Editing Texas A&M University (section)

==History==
{{Main|History of Texas A&M University}}
[[File:TAMU Sul Ross statue.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of [[Lawrence Sullivan Ross|Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross]] located in front of the Academic Building|alt=A large domed building overlooks a full-length statue of balding male with a mustache and long goatee and wearing a knee-length coat. The pedestal is engraved "Lawrence Sullivan Ross".]]
[[File:TexasA&MCampus 1902.jpg|thumb|Texas A&M in 1902|alt=It shows, left to right, Ross Hall, Old Main, and Foster Hall.]]
[[File:Keypunching at Texas A&M.jpg|thumb|right|Staff at Texas A&M entering data for punch cards for new computers in the 1950s|alt=Black and white photo of two women sitting at desks with a punch machines]]

===Early years===

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&nbsp;... 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">{{Cite web|title=The Texas Constitution, Article 7 – Education, Section 13 – Agricultural and Mechanical College|publisher=State of Texas|url=http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/txconst/sections/cn000700-001300.html|access-date=August 6, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070610143937/http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/txconst/sections/cn000700-001300.html |archive-date = June 10, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, (Texas A.M.C.).<ref name="handbook"/> [[Brazos County]] donated {{convert|2416|acre|km2|0|sp=us}} near [[Bryan, Texas]], for the college's campus.<ref name="handbook">{{Cite web|last=Dethloff|first=Henry C.|title=Texas A&M University|work=[[Handbook of Texas]]|publisher=[[Texas State Historical Association]]|url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/texas-a-m-university|access-date=November 1, 2021}}</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>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gainesville.com/article/LK/20110907/Sports/604150007/GS|work=[[The Gainesville Sun]]|author=Staff Article|access-date=October 18, 2021|url-status=live|title=What is an Aggie? And other facts about Texas A&M|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928160911/https://www.gainesville.com/article/LK/20110907/Sports/604150007/GS}}</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>{{cite book |last=Texas A&M University|title=The Cadence|date=August 1, 2012|publisher=Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets|page=14}}</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 [[Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets|Corps of Cadets]] and receive military training.<ref name="dethloff1617">{{Cite book| last = Dethloff | first = Henry C.| title =A Pictorial History of Texas A&M University, 1876–1976 | publisher =Texas A&M University Press | year =1975 |pages=16–17}}</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">{{cite book |last = Dethloff |first = Henry C. |year = 1975 |title = A Pictorial History of Texas A&M University, 1876–1976 |publisher = [[Texas A&M University Press]] |page = 18 }}</ref> In 1881, enrollment grew to 258 but declined to 108 in 1883, the same year the [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]] opened in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]].<ref name="Adams16">{{Cite book|last=Adams|first=John A. Jr.|title=Keepers of the Spirit|publisher=Texas A&M University Press|page=16, table 1–1|year=2001|isbn=1-58544-127-9}}</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 States of America|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">{{Cite news|last=Ferrell|first=Christopher|title=Ross Elevated College from "Reform School"|newspaper=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]]|year=2001|url=http://209.189.226.235/aandmnews/anniversary/1rossbio.htm|access-date=March 22, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090907072859/http://209.189.226.235/aandmnews/anniversary/1rossbio.htm|archive-date=September 7, 2009}}</ref> Many [[Traditions of Texas A&M University|college traditions]] began under Ross's presidency, including the creation of the first [[Texas A&M ring|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>{{cite news|last=Bridges |first=Ken |title=Texas History Minute: The story of Lawrence Sullivan 'Sul' Ross |newspaper=[[Weatherford Democrat]] |date=August 7, 2021 |url=https://www.weatherforddemocrat.com/opinion/columns/texas-history-minute-the-story-of-lawrence-sullivan-sul-ross/article_075797e4-072a-5ed6-a050-37abab5e2856.html|access-date=December 28, 2021}}</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">{{Cite news|last=Kavanagh |first=Colleen |title=Questioning Tradition |newspaper=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]] |year=2001 |url=http://theeagle.com/aandmnews/anniversary/1questioningtradition.