Off The Quad Involvement

Luke Jenkins ’23

September 7, 2022 by rnelson

Hometown: Dripping Springs, Texas

Major: Political Science

Outfit: Company D-1

The current Commanding Officer for Parsons Mounted Cavalry, Luke Jenkins '23 is also a member of Company D-1. Outside of his involvement on the Quad, Luke is active in the MSC's Student Conference On National Affairs (SCONA).

“The Corps experience has opened up pathways to develop myself as a leader and role model. I want to be able to leave behind a legacy and a model that underclassmen can follow to improve themselves and the Corps as a whole,” Luke said.

After graduation, Luke plans to commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.

Harrison Daniels ’22 Accepted Into Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute

June 6, 2022 by rnelson

The Corps of Cadets is home to nearly two thousand students who are pursuing various educational and professional pathways. Engineering majors, Political Science majors, Business majors, and many others all frequently find their place on the Quad; but of them all, there is only one Performance Studies major that wears a Corps uniform in the classroom.

His name is Harrison Daniels, and he is a senior in Company E-2. Originally from Calgary, Canada, Harrison has had quite the successful Corps career. As a third generation Aggie, the decision to join the Corps of Cadets seems to be one that came naturally to Harrison.

“I joined the Corps because I wanted to get the complete experience here at A&M. I wanted to fully immerse myself into a different culture and really take it all in. Both my grandfather and my dad were Aggies before me, so it just made sense.”

Originally an Economics major, Harrison made the decision to switch to Performance Studies during his freshman year.

“I didn’t really know until my freshman year that this was my passion. I signed up for an acting class and I just absolutely fell in love with it. I’d acted in high school and just never really had taken it seriously, but I felt like something was missing without it. When I took that class my freshman year, it instantly clicked and became something that I really looked forward to. That was when I really began to pursue acting more,” Harrison said.

Harrison’s passion for theater will not end after his time at Texas A&M, as he was accepted into the Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute in New York City. Notable alumni from the Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute include Hayden Christensen, Chris Evans, and Angelina Jolie. With this acceptance, Harrison is excited to further develop his acting skills at the next level.

“I applied to acting school because I really wanted to focus more on that aspect. Even though Performance Studies here isn’t focused specifically on acting, it definitely created a very solid foundation for me. I accepted my offer of admission to the Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute’s Two Year Conservatory program because I believe that they have one of the best programs in the nation. I think that their alumni and their faculty really speak for themselves in terms of success.”

Though his time with Texas A&M and the Corps of Cadets is drawing to a close, Harrison says there are many things that he has gained throughout his experience that will stay with him forever.

“My favorite part about being at Texas A&M and in the Corps of Cadets has been the unique experience. It has shown me two different parts of the world and allowed me to understand people from entirely different backgrounds than me. It has prepared me for my future in a really amazing, nonconventional way,” Harrison explained.

If you are not from Texas, but still considering a future with the Corps of Cadets, Harrison has some words of advice.

“For other international students coming to the Corps, just fully embrace it. It is definitely going to be a bit of a culture shock, but once you commit yourself to the change, you’re going to have a blast.”

The Corps of Cadets welcomes students with a variety of passions and interests from a multitude of backgrounds. Whether you’re from College Station, Texas, Calgary, Canada, or anywhere across the world, there is a place for everyone in the Corps.

Story by: Robin Nelson ’22

Jesse Dennis ’22

April 13, 2022 by rnelson

Hometown: Colombus, Georgia

Major: History with a minor in Military Studies

Outfit: D-Company

Jesse Dennis ‘22 currently serves as the Commanding Officer for D-Company, the Corps’ designated outfit for student veterans, Jesse previously served as the outfit’s 1st Sergeant. In addition to his position within D-Co, Jesse also serves as the Executive Officer for the Corps’ Cultural Awareness and Diversity Team. In the Fall, Jesse served as the Executive Officer of Army ROTC’s B-Company.

Recently, Jesse completed Army Advanced Camp as the #1 ranked cadet in his platoon.

Off the Quad, Jesse works as a Peer Mentor with Texas A&M’s Pride Center.

“The Corps has made me more prepared for my continued career as a Soldier and given me greater skills in personnel management and workload management,” Jesse said of his time in the Corps.

After graduating from Texas A&M, Jesse plans to commission as an Infantry Officer with the United States Army. Jesse hopes to pursue his master’s degree with hopes of one day working for the Command and General Staff College.

Kathryne Speen ’22

April 5, 2022 by rnelson

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

Major: Business Management (Pre-Law track)

Outfit: Squadron 21

A member of Squadron 21, Kathryne currently serves as the Finance Officer within the outfit, where she also previously served as a Platoon Sergeant. Off the Quad, Kathryne works as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary’s Catholic Center, and was a member of the Texas Aggies Fighting Alzheimer’s organization.

Kathryne was granted acceptance into the Air Force’s Judge Advocate General-Educational Delay program. This program is designed to produce Active Duty Judge Advocates from current ROTC cadets, and allows senior year cadets to apply for a commissioning delay in order to attend law school. Of hundreds of applicants nationwide, Kathryne was one of only three AFROTC cadets to be admitted into the program.

Upon graduating from Texas A&M, Kathryne plans to attend law school at the University of Mississippi, where she would like to study International or Space law.

View the video below to learn more about Kathryne’s journey with the Corps of Cadets.

Paige Eaton ’22

March 31, 2022 by rnelson

Hometown: Texarkana, Texas

Major: Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology

Outfit: Squadron 2

Paige Eaton ‘22 is currently the Commanding Officer of Squadron 2, where she also previously served as the outfit’s Chaplain.

Off the Quad, Paige is currently a member of Delight Ministries. Previously, Paige served as a 3rd grade Ministry Teacher for Pioneer’s Friday Church at Emmanuel Baptist Church and was a member of Freshmen Leaders in Christ.

“The Corps has provided me with an environment where I can excel in all areas of my life by challenging me daily. The Corps has also allowed me to make friendships that will last a lifetime, and allowed me to be a part of something very special by immersing me in all of the Aggie traditions,” Paige said of her time in the Corps.

Upon graduating from Texas A&M, Paige will move to Newport News, Virginia, where she plans to work as a Technical Operations Engineer for the Technical Division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, a defense and space company.