Four-Star General Mark Welsh Steps Down as Texas A&M President Amid Controversy
Mark Welsh, a four-star general and former dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service, has stepped down as president of Texas A&M University. His resignation, effective from Friday at 5 p.m., follows mounting pressure from state lawmakers over his handling of an incident involving a student and a professor discussing gender identity.
Welsh, who also served as chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, faced criticism for firing professor Melissa McCoul and removing two administrators after the incident. The move raised questions about academic freedom and prompted pushback from faculty members and the American Association of University Professors. Notable faculty members, including the Executive Committee of the University Distinguished Professors, had written a letter of support for Welsh to the Board of Regents.
Republican lawmaker Brian Harrison, who had accused the university of 'leftist indoctrination', celebrated Welsh's resignation on social media. Several other Republican lawmakers also publicly supported firing Welsh. The incident has sparked a debate about academic freedom and the role of state lawmakers in university affairs.
Tommy Williams, the interim president, will take over Texas A&M University following Welsh's resignation. Welsh's tenure was marked by controversy, but Texas A&M system chancellor Glenn Hegar praised his service. Despite the change in leadership, the university remains committed to fostering academic freedom and open dialogue within its community.
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