Mark A Welsh III, the president of Texas A&M University’s main campus, has resigned less than two weeks after a student’s complaint about “gender ideology” in the classroom led to the firing of a teacher and the dismissal of a dean and department head.
Welsh, a retired air force four-star general who took the role in 2022, announced his departure on Friday, saying in a statement: “Over the past few days, it’s become clear that now is that time” to step down. The university’s chancellor, Glenn Hegar, said in a statement: “President Welsh is a man of honor who has led Texas A&M with selfless dedication. We are grateful for his service and contributions. At the same time, we agree that now is the right moment to make a change.”
The controversy began when a student’s complaint about a children’s literature course went viral after being shared by Republican state representative Brian Harrison. The student, whose identity was withheld, had objected to LGBTQ+ content being taught. In a recording, Welsh defended the course, saying students entering fields such as psychiatry and education needed to understand issues affecting those they would serve.
Harrison, who had called for Welsh’s removal, welcomed the resignation, writing on X: “As the first elected official to call for him to be fired, this news is welcome, although overdue. Now... END ALL DEI AND LGBTQ INDOCTRINATION IN TEXAS!!”
Welsh’s resignation follows the 2023 departure of his predecessor, Margaret Katherine Banks, who left amid controversy over the hiring of a journalism professor with ties to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which are now banned in Texas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott had also threatened to fire Welsh in January after the university’s business school invited advanced PhD students and faculty to a conference aimed at recruiting Black, Hispanic and Indigenous graduate students.
