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Texas A&M University (Texas A&M, A&M, TA&M, or TAMU) is a public, land-grant, research university in College Station, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1876 and became the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System in 1948. Since 2021, Texas A&M has enrolled the largest student body in the United States.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and since 2001 a member of the Association of American Universities.
The university was the first public higher education institution in Texas; it opened for classes on October 4, 1876, as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (A.M.C.) under the provisions of the 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Act. In the following decades, the college grew in size and scope, expanding to its largest enrollment during WWII before its first significant stagnation in enrollment post-war.<ref name=HistEnroll>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Enrollment grew again in the 1960s under the leadership of President James Earl Rudder, during whose tenure, the college desegregated, became coeducational, and ended the requirement for participation in the Corps of Cadets. In 1963, to reflect the institution's expanded roles and academic offerings, the Texas Legislature renamed the college Texas A&M University; the letters "A&M" were retained as a tribute to the university's former designation.
The university's main campus spans over Template:Convert, and includes the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The university offers degrees in more than 130 courses of study through 18 colleges, and houses 21 research institutes. As a senior military college, Texas A&M is one of six American universities classed as a senior military college and has a full-time, volunteer Cadet Corps whose members study alongside civilian undergraduate students. About one-fifth of the student body lives on campus. Texas A&M has more than 1,000 officially recognized student organizations. The university's students, alumni, and sports teams are known as Aggies, and its athletes compete in eighteen varsity sports as a member of the Southeastern Conference.
HistoryEdit
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Early yearsEdit
In 1862, the U.S. Congress passed the Morrill Act, which auctioned land grants of public lands to establish endowments for colleges at which the "leading object shall be, without excluding other scientific and classical studies and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and mechanical arts ... to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions in life".<ref name="handbook"/> In 1871, the Texas Legislature used these funds to establish the state's first public institution of higher education,<ref name="handbook"/><ref name="txconstitution">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, (Texas A.M.C.).<ref name="handbook"/> Brazos County donated Template:Convert near Bryan, Texas, for the college's campus.<ref name="handbook">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> From its beginning until the late 1920s, students were officially nicknamed "Farmers" but the moniker "Aggies"—a common nickname for students at schools focused heavily on agriculture—gained favor and became the official student-body nickname in 1949.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The first day of classes was set for October 2, 1876, but only six students enrolled on the first day. Classes were delayed and officially began on October 4 with six faculty members and forty students at the military school.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> During the first semester, enrollment increased to 48 students and by the end of the 1877 spring semester, 106 students had enrolled. Admission was limited to white males, who were required to participate in the Corps of Cadets and receive military training.<ref name="dethloff1617">Template:Cite book</ref> Originally, the college taught no classes in agriculture or engineering, instead concentrating on classical studies, languages, literature, and applied mathematics. After initial resistance from faculty, the college began to focus on degrees in scientific agriculture, and civil and mechanical engineering.<ref name="handbook"/><ref name="dethloff18">Template:Cite book</ref> In 1881, enrollment grew to 258 but declined to 108 in 1883, the same year the University of Texas opened in Austin.<ref name="Adams16">Template:Cite book</ref> Although originally envisioned and annotated in the Texas Constitution as a branch of the soon-to-begin University of Texas, Texas A.M.C. had a separate Board of Directors from the University of Texas and was never incorporated into the University of Texas System.<ref name="handbook"/>
In the late 1880s, many Texas residents saw no need for two colleges in Texas and advocated for the elimination of Texas A.M.C. In 1891, the college was saved from closure by its new president Lawrence Sullivan Ross, former Governor of Texas and former Confederate Brigadier General, by demonstrating the college could function and excel in its established form under proper leadership. Ross made many improvements to the campus, installing running water and permanent dormitories. Enrollment doubled under his tenure to 467 cadets as parents sent their sons to Texas A.M.C. to emulate the traits of Ross.<ref name="ferrell">Template:Cite news</ref> Many college traditions began under Ross's presidency, including the creation of the first Aggie Ring, the senior class ring.<ref name="ferrell"/> Ross served until his death in 1898; to honor his contributions to the college, a statue of him was erected in 1918 in front of modern-day Academic Plaza.<ref name="ferrell"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Initially, women were permitted to attend classes only as "special students" but were not permitted to seek degrees.<ref name="kavanagh"/> In 1893, Ethel Hudson, a daughter of one of the faculty, became the first woman to take classes; in 1899, her sisters Sophie and Mary Hudson did the same.<ref name="kavanagh"/> Though not explicitly envisioned as such, over time it became a de facto all-male institution and led to a decades-long debate about the role of women at the college.<ref name="kavanagh"/> In 1911, under pressure from the Texas Legislature, the college allowed women to attend classes during the summer semester.<ref name="kavanagh">Template:Cite news</ref> A.M.C. expanded its academic offerings with the establishment of the School of Veterinary Medicine in 1915.<ref name="handbook"/>
World Wars eraEdit
Many Texas A&M alumni served during World War I and by 1918, 49% of all Aggies were in military service, a higher proportion than that of any other American college or university.<ref name="handbook"/> In early September 1918, the entire senior class enlisted, and there were plans to send the younger students at staggered dates throughout the next year. Many of the seniors were fighting in France when the war ended two months later.<ref name="liffick">Template:Cite news</ref> More than 1,200 alumni served as commissioned officers. After the war, Texas A&M grew rapidly and became nationally recognized for its programs in agriculture, engineering, and military science.<ref name="handbook"/> The first graduate school was organized in 1924 and the school awarded its first PhD in 1940.<ref name="handbook"/> In 1925, Mary Evelyn Crawford Locke became the first female student to receive a diploma from Texas A&M but she was not allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.<ref name="crawford">Template:Cite journalTemplate:Dead link</ref> The following month, the Board of Directors officially prohibited all women from enrolling.<ref name="kavanagh"/>
