Class of '71 50th Anniversary Reunion

Oct. 24-27, 2021
College Station

Printable Registration Form

HOWDY!
Yes, it really has been 50 years! In September 1967, we began the most fantastic journey, leading to our 50th Anniversary Reunion. 50 years ago some of us had graduated in May and August and some were still walking the A&M campus. As seniors and student leaders we helped to leave the legacy of the best Class to ever grace the campus. In September 1967 we represented approximately 2,740 of the almost 11,700 student body. As far as we know 2,290 of us have survived for the 50 years since. As a small Class compared to the Class of 2021, which has 19,827, we were able to develop friendships and bonds that have kept us together all this time.

We now have the opportunity to renew those bonds, to refresh our friendships and to relive those events that made us Class of ’71 Aggies. Our 50th Anniversary Reunion is Oct. 24-27 in College Station. All the details are below. Many of you have heeded the early alerts to make your lodging arrangements and to block this time on your calendars. For others, now is the time to do so. Our Facebook page (Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1971) has all the data as well.

As you look through the schedule, you will also find free time when you can just hang out with your old buds, tell stories that have gotten better with time and unfortunately, hear about everyone’s ailments. There will also be opportunities to talk about Classmates who are no longer with us, those for whom Silver Taps has been played, and whose deaths have left holes in our hearts.

Since we were unable to Muster in April as is tradition for the 50th Reunion we will have a special time which we will recognize our Classmates who are no longer with us.

We will have golfing, wine tours, tours of campus, time for gathering of outfits, dorms and organizations as well as a few surprises. We have tried to plan activities for those who have not been back on campus for quite a while as well as those who are fortunate enough to make frequent visits. We will wrap up the Reunion on Wednesday morning with a panel of student leaders, sharing their thoughts on what student life is like these days. As much as things have changed in the past 50 years, and as much as we like to say that “old Army is shot to hell,” you will find these students truly impressive. Their values and the leadership they exhibit will restore your faith in the Aggies that A&M is turning out these days. We hope that by the time the Reunion is over you will see why Texas A&M is a world class university. Upon completion of the student panel discussion, we can say ‘fifteen for team, farmers fight, and call it a night.’ Farewell and God Bless!

Widows and widowers are more than welcome to come, and we encourage you to please do so. Make plans to register and attend this 50th Anniversary Reunion.

For those that want to wrap a football game around the Reunion, we have made arrangements. While not officially part of the Reunion, we have options for football tickets for the Saturday, Oct. 23, game against South Carolina, hotel accommodations and the opportunity for former Corps guys (sorry, no Corps gals in the Class of ’71) to march in the Rally to the Guidons.

South Carolina Football tickets – https://fevo.me/classof71
Hotels – https://corpsofcadets.org/rally-weekend-hotels
Rally to the Guidons - https://secure.corpsofcadets.org/rally2021.aspx

See you in October!

Your Class of ’71 Class Agents,
Darryl English, Al “Scooter” Reese and Walt Truett

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

ACCOMMODATIONS 
A block of rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center for the Class of ’71 50th Anniversary Reunion. Make your reservations before Sept. 23 by booking online at tx.ag/71ReunionHotel to receive the rate of $129 per night, plus tax. 

If you prefer to stay at another hotel, listings of area hotels and other accommodations can be found at visit.cstx.gov/hotels/ and destinationbryan.com/book-your-stay/. Rooms will fill up fast, so make your reservations today!

Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center – Reunion Headquarters Hotel
177 Joe Routt Blvd, College Station, TX - (979) 260-2573 
For reservations: tx.ag/71ReunionHotel
$129/night, plus tax
Group Name: Class of ’71 Reunion 
Deadline: Sept. 23
Check-in time: 4 p.m.
Check-out time: 11 a.m.

REUNION CHECK IN & REGISTRATION
After securing your room reservation, make sure to register for the Reunion! Please register online using the button above or print out and return the Reunion Registration Form by mail to the address below or by fax to (979) 845-9263. If you have any questions, please contact the Class Programs team at The Association of Former Students at (800) 633-7514. 

The Association of Former Students 
ATTN: Class of '71 Reunion
PO Box 10005
College Station, TX 77842

Your nametags, registration gift, 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 times listed on the schedule of events below. Walk-up Registration will be accepted based on availability. To ensure your admission, register before the Oct. 10 deadline. All registrations received after the deadline will incur a $20 late fee. The last day to register is Oct. 17.

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 Class Programs team at (800) 633-7514 by Friday, Oct. 15. Your payment will be refunded with the exception of the registration fee. Registration changes after this deadline cannot be refunded as food orders will have been guaranteed.

GOLF OUTING - MONDAY, OCT. 25 AT 9 A.M.
The Class of '71 golf outing will be held Monday, Oct. 25 at 9 a.m. at the campus course, The Golf Club at Texas A&M, which was renovated in 2013. The fee on the registration form for this golf outing is $65/person including golf cart. There will be a shotgun tee-off at 9 a.m. for the scramble format. If one has preferences with whom they want to play, please indicate on the registration form.

MESSINA HOF TOUR - MONDAY, OCT. 25 AT 10 A.M.
An iconic destination in the Brazos Valley, Messina Hof Winery and Resort began operations in Bryan, TX in 1977 with a single-acre experimental vineyard, a site that still contributes to the company’s success today. As one of the largest producers of 100% Texas wines and the 4th largest Texas winery. They are an Aggie Owned and operated company.

