Texas A&M Celebrates Its 135th Anniversary
The 12th Man stands ready at Kyle Field.
Its beginnings are humble at best — a scattering of buildings, a few professors, a handful of students—but those early days were the start of a university that has grown into a nationally recognized institution rooted in spirit, tradition and selfless service. Today, Texas A&M University — the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Texas — celebrates its 135th birthday.
In commemoration of the university’s birthday, students were invited to enjoy slices of birthday cake yesterday (Oct. 3). The cake, which was provided by Traditions Council, was distributed the day before the official birthday out of respect for tonight’s Silver Taps ceremony.
Students, former students, faculty, staff and fans can also celebrate the university’s birthday today through social media. A special Twitter avatar marking today’s special day can be downloaded here.
A product of the Morrill Act of 1862, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas was established by the Texas legislature on April 17, 1872. However, it is Oct. 4 that is recognized as the university’s official birthday, as Oct. 4, 1876 marked the first time students attended classes.
Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin eats a slice of the university's birthday cake on Monday (Oct. 3).
Throughout its 135 years of existence, Texas A&M has made its mark on the world year after year. For example, the university has already made history repeatedly this school year — first by surpassing previous enrollment records, then by celebrating top rankings by national publications and most recently by making the move to the Southeastern Conference, the nation’s premier athletic conference.
In the midst of these feats, the university has remained true to the traditions of its past — be it Reveille, the 12th Man, the Aggie Ring, Muster or the Yell Leaders— while moving ahead into the future.
As Texas A&M continues to grow, it has invested in its campus buildings and facilities. This year alone has already seen the opening of the Agricultural and Life Sciences Building on West Campus, which houses classrooms and administrative offices, as well as the Emerging Technologies Building, slated to be dedicated on Nov. 18, and the Diagnostic Imaging and Cancer Treatment Center, a state of the art facility at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Even more campus buildings are expected to either be completed or begin construction this year, including a five-story Administrative Services Building, a five-story liberal arts building and various campus residence halls.
While preparing for the future, the university has also treasured the past with its construction efforts. For example, it is nearing completion of a newly renovated and expanded YMCA Building, which was built in 1914, and recently completed restoration of the historic Military Walk as a campus focal point. The Memorial Student Center is also nearing the end of a three-year long renovation and expansion project, and is expected to open its doors again on April 21, 2012, to coincide with Aggie Muster.
One cadet greets another with a "howdy."
The university’s research has also been recognized repeatedly in some of the top scholarly journals in the country, including these recent stories in Science magazine, featuring the work of Michael Waters, director of Texas A&M’s Center for the Study of First Americans, and Darryl de Ruiter, an anthropology professor. In fact, the university’s investment in research totaled $630 million in the most recent available reports.
For more information about the history of Texas A&M University, visit here.
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Media contact: Krista Smith, News & Information Services, at (979) 845-4645
I want to go here
Go to UT Austin! We’re more highly rated in every field. It’s true. (;
Proud to be an aggie!!
Everyone school something to offer. A&M is uniquie. It may not be for everyone, but for the people to whom it does appeal, it’s an amazing place. I wouldn’t trade those five years of my life at A&M for anything.
c/o 95
I want to ask Keith, if you at UT Austin (as you called yourself)are rated higher, why do you read the Aggie newspaper?
I guess you shouldn’t even bother to read a paper of a lesser rated institution, just like I do, I never read the newspaper of UT Austin.
Once an Aggie, Always an Aggie!
Proud to be an Aggie!