Old Ags make new memories

Separated by distance, attitudes and several generation gaps, current and former students are finding a way to come together and share the Aggie spirit.

Aggie Hostel, a program that allows former students to return to Texas A&M, was conceived as the basis for a Master's degree thesis in 1988, said Rosella Garcia, class programs coordinator in the former student programs department of the Association of Former Students.

The annual program was held June 2 to June 6, with 37 attendees and 21 hosts.

Sixteen years after its conception, the program is getting positive feedback from organizers and attendees.

"(It's) an incredible event to see these two generations exist as one," Garcia said.

The program allows Aggies ages 60 and older to return to A&M for a week and attend classes and lectures that students attend, she said.

The attendees, called Hostlers, also attended evening events such as banquets and Ring Dance. They stayed in the Southside modular residence halls Eppright and Wells.

The program costs $600 for a single person or $1,100 for a double. The cost pays for everything, including food and lodging.

This is the first year that the program age limit was lowered from 65 to 60. Former students are informed of the program through flyers and class newsletters.

Trey Tarwater, a junior speech communications major, spent the week with two other students escorting a group of five around campus.

Tarwater, a first-time host, said he spent every morning waking up early trying to beat his Hostlers to breakfast, but said he could not.

Tarwater said he got involved the program because of advice from a member of the Class of 1986.

The program required a great deal of his time throughout the week, but he does not regret it, he said.

"(The Hostel was) one of the best experiences I've ever had at A&M," he said.

Jennie Walsh, who attended the program with her husband Don, received a Master's degree in sociology from A&M in 1966 and a Ph.D. in education in 1971.

The Walshes lived in College Station for 14 years and now reside in the Denton, TX. area. Though the school was much smaller and mostly male, she felt comfortable attending A&M, JennieWalsh said.

"I never encountered any resistance to my being there," she said.

Don Walsh, Class of 1959, received three degrees from A&M. He attended A&M in the early 1950's, before leaving to join the Air Force. He said the school was small, rural and agricultural.

"(College Station) was kind of dusty," he said.

Though the school had grown by the time the Walsh's moved, it was still small compared to what it is now, with 15,000 students, Don Walsh said. A major percentage of those students, he said, were still in the Corps of Cadets. He said the school now offers many more programs than it once did.

The Walshes said they were amazed at how friendly the students were.

"Both my wife and me were blown away," Don Walsh said.

Don Walsh said the hosts took their cars and their luggage for them. Posters were placed in the rooms of the hostlers with information and pictures of their hosts, Jennie Walsh said. The hosts, she said, did their jobs very well.

"I don't know how they prepare the students, but the way they do it is well nigh perfect," she said.

The Walshes' did disagree on one issue. While Don Walshes' favorite program was a chemistry demonstration, Jennie Walsh preferred a lecture by Dr. Jim Olson.

Don Walsh said he came to the program not knowing what to expect, but that he and current students wound up sharing many of their experiences and memories.

He said that he plans to e-mail Aggie Clubs in the Denton area to let them know about the Aggie Hostel program.

Both Don and Jennie Walsh said they would be returning.

"We'll be back next year," Jennie said. "It was like coming home, and people acted like they missed us."