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{{Short description|Public university in College Station, Texas, US}}
{{Redirect|TAMU|other uses|Tamu (disambiguation){{!}}Tamu}}
{{Redirect|A&M University|other A&M universities|A&M (disambiguation){{!}}A&M}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
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| image_size = 150
| image_upright = .5
| established = {{start date and age|1876}}<ref name=DateHistory>{{cite web |url = https://www.tamu.edu/about/history.html |title = History of the University |publisher = Texas A&M University |date = |access-date = December 31, 2021 |quote = The State of Texas agreed to create a college under the terms of the Morrill Act in November 1866, but actual formation didn't come until the establishment of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas by the Texas state legislature on April 17, 1871.}}</ref>{{NoteTag|The seal contains the date 1876, the year in which Texas A&M began classes. Both 1871 (the year the Texas Legislature appropriated funds to begin A&M's construction) and 1876 can be considered the dates of establishment depending on the context of the usage.<ref name=DateHistory/>}}
| type = [[Public university|Public]] [[Land-grant university|land-grant]] [[research university|research]] [[United States senior military college|senior military university]]
| former_names = State Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (1871–1887){{NoteTag|The school was first given this name in 1871 (the year the Texas Legislature appropriated funds to begin A&M's construction), but did not open for instruction until 1876<ref name=DateHistory/> The institution ceased using the word "State" around 1887.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://library.tamu.edu/collections/digital-library/course-catalogs|title=Texas A&M University Archived Catalogs|website=Texas A&M University Libraries}}</ref> It was known as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas until it became Texas A&M University in 1963.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.tamu.edu/about/facts/faq.html |publisher = Texas A&M University |title = Frequently Asked Questions |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150730130908/http://www.tamu.edu/about/facts/faq.html |archive-date=July 30, 2015 }}</ref>}} Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (1887–1963)
| parent = [[Texas A&M University System]]
| academic_affiliations = {{hlist
|[[Association of American Universities|AAU]]
|[[Oak Ridge Associated Universities|ORAU]]
|[[Universities Research Association|URA]]
|[[National Sea Grant College Program|Sea-grant]]
|[[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]<ref>{{cite news |author = Texas A&M University |url = http://www.science.tamu.edu/dean/tamu/ |title = About Texas A&M |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100809103105/http://www.science.tamu.edu/dean/tamu/ |archive-date = August 9, 2010 }}</ref>
}}
| endowment = $18.13 billion ([[Fiscal year|FY]]2023)<br />(Texas A&M only)<ref name=TAMUEndowment>As of August 31, 2023. {{cite web |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/reported-data/228723?year=2023&surveyNumber=6 |title=IPEDS - Texas A & M University-College Station |date=January 7, 2025 |website=[[National Center for Education Statistics]] |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=January 7, 2025 }}</ref><br />$20.38 billion (FY2024)<br />(system-wide)<ref name=NACUBO>As of June 30, 2024. {{cite web |url=https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |title=U.S. and Canadian 2024 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2024 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY23 to FY24, and FY24 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student |date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) |access-date=February 12, 2025 |format=XLSX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212074654/https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
| provost = Alan Sams
| faculty = 4,300 (fall 2024)<ref name="Faculty">{{cite web |url = https://abpa.tamu.edu/accountability-metrics/faculty-and-staff/faculty-quick-facts |title = Faculty Quick Facts |access-date = January 8, 2025 |publisher = Texas A&M University |archive-date = January 8, 2025 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250108230804/https://login.microsoftonline.com/68f381e3-46da-47b9-ba57-6f322b8f0da1/oauth2/authorize?client_id=173cb364-fa2f-4a4f-9839-8c2ffb066397&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fabpa.tamu.edu&response_type=code%20id_token&scope=openid%20profile&state=OpenIdConnect.AuthenticationProperties%3DQjyYlkrnRXSWY2FRMO6uhXAA5smQUZTWukTtt6mNlBNNevDuy-Mhj-uOM9sQz9zjMRoeyrT6Zhwy4EESGrbjRDacrBQf0udj_m1dDw0PtiAl3xMguWsFGmaYVd9iFhUrHw6ecyK7ZUyszETCAECswCb9SBb_SOAEn-fAxYWBkf6-B7a1P9UflKolCb8XeYUvlIlAbWbOkLWakN659qIEOK0CbN80Y9J0ro5Z47r2RgefCMZa59aSyQj3wVnn1rbYOFF0t2CoAANByxSw4K-1mQ&response_mode=form_post&nonce=638719744831258639.ZWFiMTcxOWItMzI0OS00MTMxLTlhNDgtM2M4Yzk1YmVkOGJlMDRmNmNiMzYtZTllOC00MGJiLTljMDAtNGI5ZDFhNmY1NmY3&x-client-SKU=ID_NET461&x-client-ver=5.3.0.0 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
| students = 79,114 (fall 2024)<ref name="totalstuds" /><ref name="Student Demographics">{{cite web |url = https://abpa.tamu.edu/accountability-metrics/student-metrics/student-demographics |access-date = January 8, 2025 |publisher = Texas A&M University |title = Student Demographics }}</ref> <br />{{*}} 71,045 (College Station) <br />{{*}} 2,138 (Galveston)<br />{{*}} 1,751 (Fort Worth)<br />{{*}} 430 (McAllen)<br />{{*}} 3,750 (Health Science Center)
| undergrad = 61,442 (fall 2024)<ref name="Texas A&M University Office of Academic and Business Performance Analytics">{{cite web |url=https://abpa.tamu.edu/accountability-metrics/student-metrics/student-demographics |title=Student Demographics |access-date=January 8, 2025 |publisher=Texas A&M University }}</ref>
| postgrad = 12,140 (fall 2024)<ref name="Texas A&M University Office of Academic and Business Performance Analytics" />
| doctoral = 5,439 (fall 2024)<ref name="Texas A&M University Office of Academic and Business Performance Analytics" />
| city = [[College Station, Texas|College Station]]
| state = [[Texas]]
| country = United States<ref name="TAMUCatalog"/>{{NoteTag|The institution's [[branch campus]]es, [[Texas A&M University at Galveston]] and [[Texas A&M University at Qatar]], are considered part of Texas A&M's Main Campus. These branches are located in [[Galveston, Texas]] and in [[Education City]], [[Al Rayyan (city)|Al Rayyan]], Qatar respectively.<ref name="TAMUCatalog"/>}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|30|36|37|N|96|20|37|W|region:US-TX_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| campus = Midsize city<ref>{{cite web |url = https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=texas+a%26m&s=all&id=228723 |title = IPEDS-Texas A&M University, College Station |publisher = [[National Center for Educational Statistics]] |website = nces.ed.gov |access-date = December 21, 2021 }}</ref>
| campus_size = {{convert|5500|acre|ha|-1|sp=us}}<ref name="TAMUUAC">{{cite web |url = http://uac.tamu.edu/files/2010/09/UACBulletinFall2003Edition1.pdf |title = Texas A&M UAC Bulletin |access-date = February 20, 2008 |page = 4 |publisher = Texas A&M University |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120915221711/http://uac.tamu.edu/files/2010/09/UACBulletinFall2003Edition1.pdf |archive-date = September 15, 2012 }}</ref>
| sporting_affiliations = [[NCAA Division I]] [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|FBS]] – [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]]
| colors = Aggie maroon and white<ref>{{cite web |url=https://brandguide.tamu.edu/web/web-color-palette.html |title=Web Color Palette |publisher=Texas A&M University |access-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-date=April 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414011132/https://brandguide.tamu.edu/web/web-color-palette.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://brandguide.tamu.edu/visual-style/brand-colors.html |title = Brand Colors |publisher = Texas A&M University |access-date = December 21, 2021 }}</ref><br />{{color box|#500000}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
| sports_nickname = [[Texas A&M Aggies|Aggies]], [[Texas Aggies]]
| mascot = [[Reveille (Texas A&M)|Reveille X]]
| website = {{URL|tamu.edu}}
| logo = Texas A&M University wordmark.svg
| logo_upright = .75
| accreditation = [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|SACS]]
| total_staff = 11,114 (fall 2024)<ref name="Faculty" /><ref name="StaffStats">{{cite web |url = https://accountability.tamu.edu/All-Metrics/Mixed-Metrics/Staff-Demographics |title = Staff Demographics |access-date = January 8, 2025 |publisher = Texas A&M University |archive-date = January 8, 2025 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250108230804/https://login.microsoftonline.com/68f381e3-46da-47b9-ba57-6f322b8f0da1/oauth2/authorize?client_id=173cb364-fa2f-4a4f-9839-8c2ffb066397&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fabpa.tamu.edu&response_type=code%20id_token&scope=openid%20profile&state=OpenIdConnect.AuthenticationProperties%3DQjyYlkrnRXSWY2FRMO6uhXAA5smQUZTWukTtt6mNlBNNevDuy-Mhj-uOM9sQz9zjMRoeyrT6Zhwy4EESGrbjRDacrBQf0udj_m1dDw0PtiAl3xMguWsFGmaYVd9iFhUrHw6ecyK7ZUyszETCAECswCb9SBb_SOAEn-fAxYWBkf6-B7a1P9UflKolCb8XeYUvlIlAbWbOkLWakN659qIEOK0CbN80Y9J0ro5Z47r2RgefCMZa59aSyQj3wVnn1rbYOFF0t2CoAANByxSw4K-1mQ&response_mode=form_post&nonce=638719744831258639.ZWFiMTcxOWItMzI0OS00MTMxLTlhNDgtM2M4Yzk1YmVkOGJlMDRmNmNiMzYtZTllOC00MGJiLTljMDAtNGI5ZDFhNmY1NmY3&x-client-SKU=ID_NET461&x-client-ver=5.3.0.0|url-status = dead }}</ref><!-- 4300 faculty and 6814 other staff-->
| free_label = Other campuses
| free = {{hlist| [[Texas A&M University at Galveston|Galveston]]|[[Texas A&M University at Qatar|Qatar]]}}
| free_label2 = Newspaper
| free2 = ''[[The Battalion]]''
}}
'''Texas A&M University''' ('''Texas A&M''', '''A&M''', '''TA&M''', or '''TAMU''') is a [[public university|public]], [[Land-grant university|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 [[List of United States university campuses by enrollment|largest student body in the United States]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://today.tamu.edu/2021/10/20/record-enrollment-numbers-continue-at-texas-am/ |title = Record Enrollment Numbers Continue at Texas A&M |date = October 20, 2021 |publisher = Texas A&M University |access-date = December 21, 2021 }}</ref> It is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|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 [[History of Texas A&M University|Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas]] (A.M.C.) under the provisions of the 1862 [[Morrill Land-Grant Acts|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>{{cite web |url=https://dars.tamu.edu/Data-and-Reports/Student/files/Overall_Enrollment_Historical.aspx |title=Historical Enrollment Texas A&M University|date=December 15, 2021|publisher=Texas A&M University}}</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 [[Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets|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.
[[Campus of Texas A&M University|The university's main campus]] spans over {{convert|5500|acre|km2|0|sp=us}}, 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 [[United States senior military college|senior military college]], Texas A&M is one of six American universities classed as such 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,<!-- To Aggies who (correctly) point out that they refer to "alumni" under the term "former students", you are correct, however, "alumni" encompasses graduates, dropouts, those still enrolled and working on further degrees, etc. It is completely correct to state that they are "alumni". This has been discussed on the talk page extensively (to include Aggies) and this has been the agreed upon terminology. If you feel consensus has changed, please start a thread on the article's talk page and many will be happy to discuss. --> and sports teams are known as [[Texas A&M Aggies|Aggies]], and its athletes compete in eighteen varsity sports as a member of the [[Southeastern Conference]].