Many Texas A&M alumni served in the military during World War II; the college's educational and technical training resulted in 20,229 trained combat troops for U.S. military efforts. Of those, 14,123 alumni served as officers, more than any other school, and more than the combined total of the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy.<ref name="adams160">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> At the start of World War II, Texas A&M was selected as one of six engineering colleges to participate in the Electronics Training Program, which would train Navy personnel to maintain new radar systems.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> During the war, 29 Texas A&M graduates reached the rank of general.<ref name="handbook"/>
After the end of World War II, enrollment rapidly grew as many former soldiers used the G.I. Bill to fund their education;<ref name="gillentine">Template:Cite news</ref> however, enrollment stagnated in the following decade.<ref name=HistEnroll/>
University eraEdit
In 1948, the state legislature established the Texas A&M College Station campus as the flagship of a new system of universities, the Texas A&M University System. Its goal was to serve as the lead institution to foster the evolution of a statewide educational, research and service system.<ref name="system">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On July 1, 1959, Major General James Earl Rudder, class of 1932, became the 16th president of the college.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="dethloff184">Template:Cite book</ref> In 1963, with the backing of State Senator William T. "Bill" Moore, the 58th Legislature of Texas approved Rudder's proposal for a substantial expansion of the college. Over the coming years, Texas A&M augmented and upgraded its physical plant and facilities, and diversified and expanded its student body by admitting women and minorities. Membership in the Corps of Cadets also became voluntary from the start of the fall semester of 1963.<ref>Borden, Robert C. "Bull of the Brazos dies: Moore was champion of Texas A&M" The Bryan-College Station Eagle, May 28, 1999, pp. 1–3</ref> Initially, the decision to admit women made the student body very unhappy.<ref name=barrier1>Template:Cite news</ref> The change was initially resisted and some minor efforts to reverse it persisted for several decades. The positive impact of these changes was rapid. By 1972, on-campus housing was dedicated for women and in 1976, the student body elected its first Black student-body president.<ref name=barrier1/> In the same series of actions, the Texas legislature officially renamed the school "Texas A&M University",<ref name="rudder"/> specifying the symbolic nature of the letters "A" and "M", which reflect the institution's past, and no longer denote "Agricultural and Mechanical".<ref name="handbook"/>
By the time of his death in 1970, Rudder had overseen the growth of the college from 7,500 to 14,000 students from all 50 U.S. states and from 75 other nations.<ref name="rudder">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In the 35 years following his death, Texas A&M more than tripled its enrollment from 14,000 students to more than 45,000.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Texas A&M became one of the first four universities given the designation sea-grant for its achievements in oceanography and marine resources development in 1971.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1989, the university earned the title space-grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to recognize its commitment to space research and participation in the Texas Space Grant Consortium.<ref name="britannica">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> In 1997, the university opened the Bush School of Government and Public Service and the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum—one of fifteen American presidential libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration.<ref name="bushlibrary">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="bushlibopens">Template:Cite news</ref> Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush remained actively involved with the university, frequently visiting the campus and participating in special events until his death in 2018. He was buried on campus.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
With strong support from Rice University and the University of Texas, in May 2001, the Association of American Universities inducted Texas A&M<ref name="Aggie_Daily">Template:Cite press release</ref> As the student population increased, so did the university's diverse academic offerings. On July 12, 2013, Texas A&M Health Science Center was formally merged into the university.<ref name=HSCMerger>Template:Cite press release</ref> On August 12, 2013, the university acquired the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and renamed it the Texas A&M University School of Law.<ref name=LawSchool1>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=LawSchool2>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2017, the retention of the statue of Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross was in question after other institutions removed statues of former Confederate officers. The Texas A&M University System Chancellor, John Sharp, and President, Michael Young, announced the statue would remain on campus because it is not based upon his service in the Confederate Army.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Amid the nationwide Black Lives Matter riots, attempts in 2020 by a group of students and activists to secure its removal were rebuffed by the university's administration, other students and alumni, and counter-protestors.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The university also confirmed that the removal of the statue would require approval from the Texas Legislature.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2022, university president M. Katherine Banks implemented university-wide administrative restructuring that involved several changes to academic unit names and branding. The College of Science, the College of Geosciences, and the College of Liberal Arts, were merged to form the Texas A&M University College of Arts & Sciences. Several academic units underwent a change in name changes including the Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following year, Banks abruptly resigned in July after her role in the failed attempt to hire Kathleen McElroy via unauthorized means and subsequent coverup.<ref name=NPR_Banks_resignation>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="immediately">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=KHOU>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> McElroy's potential hiring was heavily criticized by conservative groups and alumni as she and openly advocated politically leftist policies in newsrooms and the classroom.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>[1]. [2]</ref> After Banks resigned, Mark A. Welsh III, the dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service, was appointed interim president and became the university's president later that year.<ref name=Interim>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>[3]</ref>
CampusEdit
