PHOTO GALLERY: Traditions run deep at Texas A&M

The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets hold a "Final Review" on May 5 on Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M was strictly a military school until 1965. The Cadets remain an important part of the school's identity.
  |  Andrew Wagaman

Students at Texas A&M University may or may not be studying for finals while watching TV on May 5 in the new Memorial Student Center. The building opened in April.
  |  Andrew Wagaman

A sign asks people entering Texas A&M University's new Memorial Student Center to take their hats off in respect for Aggies who gave their lives defending the country. The reflection of a cadet walking by can be seen in the window.   |  Andrew Wagaman

No one can blame the George Bush Library and Museum for lacking patriotism on May 5 in College Station, Texas. Bush did not go to Texas A&M University but chose the school for his museum, opened in 1997, because of its school spirit and interest in getting the establishment.
  |  Andrew Wagaman

Twelve portals surround the Bonfire Memorial in College Station. They represent the number of Texas A&M students who lost their lives in the collapse of the annual bonfire in 1999. It was one of the school's most cherished traditions. The bonfire continues as an unsanctioned event today.   |  Andrew Wagaman

Tubie and the Touchstones play for patrons of the Village Cafe on May 5 in Bryan, Texas. The cafe prides itself for attracting both students from nearby Texas A&M University and older patrons.   |  Andrew Wagaman

The clocks in The Village Cafe in Bryan, Texas all tell the same time, signifying the cafe's allegiance to local produce. The hip Village Cafe has been called "the closest you can get to Austin in the College Station area" by Texas Monthly.   |  Andrew Wagaman

Trucks are parked in the dirt lot outside the Hullabaloo Diner on May 5 in Wellborn, Texas. The diner, transplanted here from New York, is popular among students at Texas A&M University, which is located seven miles north in College Station, Texas.   |  Andrew Wagaman

Ryan Haughey and Sam Collard wonder if they will ever eat again after their breakfast is served on May 5 at the Hullabaloo Diner in Wellborn, Texas. Wellborn is seven miles south of College Station, where Haughey and Collard attend the engineering school at Texas A&M University.   |  Andrew Wagaman

The Messina Hof Winery in Bryan, Texas is one of the top-ranked vineyards in the state. It includes a restaurant, a wine bar and a bed and breakfast inn and gives tours of the winery.   |  Andrew Wagaman

Beer lights reflect off the glass encasing a cow skull and snakes in the Dixie Chicken bar in College Station, Texas. The Dixie Chicken is one of the traditional downtown attractions for Texas A&M University students and alumni.
  |  Andrew Wagaman