==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]]
==
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">{{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 ||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 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>{{cite web | title=Former Air Force Chief of Staff Mark A. Welsh III Named 27th President of Texas A&M | date=December 12, 2023 | url=https://today.tamu.edu/2023/12/12/welsh-named-27th-president-of-texas-am/ }}</ref>
==Campus==
[[File:TAMUcampus.jpg|thumb|right|A view of the main campus, looking north from Kyle Field. At the center is the Academic Building with its copper dome.|alt=a skyline view of the Texas A&M campus. Dozens of buildings are visible including one that is domed]]
{{Main|Campus of Texas A&M University}}
Texas A&M's College Station campus spans {{convert|5200|acre|km2|0|sp=us}} and Research Park covers an additional {{convert|350|acre|km2|0|sp=us}}.<ref name="TAMUCatalog">{{cite web |url = http://catalog.tamu.edu/09-10_ug_catalog/gen_info/history_development/history.htm |title = History and Development |access-date = March 4, 2015 |publisher = Texas A&M University |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131008163034/http://catalog.tamu.edu/09-10_UG_Catalog/gen_info/history_development/history.htm |archive-date = October 8, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="TAMUfacts">{{cite web |title=About Texas A&M University |publisher=Texas A&M University |url=https://www.tamu.edu/about/ |access-date=February 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110118020311/http://www.tamu.edu/about/ |archive-date=January 18, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> The university is part of the [[Bryan-College Station metropolitan area]] of [[Brazos County, Texas|Brazos County]], which is located in the [[Brazos Valley]] (Southeast Central Texas) region, an area often referred to as "Aggieland".<ref name="aggieland">{{cite web|title=Appelt Aggieland Visitor Center|publisher=Texas A&M University|year=2007|url=http://visit.tamu.edu/|access-date=February 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221092311/http://visit.tamu.edu/|archive-date=February 21, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Brazos Valley is centrally located within {{convert|200|mi|km|-1|sp=us}} 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 [[Texas State Highway 6|State Highway 6]], and several smaller state highways and [[Farm to Market Road]]s connect the area to larger highways such as [[Interstate 45]].<ref name="bcschamber">{{cite web|title=Bryan-College Station: Quick Facts|publisher=Bryan-College Station (Texas) Chamber of Commerce|year=2007|url=http://www.bcschamber.org/LiveWork/BCSQuickFacts/|access-date=April 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208190706/http://bcschamber.org/LiveWork/BCSQuickFacts/|archive-date=February 8, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The College Station campus is bisected by a railroad track operated by [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]].<ref name="lukejackson">{{cite news|last=Jackson|first=Luke|title=Union Pacific, Texas A&M, CS officials agree to slow trains|work=[[The Battalion]]|date=October 1, 2004|url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2004/10/01/News/Union.Pacific.Am.Cs.Officials.Agree.To.Slow.Trains-738969.shtml|access-date=April 18, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122233625/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2004/10/01/News/Union.Pacific.Am.Cs.Officials.Agree.To.Slow.Trains-738969.shtml|archive-date=November 22, 2007}}</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">{{cite press release|title=Free On-Campus Bus Service Offered at Texas A&M University |publisher=Texas A&M University |date=November 6, 1996 |url=http://tamunews.tamu.edu/archives/article.php?articleid=599&month=9&year=1996 |access-date=April 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917164945/http://tamunews.tamu.edu/archives/article.php?articleid=599&month=9&year=1996 |archive-date=September 17, 2009}}</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">{{cite web|title=The Campus in 2020: Connect East and West Campus|publisher=Texas A&M University|year=2007|url=http://vision2020.tamu.edu/|access-date=February 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116092726/http://vision2020.tamu.edu/|archive-date=January 16, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Century Tree.jpg|thumb|The Century Tree, a campus landmark and subject to several traditions|alt=a sprawling oak tree with branches arching all the way to the ground over a sidewalk containing a bench]]
Outside the main campus, the institution formally includes three [[branch campus]]es: Texas A&M University at Galveston is dedicated to marine research and hosts the [[Texas A&M University at Galveston#Texas A&M Maritime Academy|Texas A&M Maritime Academy]]; Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at [[McAllen, Texas|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 (city)|Al Rayyan]], Qatar, is dedicated to engineering disciplines.<ref name="qatar">{{cite web|title=Texas A&M University at Qatar|publisher=Texas A&M University|url=http://www.qatar.tamu.edu/|access-date=April 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503074958/http://www.qatar.tamu.edu/|archive-date=May 3, 2007|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web|url=https://vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu/texas-am-university-to-establish-intercollegiate-school-of-engineering-medicine/|title=Texas A&M University to establish Intercollegiate School of Engineering Medicine|last=Dixon |first=Diamond |date= August 24, 2021 |publisher=VitalRecord |access-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412230923/https://vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu/texas-am-university-to-establish-intercollegiate-school-of-engineering-medicine/
|archive-date=April 12, 2023}}</ref> The [[Texas A&M University School of Dentistry|School of Dentistry]] is located in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]], and the institution has a presence in [[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]], [[Kingsville, Texas|Kingsville]], [[Lufkin, Texas|Lufkin]], McAllen, [[Round Rock, Texas|Round Rock]], and [[Temple, Texas|Temple]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Colleges & Regional Campuses |url=https://health.tamu.edu/about/campuses/index.html |website=health.tamu.edu |access-date=December 6, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=January 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104202342/https://health.tamu.edu/about/campuses/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Texas A&M School of Law, formerly Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, is located in [[Fort Worth, Texas|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>{{cite web |title=Texas A&M announces plans to expand Riverside campus |url=https://theeagle.com/news/a_m/texas-a-m-announces-plans-to-expand-riverside-campus/article_f69bbd26-0e48-11e6-ad33-c705d484e3d2.html |website=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]] |date=May 2, 2016 |access-date=December 6, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413224239/https://theeagle.com/news/a_m/texas-a-m-announces-plans-to-expand-riverside-campus/article_f69bbd26-0e48-11e6-ad33-c705d484e3d2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Academics==
[[File:Bush Family Texas A&M Commencement Dec. 12, 2008.jpg|thumb|right|Then-President [[George W. Bush]] with parents, former President [[George H. W. Bush]] and former First Lady [[Barbara Bush]] at Texas A&M's December 2008 [[convocation]]|alt=The head and shoulders of three people – an older man, an older woman, and a middle-aged man – wearing formal robes are shown in front of a large circular seal. On the outer edges of the seal the letters "XAS A...IVERSITY...87..." are visible; an inner band of leaves separates the letters from a block T superimposed with a star.]]
===Administration and organization===
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 [[Texas A&M University System#Governance and administration|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>{{Cite web|url=https://new.tamu.edu/discover-texas-am/organizational-structure/|title=Organizational Structure – New Employee Welcome|access-date=August 5, 2021|work=Texas A&M University|archive-date=August 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805041802/https://new.tamu.edu/discover-texas-am/organizational-structure/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=OrgChart>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tamus.edu/system/about/orgchart/|title=The Texas A&M University System Organization Chart|access-date=August 5, 2021|archive-date=August 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805041801/https://www.tamus.edu/system/about/orgchart/|url-status=live|work=Texas A&M University System}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-appoints-university-student-regents-and-student-representative-to-the-texas-higher-education-coordinating-board|title=Governor Abbott Appoints University Student Regents and Student Representative to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board|access-date=August 5, 2021|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628222149/https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-appoints-university-student-regents-and-student-representative-to-the-texas-higher-education-coordinating-board|url-status=live|work=Texas Governor Press Release}}</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>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tamu.edu/statements/accreditation.html|title = Accreditations – Texas A&M University, College Station, TX|access-date=December 21, 2021|publisher=Texas A&M University}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tamu.edu/academics/index.html|title = Academics|access-date=December 21, 2021|publisher=Texas A&M University}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://health.tamu.edu/about/centers-institutes.html|title = Centers & Institutes|access-date=December 21, 2021|publisher=Texas A&M University}}</ref>
===
{{Infobox U.S. college admissions
|year = 2024<!-- Comparison year is automatically set to five years prior -->
|ref = <ref name="CollegeBoard1">{{cite web|url=https://dars.tamu.edu/Student/files/CDS_2020-2021.aspx|title=Student Body|publisher=Texas A&M University|access-date=November 23, 2021}}</ref>
|change ref = <ref name=2016data>{{cite web|url=https://dars.tamu.edu/Data-and-Reports/Student/files/CDS_2015-2016.aspx|title=Student Body|publisher=Texas A&M University|access-date=November 23, 2021}}</ref> <!--Should be 4 years prior-->
|admit rate = 54.2%
|admit rate change = -5.4
|yield rate = 46.2%
|yield rate change = -3.3
|test optional = yes
|SAT EBRW = 587–682 <!-- use an em-dash (–) -->
|SAT EBRW change = -5 <!-- 2016 was 520–640 -->
|SAT Math = 574–701 <!-- use an em-dash (–) -->
|SAT Math change = -10 <!-- 2016 was 550–670 -->
|ACT = 26–32 <!-- use an em-dash (–) -->
|ACT change = +0 <!-- 2016 was 25–30 -->
|top decile = 66.57%
|top decile change = +0.73
|top quarter = 91.4%
|top quarter change = -.13
|top half = 99.01%
|top half change = +0.05
}}
As of the fall semester in 2021, Texas A&M was the largest [[List of largest U.S. universities by enrollment|American university]] with an enrollment of 72,982 students<ref name=totalstuds>{{Cite web|url=https://today.tamu.edu/2021/08/31/texas-am-reports-first-day-enrollment-totals/|title=Texas A&M Reports Fall 2021 Enrollment|date=August 31, 2021|website=Texas A&M Today|language=en-US|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913164728/https://today.tamu.edu/2021/08/31/texas-am-reports-first-day-enrollment-totals/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=largesse>{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Paranoia-prevalent-at-Texas-A-M-but-it-might-be-17004768.php|title=Paranoia prevalent at Texas A&M, but it might be justified – especially after NCAA tournament snub|date=March 15, 2022|website=[[Houston Chronicle]]|language=en-US|access-date=April 5, 2022 |last1=Zwerneman |first1=By Brent }}</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>{{Cite web|url=https://accountability.tamu.edu/All-Metrics/Mixed-Metrics/Student-Enrollment-Distribution|title=Student Enrollment Distribution|access-date=January 2, 2022|publisher=Texas A&M University}}</ref> The demographics of the student body are 52.9% male and 47.1% female.<ref name=Demographics>{{Cite web|url=https://accountability.tamu.edu/All-Metrics/Mixed-Metrics/Student-Demographics|title=Accountability – Student Demographics|access-date=December 21, 2021|publisher=Texas A&M University}}</ref> Members of ethnic minority groups make up 42.2% of the student population.{{efn|22.4% Hispanic, 8.8% Asian, 7.2% international, 3.4% Black, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Native Hawaiian, and 3.4% undetermined.}} 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>{{Cite web|title=Texas A&M University Academics|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/texas-am-university-college-station-10366/academics|access-date=November 2, 2021|website=Best Colleges U.S. News & World Report Rankings}}</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>{{Cite web|last=Webb|first=Brandon|date=November 14, 2019|title=Retention And Graduation Rates Climb At Texas A&M|url=https://today.tamu.edu/2019/11/14/retention-and-graduation-rates-climb-at-texas-am/|access-date=November 2, 2021|website=Texas A&M Today}}</ref> [[Texas A&M University College of Engineering|College of Engineering]] had the largest enrollment of 29.6%. The College of Liberal Arts and the [[Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences|College of Agriculture and Life Sciences]] followed, enrolling 12% and 11% of the student body, respectively. The [[Texas A&M University School of Education and Human Development|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">{{cite web|url=https://accountability.tamu.edu/All-Metrics/Mixed-Metrics/Student-Enrollment-by-College|title=Student Enrollment by College|access-date=November 22, 2021|publisher=Texas A&M University}}</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">{{Cite web|url=https://today.tamu.edu/2019/03/14/texas-am-ranked-no-1-in-texas-for-national-merit-scholar-enrollment/|title=Texas A&M Ranked No. 1 in Texas for National Merit Scholar Enrollment|access-date=December 21, 2021|date=March 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=December 21, 2021|url=https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/annual_report.pdf?gid=2&pgid=61|title=Annual Report|publisher=National Merit Scholarship Corporation|date=October 31, 2020}}</ref> As of 2021, about 72% of the student body receives about $810 million in financial aid annually.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tamug.edu/finaid/|title=Financial Solutions for Your Education|publisher=Texas A&M University|access-date=April 2, 2022 }}</ref> The admission rate of students who applied as undergraduates in 2020 was 63%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/texas-am-university-college-station-10366/applying |title=Texas A&M University—College Station – Texas A&M College Station – Best College – US News |access-date=April 2, 2022 |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]]}}</ref> The school is rated as "more selective" by ''U.S. News & World Report''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/texas-am-university-college-station-10366 |title=Texas A&M University—College Station – Texas A&M College Station – Best College – US News |access-date=April 2, 2014 |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |archive-date=September 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908040651/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/texas-am-university-college-station-10366 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-to-use-the-directory |title=How to Use the 2022 U.S. News Best Colleges Directory |access-date=April 2, 2022 |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]]}}</ref>
===Rankings===
{{Infobox US university ranking
<!-- National rankings -->
| Forbes_NU = 70
| USNWR_NU = 51 (tie)
| Wamo_NU = 59
| WSJ_NU = 28
<!-- Global rankings -->
| QS_W = 144
| THE_W = 143 (tie)
| USNWR_W = 187 (tie)
| ARWU_W = 201–300
}}
