Issue date: 11/13/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Stephen Fogg The yearbook at Texas A&M has been published since 1895, when it was first called "The Longhorn." It became "Aggieland" in 1949. [Click to enlarge]

The Texas A&M yearbook has been around so long that it used to be called "The Longhorn," before the University of Texas had claim to the name.

Known today as "Aggieland," the yearbook has been produced for more than 100 years, capturing memories and providing a glimpse of A&M through its history.

Since its first publication in 1895, the yearbook has had its fair share of history and has been recognized as one of the nation's top college yearbooks.

The task of editing the yearbook can be a daunting one, but it also comes with rewards, said "Aggieland" Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Peña, a junior general studies major.

"Being the editor-in-chief is a lot of responsibility and more than I thought it would be," said Peña, who was selected as editor by the A&M Student Media Board in March, after working as the managing editor and sports editor.

Producing a 720-page book over the course of a year can be stressful for the staff of 30, she said, but in the end they know they covered a chapter of University history.

The yearbook has documented many changes both to the University and as a publication since it was first published.

It was launched in 1895, when Lawrence Sullivan Ross was president of the then-Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas. In 1949, the name of the yearbook changed from the "Longhorn" to "Aggieland."

Robert Wegener, adviser to "Aggieland" since 1991, said advancements in technology and design are the greatest progresses he's noticed.

"The biggest changes have been the ways the book is produced," Wegener said. "Writers used typewriters and photographers turned in prints or slides."

Despite the changing technology, Wegener said, many aspects of "Aggieland" have not changed.

"The book is unique because A&M is unique," Wegener said.

"Tradition is important to Aggies so you just change how you cover it."

Continued...

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