 The Texas A & M culture is a product of the university 's founding as a rural military and agricultural school . Although the school and surrounding community have grown , and military training is no longer required , the school 's history has instilled in students " the idealized elements of a small @-@ town life : community , tradition , loyalty , optimism , and unabashed sentimentality . " Texas Monthly posits that Texas A & M students ' respect for school traditions and values is the university 's greatest strength . Some of the school traditions date to the 1890s , while others have been introduced more recently . These traditions enable enrolled students and alumni to cultivate the Aggie Spirit , a sense of loyalty and respect for the school . They dictate many aspects of student life , including how to greet others ( using the official school greeting " Howdy ! " ) , how to act at an A & M sporting event , and often , what words a student may use in conversation . 
