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Texas A&M University is a land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant institution located in College Station, Texas. The university is centrally located, approximately equidistant from three of the 10 largest cities in the United States (Houston, Dallas and San Antonio). It is within driving distance of the state capital Austin. The university's enrollment includes approximately 44,000 students studying for degrees in 10 academic colleges.
Texas A&M was the state's first public institution of higher education, opening on October 4, 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. The school owes its origin to the Morrill Act of 1862, which established the nation's land-grant university system.
Texas A&M was originally established as a military institution (similar to VMI or The Citadel), but membership in the school's Corps of Cadets became voluntary in 1965. Membership in the Corps also allows for commissioning in any of the branches of military service although, while once required, military commission is now voluntary. Today, the Corps still boasts membership of nearly 2,000 men and women.
On August 23, 1963, the name of the institution was changed to "Texas A&M University" to more accurately reflect its expanding role as a leader in teaching, research, and public service for the state, nation and world. The initials "A" and "M" are a link to the university's past; they no longer represent any specific words as the school's curriculum has grown to include not only agriculture and engineering, but architecture, business, education, geosciences, liberal arts, medicine, science and veterinary medicine.
On November 18, 1999, 12 were killed and 27 injured when a huge bonfire structure under construction at the campus collapsed. A memorial is currently being built to remember the 12 fallen Aggies. See Aggie Bonfire.
Texas A&M's current President is Dr. Robert Gates.
The Texas A&M campus is home to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
Texas A&M is known for:
Texas A&M is a strongly traditional campus. Traditions include:
Students are known as "Aggies", or "Fightin' Texas Aggies" and graduates are "former students" (Texas A&M does not call them alumni, nor graduates).
The school does not have a mascot per se, but instead has its own unique tradition. The "First Lady" of A&M, and the highest ranking member of the Corps of Cadets is a collie named
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