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Texas A&M's College Station campus spans Template:Convert and Research Park covers an additional Template:Convert.<ref name="TAMUCatalog">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="TAMUfacts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The university is part of the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area of Brazos County, which is located in the Brazos Valley (Southeast Central Texas) region, an area often referred to as "Aggieland".<ref name="aggieland">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Brazos Valley is centrally located within Template:Convert of three of the ten largest cities in the U.S. and 75% of the population of Texas and Louisiana—approximately 13 million people. The area's major roadway is State Highway 6, and several smaller state highways and Farm to Market Roads connect the area to larger highways such as Interstate 45.<ref name="bcschamber">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The College Station campus is bisected by a railroad track operated by Union Pacific.<ref name="lukejackson">Template:Cite news</ref> The area east of the tracks, known as main campus, includes buildings for the colleges of engineering, architecture, geosciences, science, education, and liberal arts. Dormitories, the main dining centers, and many campus support facilities are also on the main campus. Notable buildings on main campus include Kyle Field, Sterling C. Evans Library, the Academic Building, Harrington Hall, the Memorial Student Center, the Administration Building, Rudder Tower, Albritton Bell Tower, and the Bonfire Memorial.<ref name="campusname">Template:Cite press release</ref> To the west of the railroad tracks lies West Campus, which includes most of the sports facilities, the business school, agricultural programs, life sciences, the veterinary college, the political science and economics school, George Bush School of Government & Public Service, George Bush Presidential Library, and two schools within the Texas A&M Health Science Center.<ref name="vision2020campus">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Outside the main campus, the institution formally includes three branch campuses: Texas A&M University at Galveston is dedicated to marine research and hosts the Texas A&M Maritime Academy; Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen is dedicated to engineering, biomedical science, public health, and food systems industry management;<ref name="Galveston"/> and Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) in Education City, Al Rayyan, Qatar, is dedicated to engineering disciplines.<ref name="qatar">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Texas A&M Health maintains several other Health Science Centers and campuses away from the Bryan-College Station campus. The School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed), at the Houston Methodist Hospital, and the Texas A&M Institute of Biosciences and Technology, are both located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The School of Dentistry is located in Dallas, and the institution has a presence in Corpus Christi, Kingsville, Lufkin, McAllen, Round Rock, and Temple.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Texas A&M School of Law, formerly Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, is located in Fort Worth.<ref name=LawSchool1/><ref name=LawSchool2/> Texas A&M maintains the RELLIS Campus, formerly the Texas A&M University-Riverside Campus and Bryan Air Force Base, which was transferred from the university to become a separate entity within the Texas A&M University System in September 2015.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
AcademicsEdit
Administration and organizationEdit
Texas A&M is part of the Texas A&M University System, which consists of eleven universities, eight state agencies, and the RELLIS Campus. The system is governed by a ten-member Board of Regents, nine of whom are appointed by the Governor of Texas to six-year terms, and one non-voting Student Regent who is appointed to a one-year term. The Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System is responsible for day-to-day operations and is answerable to the Board of Regents.<ref name=AdminStructure>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=OrgChart>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The university is led by the university president, who has executive responsibility, and is selected by and reports to the chancellor. The provost is responsible for all educational and service activities of the university, and reports to the president. The cabinet, as the institution's administrative arm, and the deans of the respective colleges, also report to the president.<ref name=AdminStructure/><ref name=OrgChart/> The university and colleges are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and associated professional organizations offering degrees in 130 courses of study, over 260 professional and graduate degrees via its 17 colleges, and further opportunities in 21 research centers and institutes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Student bodyEdit
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As of the fall semester in 2021, Texas A&M was the largest American university with an enrollment of 72,982 students<ref name=totalstuds>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=largesse>Template:Cite news</ref> who were pursuing degrees in 17 academic colleges. The student body originates from all 50 U.S. states and over 120 other countries. Texas residents account for 86.27% of the student population and 7.42% are of international origin.<ref name=Origins>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The demographics of the student body are 52.9% male and 47.1% female.<ref name=Demographics>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Members of ethnic minority groups make up 42.2% of the student population.Template:Efn According to U.S. News & World Report, Texas A&M has a student-to-teacher ratio of 19:1 and an average-freshman-retention rate of 92%.<ref name=Demographics/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to the institution, in 2019, it had a four-year-graduation rate of 59% and a six-year-graduation of 81.7%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> College of Engineering had the largest enrollment of 29.6%. The College of Liberal Arts and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences followed, enrolling 12% and 11% of the student body, respectively. The School of Education and Human Development and Mays Business School each enrolled 9%. The remaining schools enrolled less than 6% each. In addition, slightly more than 3% of the student body had not declared a major.<ref name="TAMU_Accountability">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
As of 2019, the university enrolled the seventh-highest total of National Merit scholars in the United States and the third-highest among all public universities.<ref name="NationalMerit">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of 2021, about 72% of the student body receives about $810 million in financial aid annually.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The admission rate of students who applied as undergraduates in 2020 was 63%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The school is rated as "more selective" by U.S. News & World Report.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
RankingsEdit
Template:Infobox US university ranking In a comparison of educational quality, faculty quality, and research output, the Center for World-Class Universities placed Texas A&M 57th nationally and 151st internationally in its 2021 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) rankings.<ref name="shanghai">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In its 2021–2022 rankings, The Times Higher Education Supplement listed Texas A&M 61st among North America's universities and 193rd among world universities.<ref name="THES">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The 2021–2022 QS World University Rankings<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> placed the university 168th in the world. In its 2022 edition, the Center for World University Rankings placed Texas A&M as the 74th-best university globally and 41st nationally.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the 2022 edition of the U.S. News & World Report ranking of universities, Texas A&M was placed 68th nationally and 130th globally.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2021, The Washington Monthly assessed Texas A&M 21st nationally based on their criteria that weigh research, community service, and social mobility.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2021, Forbes rated Texas A&M as the 17th-best public university in the country and 50th overall.<ref name="Forbes">Template:Cite news</ref> After conducting a survey of leading employment recruiters, The Wall Street Journal ranked Texas A&M second nationally as "most likely to help students land a job in key careers and professions" and the 83rd-best college overall.<ref name="WSJ1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="WSJ2">Template:Cite news</ref> As of 2017, according to Best Value Schools,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Texas A&M graded first in nation as the best college for military veterans, based on a return on investment. As of 2015, Texas A&M was rated the second-best university for veterans in USA Today<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and ninth for "business schools for veterans" by the Military Times.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
