History of Texas A&M University

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[edit] History

The basis for funding for the college was established by the Morrill Act, passed by the US Congress on July 2, 1862, which provided for donation of public land (land grants) to the states. The land could then be sold at public auction to establish a permanent fund to support a college where 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...in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions in life." In November 1866, the Legislature of the State of Texas agreed to provide for a college under the Morrill Act, in what became the "Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas" as established by the legislature on April 17, 1871.

In addition to establishing the state's first public institution of higher education, the legislature provided $75,000 for the construction of buildings. From the sale of 180,000 acres received under the Land-Grant College Act, an investment of gold frontier defense bonds was made, creating a permanent endowment for the college. An offer of 2,416 acres of land from Brazos County was accepted in 1871, the location of the new Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. In 1876, the college formally opened for classes.

One of Texas A&M's most prominent presidents was Lawrence Sullivan Ross, known to Aggies as "Sully." After his term as governor of Texas ended in 1890, he took over the office of president of the A&M College of Texas. There was a widespread belief across the state that there was little need for two colleges in Texas. Ross's reputation across the state as a Confederate soldier and former governor encouraged parents to send students to his school. Under his leadership as president of the college, the first Aggie ring was created, the first yearbook was published, the first intercollegiate football game was played, and the Aggie Band was formed. He is credited for saving the college from being shut down and for transforming it into a respected military institution.^[1]

James Earl Rudder, the 16th president of the college, has arguably had the most significant effect on the campus. In 1959, Maj. Gen. Rudder became the president of the A&M College, his alma mater. When he assumed his office, the college was still an all-male military college with a 7,500 student enrollment. In 1963, the A&M Board of Directors allowed wives and daughters of the faculty to enroll in undergraduate programs and for any female to enroll in graduate programs. It was not for two more years, in 1965, that any female had access to the academic programs at the A&M College. However, the Board required approval of each student by Rudder, who accepted any woman who met academic requirements.

In 1964, the first African-American student enrolled at the A&M College and in 1965, membership in the Corps of Cadets became voluntary. The 58th Legislature of Texas officially changed the name of the school from the A&M College of Texas to Texas A&M University in 1963. In 1967, James L. Courtney of Dallas became the first African-American to receive an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University. In 1970, he went on to become the first to receive a degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine. By Rudder's death in 1970, Texas A&M University grew to more than 14,000 students from all 50 states and 75 nations.^[2]

On September 17, 1971, Texas A&M University was one of the first four institutions to receive designation as a Sea-grant college in recognition of oceanographic development and research. A third designation was added on August 31, 1989 when Texas A&M was named a space-grant college. The university remains one of few institutions nationwide to hold designations as a land-, sea-, and space-grant college.

The university has a current enrollment of more than 44,000, with more than 8,000 graduate and professional students, making it one of the largest universities in the nation. The university has awarded more than 320,000 degrees, 70,000 of which are graduate and professional degrees.^[3]

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