Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, often called Texas A&M, A&M, TA&M, or TAMU, is a large public university in College Station, Texas. It was founded in 1876 and became the main school of the Texas A&M University System in 1948. Since 2021, it has had the most students of any university in the United States.

Originally named the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, the university grew greatly in size and scope over the years. In the 1960s, under President James Earl Rudder, it welcomed all students, ending rules that only allowed men or required military training. In 1963, the school was renamed Texas A&M University to show its broader range of studies.

The university’s main campus covers more than 5,500 acres and includes the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. It offers over 130 areas of study and is home to many research centers. Students and sports teams are called Aggies, and the athletes compete in the Southeastern Conference.

History

Main article: History of Texas A&M University

Early years

In 1862, the U.S. Congress passed a law that helped create colleges focused on farming and engineering. Texas used this law to start its first public college in 1871. The campus was set up near Bryan, Texas, on land given by Brazos County. At first, only boys could attend, and they had to join a special military group called the Corps of Cadets.

Classes began in 1876 with just six students. By the end of the first year, there were forty students and six teachers. Over time, more students joined, and the school began teaching engineering and farming. In 1881, the number of students grew to 258, but it dropped to 108 in 1883 when a new university opened in Austin.

In the late 1880s, many people in Texas thought the school wasn’t needed, but its president, Lawrence Sullivan Ross, saved it by showing it could do well. He added good things like running water and dorms. Under his leadership, the number of students doubled, and many traditions started, like the Aggie Ring.

Women were not allowed to earn degrees at first. The first woman to attend classes was Ethel Hudson in 1893. In 1911, women could attend summer classes, and in 1915, the school started a veterinary medicine program.

World Wars era

Many Texas A&M students served in World War I, and by 1918, almost half of all students were in the military. After the war, the school grew quickly and became known for its work in farming, engineering, and military training. The first graduate school started in 1924, and the first PhD was given in 1940.

During World War II, many Texas A&M students served in the military. The school trained many officers and helped the Navy with new radar systems. After the war, many soldiers used government money to pay for school, so the number of students grew fast.

University era

In 1948, Texas A&M became the main school in a group of universities called the Texas A&M University System. In 1959, James Earl Rudder became president and started big changes. The school started admitting women and minorities, and the military training became optional. By 1972, the school had dorms for women, and in 1976, the first Black student-body president was elected. The school was renamed “Texas A&M University” to reflect its growth.

By the time Rudder died in 1970, he had helped the school grow from 7,500 to 14,000 students. In the years after, the school grew to over 45,000 students. It also started programs in ocean science and space research. In 1997, it opened a school of government and a library for former President George H.W. Bush.

21st century

In 2001, Texas A&M joined a group of top research universities. In 2013, it merged with a health science center and started a law school. In 2017, there was debate about a statue of a former leader who had served in the Confederate Army, but the school decided to keep it.

In 2022, the school made big changes to its organization. In 2025, the university faced challenges related to discussions about gender and race, leading to changes in some courses and programs.

Campuses

College Station campus

Texas A&M's College Station campus is very large, covering 5,200 acres (21 km²) with an extra 350 acres (1 km²) in Research Park. It is part of the Bryan-College Station area in Brazos County, Texas, often called "Aggieland." This area is close to three of the biggest cities in the U.S. and home to about 13 million people in Texas and Louisiana. The main road is State Highway 6, with smaller roads connecting to bigger highways like Interstate 45.

The campus is split by a railroad track. East of the tracks is the main campus with buildings for engineering, architecture, science, education, and more. It also has dorms, dining halls, and important places like Kyle Field and the Sterling C. Evans Library. West of the tracks is West Campus, with sports facilities, the business school, and schools for agriculture, life sciences, and veterinary care.

Branch campuses

Besides the main campus in College Station, Texas A&M has three other campuses:

• Texas A&M University at Galveston focuses on marine research and has the Texas A&M Maritime Academy;
• Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen focuses on engineering, biomedical science, public health, and food systems;
• Texas A&M University at Qatar in Education City, Al Rayyan, Qatar, focuses on engineering.

Texas A&M also has Health Science Centers in places like Houston, Dallas, and Corpus Christi.

Main article: Campus of Texas A&M University

Academics

Texas A&M University is part of the larger Texas A&M University System, which includes eleven universities and several state agencies. The system is led by a Board of Regents, with a Chancellor overseeing daily operations.

The university is headed by a president, supported by a provost who manages educational activities. It offers degrees through 17 colleges and has many research centers. In 2021, it became the largest university in the United States by student enrollment, with over 72,000 students from all 50 states and many other countries.

The university is well-regarded for its programs, often ranking highly in national and international assessments. It also receives significant funding for research and supports students with financial aid. The College of Engineering is one of the largest, along with strong programs in liberal arts, agriculture, education, and business.

