Every family has its throughlines — the habits, stories and traditions that quietly carry on from one generation to the next. For this Aggie family, one of those threads runs straight through the Brazos Valley, with former students spanning over seven decades.
It begins with James Smith ’52, a maroon-blooded Air Force veteran and longtime Aggieland local, and continues through his children, Kevin Smith ’83 and Kathleen Brickley ’91. Then it stretches even further, carried on by six Aggie grandchildren — Rachel Smith ’14, Hannah Smith ’18, Ramsay Smith ’20, Brooks Brickley ’22 ’23, Campbell Brickley ’26 and Holt Brickley ’28 — who are each part of the same Aggie story, just told in a different time.
We brought them together to compare notes across generations, unraveling what drew them here, what’s evolved, and what, somehow, hasn’t changed a bit.
How did this long line of Aggies begin?
James ’52: The family’s tradition actually started with my uncle, Samuel Smith ’32. His Aggie experience influenced both me and my father, Cadesman Smith — so much so that despite never attending himself, my dad was known for saying, “I don't have a ring, but nobody loves that place more than I do.”
James Smith ’52 (center) was inspired by his uncle to attend Texas A&M University. Now, more than seven decades and three generations later, the family's Aggie legacy is still going strong.
Kevin ’83: Being commissioned into the Air Force was something my father always spoke fondly of, so I never doubted I’d follow in his footsteps. I never even applied to the Air Force Academy. It was Texas A&M University or nothing.
Kathleen ’91: Being born and raised in Bryan, Aggieland was such a huge part of my childhood — I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. That seemed to rub off on many of us!
Ramsay ’20: The chance to join the Corps of Cadets was one of the biggest reasons I was drawn to Texas A&M. My father and grandfather both made that same choice, which definitely influenced me.
Take us back to your freshman year. What did it look like?
James ’52: The campus I knew in 1948 compared to 2026 is just flat amazing. Back then, a surge of World War II veterans returned on the GI Bill, and classes were packed. We had a couple thousand men in our class, and it all felt pretty primitive. No one had cars — nobody had any money — though my senior-year roommate did have a set of wheels, which was nice for me!
Rachel ’14: For me, it felt like having the world at your fingertips because there was so much diversity in the student body and in the activities open to us. I looked at it as having 48,000 potential friends, right?
Campbell ’26: Texas A&M was a unique place where I could pursue my interests as a dance science major while enjoying the familiarity of the traditions I grew up around. My grandfather likes to joke that dance science wasn’t a major during his time, but I remind him that his major — animal husbandry — isn’t one now either!
Where was the campus hangout?
James ’52: George’s. It was a coffee shop we’d stop by in between classes. The beauty was that the price of coffee was a nickel. That’s where I learned to drink my coffee black, because adding cream cost 6 cents. Of course, later on they shut it down when we got the Memorial Student Center, which was spring of my junior year.
Kevin ’83: The Chicken, Dudley’s and the Texas Hall of Fame, where we used to see George Strait play for just $2!
Rachel ’14: After the Texas Hall of Fame shut down, we migrated over to Hurricane Harry’s. On campus, the Memorial Student Center became a huge hangout once renovations were complete and we finally got to use it my junior year!
Biggest takeaway from Aggieland?
James ’52: The tradition, friendship and camaraderie.
Kathleen ’91: The opportunity. Texas A&M is a place that offers a great experience to those willing to work for it. It’s a change-maker and a true example of innovation and the pursuit of excellence.
Rachel ’14: The friendliness and selfless service aspect of being an Aggie remains the same wherever you are in the world.
Campbell ’26: The core values. They’re posted everywhere on campus, and seeing them embodied in everyone you meet has prepared me to be collaborative and hardworking wherever I go in life.
How has Texas A&M impacted your family?
James ’52: Texas A&M has made us a cohesive group. Though many of us are far apart in age, we’ve been able to instill this love for Aggieland across generations. It’s a strong thread that makes us, us.
Though many of us are far apart in age, we’ve been able to instill this love for Aggieland across generations. It’s a strong thread that makes us, us.
Kathleen ’91: There’s so much pride. It truly came into focus for me on my son Brooks’ Ring Day. Seeing my father, Class of 1952, present an Aggie Ring to his grandson, Class of 2022, bridged 70 years of history in a single moment and said everything about what this place means to us.
Ramsay ’20: The Corps uniform I wore every day was the same one my father and grandfather wore decades before me. When you’re part of a long thread of history like that, it creates such a deep sense of connection because the experiences we had, even over three generations, are still so similar.
What’s something you hope never changes?
James ’52: The Corps, our Keepers of the Spirit.
Rachel ’14: The Aggie family. It really does transcend generations.
Campbell ’26: The culture. I hope the loyalty and pride in being an Aggie stays the same. It’s what makes us different, and connected, in the best way.
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