Texas A&M System Regents have named Tommy Williams interim president of the College Station campus.
Williams, a former state legislator, is returning to Texas A&M. He previously served as the Vice-Chancellor for Federal and State Relations for the Texas A&M System after leaving office in 2013. He later worked for Gov. Greg Abbott and currently runs a public affairs company.
Williams is the latest former Republican lawmaker to take a policymaking position at a Texas university.
At A&M, he joins Glenn Hegar, a former comptroller and state senator who recently took over as the system chancellor. Meanwhile, State Sen. Brandon Creighton was just named chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, and former state representative John Zerwas occupies the same position for the University of Texas System.
“Tommy Williams has a deep understanding of the mission of Texas A&M and the values that define our university,” Hegar said of the appointment. “His experience in public service and his commitment to the Aggie community will serve us well as we continue to move forward.”
An interim president became necessary following the recent resignation of former TAMU president Mark Welsh. Welsh left after a controversy over course content in a TAMU children’s literature class that included how to introduce LGBT material to children.
Welsh defended the material and said it was necessary to teach such matters to train potential “psychiatrists” and “school superintendents.”
Following Welsh’s departure, regents named James Hallmark, the A&M system’s vice chancellor for academic affairs, as acting president. Hallmark had previously defended diversity, equity, and inclusion policies as a key factor in “student success.”
Days later, the regents picked Williams as interim president as they now turn to the selection of a permanent president. No announcement was made regarding the details or timeline of this process.
“We’re confident in [Williams] ability to lead the university with steadiness and purpose while we continue the search for a permanent president,” Regent Chairman Robert Albritton said. “Tommy Williams’ respect for the institution, its students, its staff and its faculty along with his understanding of the needs of our state make him the right fit to serve as interim president of our great university.”
Texas A&M at College Station is a component of the Texas A&M University System. It is overseen by a Board of Regents that is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate.
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