An Aggie Experience for All

The Texas A&M student experience is like no other. Their time in Aggieland is formed by opportunities to participate in tradition and find community. Whether it be through attending Fish Camp, joining a Freshman Leadership Organization (FLO) or going Greek, the memories they make and lessons they learn are just as impactful as what is taught in the classroom.

Many of these experiences come with registration fees or dues that create a barrier to entry for a lot of students. Gene Ratliff ’25 knows what it’s like to need a little help getting started. In the fall of 2022, Ratliff was involved in bringing a chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp) back to Texas A&M after the chapter was dissolved in the 2010s. The support of the Aggie Experience Fund has played a big part in helping the chapter take off.

“When I applied for the fund and got it, I was like ‘this is revolutionary,’” Ratliff said. “With the Aggie Experience Fund people who can’t afford dues, like me, don’t have to face that barrier anymore.”

In the first year since re-establishment, the fraternity chapter has grown to 110 members. Twenty-three of those members have benefitted from the Aggie Experience Fund. Those individuals have had the chance to join a fraternity that Ratliff describes as being focused on “building balanced men.”

Through SigEp, members can participate in philanthropy events, attend conferences, network, participate in intramural sports and receive academic support. Most of all, SigEp provides a way for members to build community, create memories, and find belonging on campus.

“We’re doing a lot of good things with it,” Ratliff said. “It would not be possible without the Aggie Experience Fund.”

The fund is supported by the Anne ’90 and Mike Hachtman ’86 Aggie Experience Endowed Fund, the Erika ’14 and Chris Pesek ’97 Aggie Experience Endowed Fund, and small, non-endowed gifts. These gifts are raised by the Texas A&M Foundation and administered by the Vice President of Student Affairs. Students can receive up to $250 or 50% of the cost to participate in recognized campus organizations, committees or programs.

Being an Aggie is more than attending classes. Resources like the Aggie Experience Fund help Texas A&M students take full advantage of their time in Aggieland.

“I am very blessed, and I know that all these guys are very grateful that the Aggie Experience Fund exists,” said Ratliff.

To learn about creating an endowment to benefit the Aggie Experience Fund long term, contact Reagan Chessher ’96, senior director of development for the Division of Student Affairs. You can also make an online gift to the fund.