Class of '61 55th Anniversary Reunion

March 21-23, 2016
College Station, TX

HOWDY SUL ROSS AGS!
As I write this newsletter, the football frenzy is over and we are in the proverbial “wait until next year” mode. With our magnificent Kyle Field and other outstanding facilities, we should soon have another championship level team. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams are playing at a very high level and we can anticipate a deep run into “March Madness” for both teams.

The plans are complete for the 69th Sul Ross Group Reunion, March 21 - 23, 2016; arriving on Monday, March 21st and departing on Wednesday, March 23. We all look forward to inducting the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1961 into our august Group!

Some outstanding speakers have been scheduled as well as a grand tour of the amazing Kyle Field. The College Station Hilton will be the Headquarters Hotel for the Reunion. If you have not already made your hotel reservation, please refer to the hotel information on ​further down this page. Please note the DEADLINE for registering without a late fee is before March 1, 2016. It will be to your advantage to register as soon as possible. You can always cancel if your plans change. Also, please note The Association’s cancellation policy as well as that of the Hilton or other hotel you prefer.

Check in for the Reunion with The Association of Former Students staff will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday the 21st. At that time you will find out the location of your Class Hospitality Room and whether your Class will have an individual Class dinner on Tuesday evening or if your Class will join the Cluster Group. A Class must have at least 40 in attendance to qualify for a separate Class Dinner.

Due to the schedule of our speakers, the Dinner Dance, including the Aggieland Orchestra, will be held on Monday evening, March 21. Our speaker for this event will be Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young (cocktail or church attire is preferred for this event). Click here to go directly to the full schedule of events.

Remember, our ladies are welcome to attend all functions. However, on Tuesday, the 22nd during the business meeting, they will have the option of attending a Ladies’ Coffee in the Oakwood Ballroom at the Hilton. The ladies will join the men for a luncheon at the MSC featuring BG Joe Ramirez ‘79, Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, who will speak on the status of the Corps of Cadets. On Tuesday afternoon, the Association has arranged a grand tour of the newly redeveloped “Kyle Field” or, you can spend this time on your own or visiting the hospitality rooms. Breakfast on Wednesday morning will feature Joseph Benigno ‘16, Student Body President, Texas A&M University and Alyssa Michalke ‘16, Corps Commander, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.

As you will remember, in an effort to continue to give back to our beloved university, the Sul Ross Group Board has agreed on a new goal over the next three years - to raise eight more $25,000.00 scholarships for the Corps. We, as a group, committed to raise $200,000.00 in three years to fund these additional scholarships. As the Corps of Cadets is a vital part of our legacy at Texas A&M and the “Keepers of the Spirit” of Texas A&M, this project is essential to the future of the Corps. These scholarships allow the Commandant to develop the Corps by adding young men and women who are worthy to represent the Corps and insure its viability and success. Commandant BG Joe Ramirez ‘79 is looking forward to your participation in this important project. Click here to view the details regarding “Eight more for the Corps” and how you can participate! We are expecting an outstanding Reunion turnout. Getting to visit with our Classmates and other Classes and the opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of all will make this Reunion an exciting time for all of us.

Paul Holladay ‘56
President, Sul Ross Group

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Monday, March 21

Tuesday, March 22

Wednesday, March 23

ACCOMMODATIONS

*The block at the Hilton is currently sold out!  Please check with the Convention & Visitor's Bureau or with one of the hotels listed in close proximity to the Hilton which are the Hyatt Place, Hawthorne Suites, Comfort Suites, Homewood Suites, Residence Inn and Holiday Inn Express to make your reservations.We currently have 78% of the available rooms at the Hilton allocated for the Reunion.  A few suites at the Hilton are available but they are not part of the group rate.  You can still check with the Hilton on a regular basis to see if a room does become available but for now the block is sold out and we cannot add anymore rooms. 

The block of reserved rooms for The Sul Ross Group Reunion at The Hilton is currently sold out. If rooms become available, you can make your reservations by calling the College Station Hilton directly before February 28, 2016 at 979-693-7500. Be sure to reference the Group Code: ROSS16 to receive the rate of $145 per night, plus tax. If you prefer to stay at another hotel in the area, please call the Accommodations Hotline at 979-260-9898 to check on hotel availability in the area.  You may also go to the Bryan-College Station Accommodations website to book a room. Hotels in close proximity to the Hilton are Hyatt Place, Hawthorne Suites, Comfort Suites, Homewood Suites, Residence Inn and Holiday Inn Express. Call today! 

College Station Hilton — Reunion Headquarters Hotel

801 University Drive East — (979) 693-7500 
$145/night, plus tax 
Group Name: Sul Ross Reunion
Code: ROSS16
Deadline: February 28, 2016
Check-in time: 4:00 p.m. 
Check-out time: Noon

 

REUNION CHECK IN & REGISTRATION
After securing your room reservation, please complete and return the enclosed Reunion Registration Form by mail to The Association of Former Students, PO Box 10005, College Station, TX 77842, ATTN: Sul Ross Group Reunion; FAX 979-845-9263; or you can register online by clicking here.