EndowmentEdit
The Texas A&M University System has an endowment valued at more than $19.2 billion; the second highest among U.S. public universities and seventh overall.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=USNewsEndowment2021>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Apart from revenue received from tuition and research grants, as part of the university system, Texas A&M is partially funded from two endowments. The smaller endowment and investment assets, totaling $2.6 billion as of 2021, is run by the private Texas A&M Foundation.<ref name="endowment2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A larger sum is distributed from the Texas Permanent University Fund (PUF), in which the system holds a one-third stake. Template:As of, the PUF ending net-asset value was approximately $30 billion.<ref name="puf">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="handbookoftexas">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ResearchEdit
The National Science Foundation ranked Texas A&M 16th among American universities for research and development expenditures in 2021 with $1.14 billion.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Concentrated in two primary areas, Research Valley and Research Park, the institution has over Template:Convert, which includes Template:Convert of dedicated research space.<ref name="ResearchPark">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education classifies Texas A&M among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" as of 2021.<ref name="Carnegie">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Its research entities include the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study, the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine, the Texas Transportation Institute, the Cyclotron Institute, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, and the Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology.<ref name="centers">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Texas A&M University is a member of the SEC Academic Consortium.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Texas A&M works with state and university agencies on local and international research projects to develop innovations in science and technology that can have commercial applications. In 2006, the Texas A&M University System was the first to explicitly state in its policy technology commercialization could be used for tenure. Passage of this policy was intended to give faculty more academic freedom and strengthen the university's industry partnerships.<ref name="tenure1">Template:Cite press release</ref><ref name="tenure2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The efforts of system-wide faculty and research departments have yielded millions of dollars for Texas A&M in royalty-bearing license agreements through more than 900 patents and 1,500 patent applications relating to a portfolio of over 2,600 inventions. On average, Texas A&M files over 50 patents and closes 25 license agreements per year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Profile">Template:Cite press release</ref>
Texas A&M has led the world in several fields of cloning research. Scientists at the university's College of Veterinary Medicine created the first cloned pet, a cat named "cc", on December 22, 2001.<ref name="ClonedCat">Template:Cite news</ref> Texas A&M was also the first academic institution to clone six species; cattle, a Boer goat, pigs, a cat, a deer, and a horse.<ref name="ABC_News">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2016, the animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) targeted the university and alleged abusive experiments on dogs. According to Texas A&M, the dogs in question were given several experimental treatments to improve or cure a genetic condition that also affects humans. During this period, the dogs were under the care of board-certified veterinarians and other highly trained staff with oversight from multiple agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The university is also engaged in significant scientific exploration projects. In 2004, as part of its responsibilities under the space grant program, it joined a consortium of universities and countries to build the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Construction began in November 2015; on its completion—which is scheduled for 2025—it will be the largest optical telescope ever constructed with seven mirrors, each with a diameter of Template:Convert, the equivalent of a mirror Template:Convert across and ten times more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As part of a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, Texas A&M completed the first conversion of a nuclear research reactor from using highly enriched uranium fuel (70%) to use low-enriched uranium (20%). The eighteen-month project ended on October 13, 2006, after the first-ever refueling of the reactor, thus fulfilling a portion of the United States' Global Nuclear Threat Reduction Initiative.<ref name="Nuclear">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2013, geography researchers named the largest volcano on Earth, Tamu Massif, after the university in honor of their research contributions.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
WorldwideEdit
Of the university's numerous agreements and joint facilities of international cooperation, Texas A&M owns a multipurpose center in Mexico City, Soltis Research and Education Center near San Isidro, Costa Rica, and Santa Chiara Study Abroad Center in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy.<ref name="santachiara">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="CostaRica">Template:Cite news</ref> During the 2018 academic year, over 5,600 Texas A&M students—primarily undergraduates—studied in 110 countries.<ref name="InternationalStudies">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Marine research occurs on the university's branch campus, Texas A&M University at Galveston.<ref name="Galveston">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> It also has collaborations with international facilities such as Hacienda Santa Clara in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.<ref name=inaugursmgob>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=arranca>Template:Cite news</ref>
