Buc-ee's founder and CEO Arch "Beaver" Aplin III, a 1980 graduate of Texas A&M, spoke at the college's Showcase on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in College Station. According to Texas A&M Today, his keynote closed the daylong event, which focused on the buildings, outdoor spaces, neighborhoods and infrastructure where Texans live, work and travel.
The university said nearly 1,900 students, faculty, staff, former students, industry professionals and community members took part, the largest Showcase so far. More than 10 Texas A&M colleges and schools were represented. Sessions, demonstrations and information tables were held at the Rudder Theatre Complex, and the event highlighted the future Aplin Center.
Dr. Angela K. Wilson, vice president for research, said the challenges facing Texas rarely fit within one discipline. Dr. Ivy Hu, dean of the College of Architecture, said the event showed the value of connecting disciplines, people and ideas.