KBTX Features "From the Corps" - Matt Ockwood
"I wanted to seek a challenge and have an experience that would be superior to the average college student. I knew the Corps was the road less traveled, and that it would be an opportunity to grow as a person, not just as a student. ."
- Matt Ockwood
| Name: | Matt Ockwood |
| Hometown: | Plano, Texas |
| Parents: | Jeff & Betty Ockwood |
| Siblings: | Kevin |
| Outfit: | E-2, Corps Commander |
| Class Year: | 2006 |
| Major: | Finance |
| Extracurricular Activities: |
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Cadet Matt Ockwood, Class of ’06, is the 2005-2006 Corps Commander
and member of Company E-2.
A Texas native, he is the son of Jeff and Betty Ockwood of Plano, TX.
He is a Finance major with a 3.96 G.P.A. During his time here at Texas A&M,
besides taking an active role in the Corps of Cadets, he has also been involved
with Fish Camp, Muster Committee, Aggies on Wall Street and many other organizations.
In 2003, Matt received the Texas A&M Buck Weirus Spirit Award.
This award is given to recognize those Aggies who have provided
outstanding leadership and contributions to the student life at A&M.
Matt’s experiences with the Corps at Texas A&M, however, have not always been so bright. “Some of the very traits that helped me make Corps Commander actually hindered me as a fish,” Ockwood recalls of his freshmen year. Matt admits that the fish year in the Corps involves enduring hardships and being deprived of many things. He also recalls, however, the overwhelming emotions he and his fish buddies felt at Final Review when they marched for the first time as sophomores. This signified they were ready to train the new fish class.
Cadet Ockwood joined the Corps for many reasons. “I wanted
to seek a challenge and have an experience that would be superior to
the average college student. I knew the Corps was the road less traveled,
and that it would be an opportunity to grow as a person, not just a student,”
stated Matt about joining the Corps.
Matt is preparing for a great year as Corps Commander and is scheduled to
graduate in December 2006. His plans are to move to New York City to work in
investment banking. In the present, Matt continues to do what he enjoys most about
the Corps…helping cadets and watching them succeed. All this, while balancing school,
Corps Commander, campus activities, and family!
When asked what he would tell young men and women that are incoming freshmen in the Corps, his answer was not unexpected. "Max yourself out. Do everything you possibly can while you are here. Focus on your grades first, but learn to manage your time and get involved. If you choose not to challenge yourself, then you will not grow! Constantly set goals outside of your comfort zone and pursue them relentlessly", Matt said.
Cadet Matt Ockwood represents well, the leadership of the Corps.
Did you miss Matt's feature story on KBTX Channel 3?
Click HERE to view the video on the "From the Corps" section of the KBTX website.
* Some of the pictures are here courtesy of the Corps of Cadets Association.