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Kendalyn Lytle ’23

January 30, 2023 by rnelson

Hometown: Boerne, Texas

Major: Environmental Engineering

Outfit: A-Company

Originally from A-Company in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, Kendalyn Lytle serves as the Infantry Band Commander for the 2022-2023 academic year.

In addition to her role as the Infantry Band Commander, Kendalyn also serves on the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band’s Bugle Rank and as the Executive Officer for the Fish Drill Team.

Off the Quad, Kendalyn enjoys running marathons, baking and Crossfit.

“I’ve gained a lot from my time in the Corps, but the greatest thing that the Corps gave me was my buddy class and the relationships that I have with other Aggie Bandsmen and members of the Fish Drill Team. It was their support and encouragement that helped me make it through both cycles of OCS, and without them I wouldn’t have had the confidence to become the cadet that I am today,” Kendalyn said of her time in the Corps.

After graduating from Texas A&M, Kendalyn plans to commission into the United States Marine Corps, where she hopes to become a fighter pilot. Kendalyn is also looking forward to marrying her high school sweetheart.

Liam Stevens ’23

January 18, 2023 by rnelson

Hometown: Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Major: Statistics with minors in Mathematics & Economics

Outfit: Company G-2

A member of Company G-2, Liam currently serves as the outfit’s Recruiting and Logistics Officer.

As a freshman, Liam was a member of the Fish Drill Team, where he also served as an Advisor during his sophomore year. Liam remains involved with the Fish Drill Team through the Association of Former Fish Drill Team Members as the club’s Social Media Officer.

Off the Quad, Liam is a second year member of the Singing Cadets, where he serves as the Traditions Chairman. Liam is also an active member of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship.

“The Corps of Cadets has been one of the best, if not the best, thing that has happened to my personal growth and development,” Liam said of his time in the Corps.

After graduating from Texas A&M, Liam plans to obtain his masters in statistics or data science. Liam hopes to one day become a political data analyst.

Aggie Moms Club Celebrates 100 Years On The Quad

December 21, 2022 by rnelson

In February of 1922, eleven Aggie Moms, led by Mrs. Ada Peoples, left from Dallas, Texas and caravanned over 200 miles in their Model T cars down dusty roads to the Texas Agricultural & Mechanical College. At the speed of 25 mph, it took them most of the day in winter conditions to reach their destination on the Quad in College Station. With no modern day conveniences like Bucee’s, Interstate 45 or Highway 6, this was no easy task!

The original purpose of their trip was to visit Mrs. Peoples’ son, Harold Peoples, a freshman in the Corps of Cadets. While visiting with other cadets and inspecting the dorm rooms, Mrs. Peoples had a strong determination to improve the students' academic and living situations, concerned that there was “no entertainment, no culture and a lack of a woman’s influence.” To her disappointment, after presenting her ideas to the college administration, they were laughed off the campus and sent home to North Texas.

Soon after their 400 round mile trip, being a persistent, wise woman that knew the way to a man’s heart, Mrs. Peoples and the other ten Corps moms organized a second trip to College Station with a “spread” of fried chicken, sandwiches, cakes, pies and cookies. This time, they were so well received that they were invited to stay and their organized “Picnic on the Grounds” became an annual campus wide event. Recognizing the size and benefit of this support, Mrs. Peoples organized and became the president of the first Aggie Moms Club, the Dallas Aggie Moms.

Decades later, the Aggie Moms celebrate their 100th anniversary as the largest university parental organization in the country. Today, the Aggie Moms Club has grown to over 7,000 mothers, represented by 110 clubs in Texas and across the country, who volunteer their time and resources to raise over $1,000,000 a year in support of student scholarships and organizations on campus. A majority of the almost 73,000 Aggies currently enrolled at Texas A&M benefit from the encouragement and financial support of the Aggie Moms. In return, the Aggie Moms benefit from the comradery and lifelong friendships on their own personal journeys in “rising 'em right” in Aggieland that can’t be found anywhere else.

Mrs. Peoples, affectionately known as “the Mother Of Them All”, died in 1972 at the age of 92. To this day, her courage, generosity and passion continue to build a community among the Aggie Moms and give Aggies a better college experience at Texas A&M University!

Story By: Jane Metz

Dawson Richburg ’23

December 15, 2022 by rnelson

Hometown: Katy, Texas

Major: Poultry Science

Outfit: Company E-2

Currently a member of Company E-2, Dawson Richburg ’23 also works as a Research Assistant with Texas A&M’s Poultry Research Facility.

“Being a part of the Corps of Cadets has given me insight into what makes a true leader. I have come to understand that failure is a part of life, and the only thing that matters is how you choose to respond to it. As a cadet, I’ve been able to live the true Aggie tradition and become a part of the Texas A&M spirit,” Dawson said of his time in the Corps.

After graduation, Dawson plans to obtain his Ph.D. in Poultry Breeding and Genetics and one day work in the field of poultry research.

