View source for Texas A&M University–Texarkana

{{Short description|Public university in Texarkana, Texas, U.S.}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Texas A&M University–Texarkana
| image = Texas A&M University–Texarkana seal.svg
| image_upright = 0.7
| established = 1971
| type = Public university
| president = Ross Alexander
| provost = Melinda Arnold <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://txktoday.com/news/education/am-texarkana-names-new-provost-and-vice-president-for-academic-affairs/|title = A&M-Texarkana Names New Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs|date = December 2020}}</ref>
| city = [[Texarkana, Texas]]
| country = U,S,
| students = 2,112 (fall 2022)
| faculty = 132
| campus = Urban, {{cvt|375|acres}}
| former_names = East Texas State University Center at Texarkana (1971–1996)
| colors = Maroon, navy and gold<ref>{{cite manual |url=https://tamut.edu/about/Administration/University-Advancement/TAMUT%20Style%20Guide-2017-18.pdf |title=Texas A&M University–Texarkana |access-date=September 22, 2022}}</ref><br>{{color box|#7A303F}}&nbsp;{{color box|#011E41}}&nbsp;{{color box|#CC9800}}
| sports_nickname = Eagles
| athletics_affiliations = [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] – [[Red River Athletic Conference|RRAC]]
| logo = Texas A&M University–Texarkana wordmark.svg
| logo_size = 100
| website = {{url|www.tamut.edu}}
}}

'''Texas A&M University–Texarkana''' ('''A&M–Texarkana''') is a [[public university]] in [[Texarkana, Texas]], United States. It is part of the [[Texas A&M University System]].

Students who reside in [[Oklahoma]] and [[Arkansas]] attend at in-state tuition rates, and historically 30 percent of the student body is from [[Arkansas]]. Louisiana residents who reside in a parish that borders Texas may also attend at in-state tuition rates.

== History ==
A&M–Texarkana first opened with 323 students in 1971 as '''East Texas State University Center at Texarkana''', an upper-level branch of the main East Texas State University (ETSU) in [[Commerce, Texas]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://catalog.tamut.edu/administration/mission-vision-strategic-plan/|title=University Profile|website=Texas A&M University-Texarkana|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kct51|title=TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-TEXARKANA|last=Young|first=Nancy Beck|date=2010-06-15|website=Texas State Historical Association|language=en|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref> It originally shared a campus with local community college [[Texarkana College]] and "was established to provide third and fourth-year college instruction for people residing in an isolated region."<ref name=":1" /> The university received separate accreditation in 1980, and when ETSU joined the Texas A&M System as [[East Texas A&M University|Texas A&M University–Commerce]] (now East Texas A&M University) in September 1996, the Texarkana branch became a separate institution and was renamed to '''Texas A&M University–Texarkana'''.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

The university became a four-year college with graduate programs in 2010, moving to its new and current campus near Bringle Lake Park.<ref name=":0" />

In the late 2010s, the university received large funding grants from the state legislature, including $32 million worth of building construction in 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.magnoliareporter.com/education/colleges_universities/article_41e89108-0fcd-11e5-a441-ff78ea5fe00b.html|title=TXKToday.com : TAMU-Texarkana expects $32 million for nursing and academic programs|last=Walsh|first=Field|date=2015-06-10|website=Magnolia Reporter - Magnolia, Arkansas News|language=en|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref> supported by State Representative [[Gary VanDeaver]] and Speaker of the Texas House [[Joe Straus]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news-journal.com/news/local/texas-a-m-texarkana-breaks-ground-on-new-buildings/article_1f54faa2-16eb-5271-a987-5b5390176437.html|title=Texas A&M-Texarkana breaks ground on new buildings|last=Middleton|first=Jennifer|website=Longview News-Journal|language=en|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref> and a 2019 $3.6 million funding addition for new academic programs, including support from VanDeaver and State Senator [[Bryan Hughes (politician)|Bryan Hughes]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.1017hotfm.com/news/local-news/aandm-texarkana-secures-3-6-million-for-new-academic-programs/|title=A&M-Texarkana Secures $3.6 Million for New Academic Programs|website=Hot FM|language=en|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref>

As a response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]], the university transitioned to online classes for the spring 2020 semester<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/texarkana-news/tamut-transitions-to-online-classes-due-to-covid-19/|title=TAMUT transitions to online classes due to COVID-19|last=Simone|first=Sydney|date=2020-03-24|website=ArkLaTexHomepage|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref> and donated test kits to local hospitals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lightandchampion.com/news/am-texarkana-donates-110-covid-19-test-kits-local-hospitals|title=A&M-Texarkana Donates 110 COVID-19 Test Kits to Local Hospitals|date=2020-04-09|website=Center Light and Champion|language=en|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref>

== Academics ==
A&M–Texarkana is a member of the [[Texas A&M University System]] and is governed by its Board of Regents. The university's current president is Ross Alexander and provost Melinda Arnold is the academic head.

