Soldier, Statesman, Knightly Gentleman

The Scott Volunteers form, their name honoring the university's business manager, Col. T.M. Scott. The following year, they perform their first public drill, honoring the visiting Texas governor and future namesake, Lawrence Sullivan “Sul” Ross, during commencement.

Texas A&M President Henry Hill Harrington requests the group be permanently named the Ross Volunteer Company after his father-in-law and former university president, Lawrence Sullivan Ross. The company’s name initially changed to the Ross Volunteers in Ross’ honor in 1891 before taking the names of his two presidential successors, becoming known as the Foster Guards and the Houston Rifles, respectively, prior to 1905.

The Ross Volunteers escort Texas’ first female governor, Miriam “Ma” Ferguson, to her inauguration. Today, they serve as the official honor guard of the Governor of Texas and have accompanied 16 Texas governors on Inauguration Day.

Company officers don red sashes for the first time, an idea posited by Dr. Jarvis Miller ’50 to add a new layer of distinction to their all-white uniforms. Irene “Mom” Claghorn, a campus nurse who served as a mother figure to cadets, fashioned the sashes for each cadet.

The Ross Volunteers march in Ronald Reagan’s Presidential Inaugural Parade at his request.

The Ross Volunteer Association officially launches, envisioned by Lt. Gen. Jake Betty ’73, Scott Eberhart ’74 and Col. Byron Stebbins ’78 as a network for former Ross Volunteers to stay engaged with the organization.

With 144 current members, the company remains one of Texas’ oldest active student organizations. “In today’s society where everything is so focused on oneself, it’s a distinct privilege to be in an organization that prides itself on being humble and not boasting about the duties we perform,” said Ty Sanders ’22, current company commander. “The Ross Volunteer Company is unlike any other organization on campus, and I am extremely honored to be part of it.”