The university is one of two American universities in partnership with CONACyT, Mexico's equivalent of the National Science Foundation, to support research in areas including biotechnology, telecommunications, energy, and urban development.<ref name="CONACYT">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The university also hosts Las Americas Digital Research Network, an online architecture network for 26 universities in 12 nations, primarily in Central and South America.<ref name="Las_Americas">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Founded in 1995 by then-emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and his wife, who is the mother of the current emir Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Texas A&M University at Qatar was set up through an agreement between Texas A&M and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development and continues its part of Qatar's efforts to expand higher education with the assistance of elite institutions from the United States.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> All degrees at the Qatar campus are granted by the university's TAMU College of Engineering.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> TAMUQ was opened in 2003, and the current contract extends through 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The campus offers undergraduate degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering, and a graduate degree in chemical engineering. TAMUQ has received awards for its research.<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Texas A&M receives $76.2 million per year from the Qatar Foundation for the campus. In the agreement with the Qatar Foundation, TAMU agreed 70% of its undergraduates at its Qatar campus would be Qatari citizens.<ref name=":0" /> The curriculum is designed to emulate the academic rigors of the facility at College Station but critics question whether this is possible due to Qatar's strict stance on some of the freedoms granted to U.S. students.<ref name=":1" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> TAMU has also been criticized over its Qatari campus due to Qatar's alleged ties to Islamic terrorism and the country's human rights record.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2016, Texas A&M Aggie Conservatives, a campus activism group, criticized the campus and called for its immediate closure on the grounds it violated a commitment to educating Texans and diminished the credibility of engineering degrees of students at College Station.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 7 January 2024, Mark A. Welsh III, President of TAMU, addressed inaccuracies and misconceptions circulating on various websites and social media platforms regarding the University and its branch campus in Qatar and shared accurate information.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2013, Texas A&M signed an agreement to open a $200 million campus in Nazareth, Israel, as a "peace campus" for Arabs and Israelis.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The agreement led to protests from students at the Qatari campus, who called it "an insult to [their] people".<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The planned campus in Nazareth was never opened; instead, Texas A&M opened a $6 million marine biology center in Haifa, Israel, in 2016.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Student lifeEdit
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Residential lifeEdit
Template:As of approximately 20% of the Texas A&M student body lived on campus, primarily in one of two distinct housing sections located on opposite ends of the campus.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Both the Northside and Southside areas contain student residence halls. Some halls are single-sex.<ref name="womack">Template:Cite news</ref> Several halls include a "substance-free" floor whose residents pledge to refrain from bringing alcoholic beverages, recreational drugs, or tobacco products into the hall.<ref name="dorms2002">Template:Cite news</ref>
Northside consists of seventeen student residence halls, including two dedicated to honors students.<ref name="northside">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Approximately half of the residence halls on campus are reserved for members of the Corps of Cadets.<ref name=CorpsDorms>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The university also has four major apartment complexes for both staff and students, which are located both on and adjacent to the campus.<ref name="near campus">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="on campus apt">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Facilities for the Corps of Cadets are located in the Quadrangle, known as "The Quad", an area consisting of dormitories, Duncan Dining Hall, and the Corps training fields.<ref name=ResLifeCorps>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="cadethandbook">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Corps Arches, a series of twelve arches that allude to the spirit of the 12th Man, mark the entrance to the Quadrangle.<ref name="archesBatt">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="arches">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> All cadets, except those who are married or who have had previous military service, must live in the Quad with assigned roommates from the same unit and graduating class.<ref name=ResLifeCorps/><ref name="filbin">Template:Cite news</ref> The Aggie mascot Reveille, a Rough Collie, lives with her handlers in the Corps in the Quad.<ref name="cadetresidenthandbook">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Corps of CadetsEdit
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Texas A&M is one of six United States senior military colleges.<ref name="SMC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of 2019, the university's Corps of Cadets (or the Corps), with more than 2,500 members, is the largest uniformed student body outside the service academies.<ref name=SMC/><ref name=CorpsDorms/><ref name=CorpsSize>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Many members participate in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs and earn commissions in the United States Armed Forces upon graduation.<ref name="cadetsconservative"/> Members of the Corps have served in every armed conflict fought by the United States since 1876, and over 285 alumni have served as generals or flag officers as of 2021.<ref name="cadetsconservative">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=CorpsSize/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Until 1965, Corps membership was mandatory. The Corps began accepting female members in the fall semester of 1974.<ref name="nauman">Template:Cite news</ref>
The Corps of Cadets is composed of four major units, the Air Force Wing, the Army Brigade, the Navy/Marine Regiment, and the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, whose members may be affiliated with any military branch.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Parson's Mounted Cavalry is the only mounted ROTC unit in the United States.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Ross Volunteer Company, one of the oldest student-run organizations in the state, is the official honor guard for the Governor of Texas.<ref name="Adams55">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Fish Drill Team, a precision, close-order rifle drill team composed entirely of Corps freshmen, represents Texas A&M in local and national competitions. The team have won the national championship almost every year since their creation in 1946, and have appeared in several Hollywood films, including A Few Good Men and Courage Under Fire, in which they had prominent roles.<ref name="fishdrillteam">Template:Cite news</ref>
The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, the nation's largest precision military marching band, provides music for university functions and presents halftime performances at football games.<ref name=BandBatt>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Some band drills are so complicated they require band members to step between each other's feet to complete the maneuvers.<ref name="steponfeet">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="errorband">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Membership of the Corps of Cadets is a requirement for joining the Aggie Band, whose members live by the same standards, schedules, and regimens as the rest of the Corps.<ref name="Powell">Template:Cite book</ref>
