Texas A&M University

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".^[17] In 1871, the Texas Legislature used these funds to establish the state's first public institution of higher education,^[17][18] the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, (Texas A.M.C.).^[17] Brazos County donated 2,416 acres (10 km²) near Bryan, Texas, for the college's campus.^[17] 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.^[19]

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.^[20] During the first semester, enrollment increased to 48 students and by the end of the 1877 spring semester, 106 students had enrolled. Admission was limited to white males, who were required to participate in the Corps of Cadets and receive military training.^[21] 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.^[17][22] In 1881, enrollment grew to 258 but declined to 108 in 1883, the same year the University of Texas opened in Austin.^[23] 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.^[17]

In the late 1880s, many Texas residents saw no need for two colleges in Texas and advocated for the elimination of Texas A.M.C. In 1891, the college was saved from closure by its new president Lawrence Sullivan Ross, former Governor of Texas and former Confederate Brigadier General, by demonstrating the college could function and excel in its established form under proper leadership. Ross made many improvements to the campus, installing running water and permanent dormitories. Enrollment doubled under his tenure to 467 cadets as parents sent their sons to Texas A.M.C. to emulate the traits of Ross.^[24] Many college traditions began under Ross's presidency, including the creation of the first Aggie Ring, the senior class ring.^[24] 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.^[24][25]

Initially, women were permitted to attend classes only as "special students" but were not permitted to seek degrees.^[26] 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.^[26] 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.^[26] In 1911, under pressure from the Texas Legislature, the college allowed women to attend classes during the summer semester.^[26] A.M.C. expanded its academic offerings with the establishment of the School of Veterinary Medicine in 1915.^[17]

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.^[17] 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.^[27] 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.^[17] The first graduate school was organized in 1924 and the school awarded its first PhD in 1940.^[17] 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.^[28] The following month, the Board of Directors officially prohibited all women from enrolling.^[26]

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.^[29][30] 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.^[31] During the war, 29 Texas A&M graduates reached the rank of general.^[17]

After the end of World War II, enrollment rapidly grew as many former soldiers used the G.I. Bill to fund their education;^[32] however, enrollment stagnated in the following decade.^[16]

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.^[33]

On July 1, 1959, Major General James Earl Rudder, class of 1932, became the 16th president of the college.^[34][35] In 1963, with the backing of State Senator William T. "Bill" Moore, the 58th Legislature of Texas approved Rudder's proposal for a substantial expansion of the college. Over the coming years, Texas A&M augmented and upgraded its physical plant and facilities, and diversified and expanded its student body by admitting women and minorities. Membership in the Corps of Cadets also became voluntary from the start of the fall semester of 1963.^[36] Initially, the decision to admit women made the student body very unhappy.^[37] 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.^[37] In the same series of actions, the Texas legislature officially renamed the school "Texas A&M University",^[38] specifying the symbolic nature of the letters "A" and "M", which reflect the institution's past, and no longer denote "Agricultural and Mechanical".^[17]

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.^[38][39] In the 35 years following his death, Texas A&M more than tripled its enrollment from 14,000 students to more than 45,000.^[40] Texas A&M became one of the first four universities given the designation sea-grant for its achievements in oceanography and marine resources development in 1971.^[41] In 1989, the university earned the title space-grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to recognize its commitment to space research and participation in the Texas Space Grant Consortium.^[42] In 1997, the university opened the Bush School of Government and Public Service and the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum—one of fifteen American presidential libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration.^[43][44] 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.^[45]

With strong support from Rice University and the University of Texas, in May 2001, the Association of American Universities inducted Texas A&M on the basis of the depth of its research and academic programs.^[46] 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.^[47] On August 12, 2013, the university acquired the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and renamed it the Texas A&M University School of Law.^[48][49]

In 2017, the retention of the statue of Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross was in question after other institutions removed statues of former Confederate officers. The Texas A&M University System Chancellor, John Sharp, and President, Michael Young, announced the statue would remain on campus because it is not based upon his service in the Confederate Army.^[50][51][52] Amid the Black Lives Matter movement and vandalism of the statue, 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.^[53][54][55] The university also confirmed that the removal of the statue would require Texas Congressional approval.^[56]