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">{{cite web|url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2021|title=Academic Ranking of World Universities – 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021|publisher=Shanghai Jiao Tong University|url-status=live|archive-date=September 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909134534/http://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2021}}</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">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2022/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25/name/Texas%20A&M/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats|title=World University Rankings 2022|access-date=September 13, 2021|magazine=[[Times Higher Education|THES]]|url-status=live|archive-date=September 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909233054/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2022/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25/name/Texas%20A&M/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats}}</ref> The 2021–2022 [[QS World University Rankings]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2022 |title=QS World University Rankings |publisher=Top Universities |access-date=September 13, 2021 }}</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>{{cite web |url=https://cwur.org/2021-22.php |title=Global 2000 List by the Center for World University Rankings |publisher=Center for World University Rankings |access-date=September 13, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=June 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618114255/https://cwur.org/2021-22.php }}</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>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/texas-am-university-college-station-10366|title=Texas A&M University—College Station|website=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|url-status=live|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806225102/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/texas-am-university-college-station-10366}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/texas-am-university-college-station-228723|title=Texas A&M University—College Station|website=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|url-status=live|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019161105/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/texas-am-university-college-station-228723}}</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>{{cite web |title=2020 National Universities Rankings |url=https://washingtonmonthly.com/2021college-guide/national |magazine=[[The Washington Monthly]] |date=August 28, 2020 |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913130500/https://washingtonmonthly.com/2021college-guide/national |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, ''[[Forbes]]'' rated Texas A&M as the 17th-best public university in the country and 50th overall.<ref name="Forbes">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/colleges/texas-a-m-university/?sh=72fd1dc02abd|title=#50 Texas A&M University, College Station|access-date=September 13, 2021|date=July 15, 2021|work=[[Forbes]]|url-status=live|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913194940/https://www.forbes.com/colleges/texas-a-m-university/?sh=72fd1dc02abd}}</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">{{cite news|title=Texas A&M University-College Station|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/best-colleges-2021-explore-the-full-wsj-the-college-ranking-list-11600383830|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=September 13, 2021|date=September 17, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115065454/https://www.wsj.com/articles/best-colleges-2021-explore-the-full-wsj-the-college-ranking-list-11600383830}}</ref><ref name="WSJ2">{{cite news|title=Schools' Rankings Calculated From 479 Recruiter Responses|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704358904575478074223658024?mod=googlenews_wsj|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=September 13, 2010|date=September 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628234117/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704358904575478074223658024?mod=googlenews_wsj|archive-date=June 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2017, according to ''Best Value Schools'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bestvalueschools.com/colleges-for-veterans-roi/|title=Best Colleges for Veterans, Ranked by Return on Investment (ROI) – Best Value Schools|work=Best Value Schools|access-date=November 18, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035437/https://www.bestvalueschools.com/colleges-for-veterans-roi/|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</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>{{Cite news|url=http://college.usatoday.com/2015/11/11/best-colleges-for-veterans/|title=The top 10 colleges in the U.S. for veterans|date=November 11, 2015|work=USA Today College|access-date=November 18, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042845/http://college.usatoday.com/2015/11/11/best-colleges-for-veterans/|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ninth for "business schools for veterans" by the [[Military Times Media Group|''Military Times'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bestforvets.militarytimes.com/business-schools/2016/|title=Best for Vets: Business Schools 2016 – Military Times|website=[[Military Times]]|access-date=November 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111035614/http://bestforvets.militarytimes.com/business-schools/2016/|archive-date=November 11, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Endowment===
[[File:TAMU MSC 2022-02-14 3.jpg|thumb|The Memorial Student Center|alt=Texas A&M University Memorial Student Center]]
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>{{cite web|url=https://universitybusiness.com/the-top-20-university-endowments-of-2023/|title=The top 20 university endowments of 2023|work=[[University Business]]|date=February 15, 2024 |access-date=24 Jun 2024}}</ref><ref name=USNewsEndowment2021>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/10-universities-with-the-biggest-endowments|title=10 Universities With the Biggest Endowments|work=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|access-date=July 31, 2021|archive-date=July 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720170959/https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/10-universities-with-the-biggest-endowments|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web|title=Financials|access-date=January 2, 2022|publisher=Texas A&M Foundation|url=https://www.txamfoundation.com/about-us/financials.aspx}}</ref> A larger sum is distributed from the Texas [[Permanent University Fund]] (PUF), in which the system holds a one-third stake. {{as of|2021}}, the PUF ending net-asset value was approximately $30 billion.<ref name="puf">{{cite web|url=https://www.utimco.org/funds-managed/endowment-funds/permanent-university-fund-puf/|title=Permanent University Fund|access-date=July 25, 2021|publisher=The University of Texas Investment Management Company|url-status=live|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726034532/https://www.utimco.org/funds-managed/endowment-funds/permanent-university-fund-puf/}}</ref><ref name="handbookoftexas">{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/khp02|title=Permanent University Fund|access-date=May 15, 2012|publisher=[[Texas State Historical Association]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412191854/http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/khp02|archive-date=April 12, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Research===
[[File:Zachry_Engineering_Education_Complex.jpg|thumb|Zachry Engineering Education Complex|alt=A five-story, tan building behind a street and sidewalk.]]
The [[National Science Foundation]] ranked Texas A&M 16th among American universities for research and development expenditures in 2021 with $1.14 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Universities Report Largest Growth in Federally Funded R&D Expenditures since FY 2011 {{!}} NSF - National Science Foundation |url=https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf23303 |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=ncses.nsf.gov |date=December 15, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zalaznick |first=Matt |date=2023-01-06 |title=Billion-dollar business: These are higher ed's top 30 R&D performers |url=https://universitybusiness.com/r-d-research-and-development-billion-dollar-top-30-college-university-higher-ed-spenders/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=University Business |language=en-US}}</ref> Concentrated in two primary areas, Research Valley and Research Park, the institution has over {{convert|11750|acre|km2|-1|sp=us}}, which includes {{convert|3000000|sqft|m2|-3|sp=us}} of dedicated research space.<ref name="ResearchPark">{{cite web|url=http://researchpark.tamu.edu/park/frequently-asked-questions-about-research-park.html|title=Frequently Asked Questions|access-date=January 1, 2007|publisher=Research Park|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104005926/http://researchpark.tamu.edu/park/frequently-asked-questions-about-research-park.html|archive-date=January 4, 2007|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web |title = Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup |url = https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=228723 |publisher = Center for Postsecondary Education |website = carnegieclassifications.iu.edu |access-date = July 18, 2020 |archive-date = July 19, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200719094411/https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=228723 |url-status = live }}</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">{{cite web|title=Texas A&M University Centers and Institutes|publisher=Texas A&M University|url=http://researchpark.tamu.edu/centers|access-date=April 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626161321/http://researchpark.tamu.edu/centers|archive-date=June 26, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Texas A&M University is a member of the [[Southeastern Conference#Academics|SEC Academic Consortium]].<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Arkansas to House SEC Academic Consortium|date=October 31, 2006|access-date=January 9, 2022|url=http://www.secsports.com/the_sec/academic_consortium.aspx|publisher=[[Southeastern Conference]]|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010020000/https://www.secsports.com/the_sec/academic_consortium.aspx|url-status=dead}}</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">{{cite press release|title=Regents Approve Patents and Commercialization of Research as New Consideration for Faculty Tenure|publisher=The Texas A&M University System|date=May 26, 2006|url=http://sago-news.tamu.edu/releases/?p=166|access-date=April 11, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070506005421/http://sago-news.tamu.edu/releases/?p=166 |archive-date = May 6, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="tenure2">{{cite web|last=Butkus|first=Ben|title=Texas A&M's Use of Tech Commercialization As Basis for Awarding Tenure Gains Traction|publisher=Applied Biosystems|date=August 6, 2007|url=http://www.genomeweb.com/biotechtransferweek/texas-am%E2%80%99s-use-tech-commercialization-basis-awarding-tenure-gains-traction|access-date=April 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917114938/http://www.genomeweb.com/biotechtransferweek/texas-am%E2%80%99s-use-tech-commercialization-basis-awarding-tenure-gains-traction|archive-date=September 17, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lipka|first=Sara|date=May 30, 2006|title=Texas A&M Will Allow Consideration of Faculty Members' Patents in Tenure Process|newspaper=[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]]|url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/texas-a-m-will-allow-consideration-of-faculty-members-patents-in-tenure-process/}}</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>{{Cite web |url=https://senate.texas.gov/cmtes/80/c535/Texas_A%26M_OTC_Background.pdf |title=Texas A&M University System Office of Technology Commercialization |website=senate.texas.gov |access-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004141424/https://senate.texas.gov/cmtes/80/c535/Texas_A%26M_OTC_Background.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Profile">{{cite press release |url=http://vpr.tamu.edu/advance/2005/05_profile.pdf |title=Profile on Research and Graduate Studies|access-date=January 1, 2007 |year=2005 |publisher=Texas A&M University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614073424/http://vpr.tamu.edu/advance/2005/05_profile.pdf |archive-date=June 14, 2007}}</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 [[domestic cat|cat]] named "cc", on December 22, 2001.<ref name="ClonedCat">{{cite news|title=First pet clone is a cat|work=[[BBC News]]|date=February 15, 2002|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1820749.stm|access-date=April 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508141657/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1820749.stm|archive-date=May 8, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Texas A&M was also the first academic institution to clone six species; cattle, a [[Boer goat]],<!-- Boer should be capitalized, do not change --> pigs, a cat, a deer, and a horse.<ref name="ABC_News">{{cite news|last=Lozano |first=Juan A. |title=Texas A&M Cloning project raises questions still |newspaper=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]]|date=June 27, 2009 |url=http://209.189.226.235/stories/062705/am_20050627004.php |access-date=April 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907071839/http://209.189.226.235/stories/062705/am_20050627004.php |archive-date=September 7, 2009 }}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/disturbing-footage-shows-aandm-dogs-used-in-medical-research-updated-9012763|title=Disturbing Footage Shows A&M Dogs Used in Medical Research [Updated]|first=Craig|last=Malisow|date=December 9, 2016|website=Houstonpress.com|access-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628233818/http://www.houstonpress.com/news/disturbing-footage-shows-aandm-dogs-used-in-medical-research-updated-9012763|archive-date=June 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Texas-AM-responds-to-PETA-video-featuring-dogs-used-in-medical-research-406097505.html|title=Texas A&M responds to PETA video showing dogs used for medical research|first=Rusty|last=Surette|website=Kbtx.com|date=December 12, 2016 |access-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628234155/http://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Texas-AM-responds-to-PETA-video-featuring-dogs-used-in-medical-research-406097505.html|archive-date=June 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web|title=Partnerships, Giant Magellan Telescope|url=http://www.gmto.org/partners/|website=Giant Magellan Telescope|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019161107/https://www.gmto.org/partners/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=GMTO|url=http://www.gmto.org/|website=Giant Magellan Telescope|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330140028/http://www.gmto.org/|archive-date=March 30, 2012|url-status=live}}</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 {{convert|8.4|m|yd|1|sp=us}}, the equivalent of a mirror {{convert|24.5|m|yd|1|sp=us}} across and ten times more powerful than the [[Hubble Space Telescope]].<ref>{{cite web|title=GMTO Frequently Asked Questions|url=http://www.gmto.org/overview/frequently-asked-questions/|website=Giant Magellan Telescope Organization|access-date=February 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301012334/http://www.gmto.org/overview/frequently-asked-questions/|archive-date=March 1, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Images from Groundbreaking|url=http://www.gmto.org/gmt-groundbreaking-ceremony/|website=Giant Magellan Telescope|access-date=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307211313/http://www.gmto.org/gmt-groundbreaking-ceremony/|archive-date=March 7, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of a collaboration with the [[United States Department of Energy|U.S. Department of Energy]]'s [[National Nuclear Security Administration]], Texas A&M completed the first conversion of a [[Texas A&M Nuclear Reactors|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">{{cite news|url=http://www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2006/10/18/News/Am.Reactor.Gets.Safer.Uranium-2373962.shtml|first=Jessica|last=McCann|title=A&M reactor gets safer uranium|access-date=January 1, 2007|date=October 18, 2006|work=[[The Battalion]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204005145/http://www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2006/10/18/News/Am.Reactor.Gets.Safer.Uranium-2373962.shtml|archive-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref> In 2013, geography researchers named the largest volcano on Earth, [[Tamu Massif]], after the university in honor of their research contributions.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 5, 2013 |work=Tamu Times |publisher=Texas A&M University |url=http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2013/09/05/worlds-largest-volcano-now-named-tamu/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908055030/http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2013/09/05/worlds-largest-volcano-now-named-tamu/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 8, 2013 |title=World's Largest Volcano Now Named TAMU |access-date=September 7, 2013 }}</ref>
===Worldwide===
[[File:TAMUQ Profs and Students.jpg|thumb|Two professors, a graduate, and an undergraduate student at the [[Texas A&M University at Qatar|TAMUQ branch campus]]|alt=Four people standing behind a flag each holding their thumb in the air]]
