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Love Letters to Aggieland

Five members of the Texas A&M Foundation share what makes Texas A&M University so special to them.

Lead photo by Everett Francis '19

February 8, 2024

Do you remember the moment you fell in love with Aggieland? For some, it was a childhood trip to campus to cheer on the Aggies; for others, it was at Fish Camp when they experienced the spirit can ne’er be told for the first time. No matter when or how, once Texas A&M University captures someone’s heart, that passion burns brightly no matter how many years may pass. To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, five members of the Texas A&M Foundation’s development team wrote letters about their own special experiences with Aggieland to express their admiration for the university they love.

Essence Wylie ’15

Assistant Director of Development – Corps of Cadets

Dear Aggieland,

My dad likes to remind me of the time we toured his alma mater, and it took me all day to realize that the odd looks I was getting were because I decided to sport a Texas A&M T-shirt. I may have only been 12, but I knew then that there was something special about you. Later, when I was in high school, I heard the Aggie Band for the first time, and the way my heart swelled with pride told me I wanted to be part of it.
 

This past football season, I stood prepared for the Corps to step off before a football game. As the band began to play, my heart swelled with pride just like when I was in high school. It wasn’t just because of the notes, though; it was all that the notes represented. I didn’t know music could hold ideas and memories as tightly as it does. I may have shown up as a freshman at Texas A&M, sax in hand, for the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, but I stayed for the people I met and skills I collected along the way. My experience was filled with so many late nights, early mornings and trips I will never forget.

Thank you for teaching me discipline, and for introducing me to friends who have become family. In every way, being part of the Aggie Band felt like being part of the lifeblood of Texas A&M. And as I write this and look down at my son, sporting his Texas A&M T-shirt, I only hope that one day he can feel it too—the pulse of the Spirit of Aggieland.

Love,

Essence Wylie ’15
 

Tim Walton ’90

Assistant Vice President for Real Estate Services

Dear Aggieland,

I could share so many stories about what makes you special, but one in particular comes to mind.
 

Growing up with a grandfather who proudly served on your grounds and maintenance crew for more than 20 years, I developed a love for growing and managing trees, particularly the ones on campus. A few years after graduating, I asked the university for permission to collect acorns from the Century Tree and other campus trees to propagate and sell seedlings to Aggies while giving a percentage of the proceeds back to the university. After multiple requests (I think they grew tired of my letters!), they eventually said yes, and soon I was selling these Aggie Roots trees to former students across the United States and even in other countries. Every Aggie I talked to had at least one special story about their time at Texas A&M, and the seedling allowed them to see their beloved Aggieland every time they looked outside.

In 2002, I ended this project when I took a job with the Texas A&M Foundation, and while this new role kept me involved with real estate, I thought my Aggie Roots chapter was over. But through the years, I have been honored to talk with several Aggies who ordered my trees over 25 years ago! I even got to meet the man in North Carolina who purchased my very first seedling, and another Aggie emailed me just a few weeks ago and said his plant is now a massive tree in his backyard.

Whenever someone sends me a photo of their Aggie Roots tree all these years later, I can’t help but smile and think about how Aggies are connected in so many special ways, even through the trees that stand proudly across our beautiful campus. It has shown me that the loyalty and tradition we find here is stronger than the deepest roots, connecting Aggies across the world through the Aggie tree of life.

Love,

Tim Walton ’90
 

Alissa Simpson

Director of Discovery Operations

Dear Aggieland,

When you marry an Aggie, you know you will spend some time in College Station. But when we moved our family here 11 years ago, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Since then, I have become enamored with the people and the spirit of Texas A&M.
 

My first experience was in a women’s workout group with many Aggies who made me feel welcome and displayed extreme kindness. I’ll never forget a member offering me her phone number and others providing names of doctors, dentists and other services we needed in town. The warm welcome has never ended, and each year, I’m happy that my Aggie connections have grown.