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20041226171757/http://theeagle.com/aandmnews/anniversary/1questioningtradition.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 26, 2004 |access-date=June 24, 2008 <!--Additional article source: [https://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&q=author%3AKavanagh+intitle%3AQuestioning+Tradition&as_publication=&as_ylo=2001&as_yhi=2001&btnG=Search Scholar search]</sup>-->}}</ref> A.M.C. expanded its academic offerings with the establishment of the [[Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences|School of Veterinary Medicine]] in 1915.<ref name="handbook"/>

===World Wars era===

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">{{Cite news|last=Liffick |first=Brandie |title=Tradition spanning generations |work=[[The Battalion]]|date=October 30, 2001 |url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2001/10/03/Ams125th/Tradition.Spanning.Generations-515912.shtml |access-date=March 22, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929105603/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2001/10/03/Ams125th/Tradition.Spanning.Generations-515912.shtml |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</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">{{Cite journal|last=Jordan|first=Carol|title=One Voice: Not Just Our Fathers' University|journal=Spirit: The Texas A&M Foundation Magazine|date=Spring 2010|publisher=Texas A&M University Foundation|url=http://spiritarchive.txamfoundation.com/2010Spring/index.html|access-date=February 16, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</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">{{Cite book|last=Adams|first=John A. Jr.|title=Keepers of the Spirit |publisher=Texas A&M University Press|year=2001|pages=160, 163|isbn=1-58544-127-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last = Dethloff|first = Henry C.|title = Texas A&M University|encyclopedia = The Handbook of Texas|url = http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kct08|access-date = October 2, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101203085854/http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kct08|archive-date = December 3, 2010|url-status = live}}</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>{{cite book|last=DeSoto |first=Clinton B. |title=The Navy Trains Radio Technicians |volume=26 |issue=11 |date=November 1942 |pages=13–18, 116–120 |url=http://www.rfcafe.com/references/qst/navy-trains-radio-technicians-nov-1942-qst.htm |access-date=July 27, 2012}}</ref> During the war, 29 Texas A&M graduates reached the rank of [[General officer|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">{{Cite news |last=Gillentine |first=Kristy |title=Aggies recall days at Annex |newspaper=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]] |date=March 11, 2007 |url=http://www.theeagle.com/news/a_m/aggies-recall-days-at-annex/article_19478ada-717e-5720-8ac8-dda8a4bcd0c6.html |access-date=June 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016051301/http://www.theeagle.com/news/a_m/aggies-recall-days-at-annex/article_19478ada-717e-5720-8ac8-dda8a4bcd0c6.html |archive-date=October 16, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> however, enrollment stagnated in the following decade.<ref name=HistEnroll/>

===University era===
[[File:George Bush Presidential Library.jpg|thumb|[[George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum]]|alt=Above the doorway of a large, relatively plain rectangular structure with a short dome are the words "George Bush Library". In front of the building is a circular courtyard with a water fountain; eight American flags are positioned evenly around the circle.]]