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">{{cite web|title=International Programs Office|publisher=Texas A&M University|url=http://international.tamu.edu/|access-date=May 22, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510220958/http://international.tamu.edu/|archive-date=May 10, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CostaRica">{{cite news|url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2009/03/09/News/A.Piece.Of.Am.In.The.Rainforest.Of.Costa.Rica-3665056.shtml?reffeature=textemailedition|title=A piece of A&M in the rainforest of Costa Rica: Center offers students chance to study abroad amid preserved natural scene|last=Lee|first=Jane|date=March 9, 2009|work=[[The Battalion]]|access-date=March 9, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912195352/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2009/03/09/News/A.Piece.Of.Am.In.The.Rainforest.Of.Costa.Rica-3665056.shtml?reffeature=textemailedition|archive-date=September 12, 2009}}</ref> During the 2018 academic year, over 5,600 Texas A&M students—primarily undergraduates—studied in 110 countries.<ref name="InternationalStudies">{{cite web|url=https://abroad.tamu.edu/|access-date=July 29, 2021|publisher=International Programs Texas A&M University|title=Education Abroad|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726110154/https://abroad.tamu.edu/|url-status=live}}</ref> Marine research occurs on the university's branch campus, [[Texas A&M University at Galveston]].<ref name="Galveston">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Texas A&M University at Galveston|encyclopedia=[[The Handbook of Texas]]|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kct42|access-date=May 22, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715032051/http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kct42|archive-date=July 15, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> It also has collaborations with international facilities such as [[Hacienda Santa Clara]] in San Miguel de Allende, [[Guanajuato]], Mexico.<ref name=inaugursmgob>{{cite web |title= Inauguración del Centro de Estudios e Investigación, Hacienda Santa Clara |publisher= Government of San Miguel Allende |date= October 23, 2015 |url= http://www.sanmigueldeallende.gob.mx/noticias.php?n=9&%2FInauguraci%C3%B3n%20del%20Centro%20de%20Estudios%20e%20Investigaci%C3%B3n%2C%20Hacienda%20Santa%20Clara |access-date= December 14, 2015 |archive-date= December 22, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151222112546/http://www.sanmigueldeallende.gob.mx/noticias.php?n=9&%2FInauguraci%C3%B3n%20del%20Centro%20de%20Estudios%20e%20Investigaci%C3%B3n%2C%20Hacienda%20Santa%20Clara |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref name=arranca>{{cite news |first=Alejandra |last=García |title=Arranca centro de investigación Hacienda Santa Clara |newspaper=Periódico Correo |___location=Guanajuato |date=October 24, 2015 |url=http://periodicocorreo.com.mx/arranca-centro-de-investigacion-hacienda-santa-clara/ |access-date=December 14, 2015 |archive-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701093103/http://periodicocorreo.com.mx/arranca-centro-de-investigacion-hacienda-santa-clara/ |url-status=live }}</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">{{cite web|url=http://conacyt.tamu.edu/|title=Collaborative Research Grant Program|access-date=January 1, 2007|publisher=Texas A&M University-CONACYT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203084332/http://conacyt.tamu.edu/|archive-date=February 3, 2007|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web|url=http://archone.tamu.edu/~americas/|title=Introduction|access-date=January 1, 2007|publisher="Las Americas" Digital Research Network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721114931/http://archone.tamu.edu/~americas/|archive-date=July 21, 2011|url-status=live}}</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|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">{{cite news|author=Anderson, Nick|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/03/08/texas-university-gets-76-million-each-year-to-operate-in-qatar-contract-says/|title=Texas university gets $76 million each year to operate in Qatar, contract says|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601130633/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/03/08/texas-university-gets-76-million-each-year-to-operate-in-qatar-contract-says/|archive-date=June 1, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> All degrees at the Qatar campus are granted by the university's TAMU College of Engineering.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qatar.tamu.edu/academics/undergraduate-degrees/ |title=Undergraduate Degrees |publisher=Texas A&M Qatar |access-date=November 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028015336/http://www.qatar.tamu.edu/academics/undergraduate-degrees/ |archive-date=October 28, 2012}}</ref> TAMUQ was opened in 2003, and the current contract extends through 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2012/05/25/after-10-years-qatar-m-looking-forward-10-more/|title=After 10 Years in Qatar, A&M is Ready for 10 More, by Reeve Hamilton|last=Hamilton|first=Reeve|website=[[The Texas Tribune]]|date=May 25, 2012|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505195340/https://www.texastribune.org/2012/05/25/after-10-years-qatar-m-looking-forward-10-more/|archive-date=May 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web|url=https://www.qnrf.org/en-us/Outcomes/Success-Stories/tamuq-receives-23-research-awards|title=TAMUQ wins 23 awards|date=May 17, 2015|website=Qatari National Research Fund|access-date=September 20, 2022}}</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>{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Nick|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-qatars-education-city-us-colleges-are-building-an-academic-oasis/2015/12/06/6b538702-8e01-11e5-ae1f-af46b7df8483_story.html|title=In Qatar's Education City, U.S. colleges are building an academic oasis|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305031005/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-qatars-education-city-us-colleges-are-building-an-academic-oasis/2015/12/06/6b538702-8e01-11e5-ae1f-af46b7df8483_story.html|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510712102-advocate-questions-motive-behind-qatar-s-financial-ties-to-u-s-colleges|title=Advocate questions motive behind Qatar's financial ties to U.S. colleges|date=April 8, 2016|website=Gulf News Journal|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418235507/http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510712102-advocate-questions-motive-behind-qatar-s-financial-ties-to-u-s-colleges|archive-date=April 18, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510639673-while-u-s-universities-see-dollar-signs-in-qatari-partnerships-some-cry-foul|title=While U.S. universities see dollar signs in Qatari partnerships, some cry foul|date=September 24, 2015|website=Gulf News Journal|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004021757/http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510639673-while-u-s-universities-see-dollar-signs-in-qatari-partnerships-some-cry-foul|archive-date=October 4, 2015|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510715046-texas-a-m-faculty-unhappy-with-qatar-campus|title=Texas A&M faculty unhappy with Qatar campus|last=Nakano|first=Hanna|date=April 14, 2016|website=Gulf News Journal|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019161126/https://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510715046-texas-a-m-faculty-unhappy-with-qatar-campus|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510715168-exporting-american-higher-education-to-the-middle-east|title=Exporting American higher education to the Middle East|last=Nakano|first=Hanna|date=April 15, 2016|website=Gulf News Journal|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019161101/https://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510715168-exporting-american-higher-education-to-the-middle-east|url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 January 2024, [[Mark Welsh|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>{{Cite web |title=Correcting Misinformation About Our University {{!}} Office of the President {{!}} Texas A&M University |url=https://president.tamu.edu/messages/correcting-misinformation-about-our-university.html |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=president.tamu.edu}}</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>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.553881|title=Texas A&M University to Establish New Campus in Nazareth|last=Skop|first=Yarden|date=October 22, 2013|newspaper=[[Haaretz]]|language=en|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019161056/https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-texas-a-m-to-open-nazareth-campus-1.5278026|url-status=live}}</ref> The agreement led to protests from students at the Qatari campus, who called it "an insult to [their] people".<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thedailyq.org/2013/11/12/students-at-tamuq-share-opposing-views-regarding-new-campus-in-israel/|title=Students at TAMUQ share opposing views regarding new campus in Israel {{!}} The Daily Q|access-date=April 29, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531170125/http://thedailyq.org/2013/11/12/students-at-tamuq-share-opposing-views-regarding-new-campus-in-israel/|archive-date=May 31, 2016|first=Paulo|last=Fugen}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/texas-am-kills-200-million-arab-university-in-nazareth-opens-6-million-center-in-haifa-instead/2015/12/14/|title=Texas A&M Kills $200-Million Arab University in Nazareth, Opens $6 Million Center in Haifa Instead|last=JNi.Media|date=December 14, 2015|website=[[The Jewish Press]]|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404052705/http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/texas-am-kills-200-million-arab-university-in-nazareth-opens-6-million-center-in-haifa-instead/2015/12/14/|archive-date=April 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Student life==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Student body composition as of May 2, 2023
|-
! Race and ethnicity<ref>{{cite web |title=College Scorecard: Texas A&M University-College Station|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?228723-Texas-A-M-University-College-Station |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=March 20, 2024}}</ref>
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|54|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|25|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|23|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|20|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|80|%|2||background:black}}
|}
===Residential life===
[[File:Sbisa.jpg|Sbisa Dining Hall and central utility plant water tower sporting the greeting, "Welcome to Aggieland"|thumb|right|alt=A neoclassical building with columns in front of a water tower sporting the greeting, "Welcome to Aggieland"]]
{{As of|2020|post=,}} 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>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/texas-am-university-college-station-10366/student-life#:~:text=Texas%20A%26M%20University%20has%20a,of%20students%20live%20off%20campus.|title=Texas A&M University Student Life|access-date=July 30, 2021|work=U.S. News & World Report |url-status=live|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019161116/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/texas-am-university-college-station-10366/student-life#:~:text=Texas%20A%26M%20University%20has%20a,of%20students%20live%20off%20campus.}}</ref> Both the Northside and Southside areas contain student residence halls. Some halls are single-sex.<ref name="womack">{{cite news|last=Womack |first=Stuart |title=Dorms Go Through Changes |work=[[The Battalion]] |date=August 23, 2006 |url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2006/08/23/News/Dorms.Go.Through.Changes-2237564.shtml |access-date=April 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929082945/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2006/08/23/News/Dorms.Go.Through.Changes-2237564.shtml |archive-date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref> Several halls include a "substance-free" floor whose residents pledge to refrain from bringing [[alcoholic beverage]]s, [[recreational drug]]s, or [[tobacco product]]s into the hall.<ref name="dorms2002">{{cite news|title=A New Place to Hang Your Hat|work=[[The Battalion]]|date=September 2, 2002|url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2002/09/02/Campus/A.New.Place.To.Hang.Your.Hat-518397.shtml|access-date=April 30, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124065615/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2002/09/02/Campus/A.New.Place.To.Hang.Your.Hat-518397.shtml|archive-date=November 24, 2007}}</ref>
Northside consists of seventeen student residence halls, including two dedicated to [[honors student]]s.<ref name="northside">{{cite web|title=Northside Halls |publisher=Texas A&M University |year=2007 |url=http://reslife.tamu.edu/housing/halls/___location/northside.asp |access-date=April 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070522080144/http://reslife.tamu.edu/housing/halls/___location/northside.asp |archive-date=May 22, 2007}}</ref> Approximately half of the residence halls on campus are reserved for members of the Corps of Cadets.<ref name=CorpsDorms>{{cite web|title=Corps Housing |publisher=Texas A&M University |year=2022 |url=https://reslife.tamu.edu/options/corps/ |access-date=January 8, 2022}}</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">{{cite web |title=Near Campus Apartments |publisher=Texas A&M University Department of Residence Life |url=https://reslife.tamu.edu/options/near-campus/ |access-date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019161056/https://reslife.tamu.edu/options/near-campus/ }}</ref><ref name="on campus apt">{{cite web |title=Apartments |publisher=Texas A&M University Department of Residence Life |url=https://reslife.tamu.edu/options/apartments/ |access-date=July 30, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730225107/https://reslife.tamu.edu/options/apartments/ }}</ref>
Facilities for the Corps of Cadets are located in the Quadrangle, known as [[List of Texas Aggie terms#Q|"The Quad"]], an area consisting of dormitories, Duncan Dining Hall, and the Corps training fields.<ref name=ResLifeCorps>{{cite web|title=Corps Housing|publisher=Texas A&M University |date=May 2021 |url=https://reslife.tamu.edu/options/corps/|access-date=December 21, 2021}}</ref><ref name="cadethandbook">{{cite web|title=Cadet Resident Handbook |publisher=Texas A&M University |date=May 2006 |url=http://corpshousing.tamu.edu/ |access-date=April 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070426082348/http://corpshousing.tamu.edu/ |archive-date=April 26, 2007}}</ref> The Corps Arches, a series of twelve arches that allude to the spirit of [[Traditions of Texas A&M University#12th Man|the 12th Man]], mark the entrance to the Quadrangle.<ref name="archesBatt">{{cite news|title=Corps and military monuments on campus|work=[[The Battalion]]|url=https://www.thebatt.com/news/corps-and-military-monuments-on-campus/article_5313e2f2-4007-11e9-8015-1fbc37f4f3d5.html|access-date=December 21, 2021|date=March 6, 2019|first=Abigail|last=Ochoa|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222215513/https://www.thebatt.com/news/corps-and-military-monuments-on-campus/article_5313e2f2-4007-11e9-8015-1fbc37f4f3d5.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="arches">{{cite web|title=Corps Arches- Texas A&M University|publisher=Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets|url=http://tamu.edu/about/attractions/corpsArches.html|access-date=April 5, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304044735/http://www.tamu.edu/about/attractions/corpsArches.html|archive-date=March 4, 2011}}</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">{{cite news|last=Filbin|first=Melissa|title=Traditions 101|newspaper=[[The Battalion]]|date=August 22, 2007|url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2007/08/22/Aggielife/Traditions.101-2933871.shtml|access-date=September 14, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212093441/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2007/08/22/Aggielife/Traditions.101-2933871.shtml|archive-date=December 12, 2007}}</ref> The Aggie mascot [[Reveille (Texas A&M)|Reveille]], a [[Rough Collie]], lives with her handlers in the Corps in the Quad.<ref name="cadetresidenthandbook">{{cite web|title=Cadet Resident Handbook |publisher=Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets |url=http://corpshousing.tamu.edu/ |access-date=April 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070426082348/http://corpshousing.tamu.edu/ |archive-date=April 26, 2007}}</ref>
===Corps of Cadets===
{{Main|Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets}}
[[File:AggieBandFormation.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Fightin' Texas Aggie Band]]'s Bugle Rank leads the band at halftime at a football game.|alt=Row of students in uniform with calf-length boots. Each holds a bugle that dangles a pennant.]]
