What Defined The Decade
1. The number of Texas A&M graduates reached 500,000.
The university reached two major milestones in May 2019 – its network of former students surpassed 500,000, and it recorded more than 500,000 degrees awarded since Texas A&M opened in the fall of 1876.
2. President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush were laid to rest on campus.
On Dec. 6, 2018, President George H.W. Bush was buried on the grounds of the George H.W. Presidential Library and Museum on the Texas A&M campus after his death on Nov. 20, 2018 at the age of 94. The 41st president’s wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush, was laid to rest earlier that year on April 21 after her death at the age of 92.
3. Millions of dollars were invested in new facilities at the flagship campus in College Station.
The Texas A&M campus was transformed by hundreds of millions of dollars-worth of investments in building renovations and new facilities to better serve the growing student body. Perhaps the most prominent of those was the $485 million renovation of Kyle Field, which was completed in 2015. Other major building projects included the new Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Education Complex, the Zachry Engineering Education Complex, the Music Activities Center, Blue Bell Park and renovations to the Memorial Student Center.
4. Texas A&M moved to the Southeastern Conference.
Texas A&M joined the Southeastern Conference on July 1, 2012. The university announced its departure from the Big 12 Conference in September 2011.
5. Johnny Manziel won the 2012 Heisman Trophy.
Former Aggie quarterback Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy in 2012. He became the school’s second Heisman winner after John David Crow in 1957.
6. There was historic diversity in the Corps of Cadets’ leadership.
The Corps of Cadets saw a number of historic firsts in its leadership in the last 10 years. In 2012, Marquis Alexander was selected as its first black commander. Alyssa Michalke was named the first woman to lead the Corps in the university’s history, and in 2018 Mia Miller was selected as the first female mascot corporal.
7. Women held all top student leadership positions at Texas A&M for the first time.
A&M celebrated a major milestone in 2016 when women swept the top leadership posts, with twin sisters Hannah and Claire Wimberly serving as student body president and senior class president, respectively, and Cecille Sorio serving as the Corps of Cadets Commander.
8. Reveille VIII retired as the university’s mascot, beginning the reign of Reveille IX.
After faithfully serving as First Lady of Aggieland since August 2008, Reveille VIII formally retired at the end of spring 2015. Her successor, Reveille VIII, assumed the role in May 2015.
9. Five former presidents gathered on campus for One America Appeal.
All five living former U.S. presidents came together in the spirit of selfless service for the “Deep from the Heart: The One America Appeal” concert on the Texas A&M campus. Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama gathered for the Oct. 24, 2017 concert at Reed Arena that raised $2.6 million for hurricane relief efforts in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
10. The university expanded its footprint with the addition of several new campuses.
The last decade saw a number of new campuses beyond College Station with the opening of the School of Law in Fort Worth, the Health Science Center and RELLIS Campus in Bryan, and the Texas A&M Higher Education Center at McAllen.
11. The Aggie War Hymn turned 100.
By 2018, Aggies had been singing the War Hymn for 100 years. Written in 1918 by student J.V. “Pinky” Wilson, the War Hymn is sung at gatherings by Aggies all over the world, from football games to weddings.
12. Texas A&M researchers developed an FDA-approved edible cottonseed to fight world hunger.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration green-lighted an ultra-low gossypol cottonseed developed by Texas A&M AgriLife researchers. The edible cottonseed, which the FDA approved in October 2019, has the potential to make a significant impact on nutrition security around the world.