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">{{Cite web|title=A&M System History|publisher=Texas A&M University System|url=http://www.tamus.edu/regents/history/|access-date=February 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320074711/http://www.tamus.edu/regents/history/|archive-date=March 20, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 1, 1959, [[Major General]] [[James Earl Rudder]], class of 1932, became the 16th president of the college.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archon.library.tamu.edu/?p=collections/findingaid&id=384&q=&rootcontentid=5838|title=James Earl Rudder '32 Collection, 1918–2001 &#124|publisher=Cushing Library|access-date=October 19, 2021|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928160913/https://archon.library.tamu.edu/?p=collections%2Ffindingaid&id=384&q=&rootcontentid=5838|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dethloff184">{{Cite book |last=Dethloff |first=Henry C. |title=A Pictorial History of Texas A&M University, 1876–1976 |location=[[College Station, Texas]] |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |year=1975 |page=184}}</ref> In 1963, with the backing of [[Texas State Senate|State Senator]] [[William T. Moore (Texas politician)|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>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thebatt.com/news/women-and-students-of-color-break-barriers-represent-a-m-s-student-body/article_f84c1be8-c6d8-11e8-bca6-170834b11b7c.html|title=Women and students of color break barriers, represent A&M's student body|last=Burnham|first=Jordan |work=[[The Battalion]]|access-date=May 21, 2022|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808153826/https://www.thebatt.com/news/women-and-students-of-color-break-barriers-represent-a-m-s-student-body/article_f84c1be8-c6d8-11e8-bca6-170834b11b7c.html|archive-date=August 8, 2022}}</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">{{cite web |last=Ferrell |first=Christopher |title=Rudder's influence is evident on campus |work=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]] |location=Bryan-College Station |date= |url=http://archive.theeagle.com/aandmnews/anniversary/1rudderbio.htm |access-date=June 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908021731/http://archive.theeagle.com/aandmnews/anniversary/1rudderbio.htm |archive-date=September 8, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Bean|first=Christopher B.|title=James Earl Rudder and the Transformation of Texas A&M University|journal=Journal of South Texas|date=Fall 2008|volume=21|issue=2|pages=119–31}}</ref> In the 35 years following his death, Texas A&M more than tripled its enrollment from 14,000&nbsp;students to more than 45,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dars.tamu.edu/Data-and-Reports/Student/files/Overall_Enrollment_Historical.aspx|title=Historical Enrollment|publisher=Texas A&M University|access-date=January 2, 2022}}</ref> Texas A&M became one of the first four universities given the designation [[sea-grant university|sea-grant]] for its achievements in oceanography and marine resources development in 1971.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.noaa.gov/noaa-timeline-1970s|title=NOAA timeline: 1970s|publisher=[[NOAA]]|access-date=January 2, 2022}}</ref> In 1989, the university earned the title [[space-grant college|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">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Texas A&M University|volume=1|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/589321/Texas-A-M-University|access-date=May 22, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801062255/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/589321/Texas-A-M-University|archive-date=August 1, 2009|url-status=live}}</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 library system|presidential libraries]] operated by the [[National Archives and Records Administration]].<ref name="bushlibrary">{{Cite web|url=http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu|title=Bush Library|publisher=George Bush Presidential Library and Museum|access-date=April 21, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427205622/http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/|archive-date=April 27, 2007}}</ref><ref name="bushlibopens">{{Cite news|title=George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Opens|publisher=[[NARA]]|date=January 1998|url=https://www.archives.gov/publications/record/1998/01/bush.html|access-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721015157/https://www.archives.gov/publications/record/1998/01/bush.html|archive-date=July 21, 2017|url-status=live}}</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>{{Cite web|url=https://today.tamu.edu/2018/12/07/president-george-h-w-bush-buried-at-texas-am-university/|title=President George H.W. Bush Buried at Texas A&M University|date=December 7, 2018|access-date=August 17, 2021|archive-date=August 