All Aboard! 2005 Century Council Meeting a Success
More than 100 Chancellor’s Century Council members, A&M System officials, Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board students and staff were on hand March 3-5 for the 2005 Annual Meeting in College Station. The meeting theme, “All Aboard,” brought back memories of the A&M campus when College Station was literally a train depot for arriving and departing students.
Arriving Council members were greeted at the registration desk at the Courtyard Marriott by a display of train memorabilia provided by College Station resident and collector, Hoy Richards. The opening event was a reception and dinner at Pebble Creek Country Club with Dr. Bob Gates, president of Texas A&M University, as the keynote speaker. Dr. Gates reminisced about his days at the Central Intelligence Agency and provided incredible insight into the inner workings, dangers and sometimes humorous anecdotes that occurred during his CIA career. The Texas A&M Singing Cadets provided entertainment before dinner and an electronic Aggie train was on display, courtesy of train enthusiast Chuck Lind of College Station.
Friday morning began with the business meeting, during which Chairman Wayne Prescott presided. He explained the proposed by-law changes dividing the state into four regions with four at-large positions. This proposal was unanimously accepted. He also gave a report on the Howard D. Graves scholarship and discussed the newsletter, web site and the new brochure available for recruiting members. Following the meeting, members enjoyed presentations by members of the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board and updates on Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Commerce and the A&M System Agriculture Program.
The group traveled by bus to Prairie View A&M University for lunch Friday where President George Wright provided an update of the mission and goals of the university. The Council was treated to a surprise performance by the Prairie View A&M marching band and drill team, as well as entertainment by the university’s jazz ensemble and a campus tour. Friday evening marked the Council’s annual banquet at Briarcrest Country Club. State Senator Steve Ogden traveled from Austin to introduce his friend and banquet keynote speaker, The Honorable Kent Hance, attorney and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In addition to updates by the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board Saturday morning, the leaders of three A&M System institutions updated the Council on their work: Texas A&M University-Texarkana, Texas Engineering Extension Service and the Texas Transportation Institute. Lunch was served at The Zone at Kyle Field on the Texas A&M campus with Texas A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne as one of the special guests. The Texas Aggie Dance Team provided the entertainment.
Following lunch, Mr. Neal Adams, a member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, updated the Council on the Board’s “Closing the Gaps” plan to increase Texans’ participation in higher education by 2015, in addition to increasing the number of nationally recognized programs and level of federal research funding in Texas colleges and universities. Then the group enjoyed a tour of the Bright Athletic Complex and had a “chance encounter” with Coach Fran.
The final event of the meeting was a barbeque dinner at The Veranda, a country retreat in Bryan. Members shared their experiences during the meeting, enjoyed entertainment by the Aggie Wranglers, a student country- western dance group, and said their goodbyes until next year’s meeting. For members unable to attend the meeting this year, you were missed and we hope to see you next year!
