Fall 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of Texas A&M formally
admitting women and enrolling black students into the university, a
milestone that is being recognized this semester through a series of
on-campus events.
Before 1963, a handful of women, daughters of faculty and a few wives of male students, were attending classes, and that year females were enrolled on a limited basis. It wasn't until 1971 that Texas A&M opened its doors to all women, regardless of their connection to the university or the male-female student ratio.
Full admittance of black male students began in
1963 and both admittance policies were implemented under then-president
Gen. James Earl Rudder.
On Oct. 16, a panel discussion titled "Pioneers in a Journey Toward Inclusion" will take place from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will feature former A&M students who were among the first accepted under the new admission guidelines.
Moderating the panel will be Sunny Nash, Class of '77, who was one of the first black women to earn her degree at A&M. Since graduation, Nash has become an author, photographer and producer.
In addition to Nash, speakers will include:
Sammy Williams, Class of 1968: One of the first black football players at Texas A&M who now works for the Caring Aggie Mentorship Program in Houston.
Daniel Hernandez, Class of 1973: First Hispanic assistant director of admissions, the affirmative action office, assistant general counsel and associate vice chancellor.
Carri Baker Wells, Class of 1984: Among first Texas A&M Diamond Darlings, a female student support group for the Aggie Baseball team.
All of the panelists will deliver remarks about their experiences as pioneers of sorts and will speak to the significance of diversity and inclusion.
The panel event is one of several "hallmark events" planned, the first of which took place on Sept. 10, when Mae Jemison, the first black female astronaut, came to speak.
The final hallmark event, "Day of Engagement," is scheduled for Nov. 13 and will feature Julian Bond, a distinguished adjunct professor at American University who is known for his work as an American social activist and leader in the civil rights movement, and Ernie Cortés Jr., Class of 1962, who serves as the Industrial Areas Foundation co-chair and executive director of the West/Southwest IAF regional network and is a nationally recognized community organizer, social advocate, and political activist.
Before 1963, a handful of women, daughters of faculty and a few wives of male students, were attending classes, and that year females were enrolled on a limited basis. It wasn't until 1971 that Texas A&M opened its doors to all women, regardless of their connection to the university or the male-female student ratio.
On Oct. 16, a panel discussion titled "Pioneers in a Journey Toward Inclusion" will take place from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will feature former A&M students who were among the first accepted under the new admission guidelines.
Moderating the panel will be Sunny Nash, Class of '77, who was one of the first black women to earn her degree at A&M. Since graduation, Nash has become an author, photographer and producer.
In addition to Nash, speakers will include:
Sammy Williams, Class of 1968: One of the first black football players at Texas A&M who now works for the Caring Aggie Mentorship Program in Houston.
Daniel Hernandez, Class of 1973: First Hispanic assistant director of admissions, the affirmative action office, assistant general counsel and associate vice chancellor.
Carri Baker Wells, Class of 1984: Among first Texas A&M Diamond Darlings, a female student support group for the Aggie Baseball team.
All of the panelists will deliver remarks about their experiences as pioneers of sorts and will speak to the significance of diversity and inclusion.
The panel event is one of several "hallmark events" planned, the first of which took place on Sept. 10, when Mae Jemison, the first black female astronaut, came to speak.
The final hallmark event, "Day of Engagement," is scheduled for Nov. 13 and will feature Julian Bond, a distinguished adjunct professor at American University who is known for his work as an American social activist and leader in the civil rights movement, and Ernie Cortés Jr., Class of 1962, who serves as the Industrial Areas Foundation co-chair and executive director of the West/Southwest IAF regional network and is a nationally recognized community organizer, social advocate, and political activist.
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