If you have any questions, please contact the Former Student Programs office at The Association of Former Students at 800-633-7514. Your nametags, an updated schedule of events and a list of pre-registered participants will be waiting for you at the Reunion Check-In Desk, which will open at the College Station Hilton at 1:00 p.m. on Monday Mar. 21. Walk-up Registration will be accepted based on availability. To ensure your admission, register before the Mar. 1 late fee deadline. All registrations received on or after the deadline will incur a $10 late fee.

CLASS AGENT ELECTIONS

Class Agents serve as a liaison between their Class and The Association. This is the perfect opportunity to get involved as a former student, stay connected to the university and help lead your Class in supporting A&M. Elections are held in conjunction with your Reunions, so now is your chance! As for your current Class Agents, George Loveland, Tom Reid & Dick Hickerson are willing to serve again if elected. However, they want to give other Classmates the chance to serve if they would like to do so.  The current Class Agents also feel it would be good to have a Class Agent that is computer literate on the next team of Class Agents. 

Teams consist of two to five members of your Class and serve a five-year term. As a Class Agent you will serve on The Association of Former Students’ Leadership Council, which meets twice a year. The Association of Former Students provides orientation and resources to aid you in this role. Class Agents are responsible for keeping the Class informed through Newsletters, web sites and emails, planning Class events and providing annual fund information to former students.  

Class Agent elections will be held at your Reunion. If you wish to serve as a Class Agent for our Class, you must contact the Class Programs staff at The Association of Former Students at Class@AggieNetwork.com or 979-845-7514 before the Reunion to get your name on the ballot. All nominations must be received prior to the start of the Reunion. For more information go to http://tx.ag/ClassAgent or email Class@AggieNetwork.com.

KYLE FIELD TOUR
For those that have not seen the redeveloped Kyle Field, you have the opportunity to attend a walking tour of the stadium following the luncheon on Tuesday Mar. 22. The tour will begin in the Hall of Champions and you will be able to see the coaches' booths, TV broadcast booths, suites, and field box. The entire tour is accessible by elevator, but there is walking involved during the tour so please be prepared to walk. If you are interested in this tour please register for this event. If you prefer to drive yourself to Kyle Field you can pay to park at the Koldus Parking Garage next to the MSC and walk to the west entrance of Kyle Field where the tour will begin.  

​TRANSPORTATION
Bus transportation will be provided on Tuesday Mar. 22 for the luncheon at the MSC. Buses will ​begin shuttle service at the Hilton's west entrance starting at 11 a.m. for the MSC. After the luncheon the shuttle service will return guests to the Hilton or to the Kyle Field Tour.  I you prefer to drive yourself to campus you can pay to park at the Koldus Parking Garage next to the MSC. For more information on campus parking please click here.

8 MORE FOR THE CORPS
In 2013, the Sul Ross Group fulfilled its commitment of $200,000 to the MSC Pillar Campaign. Thank you for being a part of that great effort! For 2014, the Sul Ross Group Board elected to raise another $200,000 over a three-year period. Since the Reunion in March 2014, the fund has raised $123,634.27 in cash gifts as well as $47,320 in pledges. These funds go directly to deserving students in the Corps in the form of eight $25,000 scholarships. As of the summer of 2014, five Sul Ross Scholarships have been created thanks to your generous support. We still have a ways to go, and donations are still being accepted. The sixth scholarship is in the process of being created. To donate to this fundraising effort for Corps students, you can donate online ​by clicking here. In the memo line reference “T.L. Smith Sul Ross Group Heritage Endowment Income” for ​all donations. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the project.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
The Nominating Committee, following the customs and practices previously established, proposes the following slate of officers, assistant directors and ex-officio officers for the 2016-17 year to be voted upon during the Men’s Business Meeting on March 22, 2016.

CENTURY CLUB DONATION
Your participation in the annual fund has a significant impact on the education experience of our students and provides the resources needed to support programs and activities for students and former students. We appreciate that you choose to participate and support Aggies and Texas A&M. Make a difference by donating now.

Levels of annual giving include:
Active - $1-$99
Bronze - $100-$249
Silver - $250-$499
Gold - $500-$999 
Diamond - $1000-$1999
Double Diamond - $2000-$4999
Platinum - $5000-$9999
Double Platinum - $10,000 plus

CANCELLATION POLICY
The Association of Former Students has a fairly flexible cancellation policy. If you cannot attend your Reunion, or an event for which you have registered, please contact the Former Student Programs office (800-633-7514) no later than 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2016. Your payment will be refunded with the exception of the registration fee. Registration changes after the March 8 deadline cannot be refunded as food orders will have been guaranteed.