COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents will hold a special-called meeting Tuesday, April 7, to discuss candidates for the university’s next permanent president, more than six months after the controversial ousting of former President Mark A. Welsh III.
President Mark A. Welsh III and his wife Betty are greeted by A&M faculty and students as he leaves campus after resigning on Sept. 19, 2025.(Credit: Cassie Stricker for The Texas Tribune)
The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at the Board of Regents Annex on the Texas A&M campus in College Station.
According to the posted agenda, the sole item is a discussion of the search for a new university president, including a review of candidates. The board is expected to meet in executive session under the Texas Open Meetings Act to deliberate on candidates. The agenda says no action will be taken at that meeting.
The search for a permanent president has been underway since Welsh resigned Sept. 19, 2025, following a viral video controversy involving a classroom discussion about gender identity. Welsh had initially declined to fire the professor involved, drawing sharp public criticism from conservative state leaders, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The professor was later fired and the dean and department head of the college was demoted.
As more information is made known, it is clear that @TAMU President Mark Welsh did not handle the recent situation concerning a student and a professor who was fired yesterday as he should have. His ambivalence on the issue and his dismissal of the student’s concerns by…
— Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (@LtGovTX) September 11, 2025
A separation agreement obtained through a public records request revealed Texas A&M paid Welsh more than $3.5 million following his resignation. Welsh’s contract ran through December 2028, with an annual salary of $1.1 million, plus additional retention bonuses and a housing allowance.
Dr. James Hallmark, vice chancellor for academic affairs, briefly served as acting president before the board unanimously approved former state Senator Tommy Williams as interim president in October 2025.
A&M Interim President Tommy Williams vows stability, continuity during first media appearance(KBTX)
Board Chairman Robert Albritton said in October that the timeline for the permanent presidential search remained open-ended, emphasizing the board was focused on getting it right.
Texas A&M is one of the largest universities in the country, with more than 74,000 students enrolled at its College Station flagship campus.
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