After the president of Texas A&M College, the state’s largest college, introduced his resignation following every week of controversy over a category that included “gender ideology,” a number of Republican state leaders have publicly backed the decision for brand spanking new management.
Mark A. Welsh III, a four-star basic who served on the Joint Chiefs of Workers through the Obama administration, is leaving the function after two years serving as president, the A&M College System introduced Thursday night. Welsh’s resignation comes on the heels of a disagreement between a professor and a scholar over LGBTQ-related curriculum, which was publicized by Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison on X.
In his first feedback since his resignation was introduced, Welsh thanked the college, its leaders, and its college students for his two years as president.
“Most significantly, because of Texas A&M College,” Welsh wrote in a message to the A&M group. “I’ll at all times see you as a shining metropolis on a hill; a beautiful place that welcomed Betty and me into its household; a spot that formed our kids, and now our grandchildren, in a beautiful, values-based means; a spot the place historical past, custom, delight, legacy and perception in one thing larger than your self swirl round you as you stroll the campus. You’ve at all times impressed me … and I am gonna miss you.”
Right here’s how different state leaders and group members have responded.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick
In an announcement, a spokesperson for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wrote, “Lt. Gov. Patrick believes this was the correct choice and is greatest for everybody at the moment. This path ahead offers new chancellor Glenn Hegar a contemporary begin to construct his group at Texas A&M.”
Patrick had beforehand criticized Welsh’s dealing with of the altercation between the scholar and professor and his “ambivalence on the problem and his dismissal of the scholar’s issues.” Patrick mentioned he trusted the A&M system’s leaders to decide on Welsh’s function, however famous that he had beforehand lacked confidence in Welsh.
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt
State Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) weighed in on the resignation, criticizing the perceived turnover in A&M management.
“The rapid resignation by Texas A&M College President Mark Welsh is now the 2nd in 2 years, which suggests Texas A&M can have its third President in simply three years,” Bettencourt wrote, partly, on Friday. “‘Consistency’ must be the hallmark of campus management, not its bane… Subsequently, it is clear that the subsequent chief of Texas A&M College’s flagship foremost campus should collect collectively all of our instructing and analysis belongings this nice Nationally Ranked College has, and assist propel all of us ahead into Texas A&M’s one hundred and fiftieth yr anniversary and past!”
Bettencourt’s feedback are notable as Lt. Gov. Patrick introduced Bettencourt would function chair of a brand new choose Senate committee centered on “Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Larger Schooling.” The joint committee was introduced within the wake of the A&M controversy, in addition to the discussions of free speech following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Texas A&M professors’ union
In an announcement on X late Thursday night, the A&M chapter of the American Affiliation of College Professors wrote it “acknowledges the resignation of President Mark A. Welsh. AAUP-TAMU thanks President Welsh for his service and dedication to the mission and imaginative and prescient of Texas A&M College. AAUP-TAMU seems to be ahead to an earnest and clear seek for a brand new President of Texas A&M College who stands for educational freedom and shared governance.”
Texas A&M college students
On Friday, a whole bunch of Texas A&M college students applauded Welsh exterior the college’s administration workplaces as Welsh and his spouse exited the constructing. College students advised Houston Public Media Welsh’s resignation leaves an influence on educational freedom on campus.
“Having that looming concept of being fired over the issues that you simply educate is sort of like, upsetting,” Paris Reuele, a graduate scholar at A&M, mentioned.
“I believe it’s actually necessary to essentially reexamine what the Board of Regents is supporting and who they’re supporting, which is your entire scholar physique, not simply the attitude of some individuals,” Ariana Aguilar, a sophomore, mentioned.
Governor Greg Abbott
Abbott didn’t returned a request for remark from Houston Public Media.
A&M System Chancellor Glenn Hegar
“President Welsh is a person of honor who has led Texas A&M with selfless dedication,” A&M Chancellor Glenn Hegar mentioned in a information launch Thursday night. “We’re grateful for his service and contributions. On the identical time, we agree that now’s the correct second to make a change and to place Texas A&M for continued excellence within the years forward.”
The Texas A&M System Board of Regents will appoint an interim president and start the seek for a brand new president within the coming days, in line with the Thursday information launch.
