Texas A&M University marks 150 years this week, and the yearlong sesquicentennial program opens Friday, Oct. 2, with a ceremony in the afternoon and a yell practice and drone show at Kyle Field that night.
The anniversary dates to Wednesday, Oct. 4, 1876, when what was then called the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas opened its doors to students.
Friday's opening events
The Sesquicentennial Opening Ceremony starts at 4 p.m. The university moved it indoors to Rudder Auditorium because rain is in the forecast; it had been planned for the lawn of the Jack K. Williams Administration Building. According to A&M's events calendar, anyone may attend, a reception follows the program, and the ceremony will also be livestreamed.
President Susan Ballabina, Chancellor Glenn Hegar and Board of Regents Chairman Robert Albritton are among the scheduled speakers, and the Singing Cadets and the Aggie Band are set to perform, My Aggie Nation reported.
At 9 p.m., "Kickoff at Kyle" brings a special Yell Practice to Kyle Field ahead of Saturday's home game against Arkansas. Organizer Julie Mosbo Ballestro told KBTX that more than 40 former yell leaders signed up to take part. The evening ends with a drone and pyrotechnics show by Sky Elements, which My Aggie Nation said will use 800 drones to trace the university's history.
A&M's listing for the evening does not mention an admission charge.
Spirit of 150 Week
The university is billing Oct. 2 through Oct. 8 as Spirit of 150 Week. Highlights on A&M's calendar:
- Exhibit: "Here for Good: Celebrating 150 Years of Texas A&M University" opens Oct. 2 at the Memorial Student Center's J. Wayne Stark Galleries. Admission is free, and it stays up through May 16, 2027. Ballestro told KBTX that items on display include Reveille's original blanket and the Corregidor Muster flag.
- Birthday treats: Monday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., the university will hand out cake and ice cream cookie sandwiches at no charge to students, faculty and staff at a dozen campus locations.
- Speaker series: On Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in Rudder Theatre, Roku founder Anthony Wood, Class of 1987, will talk with Ballabina about entrepreneurship and the university's future.
Later in the year
Former U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm is scheduled to speak Oct. 14 at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at the Bush Library, with more speakers planned for November, February and April, according to My Aggie Nation.
