COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III is stepping down this week following a tumultuous time at the university.
Welsh will be stepping down effective Friday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. according to Chancellor Glenn Hegar and the TAMU Board of Regents.
What they're saying:
"President Welsh is a man of honor who has led Texas A&M with selfless dedication," said Chancellor Hegar. "We are grateful for his service and contributions. At the same time, we agree that now is the right moment to make a change and to position Texas A&M for continued excellence in the years ahead."
Board of Regents Chairman Robert Albritton added: "General Welsh’s legacy of leadership and service is one that the Aggie family will always remember. The Board of Regents is united in ensuring that this transition strengthens the university’s future and keeps Texas A&M true to its mission and values."
Welsh has been president of the university since December 2023, and had previously served as interim president since July 2023.
Welsh shared a statement about his stepping down on Friday, saying serving as president of Texas A&M "for even a minute is an incredible privilege" and "doing it for two years has been a remarkable gift".
"Members of the Aggie Family,
Howdy! When I was first appointed as President of Texas A&M University, I told then Chancellor John Sharp and our Board of Regents that I would serve as well as I possibly could until it was time for someone else to take over. Over the past few days, it’s become clear that now is that time. On many occasions, I’ve told people that serving as President of this great university for even a minute is an incredible privilege. Doing it for two years has been a remarkable gift.
My sincere thanks to Chancellors John Sharp and Glenn Hegar, along with the members of our Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, for giving me that opportunity.
Thanks to my friends and colleagues who serve as members of the university cabinet, superbly leading all the mission areas that give our campuses life and meaning. Thanks to our deans, department heads, world-class faculty and staff, dedicated coaches, administrators and contractors who make those mission areas successful and serve so many, so well, each and every day.
And a special thanks to our unbelievable students. You make this university whole. You give it a pulse. You bring it light. Thank you for constantly reminding me that living our Core Values lays the foundation for a life of value. Thanks for showing me that respecting others is the front door to a respected life. Thanks for teaching me that the Aggie Honor Code is simply a calling to a life of honor. And thanks for proving, over and over again, that the 12th Man is an exceptional training program for the Aggie Network.
Most importantly, thanks to Texas A&M University. I will always see you as a shining city on a hill; a wonderful place that welcomed Betty and me into its family; a place that shaped our children, and now our grandchildren, in a wonderful, values-based way; a place where history, tradition, pride, legacy and belief in something bigger than yourself swirl around you as you walk the campus. You have always inspired me … and I’m gonna miss you.
Thank YOU and Gig ’em!"
What's next:
In the coming days, the Board of Regents says it will initiate a national search for a permanent president and appoint an interim president to "ensure a seamless transition".
What's been happening at Texas A&M?
The backstory:
Welsh stepping down comes just over a week after he demoted two university administrators for apparently allowing course content that was not consistent with class descriptions.
Welsh announced the demotions earlier this month of "key leaders" in the university's College of Arts and Sciences, attributing them to misleading course descriptions and saying the school must keep its word and prevent students from being let down.
After the two administrators were demoted, a professor was terminated. Chancellor Hegar, in a statement, said the termination was due to the professor failing to align her course description with her actual course content.
Viral confrontation video
The demotions and firing followed a viral video showing a student confronting a professor over alleged LGBTQ content in a children's literature course.
The video, which doesn't identify any involved parties, appears to show a Texas A&M instructor defending such content.
Texas A&M course audit
Following the demotions and termination, the Board of Regents called for Chancellor Hegar to audit every course across the university system's campuses.
The Board says this is to ensure compliance with all applicable laws.
State lawmakers call for terminations
The viral video prompted state lawmakers to call for terminations.
Gov. Greg Abbott called for the firing of "the professor who acted contrary to Texas law" in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
State Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian), a former Aggie himself, didn't consider Abbott's stance aggressive enough, instead calling for Welsh himself to be fired.
Harrison has been a vocal opponent of LGBTQ coursework at Texas A&M.
Harrison also shared audio on X allegedly of a conversation between Welsh and a student, in which Welsh allegedly confirms Texas A&M has LGBTQ-related coursework.
In his post, Harrison says Welsh "even recommended creating a new ‘PROFESSIONAL TRACK FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO STUDY LGBTQ LITERATURE!’" and that he snapped back at the student, "THERE ARE LGBTQ COURSES HERE AND HAVE BEEN FOR A LONG TIME!"
Is teaching LGBT content legal in Texas?
Dig deeper:
In the video of the classroom confrontation, the student references an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, titled "DEFENDING WOMEN FROM GENDER IDEOLOGY EXTREMISM AND RESTORING BIOLOGICAL TRUTH TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT."
In part, the order prevents federal funds from being used to promote gender ideology. It also defines gender as male and female, excluding any other identities.
In 2023, Texas banned DEI offices and programs at public universities.
On Jan. 1, 2026, Senate Bill 37 will go into effect, giving regents more power over course content in public universities.
The Source: Information in this report comes from Texas A&M University and previous reporting by FOX Texas Digital.