Campus Life

2019 Texas A&M Campus Muster Ceremony Set For April 22

President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush will be recognized during the annual ceremony that honors Aggies who have passed away in the last year.
By Sam Peshek, Texas A&M University Division of Marketing & Communications April 16, 2019

Muster candle
The Texas A&M University Campus Muster ceremony set for Monday, April 22 at 7 p.m.

Texas A&M Marketing & Communications

The Texas A&M University Campus Muster ceremony set for Monday, April 22 at 7 p.m. in Reed Arena will honor the Aggies who have passed away during the last year.

Among the individuals who will have their names called in remembrance will be President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, who were buried on the grounds of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Center at Texas A&M in 2018.

The one-time date change for the 2019 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.

Campus Muster Speaker

Dr. Dwight A. Roblyer ‘84, Ph.D., Colonel, USAF (Retired) will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2019 Campus Muster ceremony.

Roblyer graduated from Texas A&M in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in physics and a minor in psychology. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets, a Texas A&M President’s Endowed Scholar, commander of the Squadron Nine “Hellcats,” and a Distinguished Graduate of Texas A&M’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment.

During his military career, he earned a master’s degree in Space Operations from the Air Force Institute of Technology and completed a Ph.D. in Political Science at Texas A&M. Since 2013, Roblyer has served as a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Texas A&M, teaching over 7,000 students in the past six years.

About Muster

At each Muster ceremony around the world, a speaker addresses the crowd before the “Roll Call for the Absent.” Names of those from that area who have died 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.

After reading of the Campus Roll Call in Reed Arena — the largest Muster in the world — a rifle volley is fired and then a special arrangement of “Taps” is played.

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

Camaraderie Barbecue

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 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kyle Field Plaza in addition to attending the campus Muster ceremony in Reed Arena that evening.

Tickets are $10 for students and $13.25 for non-students at the barbeque.

Reflections Display

Personal items submitted by the families of the Roll Call honorees will be displayed as a living memorial to the departed Aggies. Items in the display range from photographs, letters, Aggie Rings, slide shows, and other personal items, each reflecting the honoree’s life.
Additional Information

The doors of Reed Arena will open to the general public at 5 p.m. There is no parking fee, admittance tickets or dress code. Individuals planning on attending with a large group are advised to arrive early to find places together.
Visit the Muster site for additional information.

Media contact: tamunews@tamu.edu.

Related Stories

Recent Stories