In 2022, university president M. Katherine Banks implemented university-wide administrative restructuring that involved several changes to academic unit names and branding. The College of Science, the College of Geosciences, and the College of Liberal Arts, were merged to form the Texas A&M University College of Arts & Sciences. Several academic units underwent a change in name from "college" to "school". Additionally, the Texas A&M pharmacy unit was renamed the Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy.^[57] The following year, Banks suddenly resigned in July, only days after the resignation of the interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, after a botched attempted hiring of Kathleen McElroy to revive the university's journalism program.^[58] The initial job offer, which included a multiyear offer and tenure,^[59] was later watered down, with McElroy being presented with a succession of different offer letters. The final, which was rejected, was a one-year contract that could be terminated at any time.^[60] Her potential hiring was heavily criticized by conservative groups and alumni, as the offer was made to a black woman who had previously worked at The New York Times and studied how to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in newsrooms.^[61] Shortly thereafter, the university paid McElroy $1 million to settle her legal claims.^[62] After Banks resigned, Mark A. Welsh III, the dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service, was appointed interim president.^[63]

April 2024, students at Texas A&M University joined other college students across the USA in protesting against the Israel-Hamas war.^[64][65] They demanded that A&M divest funds^[66] from companies supporting the war.^[67][68] The protests continued in into the next academic year with the students alleging that Israel was carrying out a genocide and the administration cracking down on protests and further limiting free speech.^[69][70]

Texas A&M's College Station campus spans 5,200 acres (21 km²) and Research Park covers an additional 350 acres (1 km²).^[10][71] The university is part of the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area of Brazos County, which is located in the Brazos Valley (Southeast Central Texas) region, an area often referred to as "Aggieland".^[72] Brazos Valley is centrally located within 200 miles (320 km) of three of the ten largest cities in the U.S. and 75% of the population of Texas and Louisiana—approximately 13 million people. The area's major roadway is State Highway 6, and several smaller state highways and Farm to Market Roads connect the area to larger highways such as Interstate 45.^[73]

The College Station campus is bisected by a railroad track operated by Union Pacific.^[74] 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.^[75] 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.^[76]

Outside the main campus, the institution formally includes three branch campuses: Texas A&M University at Galveston is dedicated to marine research and hosts the Texas A&M Maritime Academy; Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen is dedicated to engineering, biomedical science, public health, and food systems industry management;^[77] and Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) in Education City, Al Rayyan, Qatar, is dedicated to engineering disciplines.^[78]

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.^[79] The School of Dentistry is located in Dallas, and the institution has a presence in Corpus Christi, Kingsville, Lufkin, McAllen, Round Rock, and Temple.^[80] Texas A&M School of Law, formerly Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, is located in Fort Worth.^[48][49] 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.^[81]

Texas A&M is part of the Texas A&M University System, which consists of eleven universities, eight state agencies, and the RELLIS Campus. The system is governed by a ten-member Board of Regents, nine of whom are appointed by the Governor of Texas to six-year terms, and one non-voting Student Regent who is appointed to a one-year term. The Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System is responsible for day-to-day operations and is answerable to the Board of Regents.^[82][83][84]

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.^[82][83] 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.^[85][86][87]

As of the fall semester in 2021, Texas A&M was the largest American university with an enrollment of 72,982 students^[8][90] 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.^[91] The demographics of the student body are 52.9% male and 47.1% female.^[92] Members of ethnic minority groups make up 42.2% of the student population.^[a] 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%.^[92][93] According to the institution, in 2019, it had a four-year-graduation rate of 59% and a six-year-graduation of 81.7%.^[94] College of Engineering had the largest enrollment of 29.6%. The College of Liberal Arts and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences followed, enrolling 12% and 11% of the student body, respectively. The School of Education and Human Development and Mays Business School each enrolled 9%. The remaining schools enrolled less than 6% each. In addition, slightly more than 3% of the student body had not declared a major.^[95]