[[File:Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and members of Texas A&M University's Corps of Cadets.jpg|thumb|[[Robert Gates]] and senior cadets from the Corps of Cadets give the "[[Traditions of Texas A&M University#Gig 'em|gig 'em]]" sign at the [[The Pentagon|Pentagon]].|alt=Secretary of Defense Robert Gates standing with 5 other people in uniform; all are giving a thumbs up gesture]]
Texas A&M is one of six United States [[senior military college]]s.<ref name="SMC">{{cite web |title = 10 U.S. Code § 2111a – Support for senior military colleges |publisher = [[Cornell University]] |url = https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/2111a |access-date = January 8, 2022 }}</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 academy|service academies]].<ref name=SMC/><ref name=CorpsDorms/><ref name=CorpsSize>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebatt.com/opinion/letter-from-the-editor-corps-values-exploring-texas-a-ms-oldest-tradition/article_3e821d2e-3fe7-11e9-a7a3-9f51847ee903.html|date=March 6, 2019|title=Letter from the editor: Corps values—exploring Texas A&M's oldest tradition|first=Megan|last=Rodriguez|work=[[The Battalion]]|access-date=December 3, 2021|archive-date=December 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203195353/https://www.thebatt.com/opinion/letter-from-the-editor-corps-values-exploring-texas-a-ms-oldest-tradition/article_3e821d2e-3fe7-11e9-a7a3-9f51847ee903.html|url-status=dead}}</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 officer]]s as of 2021.<ref name="cadetsconservative">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/05/13/texas/index.html|title=A&M cadets staunchly conservative|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=February 18, 2008|date=May 13, 2004|last=Moghe|first=Sonia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210155828/http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/05/13/texas/index.html|archive-date=December 10, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CorpsSize/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2018-11-30/html/CREC-2018-11-30-pt1-PgE1583-4.htm|title=Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 189 (Friday, November 30, 2018)|date=November 30, 2018|publisher=[[U.S. Government Publishing Office]]|access-date=December 21, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://corpsofcadets.org/flag-officers|title=Flag Officers|publisher=Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association|access-date=December 21, 2021}}</ref> Until 1965, Corps membership was mandatory. The Corps began accepting female members in the fall semester of 1974.<ref name="nauman">{{cite news|last=Nauman|first=Brett|title=Women Joined Corps 30 Years Ago|newspaper=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]]|date=September 10, 2004|url=http://209.189.226.235/aandmnews/091004womencadets.php|access-date=April 2, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090907072910/http://209.189.226.235/aandmnews/091004womencadets.php|archive-date=September 7, 2009}}</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>{{cite web |last=Miller|first=Alex|date=May 14, 2023|title=Texas A&M's Corps of Cadets adds leadership level|url=https://theeagle.com/news/a_m/texas-a-m-s-corps-of-cadets-adds-leadership-level/article_e0145d6a-f0ef-11ed-a186-5fa968ddf46c.html|access-date=June 14, 2023|website=The Eagle|language=en}}</ref> Parson's Mounted Cavalry is the only mounted [[ROTC]] unit in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://catalog.tamu.edu/07-08_UG_Catalog/gen_info/campus_life/corps/corps_activities.htm|title=Campus Life: The Corps Experience|publisher=Texas A&M University|access-date=March 4, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008175556/http://catalog.tamu.edu/07-08_UG_Catalog/gen_info/campus_life/corps/corps_activities.htm|archive-date=October 8, 2013}}</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">{{Cite book|last=Adams|first=John A. Jr.|title=Keepers of the Spirit|publisher=Texas A&M University Press|page=55|year=2001|isbn=1-58544-127-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://corps.tamu.edu/special-units|title=Special Units|publisher=[[Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets]]|access-date=March 2, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228234205/http://corps.tamu.edu/special-units|archive-date=February 28, 2014}}</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 (film)|A Few Good Men]]'' and ''[[Courage Under Fire]]'', in which they had prominent roles.<ref name="fishdrillteam">{{cite news|last=Nading |first=Tanya |title=Corps Fish Drill Team Reinstated |work=[[The Battalion]] |date=November 2, 2001 |url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2001/11/02/FrontPage/Corps.Fish.Drill.Team.Reinstated-516243.shtml |access-date=April 13, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623201555/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2001/11/02/FrontPage/Corps.Fish.Drill.Team.Reinstated-516243.shtml |archive-date=June 23, 2009 }}</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>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebatt.com/news/now-the-largest-military-band-in-the-nation-the-aggie-band-started-with-13-volunteers/article_54b481ee-4006-11e9-98ef-b36218afb11d.html|date=March 6, 2019|title=Now the largest military band in the nation, the Aggie Band started with 13 volunteers|first=Samantha|last=Mahler|work=[[The Battalion]]|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108234159/https://www.thebatt.com/news/now-the-largest-military-band-in-the-nation-the-aggie-band-started-with-13-volunteers/article_54b481ee-4006-11e9-98ef-b36218afb11d.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Texas A&M Corps of Cadets]]|url=http://corps.tamu.edu/fightin-texas-aggie-band|title=Fightin' Texas Aggie Band|access-date=March 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301002212/http://corps.tamu.edu/fightin-texas-aggie-band|archive-date=March 1, 2014|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web|url=https://musa.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FTAB-Handbook-2018.pdf|title=Fightin' Texas Aggie Band Marching Fundamentals Handbook|publisher=[[Fightin' Texas Aggie Band]]|access-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref><ref name="errorband">{{cite web|url=http://b-batt.tamu.edu/dwnld/040918-jumbo-clem.wmv|title=The Aggie Band: Doing the Impossible|publisher=[[The Association of Former Students]]|format=WMV|access-date=May 18, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070614135744/http://b-batt.tamu.edu/dwnld/040918-jumbo-clem.wmv |archive-date = June 14, 2007|url-status=dead}}</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">{{cite book|year=1994|author=Powell, Donald B. |author2=Mary Jo Powell|title=The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band (Centennial Series of the Association of Former Students, Texas A&M University)|publisher=Texas A&M University Press|isbn=978-0-89096-595-5}}</ref>
===Activities===
[[File:TAMUsingingcadets.jpg|thumb|The Texas A&M University Singing Cadets|alt=28 people standing on risers are signing while wearing white military-style uniforms]]
Texas A&M has over 1,000 student organizations, including academic, service, religious, social, and common interest organizations,<ref name="newsletter2003_12_4">{{cite news|url=http://www.aggienetwork.com/HTMLEmails/DecSpENewsletter/newsletter.html|title=Texas A&M Association of Former Students E-Newsletter; Special Edition, December 4, 2003|access-date=January 2, 2007|date=December 4, 2003|publisher=[[The Association of Former Students]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516221809/http://www.aggienetwork.com/HTMLEmails/DecSpENewsletter/newsletter.html|archive-date=May 16, 2008|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web|title=Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life|publisher=Texas A&M University|url=http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/about-us/ofsl/|access-date=September 10, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905221032/http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/about-us/ofsl/|archive-date=September 5, 2015}}</ref><ref name="studentactivities">{{cite web|title=Student Activities|publisher=Texas A&M University|url=http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/get-involved/join-an-organization/|access-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905220947/http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/get-involved/join-an-organization/|archive-date=September 5, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
One of the oldest student organizations is the [[Texas A&M Singing Cadets|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">{{cite news |url=http://www.thebatt.com/news/view.php/705023/Auditions-continue-for-Singing-Cadets-en |title=Auditions continue for Singing Cadets ensemble |access-date=February 14, 2015 |date=August 28, 2013 |work=[[The Battalion]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150215200442/http://www.thebatt.com/news/view.php/705023/Auditions-continue-for-Singing-Cadets-en |archive-date=February 15, 2015 }}</ref> [[Texas A&M Hillel]], the oldest [[Hillel International|Hillel organization in the United States]], was founded in 1920 at the original college.<ref name="Hillel">{{cite book |last=Umansky |first=Ellen M. |title=From Christian Science to Jewish Science: Spiritual Healing and American Jews |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |page=160 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=abwSjUgVQwIC&q=texas+a%26m+hillel&pg=PA160 |isbn=0-19-504400-2 |year=2005 |access-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414012733/https://books.google.com/books?id=abwSjUgVQwIC&q=texas+a%26m+hillel&pg=PA160 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hillel2">{{cite news |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-110519637.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130513122658/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-110519637.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= May 13, 2013 |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |title=A Cushy Fit In Bush Country |last=Birkner |first=Gabrielle |date=May 6, 2005 |access-date=May 15, 2012}}{{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">{{Cite book |last=Bacon |first=Amy |url=https://archive.org/details/buildingleadersl0000baco |title=Building Leaders, Living Traditions: The Memorial Student Center at Texas A&M |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-60344-095-0 |___location=College Station, Texas |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43468321/|title=The Eagle from Bryan, Texas on November 28, 1962 · Page 10|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 29, 2017|language=en|work=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]]|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730035335/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43468321/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43468192/|title=The Eagle from Bryan, Texas on November 28, 1962 · Page 1|work=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730035333/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43468192/|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web|title=Recreation Center|publisher=Texas A&M University|url=http://recsports.tamu.edu/|access-date=August 3, 2006 }}</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">{{cite web|title=Student Government Association|publisher=Texas A&M University|year=2009|url=http://sga.tamu.edu/|access-date=May 9, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080522064338/http://sga.tamu.edu/ |archive-date = May 22, 2008|url-status=dead}}</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">{{cite web|url=http://gsc.tamu.edu/|title=Graduate Student Council(GSC)|access-date=June 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528001624/http://gsc.tamu.edu/|archive-date=May 28, 2010|url-status=dead}}</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">{{cite web|url=https://www.kbtx.com/2021/03/28/texas-ams-the-big-event-returned-for-the-38th-year/|title=Texas A&M's The Big Event returned for the 38th year|publisher=[[KBTX]]|last=Tuggle|first=Donnie|date=March 27, 2021|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927002621/http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/6798412.html|archive-date=September 27, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bigevent">{{cite web|url=http://bigevent.tamu.edu/|title=The Big Event|access-date=May 15, 2007|publisher=The Big Event|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070510220954/http://bigevent.tamu.edu/ |archive-date = May 10, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The organization CARPOOL, a student-run [[designated driver|safe ride program]], has provided over 250,000 free rides ({{as of|2016|lc=y}}) to students who are unable to transport themselves home. Its organizers help other universities establish similar programs.<ref name="Carpool1">{{cite news|url=http://www.rocktownweekly.com/news_details.php?AID=35183&CHID=2|title=SafeRides Gives 10,000th Ride Home|work=The Daily News Record|access-date=February 3, 2009|date=February 3, 2009|last=Bowser|first=Heather|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919044033/http://www.rocktownweekly.com/news_details.php?AID=35183&CHID=2|archive-date=September 19, 2009}}</ref><ref name="carpool3">{{cite web|url=http://carpool.tamu.edu/|title=CARPOOL<!--CARPOOL is an acronym-->|access-date=January 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226230354/http://carpool.tamu.edu/|archive-date=February 26, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, [[GLBT Aggies]], formerly Gay Student Services (GSS), successfully [[Gay Student Services v. Texas A&M University|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 to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]]'s "freedom to assemble" clause.<ref>{{cite news |title= GLBT Aggies recognize court-battled founding |date= April 1, 2008 |url= http://www.thebatt.com/2.8485/glbt-aggies-recognize-court-battled-founding-1.1186882 |work= [[The Battalion]] |access-date= June 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130204044539/http://www.thebatt.com/2.8485/glbt-aggies-recognize-court-battled-founding-1.1186882 |archive-date= February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wiessler |first=Judy |title=A&M loses 9-year battle in gay case |date=April 1, 1985 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1985_5727 |access-date=October 28, 2009 |page=Section 1, page 1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512183616/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1985_5727 |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Media===
{{Main|The Battalion|KANM (Texas A&M University)}}
The university newspaper ''[[The Battalion]]'' has been in production since 1893.<ref name="battranking">{{cite web|title=The Princeton Review: 2008 Best Colleges Rankings|publisher=[[The Princeton Review]]|date=August 31, 2007|url=http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/rankings/rankingDetails.asp?categoryID=7&topicID=57|access-date=January 30, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060309012700/http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/rankings/rankingDetails.asp?categoryID=7&topicID=57|archive-date=March 9, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</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">{{cite web|url=http://aggieland.tamu.edu/aboutus.html|title=Welcome to Aggieland Yearbook — About Us|publisher=Texas A&M University|access-date=April 5, 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121214232003/http://aggieland.tamu.edu/aboutus.html|archive-date=December 14, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AgYearbook2">{{cite web|url=http://aggieland.tamu.edu/history.html|title=Welcome to Aggieland Yearbook- History|publisher=Texas A&M University|access-date=April 5, 2007|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121215000137/http://aggieland.tamu.edu/history.html|archive-date=December 15, 2012|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web|url=http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/6798412.html|title=KAMU-FM Celebrates Anniversary with HD Preview|publisher=[[KBTX]]|date=March 30, 2007|access-date=April 5, 2007|last=Feltman|first=Brittney|author2=Murphy, Chace|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927002621/http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/6798412.html|archive-date=September 27, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> and the student-run station [[KANM (Texas A&M University)|KANM]], which bills itself "the college station of College Station".<ref name="KANM">{{cite web|url=http://kanm.tamu.edu/home.php?filetoinclude=history.php |title=About KANM |publisher=Texas A&M University |access-date=April 5, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070416105549/http://kanm.tamu.edu/home.php?filetoinclude=history.php |archive-date=April 16, 2007}}</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">{{cite web|last=Schultz|first=Charles R.|title=First Play-by-Play Radio Broadcast of a College Football Game|publisher=Brazos County Historical Commission|year=2003|url=http://www.brazoscountyhistory.org/sites/bchc/files/EarlyFootballBroadcast.pdf|access-date=April 5, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194343/http://www.brazoscountyhistory.org/sites/bchc/files/EarlyFootballBroadcast.pdf|archive-date=September 23, 2015}}</ref>
==Traditions==
{{Main|Traditions of Texas A&M University}}
{{
[[File:AggieRing.jpg|thumb|Aggie ring for the class of 2004|alt=Close-up of gold ring. On the top, the words Texas A&M University 1876 encircle an eagle atop a shield over the numbers 0 and 4. The left side contains a large star and an oak. The right shows a cannon, saber, and rifle with the crossed flags of the United States and Texas.]]
