AUSTIN, Texas—President Larry R. Faulkner of The University of Texas at Austin today expressed great sorrow upon hearing the news about the bonfire accident at Texas A&M University.
Dr. Faulkner issued the following statement: “On behalf of the students, faculty, staff and administration of The University of Texas at Austin, I extend our deepest sympathy to the Texas A&M community as it copes with today’s tragic events. We offer our full support to Texas A&M as the university confronts this unfortunate accident. I have called President Ray Bowen to express our concern and have offered to help in any way.”
The Texas Exes student chapter has cancelled the annual Texas A&M Hex Rally on the campus of UT Austin and a Unity Gathering has been scheduled in its place at 9 p.m., Monday, Nov. 22, in front of the UT Tower on the Main Mall. Faulkner and UT Austin Football Coach Mack Brown will be among the speakers. Students, alumni and friends of Texas A&M University and UT Austin are invited to attend.
In addition, the UT Tower will be darkened Monday evening in memory of the victims of the accident. The flags in front of the UT Austin Main Building were lowered at half staff Thursday morning.
A delegation from UT Austin will attend a memorial service at Texas A&M University in College Station tonight.
All funds from the sale of the Hex Rally T-shirts will be donated by the UT Ex-Students Association to a memorial fund at Texas A&M.
“We want to do everything we can to support Texas A&M University,” said Faulkner. “Now is a time for all Texans to come together to help the Texas A&M community deal with this terrible tragedy.”
