 "Photo: Stephen Fogg")
The Texas A&M yearbook has been around so long that it used to be called "The Longhorn," before the University of Texas had claim to the name.
Known today as "Aggieland," the yearbook has been produced for more than 100 years, capturing memories and providing a glimpse of A&M through its history.
Since its first publication in 1895, the yearbook has had its fair share of history and has been recognized as one of the nation's top college yearbooks.
The task of editing the yearbook can be a daunting one, but it also comes with rewards, said "Aggieland" Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Peña, a junior general studies major.
"Being the editor-in-chief is a lot of responsibility and more than I thought it would be," said Peña, who was selected as editor by the A&M Student Media Board in March, after working as the managing editor and sports editor.
Producing a 720-page book over the course of a year can be stressful for the staff of 30, she said, but in the end they know they covered a chapter of University history.
The yearbook has documented many changes both to the University and as a publication since it was first published.
It was launched in 1895, when Lawrence Sullivan Ross was president of the then-Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas. In 1949, the name of the yearbook changed from the "Longhorn" to "Aggieland."
Robert Wegener, adviser to "Aggieland" since 1991, said advancements in technology and design are the greatest progresses he's noticed.
"The biggest changes have been the ways the book is produced," Wegener said. "Writers used typewriters and photographers turned in prints or slides."
Despite the changing technology, Wegener said, many aspects of "Aggieland" have not changed.
"The book is unique because A&M is unique," Wegener said.
"Tradition is important to Aggies so you just change how you cover it."
"Aggieland" has six sections: sports, academics, Corps of Cadets, Greeks, traditions and The Other Education. There are also senior portraits.
Peña said her work with "Aggieland" has been the "other education" for her, giving her an opportunity to make a mark in her time at the University.
"Even though this is a job for me, it is also my involvement in A&M," Peña said. "As a freshman I worked on the 2007 edition and that was how I made friends. Working for the Aggieland pulled me through my freshman year."
Many of the editors and staff members - like Peña - began yearbook training in high school. Though A&M no longer has a journalism deparment, Wegener said, opportunities for students to learn more about editing and yearbook production remain.
"Many of our editors take classes like graphic design or editing for the mass media," he said.
He said that students do not have to have journalism experience. One example of a student who came from a different background was a geologist: Michael T. Halbouty, namesake of the geosciences building and Class of 1930, was the yearbook's editor-in-chief in 1930. "I have a lot of emotions and a lot of time in that book," Halbouty recalled before his death in 2004.
"Aggieland" has consistently received awards and recognition, but sales have steadily decreased in recent years.
Wegener attributes the drop to changes in the University's registration process. "Now, because of the way registration is done, students can only purchase them during their registration window," he said.
Peña said that, despite the decline in sales, former students frequently call, expressing their regret of not purchasing their class yearbook and ask if any are available.
"I think many student don't see the yearbook as a necessity because memories are fresh in their minds," Peña said. "I know that people have things like Facebook to turn to, but the yearbook is 720 pages of memories of A&M."
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