Former Student Honors “Voice Of Aggieland”
In their honor, the Rands established the Patricia H. and Glendale B. Rand ’57 Singing Cadet Endowment.
Patricia and Glendale B. Rand ’57 have lived in many places and have relocated 17 times, but they always had a special place in their hearts they called “home,” a place they revisited every time they heard the “Voice of Aggieland,” the Singing Cadets. In their honor, the Rands established the Patricia H. and Glendale B. Rand ’57 Singing Cadet Endowment in the Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University.
The Singing Cadets are a world renowned men’s chorus, representing Texas A&M since 1893 and have traveled extensively bringing a taste of Aggie life and traditions to the corners of the world. Known as the “Voice of Aggieland,” the Singing Cadets are currently in their 104th touring season. Distributions from this endowment are to be used in benefit of the Singing Cadets, under the discretion of their director.
“We decided to give to the Singing Cadets because everywhere we moved, they were always there to perform and my wife always arranged for us to attend. They are the true ambassadors of Texas A&M University and continue to do a special service in connecting the past and future of Aggieland.” Rand describes his gift as a source of funding “that will help develop a recruiting program to attract future members to the Singing Cadets and allow those who want to continue the tradition obtain scholarships; especially enabling those who have a financial need to come to Aggieland.”
A native of Groesbeck, a young Glendale Rand hitch-hiked to College Station to become an Aggie. A member of the Corps of Cadets, Rand was the quarterback on the 1953 Aggie Football Fish Team and graduated in 1957 with a degree in Marketing. Shortly after marrying Patricia, his high-school sweetheart, Rand served in Korea with the Seventh Division as an Artillery Officer. He to his job at Humble Oil, but for a short time, as he was recalled to active duty during the Berlin crisis, serving 13 months as a Battery Commander. He continued his service in the reserves and national guard.
Rand returned to a dynamic career in the oil industry, beginning on a drilling rig in Seminole, Texas. His varied trajectory included working at the King Ranch and offshore at Grand Isle, Louisiana. He transferred to marketing with Humble, which became Exxon, where after numerous relocations, finally retired in Houston after 30 years.
Married for 51 years, Patricia and Glendale raised three Aggie sons- Ronald G. Rand ’83 (deceased), Casey Rand ’88, and Garry B. Rand ’91. Although living in 17 locations, they have always been active in numerous civic organizations: Kiwanis and Jaycees in Albuquerque; members of the Rotary Club in Texarkana, Houston and New Orleans; and Chairman of the Church Elders in Houston.
The Rands are long-time supporters of Texas A&M University, including the following donations: funding a President’s Endowed Scholarship, Sul Ross Scholarship, a special Aggie Band Endowment (the Col. Ray Tolar Aggie Band Endowment), two Diamond Century Club Endowments, The Parsons Mounted Cavalry Artillery Half Section Endowment, Former Yell Leader Endowment, wood carvings and bench at the Corps Center, and four benches in Cain Park Plaza. The Rands are a special donor to the Bush Library, a long term donor to the 12th Man Foundation, and a special donor to the Department of Health in honor of John Mark Stallings.
The Rands hope this will enable the Singing Cadets to continue their ambassadorship as the “Voice of Aggieland.”
For more information on contributing to the Singing Cadets, contact the Student Affairs Development Office at (979) 458-1689.
