe Montez

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