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817231039/https://today.tamu.edu/2018/12/07/president-george-h-w-bush-buried-at-texas-am-university/|publisher=Texas A&M University|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite press release|title=Texas A&M Selected For Membership In Association Of American Universities |publisher=Texas A&M University |date=May 7, 2001 |url=http://tamunews.tamu.edu/archives/article.php?articleid=10936&month=5&year=2001 |access-date=April 2, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727200326/http://tamunews.tamu.edu/archives/article.php?articleid=10936&month=5&year=2001 |archive-date=July 27, 2009}}</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>{{cite press release|url=http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2013/07/12/texas-am-health-science-center-moves-under-administration-of-texas-am-university/ |title=Texas A&M Health Science Center Moves Under Administration Of Texas A&M University |publisher=Texas A&M University |date=July 12, 2013 |access-date=July 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721004852/http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2013/07/12/texas-am-health-science-center-moves-under-administration-of-texas-am-university/ |archive-date=July 21, 2013}}</ref> On August 12, 2013, the university [[Mergers and acquisitions|acquired]] the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and renamed it the [[Texas A&M University School of Law]].<ref name=LawSchool1>{{Cite web|title=Texas A&M buys law school from Texas Wesleyan University|author=Kennedy, Mike|url=https://www.asumag.com/facilities-management/business-finance/article/20852640/texas-am-buys-law-school-from-texas-wesleyan-university|access-date=April 21, 2021|website=www.asumag.com|date=August 16, 2013 |archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421084908/https://www.asumag.com/facilities-management/business-finance/article/20852640/texas-am-buys-law-school-from-texas-wesleyan-university|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=LawSchool2>{{Cite web|title=Acquisition by Texas A&M|url=https://law.tamu.edu/about-us/acquisition-by-tamu#:~:text=On%20August%2012,%202013,%20Texas,same%20location%20in%20Fort%20Worth.|access-date=April 21, 2021|website=law.tamu.edu|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421084908/https://law.tamu.edu/about-us/acquisition-by-tamu#:~:text=On%20August%2012,%202013,%20Texas,same%20location%20in%20Fort%20Worth.|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, the retention of the statue of Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross was in question after other institutions [[Removal of Confederate monuments and memorials|removed statues of former Confederate officers]]. The Texas A&M University System Chancellor, [[John Sharp (Texas politician)|John Sharp]], and President, [[Michael K. Young|Michael Young]], announced the statue would remain on campus because it is not based upon his service in the Confederate Army.<ref>{{Cite news|publisher=[[KBTX]]|url=http://www.kbtx.com/content/news/AM-to-review-historical-artifacts-but-Sul-Ross-statue-will-remain-on-campus-441326363.html|title=A&M to review historical artifacts, but Sul Ross statue will remain on campus|last=Surette|first=Rusty|access-date=August 26, 2017|language=en|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019161052/https://www.kbtx.com/content/news/AM-to-review-historical-artifacts-but-Sul-Ross-statue-will-remain-on-campus-441326363.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/texas-a-m-officials-say-sul-ross-statue-will-remain/article_945baa63-10fe-5d00-9687-ac98614a3d9f.html|title=Texas A&M officials say Sul Ross statue will remain|work=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]]|access-date=August 26, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823215631/http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/texas-a-m-officials-say-sul-ross-statue-will-remain/article_945baa63-10fe-5d00-9687-ac98614a3d9f.html|archive-date=August 23, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thebatt.com/university-chancellor-and-president-say-sul-ross-statue-will-not/article_9366b5c6-8755-11e7-a562-534823edc89b.html|title=University Chancellor and President say Sul Ross statue will not be removed|last=Henkhaus|first=Luke|work=[[The Battalion]]|access-date=August 26, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822223828/http://www.thebatt.com/university-chancellor-and-president-say-sul-ross-statue-will-not/article_9366b5c6-8755-11e7-a562-534823edc89b.html|archive-date=August 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Amid the nationwide [[Black Lives Matter#George Floyd protests|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>{{Cite web|author=Rodriguez, Megan |url=https://theeagle.com/news/a_m/officials-texas-a-m-to-keep-sul-ross-statue-on-campus/article_894b8794-60fd-11eb-953a-939b0ef2f28d.html|work=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]]|title=Officials: Texas A&M to keep Sul Ross statue on campus|date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=August 17, 2021|archive-date=August 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817222234/https://theeagle.com/news/a_m/officials-texas-a-m-to-keep-sul-ross-statue-on-campus/article_894b8794-60fd-11eb-953a-939b0ef2f28d.