Muster
MUSTER


Muster began in June of 1883 as members of the Ex-cadets Association came together to "live over again our college days, the victories and defeats won and lost upon drill ground and classroom" and to "let every alumni answer a roll call." In 1922, April 21st became the formalized day of events for all A&M clubs to celebrate San Jacinto Day in the same fashion. Since then, events that occurred on April 21st have grown in size and number.

Muster gained national recognition in 1942 when newspapers reported that a Muster ceremony was held by 24 Aggies on the island of Corregidor in the Philippines just days before the land fell to the Japanese. Throughout World War II, there were reports of Aggies coming together from across the globe. Two men were said to have held Muster in a submaring. Accounts such as these inspired Aggies to establish annual Musters around the world and to inaugurate the first campus Muster ceremony in 1944.

Today Aggie Muster is celebrated in more than 400 places world-wide. The ceremony brings together more Aggies and friends of Aggies on one occasion than any other at any other university in the world. Students coordinate the Campus Muster held for students, faculty and alumni of the Braxos Valley. Each year Muster is dedicated to the fifty-year reunion class. The Campus Muster involves a day of activities for students of past and present. Alumni enjoy a special program including personalized tours of the ever-changing but historic campus. At noon, all Aggies converge at the Academic Plaza to enjoy food, friendship and entertainment with a barbecue reminiscent of the early years at Texas A&M.

The day closes with the Roll Call for the Absent ceremony, when over eight thousand people come together to honor and remember those who are no longer with us. Following the Singing Cadets, Aggie Band and Muster speaker, lights are dimmed and the roll call is called for Aggies who are no longer with us. As each name is called, a candle is lit and a friend or family member answers "here" to remind us all that each Aggie, though no longer present in body, will always remain with us in spirit.

Muster will continue to serve as the foundation of Aggie Spirit, upholding those ideals and principles common to all students of Texas A&M, common to all Aggies, forever.

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Note: This page is from the Texas A&M University New Student Handbook 1995-1996