ActivitiesEdit
Texas A&M has over 1,000 student organizations, including academic, service, religious, social, and common interest organizations,<ref name="newsletter2003_12_4">Template:Cite news</ref> and hosts 58 nationally or internationally recognized Greek Letter Organizations (GLOs). About 10% of the undergraduate population is affiliated with a GLO fraternity or sorority.<ref name="officeoffraternityandsororitylife">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="studentactivities">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
One of the oldest student organizations is the Singing Cadets, an all-male choral group not affiliated with the Corps of Cadets with about 70 members that was founded in 1893.<ref name="singingcadets">Template:Cite news</ref> Texas A&M Hillel, the oldest Hillel organization in the United States, was founded in 1920 at the original college.<ref name="Hillel">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Hillel2">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Registration required</ref> Since 1955, the MSC Student Conference on National Affairs has held conferences, lectures, and other programs to discuss national and international issues with speakers.<ref name="SCONA">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Department of Recreational Sports provides athletic activities to the university community; sports facilities include the Student Recreation Center, a natatorium; the Penberthy Rec Sports Complex; and the Omar Smith Instructional Tennis Center.<ref name="reccenter">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Student Government Association (SGA), one of A&M's largest organizations, has over 1,300 student members in three branches, fifteen committees, and four commissions.<ref name="StudentSenate">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Graduate Student Council, which was founded in 1995, serves as the student government for Texas A&M University's graduate and professional students.<ref name="GSC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Student organizations have had a nationwide impact. Texas A&M students founded the largest one-day, student-run service project in America known as The Big Event. The annual service project allows students to serve the community by assisting local residents. Such events are now also held at other universities.<ref name="KBTX BigEvent">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="bigevent">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The organization CARPOOL, a student-run safe ride program, has provided over 250,000 free rides (Template:As of) to students who are unable to transport themselves home. Its organizers help other universities establish similar programs.<ref name="Carpool1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="carpool3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2009, GLBT Aggies, formerly Gay Student Services (GSS), successfully sued the university for official recognition and the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the U.S. Constitution requires public universities to allow such student organizations under the First Amendment's "freedom to assemble" clause.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
MediaEdit
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The university newspaper The Battalion has been in production since 1893.<ref name="battranking">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Aggieland, formerly known as The Olio and The Longhorn, is one of America's largest college yearbooks in number of pages and copies sold.<ref name="AgYearbook">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="AgYearbook2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
As of 2007, the university houses three public broadcasting stations: KAMU-TV, a PBS member station since 1970; KAMU-FM, a National Public Radio affiliate since 1977,<ref name="KBTXKAMUFM">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the student-run station KANM, which bills itself "the college station of College Station".<ref name="KANM">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> W5AC, a student-run amateur radio club, broadcast the first live, play-by-play broadcast of a college football game at Kyle Field in November 1921.<ref name="schultz">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
TraditionsEdit
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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 mandated, the university's history has instilled in students, according to Paul Burka, "the idealized elements of a small-town life: community, tradition, loyalty, optimism, and unabashed sentimentality".<ref name="burka2000">Template:Cite news</ref> Texas Monthly posits that Texas A&M students' respect for school traditions and values is the university's greatest strength.<ref name="burkaNov2006">Template:Cite news</ref> These traditions enable and encourage students and alumni to cultivate the Aggie Spirit, a strong sense of loyalty and respect for the university.<ref name="tresaugue">Template:Cite news</ref> They dictate many aspects of student life, including greeting others using the official school greeting of "Howdy!",<ref name="hallett">Template:Cite news</ref> personal conduct at university sporting events, and students' word choices in conversation.<ref name="gravois">Template:Cite news</ref>
A visible designation tradition among senior undergraduates, graduate students nearing the end of their programs, and former students is wearing an Aggie Ring, whose design has been relatively unchanged since its introduction in 1894.<ref name="kane">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="ring2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although not sanctioned by the university, many students "dunk" their newly acquired Aggie Rings into a pitcher of beer and drink the entire pitcher in seconds.<ref name="ring3">Template:Cite news</ref>
Texas A&M students have created two major traditions to honor deceased former students. The Aggie Muster is a ceremony of remembrance held annually on April 21, the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, to honor current and former students who died the previous year. Alumni also typically socialize and remember their time at the university. Over 300 Musters are held around the world, the largest taking place at Reed Arena on the university's main campus.<ref name="lozano">Template:Cite news</ref> All Muster ceremonies feature the Roll Call for the Absent, in which names of deceased alumni are called. A family member or friend answers "here" and lights a candle to symbolize that although their loved one is not physically present, his or her spirit will shine forever. This is traditionally followed by a three-volley salute.<ref name="lopez">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="silvertaps">Template:Cite journal</ref> The event received nationwide attention during World War II, when 25 Texas A&M alumni held a brief Aggie Muster during the Battle of Corregidor.<ref name="tutt">Template:Cite news</ref>
Students who die while enrolled at Texas A&M are honored at Silver Taps, a ceremony that is held, when necessary, on the first Tuesday of the month. This tradition began as a memorial for former Texas A&M president Lawrence Sullivan Ross.<ref name="hegstrom">Template:Cite news</ref> On the day of the ceremony, flags fly half-staff and notices are posted throughout campus. At 10:15 pm, lights around campus are extinguished and hymns are chimed from Albritton Tower while students and faculty gather in the Academic Plaza. Following a three-volley salute by the Ross Volunteer Firing Squad, six buglers play "Silver Taps", a choral version of the bugle call "Taps", from the dome of the university's Academic Building. The song is played three times: once toward the north, once toward the south, and once toward the west. The song is not played to the east, symbolizing that the sun will never again rise on the deceased student.<ref name="silvertaps"/>