Colonel Byron Stebbins ‘78 Retires

December 15, 2022 by rnelson

In August of 1974, Colonel Byron Stebbins ‘78 (USMC, Ret), arrived on Texas A&M’s campus as a fish in the Corps of Cadets. Little did he know, this was his first step into a lifetime of opportunity, experiences and service with the Corps.

“Back then, we didn’t have Freshman Orientation Week, you just checked in. You also didn’t get to choose your outfit, it was just assigned to you. So I came up here with my parents, got assigned to Company N-1 and was told to go to the fourth floor of dorm six. I went up, introduced myself and started doing push-ups probably within the first ten seconds. At that point, my dad stepped over me and started putting some of my things away in my room. It was then I knew I had definitely found a different college experience,” Colonel Stebbins recounted.

As he progressed through the Corps, Stebbins went on to become a member of the Fish Drill Team, Recon Company and the Ross Volunteers. As a junior, Stebbins was named the Sergeant Major of the First Regiment, and went on to become the commander of the major unit the following year. The relationships that he built through these involvements are what Stebbins describes as the key component of the Corps.

“The camaraderie that you build here as you get involved in these different things is what the Corps is all about. Having your fish buddies, in addition to your buddies from other parts of the Corps, allows you to create these lifelong relationships. It’s been 44 years, and I still get phone calls from my buddies.”

In addition to the relationships that were built throughout his Corps experience, Stebbins says that the lessons the Corps teaches are just as valuable.

“As a freshman, you learn about yourself. You learn to put up with frustration and failure, but you also learn about what your true capabilities are. You come in thinking that you can accomplish one thing, but you later realize that you can actually accomplish much more. Once you get to the highest point in the experience, you realize that there’s nothing you can’t do as long as you put your mind to it and you’re willing to work hard for it.”

On December 9th, 1978, Stebbins graduated from Texas A&M and was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant. From there, he led a very successful career before retiring as a Colonel.

“I went on to become an Aviation Supply Officer. I figured that I would serve my four years in the Marine Corps and go into an aviation career wherever I wanted, but, 30 years later, I retired from the Marines as the Chief of Staff in Okinawa.”

After his retirement from the Marine Corps, Stebbins and his family quickly moved to College Station, where he was once again reunited with the Corps of Cadets.

“In the Summer of 2008, My family and I left Okinawa on a Friday and I returned to the Corps of Cadets as a Cadet Training Officer the following Tuesday. I had actually bought a house in College Station in 2006, because I knew that we would be coming back to live here. I just didn’t know that I would be returning to the Corps, which has been a very unique experience for me,” Colonel Stebbins said.

For the past 14 and a half years, Stebbins has served the Corps in several roles, from Cadet Training Officer to most recently as interim Commandant. Throughout his time as a member of the Commandant’s staff, Stebbins says that he still sees similarities between the cadets of today and those from his time as a student.

“They say that you can’t go home again, but you can. You just have to know that home is going to be different. From 1978 to 2008, there was so much that had changed, and even since 2008, there’s been even more change. But there are still similarities. The cadets of today still have the same passion that we did for this place. The Corps is a unique organization at a unique university, and these cadets still place the same value on tradition that we always have. We share that same bond, we march on the same drill field, live in the same dorms, and we all still go to Duncan. When all is said and done, we all graduate and can say that the unique experience that we had in the Corps is what got us to where we are today.”

When reflecting on his experience as a staff member, Stebbins says that serving in this capacity has been very rewarding.

“Working with the cadets, watching them grow and being able to teach them how to take care of themselves and their issues has been my favorite part of working here. It has been my honor and privilege to work with them for the past fourteen and a half years, and I know we have all had the best interests of the cadets in our hearts.”

As he approaches his retirement from the Corps in early December, Stebbins has now seen almost a decade and a half’s worth of cadets grow and develop into leaders. While wrapping up his time as a staff member and mentor, Stebbins has some advice for current and future generations of cadets.

“My advice to cadets is always to have fun with what you’re doing, understand that you’re not going to learn it all in one day, and know that this program here in the Corps of Cadets is going to shape you for the better.”

After an impactful career with the Corps of Cadets, with many efforts that have left the organization better than he found it, Stebbins says that serving the local community and visiting his children are among his retirement plans.

“My wife and I have our eyes on doing Meals on Wheels and volunteering with the Brazos Valley Food Bank. I also hope to do some volunteer work with the Corps of Cadets Association. I am really looking forward to going to visit my kids and my grandkids. They’re spread out all across the country and the world, so the idea is to spend time with them, mess their houses up and move onto the next one!”

Though his time on the Commandant’s staff has reached its end, the impact that Stebbins has had on the Corps of Cadets is enough to last a lifetime. For his entire adult life, Stebbins has been a selfless servant to our country, Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets.

Story by: Robin Nelson ’22