Keeper of the Spirit: Lisa Kalmus ’93 Reflects on Two Decades of Preserving Corps’ History

You’d be hard-pressed to find many people who know more about Corps of Cadets history than Lisa Kalmus ’93. For 23 years, she has overseen curation efforts at the Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets Center, a one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to preserving the history of Texas A&M University’s oldest standing tradition: the Corps of Cadets.

With a collection of more than 12,000 artifacts, Kalmus has held everything from a rare, red-stoned Aggie Ring from 1930 to the World War I helmet worn by Pinky Wilson ’20—though she’ll say the true reward of her role derives from sharing the powerful stories each piece adds to the legacy of Aggieland.
 

“Every Aggie represents a link in a chain that extends back to 1876,” Kalmus said. “Bringing new life to aged artifacts creates a fascinating connection between generations, and it’s an amazing feeling to act as a bridge for this continued story that is Texas A&M.”

With tenure spanning two-thirds of the center’s history itself, Kalmus has a wealth of knowledge about the establishment’s evolution. Though it has seen numerous upgrades—including the Class of 1944’s gift to the Texas A&M Foundation for a new storage system—an even greater visitor experience is on the horizon as renovation plans unfold for the center’s interior and displays.

“It should make all Aggies proud that we still have the tradition of the Corps and strive to properly preserve and celebrate its history,” Kalmus said. “For me, it’s an honor to be a part of.”