Texas A&M Taps a Politician Named Tommy Williams as Interim Leader After the General's Abrupt Exit

COLLEGE STATION, TX – In a move signaling continued political influence in Texas higher education, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents unanimously named former Republican state Sen. Tommy Williams as interim president of its flagship campus on Friday. Williams steps in following the sudden resignation of General (ret.) Mark A. Welsh III last month amid a heated controversy over academic freedom and political pressure.

Williams, a 1978 Texas A&M graduate with a degree in business administration, brings a wealth of experience from his time in state politics and university administration. "Tommy is a thoughtful leader and a faithful Aggie," said Chancellor Glenn Hegar in announcing the appointment. "His charge as Interim President is straightforward: provide stability, listen to our community, and support all of you while keeping Texas A&M moving forward."

The decision comes after weeks of upheaval at Texas A&M, sparked by a viral video posted by state Rep. Brian Harrison. The footage showed a student challenging English professor Melissa McCoul over gender-identity topics in a children's literature class. A follow-up video captured Welsh telling the student he had no plans to dismiss McCoul. However, as public backlash intensified, Welsh reversed course, firing the professor and demoting the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences along with the English department head. Welsh stepped down on September 19, citing mounting political scrutiny over his management of the incident.

James R. Hallmark had been filling the role as acting president since Welsh's departure. Welsh, whose contract originally ran through 2028, praised Hegar in his resignation letter: "It’s been a pleasure to work for you, Boss. Best of luck leading the best university system on Earth! They’re lucky to have you."

Williams' background includes a banking career before entering politics in 1997 as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. He moved to the Senate in 2003, where he chaired key committees on administration, transportation, homeland security, and finance. In 2013, he resigned to become vice chancellor for federal and state relations at the Texas A&M System. He later served as a senior adviser on fiscal policy to Gov. Greg Abbott until retiring in 2019.

Abbott lauded Williams upon his retirement, noting in a statement: "Tommy was an instrumental figure in the reforms we achieved to our school finance and property tax systems during the 86th Legislative Session, and his leadership and advocacy has ensured a brighter future for the Lone Star State."

This appointment reflects a growing pattern in Texas where politicians are increasingly tapped for top university roles over traditional academics. Recent examples include Texas Sen. Brandon Creighton becoming chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, former lawmaker John Zerwas taking the helm at the University of Texas System in August, and Hegar himself— a former comptroller—succeeding John Sharp as Texas A&M chancellor earlier this year.

The fallout from the Texas A&M video has rippled across the state's higher education landscape, prompting several university systems to launch reviews or audits of their curricula. Critics argue these moves pose a serious risk to academic freedom, fueling debates about political interference in campus affairs.

Williams is expected to guide Texas A&M through this transitional period as the regents search for a permanent president. His deep ties to the Aggie community and state government position him as a stabilizing force during a time of uncertainty.