Texas A&M University, College Station

Who wouldn't want a glimpse of the President's oval office. Although visitors can sit at the desk and look like a VIP, no photos were permitted. This seat of power was decorated just as President Bush's office was during his term in office.

As we explored this immense building, I especially enjoyed the 'fly boy' display showing their uniforms and equipment, life size barrack and other paraphenalia of this sort. The first lady's gown drew my attention, also.

Upon leaving, visitors have an opportunity to take home a complimentary memento. Interactive computers give you a list of questions one might ask President or Mrs. Bush and you can select one and receive a personalized letter in real time printed out to take home with you. My question was, "What was the best thing about living in the White House?"

I just had to take a photo of this Bush tradition! His first jump was when he was serving in WWII and was hit with anti-aircraft fire south of Japan. Bush survived, but two crewmen were lost.

Through the years, he added three more parachute jumps thanks to the Army's Golden Knights who supervised his tandem jumps.

Before wandering too far into the library, stop by orientation theatre where you can view a film which details George H.W. Bush's youth, his life as a family man and his career in public service. It runs on the half hour and was very interesting. Inside the theatre, you will find photographs or likenesses of each American president with their signatures.

As I mentioned in my last tip, Texas A&M's campus is huge! No wonder, it has one of the ten largest student bodies in our nation!

Added to this fact, the university has over 650 student-atheletes competing in 20 varsity sports. Texas A&M has won 20 Big 12 titles in both men's and women's sports since 1996.

There are over 120 undergraduate degree programs and 240 master's and PH.D. degree programs. For those interested in becoming a doctor of veterinary medicine, you might be interested to know that Texas A&M is the only institution in Texas where one might receive this degree.

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Texas A & M was established in 1876 as 'the first public institution for higher learning' in the state. There are two branch campuses: Galveston, Texas and Qatar, in the Middle East.

We were impressed with the size of this campus...huge. Mature shade trees lined the streets and acres of green surrounded buildings and byways.

Williams Administration Building (pictured)
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O & M Building pic #3

It was recently ranked FIRST in the nation by The Washington Monthly for its 'tangible contributions to the public interest". Several of their degree programs are ranked within our country's top ten.

If you decide to go to school there... get your senior ring! Don't just go for a year or two... suck it up, and finish it out! This is what awaits you and every Aggie that has one wouldn't trade it for anything (or anyone?).

A&M is a very close, family-like school. The Aggie spririt is very strong. This means Aggies treat each other with respect and will do anything for each other. Traditions are very important.
The campus is very beautiful. There is a golf course, student center, and the research park for fun and relaxation. Kyle Field is home to the greatest college football team.
The concerts that come to the area are played at one of the two venues on campus, G. Rollie White and Reed Arena.
Theatrical productions and movies can be seen at Rudder Auditorium.

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ITS REALLY INTERESTING THERE. The students are exceptionally friendly. We noticed that many of them say grace before eating lunch in the student union.