Classmates and guests will have the opportunity to tour the facility, have a wine tasting and lunch. Bus transportation from the hotel to the winery and back is included in the cost of the event.

MUSIC ACTIVITIES CENTER TOUR - MONDAY, OCT. 25 AT 3:30 P.M.
From football games to formal concerts, Texas A&M University has a rich musical tradition, one that includes a wide variety of performances and covers a diverse set of genres.

The new John D. White ’70 – Robert L. Walker ’58 Music Activities Center will accommodate more than 1,300 student musicians who participate in the bands, choirs and orchestras at Texas A&M. Don’t miss out on touring this newly constructed state-of-the art facility!

Those attending the Music Activities Center tour may park at the University Center (Koldus) Garage by the Rudder Theater Complex for a fee.

CLASS OF '71 PHOTO - TUESDAY, OCT. 26 AT 10:30 A.M.
On Oct. 26, your Class will have their picture taken in front of the Systems Administration Building, now called the Jack K. Williams Administration Building, just as you did when you were students. Buses will take you from the Texas A&M Hotel to the Administration Building at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. This picture is for Class of ’71 members only. Please remove caps and sunglasses for the picture. There will be picture order forms available at the Reunion registration desk, so you may order your Class picture on site, via the photographer’s website, or mail the form in at a later time. An alternate location will be used in the case of inclement weather.

OUTFIT, DORM AND STUDENT GROUP GATHERINGS - TUESDAY, OCT. 26 AT 11 A.M.
Outfits, dorms, and student groups are encouraged to gather on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or throughout the free time available on the days of the Reunion. Popular gathering locations include: local Classmate residences, the Dixie Chicken on Northgate, and sports bars in College Station.

*If you are willing to help coordinate an outfit or student group gathering please contact Al Reese at 713-320-4668 or
 areese@integritygrowthllc.com.

ZACHRY ENGINEERING COMPLEX TOUR - TUESDAY, OCT. 26 AT 3:30 P.M.
The Zachry Engineering Complex is one of the largest academic building on campus and unlike any other facility in the nation. The 525,000 square foot complex completely modernizes the original Zachry Engineering Center and expands the facility to include a state-of-the-art Engineering Design Center. There are no lecture halls, but instead there are active learning studios that foster teamwork and furniture that fully integrates technology. Sign up to see the renovated facility!

Paid parking for the Zachry Tour is available at Northside Parking Garage, Central Parking Garage, or Lot 51 by Bonfire Memorial. Since class is still taking place, it is recommended that you arrive early in case the area you attempt to park in is full.

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION
Parking at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center is complimentary in the Stallings Boulevard Parking Garage for all guests with hotel reservations. If you are not a guest of the hotel, parking is available in the garage at an hourly rate. 

For Classmates participating in the golf outing, parking is available at the golf course. Please check in at the club house first to receive a parking permit. 

Those attending the Music Activities Center tour may park at the University Center (Koldus) Garage by the Rudder Theater Complex for a fee.

Paid parking for the Zachry Tour is available at Northside Parking Garage, Central Parking Garage, or Lot 51 by Bonfire Memorial. Since class is still taking place, it is recommended that you arrive early in case the area you attempt to park in is full.

Please note, due to ongoing Aggie Park construction, parking at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center will be unavailable during your Reunion weekend.

Additional information regarding visitor parking on campus can be found at transport.tamu.edu/Parking/visitor.

Bus transportation will be available for those participating in the Messina Hof event and to shuttle you to the Class Photo on Tuesday morning. Transportation is on your own for all other activities.

ON-YOUR-OWN FREE TIME ACTIVITIES
Visitor's Center walking tour of campus - campusvisit.tamu.edu
Self-guided walking tour of campus - tamu.edu/map
Visit the Memorial Student Center for the Hall of Honor, Muster collections and shops - msc.ucenter.tamu.edu
Visit the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center - AggieNetwork.com/building/exhibits/
Visit the Sanders Corps Center - corpscenter.tamu.edu
Walk the Quadrangle - corps.tamu.edu
Tour Bonfire Memorial - bonfire.tamu.edu/memorial

CLASS OF '71 MEMORABILIA
We will have tables set up in the Hospitality Room throughout the Reunion for you to display memorabilia from your days in Aggieland. Please remember to bring photo albums, scrapbooks, etc., so that we may display them in the secured room for all of your Classmates to see and reminisce over! Memorabilia can be taken home by the contributor after the Reunion.

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 supporting A&M. Elections are held in conjunction with your Reunions, so now is your chance!

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, websites and emails, planning Class events and providing annual fund information to former students.

Your current Class Agents, Al, Darryl & Walt have agreed to serve another term if elected.

Class Agent elections will be held during the business meeting of the Reunion. For more information go to tx.ag/ClassAgent, email Class@AggieNetwork.com or call (800) 633-7514 at least 7 days prior to your Reunion to get your name on the ballot!

CENTURY CLUB DONATION
Gifts to The Association of Former Students create a lasting impact for students and former students of Texas A&M through scholarships, student assistance funding, student organization support, career services, and more. Make your gift today to help us help more Aggies.

Levels of annual giving:
Active - $50-$99
Bronze - $100-$249
Silver - $250-$499
Gold - $500-$999 
Diamond - $1,000+
Endowed - $25,000+