Working on your campus since 2012, I have encountered some of the brightest and highest-quality students I have ever known. Aggies are different, and they are special—the kind of young adults I hope my kids become. Students don’t care that I graduated from another place; they only care that I’m here now and delighted to help them. Serving as a mentor through student organizations and being honored as a Fish Camp namesake are treasured parts of my Aggie experience. Attending graduations and Aggie Ring Day and having lunch in the Memorial Student Center bring me so much joy.
 

My time here has helped me realize my life’s purpose of helping people, especially college students. My heart will always be full of the special memories and relationships I have made here. Thanks for welcoming me with the tremendous Aggie Spirit.

Love,

Alissa Simpson
 

Jansen Merrill ’18

Director of Development – College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Dear Aggieland,

From the moment I arrived, you welcomed me with open arms. Coming from the small town of Coleman, Texas, I was sometimes overwhelmed by your grandness. However, I quickly found opportunities around every corner, and with each opportunity came the right friends and mentors to help me through each season as a student.

 

I had the privilege to be involved in student organizations such as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council, where I worked alongside incredible Aggies who were determined to make a difference at Texas A&M and beyond. Through increased campus involvement, my student worker position in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Office, and my classes and study groups, what once seemed like an overwhelming campus became a place that truly felt like home.

Upon graduation, I was excited to begin an agricultural job I had secured thanks to two summer internships, but I was sad to think that calling you my home was over. So, when I ran into a college mentor three short years later and learned about an opportunity to work for the Texas A&M Foundation supporting the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, I knew it was something I had to pursue.

Being back in your environment brings a sense of appreciation that goes beyond my time here as a student. I now witness the Aggie Network every day, working with Aggies and non-Aggies who believe in the university’s mission and its students. I see the passion from within to impact the world and I see the world’s passion to impact Texas A&M. I am truly blessed to play a small part in supporting Texas A&M and to work alongside those who are proud of everything it means to be an Aggie. I also met the love of my life upon returning here, and for that, I am forever grateful. In January, my wife, Robyn ’15, and I got married, and we are excited to call you home. Thank you for the memories, and here’s to many more.

Love,

Jansen Merrill ʼ18
 

Amy Bacon ’91

Senior Planned Giving Officer

Dear Aggieland,
 

You continue to be such a defining part of my life, and I truly love you and being an Aggie. When asked why I love Texas A&M, the heart of my answer always centers on our traditions and the unique Aggie Spirit. This spirit is composed of our core values—respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service—and our traditions are the outward reflection of them, all coming together to foster a sense of community and family.

Whether it be exchanging “howdys,” standing as part of the 12th Man, gathering on a darkened and quiet campus for Silver Taps, removing one’s hat to walk into the Memorial Student Center, wearing the Aggie Ring or joining together across the globe every April 21 to softly call the Muster, Aggies are uniquely shaped by these experiences, and they become part of our DNA.

There is no other university like our beloved Texas A&M anywhere in this country or world. It is a place of community, service, family and connection that binds Aggie generations. I believe it is a university students want to attend because they desire to be part of this truly special community and become part of something much bigger than themselves.
 

Since its inception, Texas A&M’s academic excellence, timeless values and unique Aggie Spirit have never wavered and have only grown stronger and more impactful throughout the state of Texas, the United States and the world over the past 148 years. I believe that Aggies, both young and old, have an appreciation of this past with a focus on the future, and they recognize that our undying Aggie Spirit unites us all and will continue to burn brightly in a world that needs such vibrant light.

Love,

Amy Bacon ’91
 

More Heartfelt Aggie Stories

A Life Well Loved

Jim Crews ’57 honors his beloved late wife, Sue, by supporting the Corps of Cadets, one of their favorite Texas A&M University traditions.

I'll Be There for You

Rachel ’94 and Ross Morgan ’94, childhood friends turned lifelong soulmates, show their love for Texas A&M University.

Love at First Howdy

Kyle Richter ’10 ’16 says you can never be too young to experience and share the Aggie love.

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  • Dunae Reader '15

  • Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications/Spirit Editor/Maroon Co-Editor
  • Call: 979.321.6343

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