Student life

Texas A&M University has many places for students to live and many groups to join.

Residential life

About 20% of students live on campus in buildings called residence halls. Some halls are only for one gender, and some floors are “substance-free,” meaning no alcohol, drugs, or tobacco are allowed there. There are special halls for students in the Corps of Cadets and apartment buildings for students and staff.

Corps of Cadets

Texas A&M has a special group of students called the Corps of Cadets, which is one of the largest groups of its kind in the country. Many members join programs to prepare for service in the United States Armed Forces. The Corps includes groups for the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as a famous marching band. All members follow strict rules and schedules.

Activities

Texas A&M has over 1,000 student groups for many interests. Some groups focus on academics, community service, religion, or social activities. There are also groups for students from different countries and cultures. Students can join clubs, teams, and other organizations to meet new people and have fun.

Media

The university has its own newspaper, The Battalion, and a yearbook called Aggieland. There are also radio and television stations run by the university and students.

Traditions

Main article: Traditions of Texas A&M University

See also: Glossary of Texas A&M University terms

Texas A&M University has many special traditions that help students feel connected to each other and to the school. These traditions started when the school was first built and have continued even as the school grew. Students often greet each other with "Howdy!", and many traditions shape life at the school.

Students wear special rings called Aggie Rings, especially near the end of their time at the school. One famous tradition is the Aggie Muster, held every year on April 21 to remember students who have passed away. Families and friends answer "here" when a loved one's name is called, lighting a candle to show their spirit lives on. Another tradition, Silver Taps, honors students who pass away while studying at the school. This ceremony includes special music and a quiet moment of respect.

At sports games, Texas A&M students are called the 12th Man, meaning they support the team like an extra player. Students traditionally stand during the whole game. Each year, students choose Yell Leaders who help lead cheers before games at events called Midnight Yell Practices. These events are very popular and full of energy.

Athletics

Main article: Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M University has been part of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for all sports since 2012. Before that, it was in the Southwest Conference until 1996 and then the Big 12 Conference until 2012. The university has twenty sports teams called the Aggies, with maroon and white as their team colors. By 2024, the Aggies had won 178 conference titles and 21 national championships.

The biggest rivalry for Texas A&M is with the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns. This rivalry restarted in 2024 when the Longhorns joined the SEC. The most popular event in this rivalry is the annual football game held on Thanksgiving. Texas A&M also has rivalries with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks and the Louisiana State University Tigers.

Football

Main article: Texas A&M Aggies football

The Aggies football team began in 1894. It has won eighteen Southwest Conference championships, three Big 12 South Division championships, and one Big 12 championship. The team also claims three national championships. By 2021, the team had played in forty-two bowl games, winning twenty of them. Famous players include Heisman Trophy winners John David Crow (1957) and Johnny Manziel (2012). Home games have been at Kyle Field since 1904, which can hold 102,733 fans. As of 2024, Mike Elko is the head coach.

Basketball

Main articles: Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball and Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball

The men's basketball team started in 1912. It has won eleven Southwest Conference championships and two Southwest Conference Tournament championships. The team has been in the NCAA Tournament eleven times, reaching the regional semifinals round, called Sweet Sixteen, three times—the last being in the 2015–16 season. As of 2025, Bucky McMillan is the head coach.

The women's basketball team has won one Southwest Conference Tournament championship, one Big 12 regular season championship, two Big 12 Tournament championships, and two SEC Tournament championships—most recently in 2021. By 2022, the women's team had made sixteen NCAA Tournament appearances, including fourteen in a row, and won the National Championship in 2011. The women's team was coached by Gary Blair from 2003 until he retired in 2022. Joni Taylor became the coach in March 2022.

Both men's and women's basketball teams play in Reed Arena, which opened in 1998 and holds 12,889 people.

Other sports

The Aggies women's soccer team began in 1993 and has been in every NCAA Tournament since 1995. The women's volleyball team often qualifies for the NCAA tournament and played in thirteen consecutive tournaments from 1993 to 2005. Texas A&M also has men's and women's teams in swimming and diving, golf, tennis, cross country, track and field, softball, baseball, rugby union, and equestrianism.

Notable alumni and faculty

Texas A&M University has a large group of graduates, with over 508,000 alumni. Many of these graduates have become well-known leaders in different fields.

Some famous alumni include heads of state like Jorge Quiroga from Bolivia and Martin Torrijos from Panama. In the United States, Rick Perry served as governor of Texas and as the United States secretary of energy. In sports, Texas A&M alumni include Heisman Trophy winners like John David Crow and Johnny Manziel.

The university also has many notable teachers. It includes eight winners of the Nobel Prize, such as Derek Barton and Sheldon Glashow. Other famous teachers have included Norman Borlaug, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, and Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of the C++ computer language.