It’s been a long time since I was a cadet at A&M, but a group from the Philippines and Indonesia brought an Aggie tradition back to me in a pleasant way.
Last week, the U.S. State Department sponsored a visit by dignitaries from countries considering nuclear power.
The Nuclear Engineering Department at Texas A&M University has long worked with STP and Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture in bringing groups like this from developing countries over the years.
The Biden Administration is encouraging nuclear power development and is helping bring scientists and politicians from other countries to study STP and other programs.
Thus the State Department was involved in the latest visit, but A&M’s longtime nuclear engineering professor Dr. Kenneth Peddicord – he’s mostly retired now – is making sure the visitors learn one large Aggie tradition.
Peddicord was front and center last week and he’s helping guide the visitors around.
At a luncheon with the visitors and local leaders at the CED, Peddicord showed his new acquaintances were properly trained in the ancient Aggie greeting “Howdy!”
So, as everyone went around the table the guests always began their introduction and something about themselves with a loud Howdy.
There were a few Aggies in the local contingent – MRMC CEO Warren Robicheaux, STP President Tim Powell and myself.
It was entertaining to us as the people started their conversation with the decades-old Aggie trademark.
I briefly thought back to my early freshman year at A&M when we were expected to shout the greeting campus-wide.
In the Corps, all greetings between you and an upperclassman had to start with the requisite Howdy, Mr. …
That was 50+ years ago and it may not be done quite that way now.
Anyway, I thought it was a friendly touch in the program, and I think it made a last positive impression on our guests.
I wonder if they will take it back to home on the other side of the globe.
It is, on reflection, a powerful greeting – if done courteously.
That luncheon program consisted of local folks telling about their experiences with STP.
That gives them an idea of how STP is viewed locally, an important selling point in converting to nuclear energy.
They have been putting on these STP luncheons over several years.
I would like to think it’s helping.
