Texas A&M Campus Muster Ceremony To Be Held Monday, April 22, 2019

The student-led Texas A&M University Aggie Muster Committee announced this week that the 2019 campus Muster ceremony will be held Monday, April 22, at 7 p.m. in Reed Arena.

The one-time date change for the campus Muster ceremony from its usual day of observance on San Jacinto Day, April 21, was prompted by the date coinciding with the Easter Sunday holiday, a time when traveling to and from campus may be difficult for members of the Texas A&M campus community and loved ones of deceased Aggies being honored.

Aggie Muster Committee Chair Helena Shakesby, a Human Resource Management graduate student and member of the class of 2019, said the decision was made “with the input and support of a wide array of campus and community representatives.” Community representatives included Texas A&M representative student organizations (Student Senate, Class Councils, Corps of Cadets, Graduate & Professional Student Councils, etc.), Texas A&M University administrators, The Association of Former Students, Class of 1969 representatives, former honored families, Transportation Services and Reed Arena support staff.

“The decision to hold the campus Muster on a different day was made with extensive care and consideration for those served by our Muster and those impacted by the event itself,” Shakesby said. “Opinions were gathered and voices were heard throughout the process, with full acknowledgement of the challenge of how to best serve the campus community. The Aggie Muster Committee is proud to organize and hold a Muster that as many Aggies as possible can attend.”

Musters of the past

At each Muster ceremony around the world, a speaker addresses those gathered before the “Roll Call for the Absent.” Names of those from that community who have passed away in the past year will be read, and as each name is called, a family member or friend will answer “Here” to show that Aggie is present in spirit. Then, a candle will be lit.

News clippings in Texas A&M’s archives show two instances since 1944, when the first student Muster was held on campus, in which Muster coincided with Easter Sunday. A campus Muster was held on Easter Sunday in 1946, but no campus Muster was held in 1957.

Visit the Aggie Traditions page to learn more about the tradition.

Class of 1969 reunion

Another aspect of campus Muster that will be affected by the date change is the class of 1969’s 50-year reunion. In keeping with Muster tradition, the 50-year reunion class is invited back to campus for a Camaraderie BBQ where they share stories and connect with current students.

The class of 1969 will be incorporating Muster into the first night of their reunion on April 21 and attend the Camaraderie BBQ the following day on April 22 in addition to attending the campus Muster ceremony in Reed Arena that evening.

Members of the class of 1969 can contact their class agents via email with questions.

Off-campus Muster observances

Although, the campus Muster ceremony will be observed on April 22, members of A&M Clubs around the world are encouraged to celebrate on the date that best serves their community.

In 2018, 26 of nearly 300 Musters around the world did not occur on April 21. The Muster staff at The Association of Former Students said that as of Oct. 1, 10 of the 17 registered Musters have indicated they will observe Muster on a date other than April 21 in 2019. They anticipate that the majority of Musters will not be held on April 21.

The Association of Former Students will be reading the worldwide roll call on April 21 on campus.