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college/2020/07/02/texas-am-sullivan-ross-statue-controversy-infinite-tucker-aggies|title=Texas A&M Athletes Lead Calls to Remove Campus Statue|first=Chris|last=Chavez|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=July 2, 2020 |access-date=August 17, 2021|archive-date=August 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817222233/https://www.si.com/college/2020/07/02/texas-am-sullivan-ross-statue-controversy-infinite-tucker-aggies|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.texastribune.org/2021/01/27/texas-am-sul-ross-statue/|title = Texas A&M officials say moving Sul Ross statue is no longer an option, but students say the university never made that clear|date = January 28, 2021|access-date = August 17, 2021|archive-date = August 17, 2021|work=[[The Texas Tribune]]|last=McGee|first=Kate|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210817222233/https://www.texastribune.org/2021/01/27/texas-am-sul-ross-statue/|url-status = live}}</ref> The university also confirmed that the removal of the statue would require approval from the Texas Legislature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/08/07/texas-am-sul-ross-ken-paxton/|title=Texas A&M can't remove Sul Ross statue without the Legislature's approval, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says|date=August 7, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2021|archive-date=August 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817222233/https://www.texastribune.org/2020/08/07/texas-am-sul-ross-ken-paxton/|url-status=live|work=[[The Texas Tribune]]|last=Justin|first=Raga}}</ref>

In 2022, university president [[M. Katherine Banks]] implemented university-wide administrative restructuring that involved several changes to academic unit names and branding. The [[Texas A&M University College of Science|College of Science]], the [[Texas A&M University College of Geosciences|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>{{cite web| title= Annual Report 2021-2022| author= Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy| url= https://pharmacy.tamu.edu/cop-annual-report-21-22-web.pdf| access-date= April 13, 2023}}</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>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/07/21/1189283946/texas-am-president-retires-fallout-black-journalist-hiring |title=Texas A&M president 'retires immediately' over fallout from botched journalist hire|first=Jonathan |last=Franklin |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=July 21, 2023 |accessdate=July 21, 2023}}</ref><ref name="immediately">{{cite news|last1=Bogel-Borroughs|first1=Nicholas|last2=Tumin|first2=Remy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/us/texas-a-m-president-resigns.html|title=Texas A&M President Resigns Amid Fallout Over Journalism Program|date=July 21, 2023|access-date=July 22, 2023|work=[[The New York Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721205900/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/us/texas-a-m-president-resigns.html/|archive-date=July 21, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=KHOU>{{cite web|url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/education/texas-am-hiring-controvery-katherine-banks-kathleen-mcelroy/285-0c3e06ae-e644-4998-98ff-c365e236bb2a|title=Texas A&M regents could offer a settlement to the journalism professor at center of hiring controversy|date=July 30, 2023|website=KHOU11|access-date=July 30, 2023}}</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>{{cite web |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/11/texas-a-m-kathleen-mcelroy-journalism/ |title=Texas A&M recruited a UT professor to revive its journalism program, then backtracked after "DEI hysteria" |first=Kate |last=McGee |publisher=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=July 11, 2023 |accessdate=July 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/diversity-equity/2023/08/04/texas-am-pays-mcelroy-1m-report-reveals-presidents |title=The Toll of a Botched Hire |first=Ryan |last=Quinn |publisher=[[Inside Higher Ed]] |date=August 4, 2023 |accessdate=August 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://www.poynter.org/ethics-trust/2019/why-dont-newsroom-diversity-initiatives-work-blame-journalism-culture/]. [https://texasscorecard.com/state/aggies-hire-ny-times-diversity-advocate-to-head-journalism-program/]</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>{{cite web|url=https://today.tamu.edu/2023/07/30/regents-name-mark-a-welsh-iii-as-interim-president-of-texas-am-university/|title=Regents Name Mark A. Welsh III as Interim President of Texas A&M University|date=July 30, 2023|website=Texas A&M Today|access-date=July 30, 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://today.tamu.edu/2023/12/12/welsh-named-27th-president-of-texas-am/]</ref>