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.^[96][97] As of 2021, about 72% of the student body receives about $810 million in financial aid annually.^[98] The admission rate of students who applied as undergraduates in 2020 was 63%.^[99] The school is rated as "more selective" by U.S. News & World Report.^[100][101]

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.^[109] 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.^[110] The 2021–2022 QS World University Rankings^[111] 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.^[112] In the 2022 edition of the U.S. News & World Report ranking of universities, Texas A&M was placed 68th nationally and 130th globally.^[113][114]

In 2021, The Washington Monthly assessed Texas A&M 21st nationally based on their criteria that weigh research, community service, and social mobility.^[115] In 2021, Forbes rated Texas A&M as the 17th-best public university in the country and 50th overall.^[116] 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.^[117][118] As of 2017, according to Best Value Schools,^[119] 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^[120] and ninth for "business schools for veterans" by the Military Times.^[121]

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.^[122][123] 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.^[124] A larger sum is distributed from the Texas Permanent University Fund (PUF), in which the system holds a one-third stake. As of 2021^[update], the PUF ending net-asset value was approximately $30 billion.^[125][126]

The National Science Foundation ranked Texas A&M 16th among American universities for research and development expenditures in 2021 with $1.14 billion.^[127][128] Concentrated in two primary areas, Research Valley and Research Park, the institution has over 11,750 acres (50 km²), which includes 3,000,000 square feet (279,000 m²) of dedicated research space.^[129] The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education classifies Texas A&M among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" as of 2021.^[130] 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.^[131] Texas A&M University is a member of the SEC Academic Consortium.^[132]

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.^{[133][134][135]} 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.^[136][137]

Texas A&M has led the world in several fields of cloning research. Scientists at the university's College of Veterinary Medicine created the first cloned pet, a cat named 'cc', on December 22, 2001.^[138] Texas A&M was also the first academic institution to clone six species; cattle, a Boer goat, pigs, a cat, a deer, and a horse.^[139] 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.^[140][141]

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.^[142][143] 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 8.4 meters (9.2 yd), the equivalent of a mirror 24.5 meters (26.8 yd) across and ten times more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope.^[144][145] As part of a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, Texas A&M completed the first conversion of a nuclear research reactor from using highly enriched uranium fuel (70%) to use low-enriched uranium (20%). The eighteen-month project ended on October 13, 2006, after the first-ever refueling of the reactor, thus fulfilling a portion of the United States' Global Nuclear Threat Reduction Initiative.^[146] In 2013, geography researchers named the largest volcano on Earth, Tamu Massif, after the university in honor of their research contributions.^[147]

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.^[148][149] During the 2018 academic year, over 5,600 Texas A&M students—primarily undergraduates—studied in 110 countries.^[150] Marine research occurs on the university's branch campus, Texas A&M University at Galveston.^[77] It also has collaborations with international facilities such as Hacienda Santa Clara in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.^[151][152]

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.^[153] 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.^[154]

Founded in 1995 by then-emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and his wife, who is the mother of the current emir Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Texas A&M University at Qatar was set up through an agreement between Texas A&M and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development and continues its part of Qatar's efforts to expand higher education with the assistance of elite institutions from the United States.^[155] All degrees at the Qatar campus are granted by the university's TAMU College of Engineering.^[156] TAMUQ was opened in 2003, and the current contract extends through 2023.^[157] 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.^[158] 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.^[155] 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.^[158][159] 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.^[160][161] 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.^[162][163] On 7 January 2024, Mark A. Welsh III, President of TAMU, addressed inaccuracies and misconceptions circulating on various websites and social media platforms regarding the University and its branch campus in Qatar and shared accurate information.^[164]

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.^[165] The agreement led to protests from students at the Qatari campus, who called it "an insult to [their] people".^[161][166] The planned campus in Nazareth was never opened; instead, Texas A&M opened a $6 million marine biology center in Haifa, Israel, in 2016.^[167]

