Texas A and M University - Aggieland Yearbook (College Station, TX)

Page 25 text:

Jh MeMoriam The 1965 AGGIELAND and the Texas A AA student body sadly note the loss of a great Aggie and a good friend, Robert O. Murray Jr. Mr. Murray worked his way through A M as a student janitor. When he returned to the campus as a staff member, he never forgot how big student problems can seem or how lonely a student in trouble can feel. After graduation in 1943, Mr. Murray was commissioned in the Infantry and decorated seven times for gallantry. A burst of machine gun fire cut short his military career and dashed his plans to become a rancher. Mr. Murray returned to College Station in 1946 and spent the rest of his life in service to Aggies. For two decades, Mr. Murray worked selflessly as a student counselor. He was a patient, under¬ standing listener; a sage advisor; a stern but fair disciplinarian; and an example of abundant faith and energy. Father of the Student Senate and the Civilian Student Council, he earned every award given for service to A M students, including the Former Students ' Award for Distinguished Student Relations. Perhaps the citation accompanying this award best sums up his years of service: . . no man has contributed more to Texas A M or its students . . . 21

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Elmer H. Beutnagel Roberto Payan AAd. T. Islam This memorial service is a most inspirational moment to the men of Aggieland. Students stream from the dormitories with not a word spoken. The campus is darkened. Absolute quiet reigns over the lawn of the Academic Building as the students congregate to pay last respects to a comrade. Marching feet breach the silence. The Ross Volunteer Firing Squad moves into position facing the statue of Lawrence Sullivan Ross. When the hands of the clock move to a half hour past ten, the silence is again broken as the first volley of the twenty-one gun salute is fired. The sounds of clicking heels fill the air as all come to a rigid attention. Then from the Academic Building comes the beautiful and reverent notes of the Silver Taps bugles. As suddenly as it began, the service is over. The students return to their rooms with the sounds of the bugles still ringing in their ears, a remembrance of the one who has passed on. 20

Page 26 text:

Hoard of ' Directors, AkM University System SEATED, left to right: H. C. Heldenfels, Corpus Christ!; John W. Newton, Beaumont; Dr. A. P. Beutel, Lake Jackson; Clyde Thompson, Diboll. STANDING, left to right: Clyde H. Wells, Granbury; S. B. Whittenburg, Amarillo; Sterling C. Evans, Houston; Gardiner Symonds, Houston; L. F. Peterson, Ft. Worth. Appointed by the Governor of Texas, the Board of Directors is responsible for management of the Texas A AA University System. The citizenry of Texas is represented by board members coming from all parts of the state and all walks of life. All major policies of the system, such as the recent name change, the building program, the admis¬ sion of students ' wives to classes, the obtainment of the new Cyclotron Institute, and the new optional Corps of Cadets ' program, are initiated by the Board, at regular meetings. The successes of the A AA System in the past, present, and future can be traced to the efforts of the A AA University Board of Directors. 22