By Shelbi LeMeilleur
"Here" is available through the Texas A&M University press
“Here”: The Muster Speeches at Texas A&M University; Edited by Jerry Cullum Cooper Every year on April 21, Aggies all over the world gather to “live over again their college days,” reflecting on their time at Texas A&M University, as well as remembering the fellow Aggies who have passed away during the last year. This revered tradition known as Muster started in the 1880s but cemented its status as a sacred tradition in the 1940s. There are now more than 300 Musters held in locations worldwide. In “‘Here’: The Muster Speeches at Texas A&M University,” Jerry Cullum Cooper documents the 72 keynote addresses delivered during the Texas A&M campus Musters from 1944 to 2017.
The speeches, by some of the most prominent Aggies and leadership figures, offer insight into the culture of Texas A&M and the status of the country at the time. It is absolutely fascinating to see history through maroon-tinted lenses. No speech is the same; some focus on the political climate of the country, while others reflect on the changes at Texas A&M. No matter the aim of the speech, each one finds a way to capture the intangible, often unexplainable, Aggie Spirit. Even today, lessons can be learned from each remarkable speech.
Many of the campus speakers were people who mean a great deal to the Aggie family: E. King Gill, Jack K. Williams, James Earl Rudder, Lt. Gen. Ormond R. Simpson, Gene Stallings, Rick Perry, R.C. Slocum... Other names may not be as recognizable today, but each speaker was a trailblazer and important part of the Aggie community in some way. Although most campus speakers were graduates of Texas A&M, nine of them were not, including Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. In addition to the speeches, Cooper provides a brief bio about each speaker.
Whether you’ve been to 50 Musters or none at all, “‘Here’” contains a powerful and impactful part of Texas A&M history. Muster may be one of the most somber traditions at Texas A&M, but you would be hard pressed to find a tradition that more clearly embodies the Aggie Spirit. “Softly call the Muster, let comrade answer ‘Here!’”
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