SportsEdit
At university sporting events, Texas A&M students collectively are called the 12th Man; in the context of football games, this symbolizes students supporting the eleven players on the field and being willing to enter the game if necessary. To symbolize their zeal and motivation, it is traditional for students to stand throughout the sports game.<ref name="12thMan">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The tradition of standing for games began on January 2, 1922, at the Dixie Classic, in which Texas A&M played Centre College. Texas A&M had so many injuries Coach Dana X. Bible feared he would not have enough men to finish the game. He called into the stands for E. King Gill, a reserve who had left football after the regular season to play basketball, to prepare to play in the game. Texas A&M won 22–14 but E. King Gill was the only player left available on the sidelines for the team.<ref name="beano">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In recent decades, the 12th Man is represented on the field by a walk-on player who wears a number-twelve jersey and participates in kick-offs.<ref name="heater">Template:Cite news</ref>
The 12th Man uses a variety of school yells, rather than cheers, to support Aggie teams. Each year, the student body elects five students to serve as Yell Leaders.<ref name="alvaradoyell">Template:Cite news</ref> At midnight before each home football game at Kyle Field, or at a designated location at away games, fans gather to practice yells for the next day's game at an event called Midnight Yell Practice.<ref name="hallett"/><ref name="drehs">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Led by the Yell Leaders and the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, the 12th Man practice yells, sing the War Hymn, joke about their opponents, and practice celebrating.<ref name="drehs"/><ref name="mugdown">Template:Cite news</ref> Sports Illustrated named Midnight Yell as one of the "100 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate".<ref name="si100">Template:Cite magazine</ref> At home football games, the 12th Man consists of more than 36,000 Texas A&M students and forms the largest student section in college football.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> When singing the war hymn, A&M students cause the stands to sway; visiting press are warned prior to the game.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Almost every year since 1909, Texas A&M students have built a large bonfire to celebrate their rivalry with the University of Texas at Austin.<ref name="smith2007">Template:Cite journal</ref> Aggie Bonfire was traditionally lit around Thanksgiving in conjunction with the festivities surrounding the annual college football game between the universities.<ref name="bernstein"/> Although it began as a trash pile,<ref name="as">Template:Cite news</ref> Aggie Bonfire evolved into a massive, six-tiered structure, achieving a then-world-record height for a bonfire of Template:Convert.<ref name="bernstein">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="WorldRec">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="SixTier">Template:Cite news</ref> On November 18, 1999, the Aggie Bonfire collapsed during construction. Eleven enrolled students and one former student died and twenty-seven others were injured. The accident was later attributed to improper design and poor construction practices.<ref name="homeland">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The victims' family members filed six lawsuits against Texas A&M officials, Aggie Bonfire officials, and the university. Half of the defendants settled their portion of the case in 2005,<ref name="kapitan">Template:Cite news</ref> and a federal appeals court dismissed the remaining lawsuits against the university in 2007.<ref name="vanderwerf">Template:Cite news</ref> Following the collapse, the university suspended the official sanction of the bonfire, but the tradition continues off-campus.<ref name="milloy">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="badger">Template:Cite news</ref>
AthleticsEdit
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Texas A&M University has been a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of the NCAA for all sports since 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="swconference">Template:Cite news</ref> It was previously a charter member of the Southwest Conference until its dissolution in 1996 and competed in the Big 12 Conference until June 30, 2012. The university has twenty sports teams, which are known as the Aggies, whose team colors are maroon and white.<ref name="big12aggies">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:As of, Aggies had won 178 conference titles and 21 national championships.<ref name="tamuathleticsfacts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=currentathstats>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
A&M's archrival is the University of Texas Longhorns. The rivalry was renewed in 2024 when the Longhorns joined the SEC, ending the hiatus that began in 2011. In 2004, sporting events between the Aggies and the Longhorns became known as the Lone Star Showdown; the most-watched event in the rivalry was the annual football game held on Thanksgiving.<ref name="fridayfootball">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="recordcrowd">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Other current rivalries include the University of Arkansas and Louisiana State University, with the latter rivalry becoming particularly strong since Texas A&M's 74-72 victory in 2018. Historic rivals who were played during the Big 12 and Southwest Conference days, now dormant, include Texas Tech University and Baylor University.<ref name="dirocco">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="griffin">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Techrival">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="arkrival">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1964 to "acknowledge athletes whose accomplishments on the field have brought credit to Texas A&M". As of 2018, it has 297 inductees. The Hall of Fame also hosts the Hall of Honor and Lettermen's Lifetime Achievement Award.<ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Honor was established in 1977 to "recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond in contributions and support of the athletic programs at Texas A&M".<ref name=":3" /> The Lettermen's Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2011 to recognize "lettermen, who after graduation, have gone on to gain prominence through his or her efforts in industry, commerce, technology, athletics, the professions, or other worthy endeavors".<ref name=":3" />
FootballEdit
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The Aggies football team, which was founded in 1894, has won eighteen Southwest Conference championships, three Big 12 South Division championships, and one Big 12 championship. The university also claims three national championships.<ref name="FootballChampHist">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of 2021, the team has played in forty-two bowl games, of which they have won twenty,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and former players include forty-one first Team All-Americans, five Academic All-Americans, and Heisman Trophy winners John David Crow (1957) and Johnny Manziel (2012).<ref name="footballhis60">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=heismanofficial>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Since 1904, home football games have been played at Kyle Field, a stadium with a current capacity of 102,500.<ref name="KF_Attendance">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of 2024, the football team is led by Mike Elko in his first season as head coach.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
