At Texas A&M, we have many faculty members with impressive CVs, filled with long lists of impressive accomplishments. Some of their innovations and advances are so extraordinary that we could truly call them works of genius. However, at the moment there is only one professor at our university who can claim that he has officially been recognized with a “genius grant” from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Week 8. You did it! This week is officially the halfway point in the semester and our campuses remain open and operational, with in-person and remote classes.

Today we announced the membership and charge of a comprehensive Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as indicated in a recent message to the Aggie community accompanying a list of other specific actions underway to contribute to the climate at Texas A&M and combat racism.

 I, along with my leadership team, have worked hard over the past few years to address so many of the challenges our campus and our community have experienced with regard to racism. But we know it is not enough and never has that been more clear than at this moment.

Our leadership team is aware of heart-wrenching stories posted by Aggies who have experienced racism first-hand on our campus. Your stories are painful but important for us to read and, of course, we know that they are much more painful for you to experience and share.

As the semester draws to a close, I cannot thank you enough for your flexibility and resilience, especially over the past six weeks. Just thinking about how you – the largest student body in the nation – rapidly responded to so many changes is both humbling and awe-inspiring.

During this extraordinary moment for our university, we are dedicated to continuing our most sacred and solemn tradition. Throughout the university’s history, Muster has been an important way to remember and revere the lives of every individual by holding them in our collective memories.

In recent weeks, our news feeds have been dominated by stories about the coronavirus (COVID-19). Behind the scenes at Texas A&M, many other stories are unfolding.

These are the stories of hope and healing, of triumph over tragedy, of great compassion and selfless service. They are stories of faculty and staff who have risen to the occasion, of scholars and researchers creating innovations - sometimes by the hour - to meet emerging needs, of students who serve, of leading experts providing essential advice, of Aggies going above and beyond the call of duty.

Today we launch a new site, Texas A&M Responds: COVID-19, created to house these exceptional stories in one place, to include some featured globally. Many more stories will be added here.

Howdy Ags,

As loyal members of the Texas A&M community, I wanted you to have the latest information about our response to the coronavirus situation, which you can find in great detail at the Central TAMU COVID-19 site.

Dear A&M Community,

Please see this attached message as leaders from across the university join me in relaying the importance of living our core value of respect in person and online now more than ever.

Students,

Yesterday, Governor Abbott held a news conference to brief on measures that he and other state leaders are taking to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including not leaving home unless necessary. He did not order a state-wide shelter in place of residence to allow counties the option to do so on a county-by-county basis.

Given that Dallas and McLennan Counties have announced their own shelter in place of residence orders, and others may follow suit very soon, all students may want to consider returning to their family home residences.

I would like to express my tremendous gratitude to everyone helping us mobilize the entire university in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a matter of days, your heroic efforts have helped us fundamentally change everything we do – from educating our students, to conducting research, to maintaining essential business operations.

As a valued member of the Texas A&M community, I want to inform you about a change in policy that will be taking place on our campus in the New Year. To make our university a better environment for everyone, beginning on January 1, 2020, we will become a smoke-free and tobacco-free campus.

Thank you to everyone who attended the State of the University Address. It was wonderful to see so many students, faculty and staff there to celebrate our many accomplishments over the past year.

Last week, during a trip to San Diego, I looked down from the deck of the JOIDES Resolution and was reminded that an incredible treasure trove of our research and discovery is conducted deep below the surface.

I appreciate and enjoy the opportunity to speak with faculty, as their experiences and insights are so valuable. I always learn something. As July Fourth approaches, I asked our outstanding Professor of Communication Jennifer Mercieca, a world-renowned expert in political rhetoric, to give us her take on this quintessential American holiday.

It saddens me to address our Texas A&M University community about racist remarks made by two students in a 37-second social media video that went viral over the weekend. This behavior is abhorrent and against the core values that we share and to which we aspire in all we do, including those of respect, excellence and integrity.

Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young has released the following statement regarding Director of Athletics Scott Woodward:

I am delighted to announce that the recipients of the 2019 President's Meritorious Service Awards have been selected. These awards recognize and award staff for their commendable service to Texas A&M.

Texas A&M is returning to the South By Southwest Festival (SXSW) March 10-13 to showcase our remarkable research, innovations and thought leadership on a global stage.

Our university suffered a loss last week with the passing of scholar, author and renowned Aggie historian Henry Clay Dethloff, a professor emeritus of history at Texas A&M who literally wrote the book (among many works) on our institution – A Centennial History of Texas A&M University: 1876-1976.

