Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, May 15, 2015

Yesterday ( May 14 ) I drove  to Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas,  from Wickes Arkansas and arrived about 5 PM. I drove around the campus for a while then found a motel for the night. I stayed in a Marriott Residence Inn which was very nice and reasonable compared to some motels I have stayed in along the interstate. On the morning of the 15th I met up with the graduate Sara Watkins, her mother and father, Jamie Diven Watkins and Her husband Steve Watkins and her brother Will Watkins and his bride to be Kelsey Schmitz and we went for breakfast. After breakfast we went back to Sara's dorm room to dress for the Hooding Ceremony for the candidates who will be receiving Masters Degrees in Educational Management tonight in the commencement program. The following is the program for this ceremony which was held at 10 A M. The Memorial Student Center ( MSC ), Bethancourt Ballroom. The following two items are the program for this ceremony.

Hooding Ceremony Program

Spirit Of Aggieland And War Hymn

There were eight candidates presented for hooding. The ceremony was held in The Memorial Student Center ( MSC ), Bethancourt Ballroom. with perhaps 100 people in attendance including family members of the candidates, the first year students in this program and friends of the candidates. It was an intimate setting and very impressive for the occasion.

Hooding Ceremony Room

Hooding Ceremony Stage

Sara Reading Program

 Sara Shaking Hand 

Sara Receiving a hug from Dr. Krista Bailey 

Sara and her cohorts following hooding ceremony

Sara following Hooding ceremony

Mike Connor, Sara and Diana Connor. The Connors arre family friends who previously lived in Tulsa 

and whose home we spent one night in while at College Station..( Names Corrected ).

 Sara and her brother Will

Kelsey ( Will's Bride to be ), Sara and Will

 Jamie, Sara And Steve ( Proud Mom & Dad )

 Will, Jamie, Sara and Steve

Kelsey, Will, Jamie, Sara, Steve 

Kelsey, Will, Jamie, Sara, Steve and Grandpa

 Sara and Grandpa

 Jamie and Sara

 Steve and Sara

 Kelsey

 Kelsey

 Katherine Johnson ( name corrected ) and Sara

Kelsey, Will and Sara acting cute.

Following the hooding ceremony we visited several location around campus where Sara wanted to have pictures taken. These are traditional places. Tradition plays such a critical role in life here at Texas A an M. During all the ceremonies the speaker's first words are "HOWDY" to which the audience replies " HOWDY ". For example look closely at the following photograph at the entrance into the Memorial Student Center.

 I asked what happens if people don't remove their caps/hats and I was told attendants at information desks will approach the people and ask them to remove their hats.

 Sara standing in front of a T A M wall poster. Notice her hand fingers closed and thumb up stand for " Gig um "

 Sara's Texas A & M Ring. 

 Sara standing by two large Texas A & M Rings

 People waiting in line to take photographs at the large Texas A & M ring

 Sara standing in front of  the large Texas A & M ring

 Beautiful Sara

 Sara standing beside the large Texas A & M ring

 Sara standing beside the large Texas A & M ring

 Following photographs on campus we ordered food at one of Sara's favorite Mexican restaurant Fuego.

Printing on side of Fuego cup.

 Kelsey received a new car from her parents this spring when she graduated from Oklahoma
State University.

We took our food back to Sara's dorm and ate in a rec room by her room/office. Then we relaxed, napped and watched TV until time to go to the Commencement at 7 P. M. which will be covered in another posting. Thus far this has been a wonderful day and I am so proud of Sara and her accomplishments.

I will provide an update posting to fill in some names that have been omitted.

Until then remember what I always say. God loves you and so do I.

Grandpa Bill