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 [[History of Texas A&M University|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">{{Cite news|last=Burka|first=Paul|title=The Aggie Bonfire Tragedy|newspaper=[[Texas Monthly]]|date=April 2000|page=116|edition=Vol. 28, Issue 4}}</ref> ''[[Texas Monthly]]'' posits that Texas A&M students' respect for school traditions and values is the university's greatest strength.<ref name="burkaNov2006">{{Cite news|last=Burka|first=Paul|title=Agent of Change|newspaper=[[Texas Monthly]]|date=November 2006|pages=155–159, 250–264}}</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">{{Cite news|last=Tresaugue|first=Matthew|title=Gift has nice ring to it|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|page=A1, A8| date=July 7, 2007}}</ref> They dictate many aspects of student life, including greeting others using the official school greeting of "Howdy!",<ref name="hallett">{{Cite news | last=Hallett | first=Vicky | title=The Aggie Way of Life | newspaper=[[U.S. News & World Report]] | year=2005 | url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/articles/brief/05texas_brief.php| access-date =June 25, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050826033718/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/articles/brief/05texas_brief.php | archive-date=August 26, 2005}}</ref> personal conduct at university sporting events, and students' word choices in conversation.<ref name="gravois">{{Cite news|title=Memorandum|last=Gravois|first=John|date=January 5, 2007|newspaper=[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]]|volume=53|issue=18|page=A6|edition=Short Subjects}}</ref>
A visible designation tradition among senior undergraduates, graduate students nearing the end of their programs, and former students is wearing an [[Texas A&M ring|Aggie Ring]], whose design has been relatively unchanged since its introduction in 1894.<ref name="kane">{{Cite news|last=Kane |first=Maureen |title=Tradition sets A&M aside as the oldest institution of higher learning in Texas |work=[[The Battalion]] |date=October 30, 2001 |url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2001/10/03/Ams125th/Tradition.Sets.Am.Aside.As.The.Oldest.Institution.Of.Higher.Learning.In.Texas-515916.shtml |access-date=June 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929095443/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2001/10/03/Ams125th/Tradition.Sets.Am.Aside.As.The.Oldest.Institution.Of.Higher.Learning.In.Texas-515916.shtml |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref><ref name="ring2">{{cite web|url=http://www.aggienetwork.com/ring/csreqs.aspx|title=Aggie Ring Requirements|access-date=May 24, 2007|publisher=The Association of Former Students|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509123508/http://www.aggienetwork.com/ring/csreqs.aspx|archive-date=May 9, 2008|url-status=live}}</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">{{Cite news|last=Wirt |first=Ashley |url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2006/09/14/News/Aggies.Find.New.Ways.Of.ring.Dunking-2271747.shtml |title=Aggies find new ways of 'ring dunking' |date=November 9, 2006 |access-date=May 18, 2007 |work=[[The Battalion]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119120629/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2006/09/14/News/Aggies.Find.New.Ways.Of.ring.Dunking-2271747.shtml |archive-date=January 19, 2008}}</ref>
[[File:AggieMuster.jpg|thumb|The [[Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets#Ross Volunteers|Ross Volunteers]] perform a rifleman's [[salute]] as candles are lit for the deceased at the 2007 [[Muster (Texas A&M University)|Aggie Muster]] at [[Reed Arena]].|alt=21 cadets in white uniforms perform a salute with a rifle]]
Texas A&M students have created two major traditions to honor deceased former students. The [[Muster (Texas A&M University)|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">{{Cite news|last=Lozano|first=Juan A.|title=Especially solemn rite of Muster|date=April 22, 2000|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2000_3209862|access-date=August 16, 2007|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623220416/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2000_3209862|archive-date=June 23, 2009|url-status=live}}</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">{{Cite news|last=Lopez|first=John P.|title=Tragedy strikes A&M family|date=November 26, 2002|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|access-date=August 16, 2007|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2002_3603773|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623220431/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2002_3603773|archive-date=June 23, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="silvertaps">{{Cite journal|last=Eisterhold|first=Michelle|journal=[[Houston Chronicle]]|publisher=Houston Community Newspapers|title=Klein youth killed while walking near A&M campus|date=October 18, 2006|url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/archives/klein-youth-killed-while-walking-near-a-m-campus/article_ab2f451a-417d-5edf-8526-72c13b1aa70c.html?mode=jqm|access-date=June 23, 2008|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019161118/https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Klein-youth-killed-while-walking-near-A-M-campus-9636991.php|url-status=live}}</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">{{Cite news|last=Tutt|first=Bob|title=Enemy shells at Corregidor couldn't stop Aggie Muster|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=April 16, 1994|access-date=August 16, 2007|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1994_1196332|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623220147/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1994_1196332|archive-date=June 23, 2009|url-status=live}}</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">{{Cite news|last=Hegstrom|first=Edward|title='Silver Taps' honors Aggie Bonfire victims|date=December 8, 1999|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1999_3182335|access-date=August 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623220404/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1999_3182335|archive-date=June 23, 2009|url-status=live}}</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 [[Bugle (instrument)|buglers]] play "Silver Taps", a choral version of the bugle call "[[Taps (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"/>
===Sports===
[[File:2007-SBF.jpg|thumb|upright|The 2007 Student Bonfire|alt=Large flames engulf the top layer of a circular three-tier structure of logs; the logs are vertical to the ground.]]
At university sporting events, Texas A&M students collectively are called the [[12th Man (football)|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">{{Cite web|url=http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/12thman.shtml |title=Twelfth Man |access-date=December 31, 2006 |publisher=Texas A&M University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061229030439/http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/12thman.shtml |archive-date=December 29, 2006}}</ref> The tradition of standing for games began on January 2, 1922, at the [[Dixie Classic (bowl game)|Dixie Classic]], in which Texas A&M played [[Centre College]]. Texas A&M had so many injuries [[head coach|Coach]] [[Dana X. Bible]] feared he would not have enough men to finish the game. He called into the stands for [[E. King Gill#History|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">{{cite web|last=Cook|first=Beano|title=Ten Days That Shook the Sport|publisher=[[ESPN]]|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2615391|date=October 8, 2006|access-date=July 26, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210025140/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2615391|archive-date=February 10, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> In recent decades, the 12th Man is represented on the field by a [[Walk-on (sport term)|walk-on]] player who wears a number-twelve jersey and participates in kick-offs.<ref name="heater">{{cite news|last=Heater|first=Jay|title=LaMantia A&M's Main 12th Man|newspaper=Oakland Tribune|date=December 27, 2006|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-5761605.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509181413/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-5761605.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 9, 2012|access-date=April 30, 2007}}</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">{{Cite news|last=Alvarado |first=Nicole |title=Yell Leaders represent Aggie Spirit past, present, and future |newspaper=[[The Battalion]] |date=April 20, 2007 |url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2007/04/20/News/Yell-Leaders.Represent.Aggie.Spirit.Past.Present.And.Future-2870762.shtml |access-date=May 29, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929110448/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2007/04/20/News/Yell-Leaders.Represent.Aggie.Spirit.Past.Present.And.Future-2870762.shtml |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</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">{{cite web|last=Drehs|first=Wayne|title=Follow the yell leaders!|date=November 26, 2003|publisher=[[ESPN]]|url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/drehs/031126texasam.html|access-date=June 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704132114/http://espn.go.com/page2/s/drehs/031126texasam.html|archive-date=July 4, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Led by the Yell Leaders and the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, the 12th Man practice yells, sing the [[wikisource:Aggie War Hymn|War Hymn]], joke about their opponents, and practice celebrating.<ref name="drehs"/><ref name="mugdown">{{Cite news|last=Haskins|first=Maggie|title=The Perfect Week|newspaper=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=November 4, 2004|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/sioncampus/11/03/perfect1104/|access-date=August 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050905205047/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/sioncampus/11/03/perfect1104/|archive-date=September 5, 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' named Midnight Yell as one of the "100 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate".<ref name="si100">{{cite magazine|title=The 100 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate (Whatever the Cost)|date=September 24, 2003|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/sioncampus/09/24/100_things0930/|access-date=June 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707120928/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/sioncampus/09/24/100_things0930/|archive-date=July 7, 2007|url-status=dead}}</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>{{cite web|title=Texas A&M's 12th Man Sells Out Student Section Again|url=https://www.kagstv.com/article/sports/texas-ams-12th-man-sells-out-student-section-again/499-bc61bba0-8143-4bc8-bcf7-17a571bf9064|work=[[KAGS-TV|KAGS-LD]]|date=September 3, 2021 |access-date=April 2, 2022}}</ref> When singing the war hymn, A&M students cause the stands to sway; visiting press are warned prior to the game.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kyle Field reinforcements swaying Aggies' concerns|date=July 4, 2015|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/aggies/article/Kyle-Field-reinforcements-swaying-Aggies-concerns-6366773.php|access-date=April 2, 2022|first=Brent|last=Zwerneman}}</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">{{cite journal|last=Smith|first=Jonathan M.|year=2007|title=The Texas Aggie Bonfire: A Conservative Reading of Regional Narratives, Traditional Practices, and a Paradoxical Place|pages=182–201|doi=10.1111/j.1467-8306.2007.00530.x|journal=Annals of the Association of American Geographers|volume=97|issue=1 |bibcode=2007AAAG...97..182S |s2cid=144443161}}</ref> [[Aggie Bonfire]] was traditionally lit around [[Thanksgiving (United States)|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">{{Cite news|title=Vanities of the Bonfire |newspaper=[[American Scientist]] |date=November–December 2000 |url=http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/23826/page/2;jsessionid=aaa5LVFO |access-date=February 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624200603/http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/23826/page/2%3Bjsessionid%3Daaa5LVFO |archive-date=June 24, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Aggie Bonfire evolved into a massive, six-tiered structure, achieving a then-world-record height for a bonfire of {{convert|109|ft|m|-1}}.<ref name="bernstein">{{Cite news|last=Bernstein |first=Alan |title=Aggie Bonfire holds distinction as Texas symbol |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=November 18, 1999 |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/special/bonfire/386353.html |access-date=February 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225220124/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/special/bonfire/386353.html |archive-date=December 25, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="WorldRec">{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/books/it/1999/12/08/bonfire/index.html|last=Morris|first=Dave|title=Memories of an Aggie bonfire boy |work=[[Salon.com]] |access-date=August 14, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211063748/http://www.salon.com/books/it/1999/12/08/bonfire/index.html |archive-date=February 11, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="SixTier">{{cite news|url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/11/18/texas-a-m-university-remembers-nov-18-1999-bonfire-collapse-aggie-accident/8665016002/|author=American-Statesman staff|title=Virtual tour commemorates Nov. 18, 1999, Texas A&M Bonfire collapse |work=[[Austin American Statesman]] |access-date=January 8, 2022 }}</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">{{Cite web|last=Cook|first=John Lee Jr. |title=Bonfire Collapse|publisher=[[U.S. Department of Homeland Security]]|url=http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-133.pdf|access-date=March 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917170255/http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-133.pdf|archive-date=September 17, 2008|url-status=live}}</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">{{Cite news |last=Kapitan |first=Craig |title=Bonfire case under scrutiny by court |newspaper=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]] |___location=Bryan-College Station |date=September 3, 2006 |url=http://archive.theeagle.com/stories/090306/am_20060903005.php |access-date=April 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411222254/http://archive.theeagle.com/stories/090306/am_20060903005.php |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and a federal appeals court dismissed the remaining lawsuits against the university in 2007.<ref name="vanderwerf">{{Cite news |last=Van Der Werf |first=Martin |title=Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of Lawsuits Over Texas A&M Bonfire Accident |newspaper=[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]] |date=April 25, 2007 |url=http://chronicle.com/news/article/2169/appeals-court-upholds-dismissal-of-lawsuits-over-texas-am-bonfire-accident |access-date=May 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930180559/http://chronicle.com/news/article/2169/appeals-court-upholds-dismissal-of-lawsuits-over-texas-am-bonfire-accident |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the collapse, the university suspended the official sanction of the bonfire, but the tradition continues off-campus.<ref name="milloy">{{Cite news | last=Milloy |first=Ross E.| newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E5DA113DF936A35751C0A9649C8B63 | date=February 5, 2002 |access-date=March 3, 2007 |title=Southwest: Texas: Aggie President Cancels Bonfire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112085122/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E5DA113DF936A35751C0A9649C8B63 | archive-date=November 12, 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="badger">{{Cite news|title=Off-campus Texas A&M bonfire brings out thousands |newspaper=[[The Badger Herald]] |url=http://badgerherald.com/news/2002/11/26/offcampus_texas_a_m_.php |date=November 26, 2002 |access-date=March 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110225606/http://badgerherald.com/news/2002/11/26/offcampus_texas_a_m_.php |archive-date=November 10, 2007}}</ref>
