President Messages

Howdy!

 

Imagine that your 2020 self was magically transported to campus today. As impressed as you would be with Buckyball and being #1 in the SEC basketball standings, you’d probably be even more pleasantly surprised to see the reforms we dreamed about for our campus finally coming to fruition.

 

As much attention as we pay to the hardwood and field, it is the classroom that defines an academic institution and determines the future of our state and nation. Last month, Texas A&M administrators announced significant curricular reforms which included eliminating portions of courses which had advocated for radical race and gender ideologies which were incompatible with objective reality, the values of most Texans, and the mission of our university. In a few extreme cases, entire courses and majors will be eliminated while allowing current students the choice to complete them or switch to a better option.

 

Naturally, the media and the faculty unions are howling mad. A manufactured story that conservatives at Texas A&M want to “ban Plato” of all things was planted in most major US newspapers. In the not too distant past, that would have been enough to weaken the knees of campus leadership and block any further reform. But no more–thanks to YOU. Your support of TRA and sharing your views with your legislators has helped change the game. Public universities are beginning to belong to and serve the public again. You can read about the Plato story on my blog, and this brief Facebook podcast or article from a TRA member student.

 

With your support and a generous matching gift challenge, we’ve initiated a grant process for Aggie student organizations to support those which are most committed to promoting and sustaining our Core Values and Traditions. Throughout our state, campus, and quad, positive changes are in the air. 

 

You’ll want to hear more about these directly from Texas Higher Education Committee Vice-Chair Senator Mayes Middleton, our new Chancellor Glenn Hegar '93, our new Commandant, LtGen Chip Bierman, and a few of our amazing Aggie students at The Rudder Association’s Annual Meeting on Saturday, February 28th from 9AM to 1PM. It’s free to members and lunch is on us. But you’ll need to buy tickets soon for the 3 PM tu game that day if you want to see us sweep the horns home and away for the first time since my fish year forty years ago.

 

Texas A&M is leading higher education back to its mission and is fortunate to have TRA. We have a great group of board members and officers. But we need to plan for the future, so send us an email at admin@rudderassociation.org with your CV and/or a brief background if you are interested in serving.

As we forge ahead, your continued support is paramount. The Rudder Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your tax deductible annual dues and donations allow us to be your voice in Aggieland and protect the values and traditions we hold so dear. Thank you for your dedication to Texas A&M University and your steadfast support of The Rudder Association.

 

Gig 'em!

Matt Poling ’90
President, The Rudder Association