As of 2020,^[update] 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.^[169] Both the Northside and Southside areas contain student residence halls. Some halls are single-sex.^[170] Several halls include a "substance-free" floor whose residents pledge to refrain from bringing alcoholic beverages, recreational drugs, or tobacco products into the hall.^[171]

Northside consists of seventeen student residence halls, including two dedicated to honors students.^[172] Approximately half of the residence halls on campus are reserved for members of the Corps of Cadets.^[173] The university also has four major apartment complexes for both staff and students, which are located both on and adjacent to the campus.^[174][175]

Facilities for the Corps of Cadets are located in the Quadrangle, known as "The Quad", an area consisting of dormitories, Duncan Dining Hall, and the Corps training fields.^[176][177] The Corps Arches, a series of twelve arches that allude to the spirit of the 12th Man, mark the entrance to the Quadrangle.^[178][179] 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.^[176][180] The Aggie mascot Reveille, a Rough Collie, lives with her handlers in the Corps in the Quad.^[181]

Texas A&M is one of six United States senior military colleges.^[182] As of 2019, the university's Corps of Cadets (or the Corps), with more than 2,500 members, is the largest uniformed student body outside the service academies.^{[182][173][183]} Many members participate in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs and earn commissions in the United States Armed Forces upon graduation.^[184] Members of the Corps have served in every armed conflict fought by the United States since 1876, and over 285 alumni have served as generals or flag officers as of 2021.^{[184][183][185][186]} Until 1965, Corps membership was mandatory. The Corps began accepting female members in the fall semester of 1974.^[187]

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.^[188] Parson's Mounted Cavalry is the only mounted ROTC unit in the United States.^[189] The Ross Volunteer Company, one of the oldest student-run organizations in the state, is the official honor guard for the Governor of Texas.^[190][191] The Fish Drill Team, a precision, close-order rifle drill team composed entirely of Corps freshmen, represents Texas A&M in local and national competitions. The team have won the national championship almost every year since their creation in 1946, and have appeared in several Hollywood films, including A Few Good Men and Courage Under Fire, in which they had prominent roles.^[192]

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.^[193][194] Some band drills are so complicated they require band members to step between each other's feet to complete the maneuvers.^[195][196] 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.^[197]

Texas A&M has over 1,000 student organizations, including academic, service, religious, social, and common interest organizations,^[198] 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.^[199][200]

One of the oldest student organizations is the Singing Cadets, an all-male choral group not affiliated with the Corps of Cadets with about 70 members that was founded in 1893.^[201] Texas A&M Hillel, the oldest Hillel organization in the United States, was founded in 1920 at the original college.^[202][203] Since 1955, the MSC Student Conference on National Affairs has held conferences, lectures, and other programs to discuss national and international issues with speakers.^{[204][205][206]} 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.^[207] 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.^[208] The Graduate Student Council, which was founded in 1995, serves as the student government for Texas A&M University's graduate and professional students.^[209]

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.^[210][211] The organization CARPOOL, a student-run safe ride program, has provided over 250,000 free rides (as of 2016^[update]) to students who are unable to transport themselves home. Its organizers help other universities establish similar programs.^[212][213]In 2009, GLBT Aggies, formerly Gay Student Services (GSS), successfully sued the university for official recognition and the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the U.S. Constitution requires public universities to allow such student organizations under the First Amendment's "freedom to assemble" clause.^[214][215]

The university newspaper The Battalion has been in production since 1893.^[216] 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.^[217][218] 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,^[219] and the student-run station KANM, which bills itself "the college station of College Station".^[220] 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.^[221]

Texas A&M culture is a product of the university's founding as a rural military and agricultural school. Although the school and surrounding community have grown and military training is no longer mandated, the university's history has instilled in students, according to Paul Burka, "the idealized elements of a small-town life: community, tradition, loyalty, optimism, and unabashed sentimentality".^[222] Texas Monthly posits that Texas A&M students' respect for school traditions and values is the university's greatest strength.^[223] These traditions enable and encourage students and alumni to cultivate the Aggie Spirit, a strong sense of loyalty and respect for the university.^[224] They dictate many aspects of student life, including greeting others using the official school greeting of "Howdy!",^[225] personal conduct at university sporting events, and students' word choices in conversation.^[226]

