Spring Break
The truth beyond tradition
A look at the Old Army origins of A&M's first lady
By: Krista Smith
Issue date: 2/7/07 Section: News
Lisa Kalmus, curator of the Corps of Cadets Center, did admit the band was supposed to keep the mascot when it was first donated, but she cannot verify Netterville's tale of finding the dog by the MSC.
"The band was the original caretaker," Kalmus said. "How the transition for caring for her was made to a different outfit isn't very clear."
With Reveille II now under his unit's care, Netterville found he could not afford the cost of her upkeep. He went to the dean of students to seek help.
"I said I need money to buy dog food for Reveille," Netterville said. "He (the dean) said she doesn't belong to this college or to the state of Texas. I said okay, then she belongs to A Company Quartermaster."
Netterville then proceeded to approach the student senate and had a resolution passed stating that the care for Reveille would always be provided by A Company Quartermaster.
To help come up with money to feed the mascot - aside from the generous donations from his stepfather and former Aggie, C. N. Magee, Class of 1934 - Netterville placed empty trashcans in Sbisa Dining Hall. As the cadets came and ate during the day, they would throw their spare change into the cans. Netterville's unit would collect the coins and purchase dog food for Reveille II.
Today, however, the University caters to Reveille's every need, Kalmus said.
"She has her own credit card, cell phone, scheduling person," Kalmus said. "There's a specific fund for travel and care for Reveille. It's very different now."
Netterville's caring for Reveille II went beyond just feeding her. The dog slept at the foot of his bunk in his dorm room, and eventually worked her way into becoming a fixture in his every day life.
Reveille II always escorted Netterville to class, and she was always well-behaved. Netterville said the current belief that if Reveille barks in class, the class is dismissed, was not true in his day. One particular accounting professor would call Reveille's name and wait for her answering bark before actually beginning the lecture.
"The band was the original caretaker," Kalmus said. "How the transition for caring for her was made to a different outfit isn't very clear."
With Reveille II now under his unit's care, Netterville found he could not afford the cost of her upkeep. He went to the dean of students to seek help.
"I said I need money to buy dog food for Reveille," Netterville said. "He (the dean) said she doesn't belong to this college or to the state of Texas. I said okay, then she belongs to A Company Quartermaster."
Netterville then proceeded to approach the student senate and had a resolution passed stating that the care for Reveille would always be provided by A Company Quartermaster.
To help come up with money to feed the mascot - aside from the generous donations from his stepfather and former Aggie, C. N. Magee, Class of 1934 - Netterville placed empty trashcans in Sbisa Dining Hall. As the cadets came and ate during the day, they would throw their spare change into the cans. Netterville's unit would collect the coins and purchase dog food for Reveille II.
Today, however, the University caters to Reveille's every need, Kalmus said.
"She has her own credit card, cell phone, scheduling person," Kalmus said. "There's a specific fund for travel and care for Reveille. It's very different now."
Netterville's caring for Reveille II went beyond just feeding her. The dog slept at the foot of his bunk in his dorm room, and eventually worked her way into becoming a fixture in his every day life.
Reveille II always escorted Netterville to class, and she was always well-behaved. Netterville said the current belief that if Reveille barks in class, the class is dismissed, was not true in his day. One particular accounting professor would call Reveille's name and wait for her answering bark before actually beginning the lecture.
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