A&M–Texarkana is organized into two academic colleges which both offer undergraduate and graduate programs, the College of Arts, Sciences and Education and the College of Business, Engineering, and Technology. Combined, the colleges provide 18 undergraduate [[Academic major|majors]], 20 [[master's degree]] programs, and several Extended Education and Community Development programs (for certifications without a degree).

In 2013, A&M–Texarkana and [[Northeast Texas Community College]] signed a matriculation agreement between their bachelor and associate nursing programs, respectively,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gilmermirror.com/view/full_story/22723459/article-NTCC--A-M-Texarkana-sign-articulation-agreement-in-nursing?|title=NTCC, A&M-Texarkana sign articulation agreement in nursing|date=2013|website=The Gilmer Mirror|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref> followed by a dual admissions agreement between A&M-Texarkana and [[Texarkana College]] in 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texarkanacollege.edu/2014/10/28/tc-and-texas-am-university-texarkana-sign-dual-admissions-agreement/|title=TC and Texas A&M University-Texarkana sign dual admissions agreement|date=2014-10-28|website=Texarkana College|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref> and one between A&M–Texarkana and [[Paris Junior College]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ksstradio.com/2015/04/pjc-am-texarkana-sign-dual-admissions-agreement/|title=PJC, A&M-Texarkana Sign Dual Admissions Agreement|date=2015-04-03|website=KSST Radio|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref>  The College of Arts, Sciences and Education is partnered with all three of the above as well as [[Collin College]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tamut.edu/Academics/Colleges-and-Departments/CASE/Partnerships.html|title=Partnerships|website=TAMUT|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>

In 2015, local ophthalmic group Texarkana Eye Associates partnered with the university to offer an ophthalmic assistant/optician training course, which was then offered beginning in 2016 as a professional (not for credit) course.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://invisionmag.com/texas-a-m-university-texarkana-to-offer-ophthalmic-assistant-optician-training/|title=Texas A&M University-Texarkana to Offer Ophthalmic Assistant/Optician Training|last=INVISION Staff|date=2016-12-05|website=Invision Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tamut.edu/EECD/Professional-Not-For-Credit-Courses-and-Certificates/Ophthalmic-Assistant-Optician.html|title=Ophthalmic /Optician Course|website=TAMUT|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref>

In 2019 the History Department launched the Red River Center for Regional History and Culture to support the collection, preservation, exchange, and dissemination of locally and regionally significant materials relating to history and culture in the Red River area, including southeast Oklahoma, northeast Texas, southwest Arkansas, and northwest Louisiana.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Red River Center for Regional History and Culture {{!}} www.tamut.edu|url=https://www.tamut.edu/Academics/Colleges-and-Departments/CASE/Undergraduate-Programs/History/RRCRHC.html|access-date=2021-02-20|website=www.tamut.edu}}</ref>

In 2020, A&M–Texarkana announced that it would launch a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering 2020 beginning fall 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/texarkana/story/2020/jan/24/am-texarkana-announces-addition-bachelors-degree-mechanical-engineering/813642/|title=A&M-Texarkana announces addition of Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering|website=Texarkana Gazette|language=en|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>

==Campus==
[[File:Texas A&M University–Texarkana April 2016 08 (University Center and Science & Technology Building).jpg|thumb|The University Center and the Science & Technology Building at A&M–Texarkana]]

[[File:Texas A&M University–Texarkana April 2016 19.jpg|thumb|The A&M–Texarkana campus]]

The Texarkana metropolitan area is located one hour (72 miles) from Shreveport, Louisiana, two hours (145 miles) from Little Rock, Arkansas, and less than three hours (180 miles) from Dallas, Texas.

Until 2010, the university shared the same campus with [[Texarkana College]]. On this campus, buildings included the construction of the A. M. and Welma Aikin Learning Center in 1978, a library in 1983, and a Center for Professional Development in 1985.<ref name=":1" />

In 2004, the university acquired 375 acres of land as a gift from the City of Texarkana, Texas (300 acres), and the Anita and Truman Arnold Foundation (75 acres). The university received funding from the Texas Legislature for the construction of buildings at the new campus near Bringle Lake in Texarkana, Texas.

Construction of the new campus began in 2006. Six buildings have been built: Science & Technology, University Center, Central Plant, Bringle Lake Village, the Student Recreation Center, and the Building for Academic and Student Services, completed in 2019.<ref name=":0"/> Bringle Lake Village is a 294-bed furnished residence hall that features many amenities, including an in-ground swimming pool, sand volleyball court, and fitness center. Students have three-floor plans from which to choose.

Its library is named after founding president John F. Moss.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tamut.edu/Library-Services/About/index.html|title=John F. Moss Library Overview|website=TAMUT|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>

==Athletics==
The Texas A&M–Texarkana (TAMUT) athletic teams are called the Eagles. The university is a member of the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA), primarily competing in the [[Red River Athletic Conference]] (RRAC) since the 2016–17 academic year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.redriverconference.com/article/1650.php |title=TEXAS A&M-TEXARKANA JOINS RRAC AS NEW CONFERENCE MEMBER IN 2016-17 |date=June 13, 2016 |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref> The Eagles previously competed as an [[NAIA independent schools|NAIA Independent]] within the Association of Independent Institutions (AII) from 2014–15 (the same season when it began its athletics program and joined the NAIA) to 2015–16.