==Athletics==
{{Main|Texas A&M Aggies}}
[[File:Kyle Field Montana State vs A&M Sept 1 2007.jpg|thumb|A view from the student section of Kyle Field during a 2007 football game|alt=a crowd of people watch a football game at a three-tiered stadium]]<!--This image contains trademarked symbols, and is only being used to illustrate said symbols within context-->
Texas A&M University has been a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of the [[NCAA]] for all sports since 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7019493/texas-officially-gets-accepted-sec |title=Texas A&M Aggies officially get accepted into the SEC |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=September 27, 2011 |access-date=May 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195616/http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7019493/texas-officially-gets-accepted-sec |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="swconference">{{cite news|title=Texas History Highlights: A Look Back at the Southwest Conference|newspaper=[[The Dallas Morning News]]|year=2007|url=https://texasalmanac.com/topics/sports/look-back-southwest-conference|access-date=July 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704123241/https://texasalmanac.com/topics/sports/look-back-southwest-conference|archive-date=July 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</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 [[Texas A&M Aggies|Aggies]], whose team colors are maroon and white.<ref name="big12aggies">{{cite web|title=Texas A&M Aggies|publisher=[[Big 12 Conference]]|url=http://www.big12sports.com/schools/tam/big12-tam-body.html|access-date=April 30, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070422143119/http://www.big12sports.com/schools/tam/big12-tam-body.html|archive-date=April 22, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{as of|2024}}, Aggies had won 178 conference titles and 21 national championships.<ref name="tamuathleticsfacts">{{cite web|title=Texas A&M University Facts: Athletics|publisher=Texas A&M University|url=https://www.tamu.edu/about/facts/athletics.html|url-status=dead|access-date=May 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222182935/http://www.tamu.edu/home/aboutam/amfacts/athleticsfacts.html|archive-date=December 22, 2007}}</ref><ref name=currentathstats>{{cite web|title=Texas A&M University Facts: Athletics|url=https://www.tamu.edu/about/facts/athletics.html|publisher=Texas A&M University Athletics|access-date=December 21, 2021|archive-date=December 22, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222182935/http://www.tamu.edu/home/aboutam/amfacts/athleticsfacts.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Texas A&M's [[college rivalry|archrival]] is the [[Texas Longhorns|University of Texas at Austin 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 (United States)|Thanksgiving]].<ref name="fridayfootball">{{cite web|title=Lone Star Showdown: 112th UT vs A&M game Friday|publisher=News 8 Austin|date=November 23, 2005|url=http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=150435|access-date=April 30, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165108/http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=150435 |archive-date = September 30, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="recordcrowd">{{cite web|title=Aggies Top No. 5 Longhorns Before Record Crowd, 20–16|publisher=Texas A&M University Athletic Department|date=November 26, 1999|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112699aaa.html|access-date=April 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607045322/http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112699aaa.html|archive-date=June 7, 2009}}</ref> Texas A&M's other current rivalries include the [[Arkansas–Texas A&M football rivalry|University of Arkansas Razorbacks]] and more intensely, the [[LSU–Texas A&M football rivalry|Louisiana State University Tigers]], with the latter rivalry becoming particularly strong since Texas A&M's [[2018 LSU vs. Texas A&M football game|74-72 victory in 2018]]. Historic rivals who were played during the Big 12 and Southwest Conference days, now dormant, include [[Texas A&M–Texas Tech football rivalry|Texas Tech University]] and [[Battle of the Brazos|Baylor University]].<ref name="dirocco">{{cite news|last=Dirocco|first=Michael|title=A Nameless Game|work=[[The Florida Times-Union]]|date=November 23, 2006|url=http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/112406/col_6430074.shtml|access-date=May 17, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929095934/http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/112406/col_6430074.shtml|archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref><ref name="griffin">{{cite web|last=Griffin|first=Tim|title=Texas' instate rivalry grabs weekend spotlight|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=September 27, 2006|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2604893|access-date=May 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104082305/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2604893|archive-date=November 4, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Techrival">{{cite news|last=Zimmer |first=Kelln |title=T-sippers or tortilla-throwers |work=[[The Battalion]] |date=November 15, 2001 |url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2001/11/15/Opinion/TSippers.Or.TortillaThrowers-516399.shtml |access-date=March 25, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908211622/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2001/11/15/Opinion/TSippers.Or.TortillaThrowers-516399.shtml |archive-date=September 8, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="arkrival">{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/031108dnspoamarkansas.3eaf64a8.html
|last=Hairopoulos|first=Kate|title=Texas A&M, Arkansas to renew football rivalry at new Cowboys stadium|work=[[The Dallas Morning News]]|date=March 10, 2008|access-date=March 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315142003/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/031108dnspoamarkansas.3eaf64a8.html|archive-date=March 15, 2008}}</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">{{Cite web|url=https://12thman.com/hof.aspx|title=Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame|website=Texas A&M University 12th Man|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825042603/https://12thman.com/hof.aspx|archive-date=August 25, 2019}}</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" />
===Football===
{{Main|Texas A&M Aggies football}}
The Aggies [[American football|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">{{cite web|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27300&SPSID=632660&SPID=93232&ATCLID=205238864|title=Aggie Football's Championships|publisher=Texas A&M Athletics|access-date=May 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717060336/http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27300&SPSID=632660&SPID=93232&ATCLID=205238864|archive-date=July 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Petchesky|first1=Barry|title=Texas A&M Picked Up Two National Championships, Two Conference Titles Over The Summer|url=http://deadspin.com/5941380/texas-am-picked-up-two-national-championships-two-conference-titles-over-the-summer|website=[[Deadspin]]|date=September 7, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323052739/http://deadspin.com/5941380/texas-am-picked-up-two-national-championships-two-conference-titles-over-the-summer|archive-date=March 23, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2021, the team has played in forty-two [[bowl games]], of which they have won twenty,<ref>{{cite news|title=The Complete Texas A&M Bowl History|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-am-aggies/2017/12/17/the-complete-texas-am-bowl-history/|newspaper=[[Dallas Morning News]]|date= December 17, 2017|access-date=January 18, 2022}}<!--record through 2016--></ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Wake Forest vs Texas A&M|publisher=[[ESPN]]|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/400953402|access-date=January 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NC State vs Texas A&M|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401032082|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Oklahoma State vs Texas A&M|publisher=[[ESPN]]|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401135274|access-date=January 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Texas A&M vs North Carolina|publisher=[[ESPN]]|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401256112|access-date=January 18, 2022}}</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">{{cite web|title=2005 Texas A&M Football History and Records|pages=60, 70, 72|publisher=Texas A&M University Athletic Department|year=2006|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/football/docs/2005supplement.pdf|access-date=April 30, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070403215645/http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/football/docs/2005supplement.pdf |archive-date = April 3, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=heismanofficial>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heisman.com/heisman-winners/|title=Winners Archive|publisher=The Heisman Trophy Trust|access-date=December 21, 2021}}</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">{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/texas-aggies/20140709-stunning-transformation-of-kyle-field-to-give-fans-taste-of-what-s-to-come-in-aggieland.ece|last=Hairopoulus|first=Kate|title=A&M boasts trio of talented tailbacks|work=[[Dallas Morning News]]|access-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121848/http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/texas-aggies/20140709-stunning-transformation-of-kyle-field-to-give-fans-taste-of-what-s-to-come-in-aggieland.ece|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2024, the football team is led by [[Mike Elko]] in his first season as head coach.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/college/fsu/football/former-florida-state-assistant-coach-hired-by-jacksonville-state|title=Jimbo Fisher leaving for Texas A&M; won't coach Florida State Saturday|newspaper=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=January 18, 2022|last=Lewis|first=Dustin|date=December 21, 2021}}</ref>
===
{{Main|Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball|Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball}}
[[File:Lss 2008 bb damion james.jpg|thumb|right|A men's basketball game at Reed Arena in January 2008|alt=a crowd of people in mostly white T-shirts watch an indoor basketball game; a T with a start on it is upside down and featured prominently under the players]]<!--This image contains a trademarked symbol, Texas A&M "T-star", and is only being used to illustrate said symbols within context-->
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 Men's Division I Basketball Championship|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">{{cite web |url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=205238851 |title=Texas A&M Basketball's Championship History |publisher=Texas A&M Athletics |access-date=May 15, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504160002/http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=205238851 |archive-date=May 4, 2012}}</ref> As of 2021, the men's basketball team is led by [[Buzz Williams]] in his tenth season as head coach.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26429544/virginia-tech-williams-taking-texas-job |title=Texas A&M hires Va. Tech's Williams as coach |first=Jeff |last=Borzello |date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908211915/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26429544/virginia-tech-williams-taking-texas-job |archive-date=September 8, 2021}}</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. {{As of|2022}}, 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">{{cite web|title=Texas A&M Women's Basketball History|publisher=12th Man|year=2021|url=https://12thman.com/sports/2020/1/11/womens-basketball-history.aspx|access-date=August 10, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=August 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810205317/https://12thman.com/sports/2020/1/11/womens-basketball-history.aspx}}</ref> The women's team was coached by [[Gary Blair]] from 2003<ref name="dickpatrick">{{cite news|last=Patrick|first=Dick|title=On women's basketball: Texas A&M completes turnaround|work=[[USA Today]]|date=March 6, 2007|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/womensbasketball/2007-03-06-women-basketball-notes_N.htm|access-date=April 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309140757/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/womensbasketball/2007-03-06-women-basketball-notes_N.htm|archive-date=March 9, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> to his retirement in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gary Blair's impact felt on and off the court|work=[[KBTX]]|date=February 24, 2022|url=https://www.kbtx.com/2022/02/24/gary-blairs-impact-felt-off-court/|access-date=April 11, 2022|first=Morgan|last=Weaver}}</ref> Blair's replacement [[Joni Taylor]] began coaching the team in March 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joni Taylor leaves Georgia to Coach Texas A&M|work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=March 23, 2022|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-bulldogs/breaking-joni-taylor-to-leave-georgia-for-texas-am/LDETFVAF4RAOLJBGH2KFTU7YAI/|access-date=April 11, 2022|first=Chip|last=Towers}}</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">{{cite web|title=G. Rollie White Coliseum|publisher=Texas A&M Athletic Department|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/facilities/grolliewhite.html|access-date=April 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106164814/http://www.aggieathletics.com/facilities/grolliewhite.html|archive-date=January 6, 2009}}</ref><ref name="reedarena">{{cite web|title=Reed Arena|publisher=Texas A&M Athletic Department|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/facilities/reedarena.html|access-date=April 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210014801/http://www.aggieathletics.com/facilities/reedarena.html|archive-date=February 10, 2009}}</ref>
===Other sports===
The Aggies [[Texas A&M Aggies women's soccer|women's soccer]] team was formed in 1993; as of 2021, it has taken part in every NCAA Tournament since 1995.<ref name="soccerrecords">{{cite web|title=Texas A&M Soccer History|publisher=12th Man Association|year=2021|url=https://12thman.com/sports/2020/9/19/texas-am-soccer-history.aspx|access-date=July 31, 2021|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731225246/https://12thman.com/sports/2020/9/19/texas-am-soccer-history.aspx|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web|title=Texas A&M Volleyball History|publisher=12th Man Association|year=2021|url=https://12thman.com/sports/2015/3/23/VB_2015060148.aspx|access-date=July 30, 2021|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730222321/https://12thman.com/sports/2015/3/23/VB_2015060148.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="big12champs">{{cite web|title=2006–2007 Big 12 Postseason Championships Schedule|publisher=[[Big 12 Conference]]|year=2007|url=http://www.big12sports.com/championships/big12-championships.html|access-date=May 17, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070529151059/http://www.big12sports.com/championships/big12-championships.html|archive-date=May 29, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</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>{{cite web|title=12th Man|publisher=12th Man|year=2022|url=https://12thman.com/index.aspx|access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref>
