Civil Rights & Advocacy

The 1906 issue of Aggieland reflects the segregated society in which it was produced. Aside from yearbook sponsors and one campus nurse Miss Ida Craig, women remain absent. Furthermore, students and faculty members of other races are not represented in this yearbook. Since Texas A&M’s founding in 1876 the university has undergone sizable positive advancements. Earl Rudder’s tenure (1959-70) ushered in a transformative era for the university. A year prior to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 the university began admitting African Americans and women. This positive transformation was recorded in The Battalion article pictured to the side. This article showcases the university’s desegregation and highlights African Americans enrolling in a summer term. This same year the university underwent a name change from the “Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas to Texas A&M university. While the A&M gestures toward the university’s founding, the new name reflected a fresh chapter for the university.

Sourced from students Rylee Bird & LeRoy Sterling

While the university became more inclusive in the early 1960s, there remained a high dropout rate for newly admitted students. These concerns prompted the creation of the “I Care” program in 1984. This project sought to make the university more welcoming and provide resources for minority students. This initiative originated against the backdrop of significant backlash regarding the progress of the Civil Rights Movement. Thus, the establishment of this organization became a significant milestone in the university’s history. Amid a turbulent time in the nation Texas A &M strove to support and empower minorities.

 Sourced from student Kimberly Delgado