TAMUT competes in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, and tennis; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.

===History===
The university added the intercollegiate athletics program in 2014 with women's soccer and men's & women's tennis. Texas A&M–Texarkana continued to expand the offerings with baseball in 2015, and men's soccer in 2016. It also announced the addition of softball in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Fernanda |last=Hernandez |newspaper=TXK Today |url=https://txktoday.com/news/texas-am-university-texarkana-announces-major-contribution-for-new-softball-program/ |title=Texas A&M University-Texarkana announces major contribution for new softball program |date=September 13, 2016 |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref> The university announced the addition of men's and women's basketball for the 2019–20 academic year, bringing the total number of intercollegiate sports to eight.<ref name="bballadd">{{Cite news |first=Jayme |last=Vaughan |newspaper=TXK Today |url=https://txktoday.com/news/am-texarkana-athletics-to-add-mens-and-womens-basketball/ |title=A&M-Texarkana athletics to add men's and women's basketball |date=February 11, 2019 |access-date=January 8, 2020}}</ref>

===Accomplishments===
Both the men's baseball and women's soccer teams have made appearances in post-season tournaments. In addition, nearly all of the sports teams have appeared in RRAC conference tournaments, and the men's tennis team has appeared in the NAIA national tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tamuteagles.com/article/534.php|title=MEN'S TENNIS SHOWS VALIANT EFFORT AT NATIONAL TOURNAMENT {{!}} Texas A&M University-Texarkana Athletics|website=www.tamuteagles.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>

==Student life==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: Texas A&M University-Texarkana|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?224545-Texas-A-M-University-Texarkana|website=College Scorecard |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=June 30, 2025 }}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|49|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|19|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|18|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|6|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|5|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:grey}} 
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|51|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|49|%|2||background:black}}
|}
There are over 30 recognized student organizations at A&M–Texarkana.

===National honorary societies===
* [[Beta Beta Beta]] (Biology)
* [[Chi Sigma Iota]] (Counseling)
* [[Beta Gamma Sigma]] (Business)
* [[Kappa Delta Pi]] (Education)
* [[Phi Alpha Theta]] (History)
* [[Psi Chi]] (Psychology)
* [[Sigma Tau Delta]] (English)
* [[Alpha Chi]] (Honors)

===Fraternities and sororities===
* Omega Delta Chi sorority
* [[Zeta Phi Beta]] sorority
* [[Alpha Sigma Alpha]] sorority
* [[Phi Lambda Chi]] fraternity

==Notable people==
===Alumni===
* [[Stephen J. Frost]], BS-History, Democratic member of the [[Texas House of Representatives]] from [[Maud, Texas|Maud]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Stephen_Frost|title=Stephen Frost|work=ballotpedia.org|access-date=February 11, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Martha Whitehead]], MBA, former mayor of Longview, Texas and [[Texas State Treasurer]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tamut.edu/Alumni/Office-of-Alumni-Relations/Previous-Honorees-Distinguished-Alumni-and-Faculty-Awards.html|title=Previous Honorees Distinguished Alumni and Faculty Awards|website=Texas A&M University-Texarkana - Official Website|access-date=2021-04-25}}</ref>
* [[Erwin Cain]], BS, Republican member of the [[Texas House of Representatives]] from [[Sulphur Springs, Texas|Sulphur Springs]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.erwincain.com/Home/About|title=About Erwin|publisher=erwincain.com|access-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Bob Bruggeman]], BBA, Mayor of Texarkana<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ci.texarkana.tx.us/302/Bob-Bruggeman-Mayor|title=Bob Bruggeman, Mayor|website=Texarkana, TX - Official Website|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref>

===Faculty===
*[[Benjamin Neuman]], biologist and [[coronavirus]] expert<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tribtoday.com/news/local-news/2020/05/niles-native-texas-am-professor-plays-role-in-naming-virus/ | title=Niles native, Texas A&M professor plays role in naming virus }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.pbs.org/video/dr-ben-neuman-c9pxm4/| title = COVID-19: The Texas A&M System Responds {{!}} Dr. Ben Neuman {{!}} Episode 3| website = [[PBS]]}}</ref>
* [[Parag K. Lala]], electrical engineer and textbook author <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B001HPQ20O?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&searchAlias=stripbooks&sort=date-desc-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader | title=Parag K. Lala | website=Amazon }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{noteslist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Texas A&M University–Texarkana}}
* {{Official website|https://www.tamut.edu}}
* [http://www.tamuteagles.com TAMUT athletics website]

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[[Category:Texas A&M University–Texarkana| ]]
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