== Notable alumni and faculty ==
{{Main list|List of Texas A&M University people}}
[[File:TAMU FormerStudents1.JPG|thumb|The [[Clayton Williams|Clayton W. Williams, Jr.]], Alumni Center is the home of [[The Association of Former Students]].|alt=A two-story, white building in the shape of a crescent overlooks flowers and a grassy lawn]]
[[File:Horace S. Carswell, Jr. MOH.JPG|thumb|upright|Specimen [[Medal of Honor]] displayed at the Memorial Student Center for Horace S. Carswell|alt=A plaque in a glass enclosed frame depicts a black and white image of a soldier in WWII regalia, a medal of honor suspended across the middle, and a description of the event for which the individual was awarded the medal]]
===
With over 508,000 alumni,<ref name="academicfacts">{{cite web |url = https://www.tamu.edu/former-students/index.html |title = Former Students |publisher = Texas A&M University |access-date = July 25, 2021 |url-status = live |archive-date = July 16, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210716145600/https://www.tamu.edu/former-students/index.html }}</ref> Texas A&M University has one of the largest [[The Association of Former Students|alumni groups]] in America.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://theeagle.com/news/local/texas-a-ms-association-of-former-students-celebrating-135-years/article_993076e1-15f3-5551-bdf5-df6c54a56b89.html |title=Texas A&M's Association of Former Students celebrating 135 years |first=Jordan |last=Overturf |website=The Eagle |date=June 26, 2014 |access-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211019161056/https://theeagle.com/news/local/texas-a-ms-association-of-former-students-celebrating-135-years/article_993076e1-15f3-5551-bdf5-df6c54a56b89.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Many alumni have attained local, national, and international prominence. [[Jorge Quiroga]] and [[Martin Torrijos]] have served as [[head of state|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 [[Republican Party presidential primaries, 2012|2012 US presidential candidate]]. <!--restricted to current national-level serving congressmen/senators only-->Congressman [[Louie Gohmert]] is also a Texas A&M graduate.<ref name="formerstudentachievements">{{cite web |title = Former Student Achievements |publisher=Texas A&M University |year=2003 |url = http://vpr.tamu.edu/prospectus/formerstudent.html |access-date=April 30, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070223033019/http://vpr.tamu.edu/prospectus/formerstudent.html|archive-date=February 23, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[William A. Pailes]], [[Michael E. Fossum]], and [[Steven Swanson]] became NASA astronauts.<ref name="geller">{{cite news |last= Geller |first = Marc B. |title = Fossum "chillaxin" in space – Gov. Rick Perry makes a call to Aggie in orbit |newspaper = [[The Monitor (Texas)|The Monitor]] |date = July 14, 2006 |url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-148181021.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103030140/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-148181021.html |url-status=dead |archive-date = November 3, 2012 |access-date = April 30, 2007 }}</ref> Mechanical engineer [[Holly Ridings]] became the first female chief flight director at NASA.<ref>{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Stuckey |url = https://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/space/article/NASA-names-first-female-flight-director-in-13235838.php |title = Texas native becomes first female to lead NASA's Mission Control flight directors |date=September 17, 2018 |newspaper = [[Houston Chronicle]] |access-date = September 22, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180922135611/https://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/space/article/NASA-names-first-female-flight-director-in-13235838.php |archive-date = September 22, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> [[Phyllis Frye]] is a residing judge in Houston, Texas, and is the first transgender judge in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.chron.com/life/article/Texas-A-M-hands-out-first-Phyllis-Frye-award-1617473.php |title=Texas A&M hands out first Phyllis Frye award |first=Claudia |last=Feldman |date=May 3, 2009 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |access-date=March 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327123126/https://www.chron.com/life/article/Texas-A-M-hands-out-first-Phyllis-Frye-award-1617473.php |archive-date = March 27, 2019 |url-status = live }}</ref> In 1903, twin sisters [[Mary and Sophie Hutson|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">{{cite news |title=Dateline Texas |url=https://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Dateline-Texas-2100608.php |accessdate=19 November 2019 |publisher=The Houston Chronicle |date=May 5, 2002}}</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">{{cite web |author = Eagle Staff Reports |title = Return to Glory The Cotton Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Tennessee; Cotton Bowl Insider |publisher = Aggie Sports |date = January 1, 2005 |url = http://www.aggiesports.com/football/cottonbowl05/insider.htm |access-date = May 16, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070711232106/http://www.aggiesports.com/football/cottonbowl05/insider.htm |archive-date = July 11, 2007 |url-status = dead }}</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">{{cite web |title = The Secret History of Texas Music |first = Michael |last = Hall |publisher= [[Texas Monthly]] |year = 2015 |url = https://www.texasmonthly.com/list/the-secret-history-of-texas-music/the-front-porch-song-this-old-porch-1984/ |access-date = July 23, 2021 |archive-date = July 23, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210723055833/https://www.texasmonthly.com/list/the-secret-history-of-texas-music/the-front-porch-song-this-old-porch-1984/ |url-status = live }}</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">{{cite web |title = Khalid Al-Falih appointed Saudi Aramco President and CEO, effective January 1, 2009 |publisher=AME Info |date = November 3, 2008 |url = http://www.ameinfo.com/173952.html |access-date = January 3, 2009 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090724064020/http://www.ameinfo.com/173952.html |archive-date = July 24, 2009 }}</ref> and [[Eduardo Castro-Wright]], CEO of Wal-Mart Stores USA.<ref name="EWright">{{cite magazine |first1 =Jenny |last1=Mero |first2=Matthew |last2=Boyle |title=Rising Star: Eduardo Castro-Wright, Wal-Mart: Dr. Wiesner is a notable psychotherapist in The Woodlands, Texas. Meet Corporate America's next generation of leaders |magazine=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |date=January 24, 2006 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/01/23/magazines/fortune/stars_castrowright_fortune_060206/index.htm |access-date=May 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216171358/http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/23/magazines/fortune/stars_castrowright_fortune_060206/index.htm |archive-date=February 16, 2007 |url-status=live }}</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">{{cite journal|last=Boyne|first=Walter J.|author-link=Walter J. Boyne|title=The Man Who Built the Missiles|journal=[[Air Force Magazine]]|page=80| date=October 2000 |publisher=[[Air Force Association]]}}</ref><ref name="Schviever2">{{cite web|title=Schriever Air Force Base |publisher=[[United States Air Force]] |year=2007 |url=http://www.schriever.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3908 |access-date=May 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193529/http://www.schriever.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3908 |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> General [[T. Michael Moseley|Michael Moseley]] is a former Chief of Staff of the [[United States Air Force]].<ref name="Moseley">{{cite web|title=General T. Michael Moseley|publisher=[[United States Air Force]]|year=2007|url=http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6545|access-date=May 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509075634/http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6545|archive-date=May 9, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</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>{{cite web|title=Campusologies and Required Knowledge |publisher=Company P10 |year=2007 |url=http://www.jcap-tamu.org/CamposRequiredKnowledgePg3.html |access-date=May 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929193748/http://www.jcap-tamu.org/CamposRequiredKnowledgePg3.html |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref> [[Clarence E. Sasser]] received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War prior to enrolling at the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.defense.gov/specials/africanamerhistory/vietnam5.html|title=Vietnam War|access-date=July 31, 2021|publisher=[[US Department of Defense]]|archive-date=September 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930165401/http://archive.defense.gov/specials/africanamerhistory/vietnam5.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/beyondglorymedal00smit_0|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/beyondglorymedal00smit_0/page/331 331]|quote=Clarence Sasser Texas A&M.|title=Beyond Glory: Medal of Honor Heroes in Their Own Words|year=2003|author=Smith, Larry Earl|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|isbn=978-0-393-05134-6 |access-date=May 28, 2013}}</ref>
===Notable faculty===
Notable Texas A&M faculty include eight [[Nobel Prize]] laureates; among them are [[Derek Barton]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://science.tamu.edu/news/1998/03/sir-derek-barton-dies-from-heart-attack/|title=Sir Derek Barton Dies From Heart Attack|access-date=December 3, 2021|date=March 17, 1998|publisher=Texas A&M University Office of University Relations}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/pdf/10.1142/9781860943089_fmatter|doi=10.1142/9781860943089_fmatter|chapter=Front Matter|title=The Bartonian Legacy|year=2000|pages=i-xi|publisher=Published by Imperial College Press and Distributed by World Scientific Publishing Co. |isbn=978-1-86094-246-4}}</ref> [[Sheldon Glashow]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1979/glashow-autobio.html |title=Sheldon Glashow |access-date=June 6, 2007|publisher=[[The Nobel Foundation]]}}</ref> [[Robert H. Grubbs]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2012/05/17/nobel-prize-winner-to-join-texas-am-university-at-qatar-faculty/ |title=Nobel Prize Winner To Join Texas A&M University at Qatar Faculty |access-date=May 23, 2012 |publisher=tamuTimes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210231258/http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2012/05/17/nobel-prize-winner-to-join-texas-am-university-at-qatar-faculty/ |archive-date=February 10, 2014 }}</ref> [[Dudley R. Herschbach]],<ref name=dudref>{{cite news|url=https://theeagle.com/news/local/annual-physics-and-engineering-festival-set-for-april-8-9/article_eaf1ba05-b18b-5688-96f9-46397ebce355.html|last=Kuhlmann|first=Steve|date=April 6, 2016|title=Annual Physics and Engineering festival set for April 8–9|access-date=December 21, 2021|newspaper=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]]}}</ref> [[Jack Kilby]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2000/kilby-autobio.html |title=Jack S. Kilby |access-date=June 6, 2007|publisher=[[The Nobel Foundation]]}}</ref> [[David Lee (physicist)|David Lee]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.science.tamu.edu/articles/684/ |title=Nobel Prize Winner to Join Texas A&M Physics Faculty |access-date=May 26, 2011 |publisher=Texas A&M University College of Science |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307181030/http://www.science.tamu.edu/articles/684 |archive-date=March 7, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1996/lee.html |title=David M. Lee |access-date=May 26, 2011 |publisher=[[The Nobel Foundation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703021738/http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1996/lee.html |archive-date=July 3, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Vernon L. Smith]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tias.tamu.edu/facultyfellows/2012-2013/smith |title=Texas A&M University Institute for Advanced Study Faculty Fellows – Vernon Smith |access-date=November 8, 2012 |publisher=[[Texas A&M University Institute for Advanced Study]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810220308/http://tias.tamu.edu/facultyfellows/2012-2013/smith |archive-date=August 10, 2014 }}</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">{{cite web|url=http://vpr.tamu.edu/prospectus/formerstudent.html |title=Former Student Achievements |access-date=January 8, 2022<!--accessed via wayback machine-->|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223033019/http://vpr.tamu.edu/prospectus/formerstudent.html |archive-date=February 23, 2007 }}</ref> U.S. Senator [[Phil Gramm]] taught economics at the university,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsarchives.tamu.edu/stories/00/100200-7.html|title=Texas A&M Announces Phil Gramm Award|access-date=June 6, 2007|publisher=Texas A&M University Office of University Relations|date=October 2, 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070619080344/http://newsarchives.tamu.edu/stories/00/100200-7.html|archive-date=June 19, 2007}}</ref> [[C++]] computer language creator [[Bjarne Stroustrup]] taught computer science,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.research.att.com/~bs/bio.html|title=Some Information about Bjarne Stroustrup|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701083013/http://www.research.att.com/~bs/bio.html|archive-date=1 July 2007|access-date=27 June 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cse.tamu.edu/people/faculty|title=Faculty – People – Computer Science & Engineering – College of Engineering|last=Communications|first=Texas A&M Engineering|date=8 September 2015|website=Cse.tamu.edu|access-date=9 June 2016|archive-date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212155837/http://www.cse.tamu.edu/people/faculty|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Pulitzer Prize]] recipient [[Charles Gordone]] also taught at Texas A&M.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theeagle.com/aandmnews/101104gordone.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070927234434/http://www.theeagle.com/aandmnews/101104gordone.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |title=Honoring a life's work realized |access-date=June 6, 2007 |newspaper=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]] |date=October 10, 2004 }}</ref> Aviation pioneer [[Fred Weick]] did much of his post-war research at Texas A&M.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasm.si.edu/research/arch/findaids/pdf/Weick_Acc_XXXX-0425.pdf|title=Fred E. Weick Autobiographical Transcripts|access-date=June 17, 2007|publisher=[[Smithsonian Institution]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612001955/http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/arch/findaids/pdf/Weick_Acc_XXXX-0425.pdf|archive-date=June 12, 2007}}</ref> [[Robert Gates]] served as [[List of Texas A&M University presidents|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>{{Cite news|last=Tresaugue|first=Matthew|date=November 8, 2006|title=Gates' departure stuns Texas A&M community|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Gates-departure-stuns-Texas-A-M-community-1492985.php|access-date=January 28, 2022}}</ref> [[John E. Sloan]], US Army major general, was assigned to Texas A&M as professor of military science and tactics.<ref name="Brown">{{cite book |last=Brown |first=John Sloan |date=1986 |title=Draftee Division: The 88th Infantry Division in World War II |url=https://88thinfantrydivisionarchive.com/88th-infantrydivision/drafteedivision-254pgs.pdf |___location=Lexington, Kentucky |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |pages=22–23 |isbn=978-0-8131-5152-6}}</ref>
== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{oweb|http://www.12thman.com/}} of Texas A&M Athletics
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