A visible designation tradition among senior undergraduates, graduate students nearing the end of their programs, and former students is wearing an Aggie Ring, whose design has been relatively unchanged since its introduction in 1894.^[227][228] 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.^[229]

Texas A&M students have created two major traditions to honor deceased former students. The Aggie Muster is a ceremony of remembrance held annually on April 21, the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, to honor current and former students who died the previous year. Alumni also typically socialize and remember their time at the university. Over 300 Musters are held around the world, the largest taking place at Reed Arena on the university's main campus.^[230] 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 although their loved one is not physically present, his or her spirit will shine forever; this is traditionally followed by a three-volley salute.^[231][232] 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.^[233]

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.^[234] On the day of the ceremony, flags fly half-staff and notices are posted throughout campus. At 10:15 pm, lights around campus are extinguished and hymns are chimed from Albritton Tower while students and faculty gather in the Academic Plaza. Following a three-volley salute by the Ross Volunteer Firing Squad, six buglers play "Silver Taps", a choral version of the bugle call "Taps", from the dome of the university's Academic Building. The song is played three times towards the north, the south, and the west. The song is not played to the east, symbolizing that the sun will never again rise on the deceased student.^[232]

At university sporting events, Texas A&M students collectively are called the 12th Man; in the context of football games, students support the eleven players on the field and would be willing to enter the game if necessary. To symbolize their zeal and motivation, it is traditional for students to stand throughout the sports game.^[235] The tradition of standing for games began on January 2, 1922, at the Dixie Classic, in which Texas A&M played Centre College. Texas A&M had so many injuries Coach Dana X. Bible feared he would not have enough men to finish the game. He called into the stands for E. King Gill, a reserve who had left football after the regular season to play basketball, to prepare to play in the game. Texas A&M won 22–14 but E. King Gill was the only player left available on the sidelines for the team.^[236] In recent decades, the 12th Man is represented on the field by a walk-on player who wears a number-twelve jersey and participates in kick-offs.^[237]

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.^[238] 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.^[225][239] Led by the Yell Leaders and the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, the 12th Man practice yells, sing the War Hymn, joke about their opponents, and practice celebrating.^[239][240] Sports Illustrated named Midnight Yell as one of the "100 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate".^[241] 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.^[242] When singing the war hymn, A&M students cause the stands to sway; visiting press are warned prior to the game.^[243]

Almost every year since 1909, Texas A&M students have built a large bonfire to celebrate their rivalry with the University of Texas.^[244] Aggie Bonfire was traditionally lit around Thanksgiving in conjunction with the festivities surrounding the annual college football game between the universities.^[245] Although it began as a trash pile,^[246] Aggie Bonfire evolved into a massive, six-tiered structure, achieving a then-world-record height for a bonfire of 109 feet (30 m).^{[245][247][248]} 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.^[249] 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,^[250] and a federal appeals court dismissed the remaining lawsuits against the university in 2007.^[251] Following the collapse, the university suspended the official sanction of the bonfire, but the tradition continues off-campus.^[252][253]

Texas A&M University has been a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of the NCAA for all sports since 2012.^[254][255] It was previously a charter member of the Southwest Conference until its dissolution in 1996 and competed in the Big 12 Conference until June 30, 2012. The university has twenty sports teams, which are known as the Aggies, whose team colors are maroon and white.^[256] As of 2024^[update], Aggies had won 178 conference titles and 21 national championships.^[257][258]

A&M's archrival is the University of Texas Longhorns, who regularly played in most athletic sports until the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012; this rivalry is set to renew in 2024 when the Longhorns join the SEC. 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.^[259][260] Other long-standing rivalries include Texas Tech, Baylor University, the University of Arkansas, and Louisiana State University.^{[261][262][263][264]}

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.^[265] 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".^[265] 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".^[265]