BasketballEdit
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The Aggies men's basketball team, which was founded in 1912, has won eleven Southwest Conference championships and two Southwest Conference Tournament championships. The team has played in the National Invitation Tournament six times and in the NCAA Tournament eleven times, of which three resulted in the team progressing to the regional semifinals round, dubbed Sweet Sixteen—the highest round to which the Aggies have advanced—most recently in the 2015–16 season.<ref name="AgBballHist">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of 2021, the men's basketball team is led by Buzz Williams in his tenth season as head coach.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The women's basketball team has won one Southwest Conference Tournament championship, one regular season Big 12 Conference championship, two Big 12 Tournament championships, and two SEC Tournament championships—most recently in 2021. Template:As of, the Aggies women's team has advanced to sixteen NCAA Tournament appearances, including fourteen consecutive seasons, and won the National Championship in 2011. They have also twice competed in the Women's National Invitation Tournament, which they won in 1995.<ref name="womenbb">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The women's team was coached by Gary Blair from 2003<ref name="dickpatrick">Template:Cite news</ref> to his retirement in 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Blair's replacement Joni Taylor began coaching the team in March 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Both the men's and women's basketball teams play in the 12,889-seat Reed Arena, which opened in 1998.<ref name="grollie">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="reedarena">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Other sportsEdit
The Aggies women's soccer team was formed in 1993; as of 2021, it has taken part in every NCAA Tournament since 1995.<ref name="soccerrecords">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The women's volleyball team is a frequent qualifier for the annual NCAA tournament, and has played in thirteen consecutive NCAA Tournaments from 1993 to 2005.<ref name="volleyballrecords">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="big12champs">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Texas A&M also fields men's and women's teams in swimming and diving, golf, tennis, cross country, track and field, softball, baseball, rugby union and equestrianism.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Notable alumni and facultyEdit
AlumniEdit
With over 508,000 alumni,<ref name="academicfacts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Texas A&M University has one of the largest alumni groups in America.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Many alumni have attained local, national, and international prominence. Jorge Quiroga and Martin Torrijos have served as heads of state of Bolivia and Panama, respectively. Rick Perry served as the United States Secretary of Energy and Governor of Texas and ran as a 2012 US presidential candidate. Congressman Louie Gohmert is also a Texas A&M graduate.<ref name="formerstudentachievements">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> William A. Pailes, Michael E. Fossum, and Steven Swanson became NASA astronauts.<ref name="geller">Template:Cite news</ref> Mechanical engineer Holly Ridings became the first female chief flight director at NASA.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Phyllis Frye is a residing judge in Houston, Texas, and is the first transgender judge in the United States.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1903, twin sisters Mary Lockett Hutson Nelson and Sophie Palmer Hutson Rollins were the first women to complete the original college's civil engineering program but they did not receive their degrees until 99 years later because the college's charter at the time made no provision for female students.<ref name="Dateline">Template:Cite news</ref>
Several notable alumni have excelled in sports. These include Heisman Trophy winners John David Crow and Johnny Manziel; Heisman runner-up, legislator, and actor John Kimbrough;<ref name="Famous Ath">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Randy Barnes, indoor/outdoor shot put world-record holder. In popular culture, Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovett, who played on the porch of their Northgate home on the university's campus, have become country singers.<ref name="RKeen">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Alumni in business include Lowry Mays, chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Communications;<ref name="Famous Ath"/> George P. Mitchell, chairman and CEO of Mitchell Energy and Development Corporation;<ref name="formerstudentachievements" /> Khalid A. Al-Falih, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco;<ref name="Al-Falih">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Eduardo Castro-Wright, CEO of Wal-Mart Stores USA.<ref name="EWright">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Many alumni have become leaders in the armed forces. General Bernard Adolph Schriever, the architect of the Air Force's ballistic missile and military space program, became the namesake of Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.<ref name="Schriever">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Schviever2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> General Michael Moseley is a former Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.<ref name="Moseley">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Seven alumni received the Medal of Honor in World War II: Horace S. Carswell, Jr., Thomas W. Fowler, William Harrell, Lloyd H. Hughes, George D. Keathley, Turney W. Leonard, and Eli L. Whiteley<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Clarence E. Sasser received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War prior to enrolling at the university.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Notable facultyEdit
Notable Texas A&M faculty include eight Nobel Prize laureates; among them are Derek Barton,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Sheldon Glashow,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Robert H. Grubbs,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Dudley R. Herschbach,<ref name=dudref>Template:Cite news</ref> Jack Kilby,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> David Lee,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Vernon L. Smith.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In addition, Norman Borlaug, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is one of only five people to have won both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.<ref name="TAMU-formerstudent">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> U.S. Senator Phil Gramm taught economics at the university,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> C++ computer language creator Bjarne Stroustrup taught computer science,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Pulitzer Prize recipient Charles Gordone also taught at Texas A&M.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Aviation pioneer Fred Weick did much of his post-war research at Texas A&M.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Robert Gates served as president of the university between leaving his post as Director of Central Intelligence and his appointment as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> John E. Sloan, US Army major general, was assigned to Texas A&M as professor of military science and tactics.<ref name="Brown">Template:Cite book</ref>
NotesEdit
Template:NoteFoot Template:Notelist
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Template:Official website
- Template:Oweb of Texas A&M Athletics