Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III will resign today after major criticism over the fallout from a viral video of a student confronting a professor for teachings “contrary to Texas law.”
The video, shared on social media on September 8, includes audio of a college student questioning former Texas A&M Professor Melissa McCoul, for suggesting there are more than two genders. The student stated that was illegal and contrary to both their religious beliefs and President Donald Trump’s policies.
The student then left the classroom and scheduled an appointment with President Welsh to complain and ask for McCoul to be fired, but Texas A&M president backed up Professor McCoul and told the student that was not going to happen.
The audio of the meeting between the student and Welsh went viral, and it didn’t take a lot of time before Texas leaders like Rep. Brian Harrison, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick weighed in.
Rep. Harrison posted on X, sharing the polemic video, asking the Trump administration to investigate the school and for Abbott to fire anyone from Texas A&M implied.
Welsh fired McCoul the next day and stated that all department courses across the university will undergo an audit, but his decisions did not satisfy Rep. Harrison, or Lt. Gov. Patrick, who believed Welsh didn’t handle the situation properly.
On September 9, Harrison wrote on X, “The PRESIDENT must also be fired.”
“Texas should be leading the fight against leftist indoctrination, not subsidizing it. The liberal president of Texas A&M must be fired and all DEI and LGBTQ indoctrination defunded,” Harrison told Fox News Digital.
Meanwhile, McCoul’s firing sparked backlash from the academic community. Jonathan Friedman of PEN America condemned the decision, saying, “We’re witnessing the death of academic freedom in Texas. Firing academic leaders to appease politicians is excessive and suffocates free speech and open inquiry on campus.”
Leonard Bright, a professor at Texas A&M and vice president of the Texas chapter of the American Association of University Professors, criticized Welsh’s handling of the matter. “He would have had so much respect in the academic community… But his sort of flip-flopping on that really damaged that,” Bright said. “I personally hope that someone in the system [has] more of the courage to politely and respectfully tell our legislative leaders that what you’re asking for we cannot do.”
In the days leading up to Welsh’s resignation, both the university’s top faculty and student government issued letters urging the Texas A&M Board of Regents to retain him.
One letter was signed by the Executive Committee of the University Distinguished Professors, a really distinguished faculty group, stating: “All members of this Committee write this letter collectively to strongly urge you to retain President Mark Welsh in the wake of recent events.”
Another letter, signed by dozens of current and former student leaders, praised Welsh’s character and leadership: “He carries a steadfast love and stewardship for our University, one that inspires our faith and confidence in his leadership.”
Despite this support, Welsh resigned on September 19. The university released a statement from Chancellor Glenn Hegar: “President Welsh is a man of honor who has led Texas A&M with selfless dedication. 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.”
Welsh, a retired four-star general and former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, was appointed Texas A&M’s president in 2023 following the resignation of former President M. Katherine Banks.
“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.” wrote Welsh in an official farewell statement from the university.
Following Welsh’s departure, Board member Robert Albritton confirmed that an interim president would be appointed soon, according to The Houston Chronicle, and a national search for a permanent replacement would begin. “We are united in ensuring that this transition strengthens the university’s future and keeps Texas A&M true to its mission and values,” added Albritton.
