It was freshman convocation day Sunday at Texas A&M and thousands of incoming freshmen and their families were on hand at Reed Arena to celebrate the class of 2016.

"At Texas A&M we have this common bond," said John Claybrook," Texas A&M Student Body President.

"At my last school my senior class was only like 100 people so to be in a class that's almost 8,000 that's just amazing," said William Heiges, a Texas A&M Freshman from Germany.

"That has a strength of a family," said John Claybrook.

"I'm really excited too outside of classes just all the opportunities to get involved. I'm looking forward to that," said Emily Drastata, a freshman from New Braunfels.

"Gig 'Em!" said Emily Drastata.

"Gig 'Em!" said Chip Gordon, another freshman from Southlake.

"Gig 'Em!" said William Heiges.

"I'm mainly excited I can't wait for my classes to start. I definitely feel like I'm blessed to be a part of this class of 2016. It'll be fun," said Chip Gordon.

"I get to be taking the classes I want so that's the exciting part, but they'll be hard. I'm ready for classes," said Dylan Weakley," a freshman from Dallas.

"It's just great to be here in this environment, this atmosphere, really gets you in the mood for college." said Heiges.

"I'm glad I ended up here," Dylan Weakley said.

Along with welcoming new students convocation was also a time to instill Aggie values and also establish a connection between students and faculty.