The Aggies football team, which was founded in 1894, has won eighteen Southwest Conference championships, three Big 12 South Division championships, and one Big 12 championship. The university also claims three national championships.^[266][267] As of 2021, the team has played in forty-two bowl games, of which they have won twenty,^{[268][269][270][271][272]} 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).^[273][274] Since 1904, home football games have been played at Kyle Field, a stadium with a current capacity of 102,500.^[275] As of 2024, the football team is led by Mike Elko in his first season as head coach.^[276]

The Aggies men's basketball team, which was founded in 1912, has won eleven Southwest Conference championships and two Southwest Conference Tournament championships. The team has played in the National Invitation Tournament six times and in the NCAA Tournament eleven times, of which three resulted in the team progressing to the regional semifinals round, dubbed Sweet Sixteen—the highest round to which the Aggies have advanced—most recently in the 2015–16 season.^[277] As of 2021, the men's basketball team is led by Buzz Williams in his tenth season as head coach.^[278]

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^[update], 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.^[279] The women's team was coached by Gary Blair from 2003^[280] to his retirement in 2022.^[281] Blair's replacement Joni Taylor began coaching the team in March 2022.^[282]

Both the men's and women's basketball teams play in the 12,889-seat Reed Arena, which opened in 1998.^[283][284]

The Aggies women's soccer team was formed in 1993; as of 2021, it has taken part in every NCAA Tournament since 1995.^[285] 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.^[286][287] Texas A&M also fields men's and women's teams in swimming and diving, golf, tennis, cross country, track and field, softball, baseball, and equestrianism.^[288]

With over 508,000 alumni,^[289] Texas A&M University has one of the largest and most active alumni groups in America.^[290] Many alumni have attained local, national, and international prominence. Jorge Quiroga and Martin Torrijos have served as heads of state of Bolivia and Panama, respectively. Rick Perry served as the United States Secretary of Energy and Governor of Texas and ran as a 2012 US presidential candidate. Congressman Louie Gohmert is also a Texas A&M graduate.^[291] William A. Pailes, Michael E. Fossum, and Steven Swanson became NASA astronauts.^[292] Mechanical engineer Holly Ridings became the first female chief flight director at NASA.^[293] Phyllis Frye is a residing judge in Houston, Texas, and is the first transgender judge in the United States.^[294] In 1903, twin sisters Mary Lockett Hutson Nelson and Sophie Palmer Hutson Rollins were the first women to complete the original college's civil engineering program but they did not receive their degrees until 99 years later because the college's charter at the time made no provision for female students.^[295]

Several notable alumni have excelled in sports; these include Heisman Trophy winners John David Crow and Johnny Manziel; and Heisman runner-up, legislator, and actor John Kimbrough;^[296] 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.^[297] Alumni in business include Lowry Mays, chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Communications;^[296] George P. Mitchell, chairman and CEO of Mitchell Energy and Development Corporation;^[291] Khalid A. Al-Falih, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco;^[298] and Eduardo Castro-Wright, CEO of Wal-Mart Stores USA.^[299]

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.^[300][301] General Michael Moseley is a former Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.^[302] 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^[303] Clarence E. Sasser received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War prior to enrolling at the university.^[304][305]

Notable Texas A&M faculty include eight Nobel Prize laureates; among them are Derek Barton,^[306][307] Sheldon Glashow,^[308] Robert H. Grubbs,^[309] Dudley R. Herschbach,^[310] Jack Kilby,^[311] David Lee,^[312][313] and Vernon L. Smith.^[314] 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.^[315] U.S. Senator Phil Gramm taught economics at the university,^[316] C++ computer language creator Bjarne Stroustrup taught computer science,^[317][318] and Pulitzer Prize recipient Charles Gordone also taught at Texas A&M.^[319] Aviation pioneer Fred Weick did much of his post-war research at Texas A&M.^[320] Robert Gates served as president of the university between leaving his post as Director of Central Intelligence and his appointment as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense.^[321]

• Official website  
• Official website of Texas A&M Athletics