Last summer we heard from many inside and outside of the Aggie family about the issue of sexual assault on our campus. In response, I ordered two reviews – one internal and one external – to examine our existing processes and policies and to research examples of evidence-based practices.  On August 20, 2018, we announced a set of approved actions, including eleven actions put into immediate effect, and four areas of continued work related to enhancing our Title IX (TIX) investigations. 

I would like to provide you with a status update, nearly six months on, regarding the announced actions and areas of study and continued work.

This month, we were very pleased to see that the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) awarded Texas A&M its highest rating for free speech, making ours one of only 45 universities nationwide — and the only in Texas — to achieve such a designation. FIRE's "green light" status means the organization has determined our written policies fully align with the First Amendment.

It is my great honor and pleasure to write to you today in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Aggie War Hymn, one of Texas A&M's most valued and well-known traditions.

This week you will hear the Albritton bell tower play the song every day at noon.

Thank you to all those who were able to attend yesterday’s State of the University Address. It was a pleasure to see so many Texas A&M students, faculty and staff there to celebrate the many successes of our great institution. 

This month, Marti and I, along with a group of Aggies, had the distinct honor of placing U.S. and Texas A&M flags upon the graves of 15 Aggies buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, as well as flags for three Aggies listed on the Wall of the Missing. It was my first trip to that cemetery and it truly was a life-changing experience.

I would like to update you on actions taken since last week’s announcement regarding two comprehensive reviews – one by an internal task force and another separately by an external third-party – related to sexual assault cases reported on our campus.

The safety and security of students at Texas A&M is our number one priority. As many of you are aware, the serious issue of sexual assault involving college students has intensified in recent online discussions, highlighting a problem that plagues universities across our country and here on campus as well.

It is my pleasure to congratulate all Aggies who have completed the academic year, especially our spring graduates. Your hard work and dedication during your college career has come to fruition.

Muster is one of Texas A&M’s most solemn traditions and as we approach the event this weekend, I am moved to share with you just how proud I am to be a part of the university community.

Aggies have heavy hearts at the passing of Barbara Bush.

By any standard, Mrs. Bush was a role model, dedicated to the betterment of our nation through public service, along with her husband, George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States.

Staff Appreciation week is around the corner, April 23-28, with daily events. Marti and I invite you to join in the festivities and we look forward to visiting with you!

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and I invite you to learn more about Texas A&M's award-winning program, Step In Stand Up so you can join in our efforts to prevent sexual violence and support survivors.

I am pleased to announce the 2018 winners of the President's Meritorious Service Awards. This prestigious award recognizes the extraordinary work and dedication of Texas A&M staff members. Please join me in congratulating these superb employees for their outstanding service to our university!

As you may have seen, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) announced today that the first football game for Texas A&M will take place on August 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Kyle Field against Northwestern State.

The spring semester is under way and it is wonderful to see you back on campus ready to learn, explore and enjoy all our great university has to offer.

This spring at Texas A&M means many exciting events, opportunities and new places to visit on campus.

One of the core missions of our great university is service to the state of Texas. Three months following Hurricane Harvey, there are still many people struggling to recover. We want students and their families in this situation to have renewed hope for the future, including the option of attending a world-class university like Texas A&M.

As the day of your graduation approaches, I would like to personally congratulate you on obtaining your degree from one of the nation's finest institutions. What an outstanding accomplishment and one of which you should be so proud.

I ask all Texas A&M University students, faculty, staff to pause and remember the 12 fallen Aggies who lost their lives 18 years ago on Nov. 18 at 2:42 a.m. in the collapse of the Aggie Bonfire.

For several weeks, Texas A&M has engaged with members of Congress and their staff regarding the effects of the proposed tax legislation.

On this Veterans Day on behalf of the entire Aggie community, I want to recognize all of our current and former veteran students, faculty and staff, as well as all of our nation’s veterans, for their service to our nation. 

What a wonderful honor it was this weekend to help host all five living former U.S. Presidents Carter, Bush 41, Bush 43, Clinton and Obama here in College Station for the One America Appeal concert to raise money for hurricane victims. I am so proud of the staff throughout campus who worked tirelessly in support of this historic event and am proud of the unity, love and selfless service that the event represented in general.

I am eager to share exciting news with you all. Dr. Carrie L. Byington has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.

We have been able to assist more than 175 Aggies to date through the University Disaster Relief Fund and are so grateful to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Commissioner Greg Sankey’s leadership for providing initial funding, as well as many of you who responded with donations. As mentioned, these are one-time payments to assist with the cost of books, food or clothing.

Thank you to many of you who have stepped in to help our students and employees facing hardship from Hurricane Harvey. Your contributions – in addition to help from our friends at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) – are being processed quickly to get funds into the hands of those who need it. We were able to distribute funds over the weekend.