College Station, Texas, September 19, 2025
News Summary
Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III will resign following a controversy triggered by a viral video of a student and professor discussing gender identity. The fallout from the confrontation, highlighted by Texas Republican Representative Brian Harrison’s call for termination, has led to immense public scrutiny and political pressure. The university’s Board of Regents plans to initiate a national search for a new president while appointing an interim leader. Student reactions are mixed, reflecting diverse opinions about Welsh’s leadership amidst this challenging backdrop.
Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III to Resign Amid Controversy
College Station, Texas – Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III will officially step down from his position by Friday at 5 p.m. Welsh’s resignation follows a week of controversy initiated by a viral video showing a confrontation between a student and a professor regarding gender-related material in a children’s literature course.
The outcry began when Texas Republican State Representative Brian Harrison shared the video and supplemental materials on social media, calling for the termination of Welsh and the professor for what he described as “DEI and LGBTQ indoctrination.” In the video, a female student voices her discomfort with the gender identity discussions in class due to her religious beliefs. Meanwhile, the professor contended that the teaching was legal and aligned with the course description.
A Texas law effective September 1 prohibits K-12 schools from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity; however, the legislation does not apply to universities. Despite this distinction, the controversy has led to significant political pressure and public scrutiny.
Comments from University Officials
Chancellor Glen Hegar acknowledged Welsh as a man of honor and expressed gratitude for his service while underscoring the necessity for a change in leadership. The Texas A&M Board of Regents has announced plans to conduct a national search for a new permanent president and will appoint an interim president to facilitate a smooth transition.
Students at Texas A&M have expressed surprise and mixed feelings regarding Welsh’s resignation and its potential implications. Student Patricio Riddle noted that while he did not anticipate Welsh’s departure, he recognizes it may have been the best course of action.
Background of Welsh’s Tenure
Welsh, who assumed the role of president initially on an interim basis in July 2023 before being appointed permanently in December, indicated that the course content was inconsistent with course descriptions, which led to the firing of the involved professor. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick criticized Welsh’s handling of the situation, stating it was unacceptable.
Welsh’s resignation marks another instance of leadership change at Texas A&M, which continues to grapple with political pressures and the implications of public scrutiny.
FAQ
What position will Mark A. Welsh III be resigning from?
Mark A. Welsh III will officially step down from his position as Texas A&M University President.
When is Welsh’s resignation effective?
Welsh’s resignation will take effect by Friday at 5 p.m.
What initiated the controversy surrounding Welsh’s resignation?
The controversy began after a viral video showing a confrontation between a student and a professor regarding gender-related material in a children’s literature course.
What did the video depict?
In the video, a female student expresses her discomfort with the gender identity discussions in the class due to her religious beliefs, while the professor asserts that the teaching is legal and not inconsistent with the course description.
What law affects education about gender identity?
The Texas law that took effect on September 1 forbids K-12 schools from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity but does not apply to universities.
What actions will the Texas A&M Board of Regents take after Welsh’s resignation?
The Texas A&M Board of Regents plans to initiate a national search for a new permanent president and will appoint an interim president to ensure a smooth transition.
How are students at Texas A&M reacting to Welsh’s resignation?
Students at Texas A&M are reacting to Welsh’s resignation with surprise and mixed feelings about its implications.
What did Welsh state about the content taught in the juxtaposed course?
Welsh stated that the content taught was inconsistent with course descriptions, leading to the firing of the professor.
What has Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said about Welsh?
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick criticized Welsh’s handling of the situation, stating it was unacceptable.
Key Features
| Key Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Resignation Effective Date | Friday at 5 p.m. |
| Reason for Resignation | Controversy sparked by a viral video involving a student and professor. |
| Political Involvement | Texas Republican Representative Brian Harrison advocated for termination of Welsh and associated faculty. |
| Student Reactions | Mixed feelings; some surprised, some supportive of the resignation. |
| Next Steps for Board of Regents | Search for new president; appoint interim president. |
| Lieutenant Governor’s Remarks | Criticized Welsh’s handling of the situation as unacceptable. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
College Station ISD Approves New School Boundaries
Texas A&M University President Resigns Amid Controversy
Texas A&M University Faces Backlash Over Instructor Termination
Texas A&M University President Resigns Amid Controversy
Bryan-College Station Community Mourns Local Leaders
Caroline Gunn Rogers Inducted into Texas A&M Sports Hall of Fame
Tragic Domestic Violence Incident in College Station
Cashius Howell on Finishing Strong for Texas A&M
Governor Abbott Introduces New Hemp Regulations
CSISD Approves New Elementary School Boundaries
Additional Resources
- Spectrum Local News: Texas A&M President to Resign
- KXXV: Texas A&M President Resigns After Confrontation
- New York Times: Texas Professor Fired
- Wikipedia: Texas A&M University
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas A&M University
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
