A&M Texarkana Welcomes Back Faculty and Staff for Fall 2026 Semester

TEXARKANA, Texas - Texas A&M University Texarkana President Dr. Ross Alexander welcomed many of the University's 450 faculty and staff members back to campus at the annual welcome breakfast, held Friday, August 21, 2026, in the Lois & Cary Patterson Student Center. Classes for the Fall 2026 semester begin Monday, August 24.

Dr. Alexander gave his annual "State of the University Address," where he shared important campus updates, remarked about the unmatched growth and progress of the University, and recognized several employees for their dedicated and outstanding service to the University. Beginning its fourth year under Dr. Alexander's leadership, the University has rapidly become the fastest-growing university in the A&M System, state, region, and nation.

"What we have achieved together as a university community is simply unprecedented," said Dr. Alexander during his remarks. "Our progress is unprecedented. It is also invigorating, astonishing, significant, necessary, maintainable, humbling, and worth reflection. Together, we have forged a culture and expectation of excellence, high performance, collaboration, accountability, innovation, discovery, and winning. The product is an ascendant university with incredible momentum; momentum that is sustainable and even accelerating," the President added.

While commenting on the University's current growth and progress, Dr. Alexander pointed to the completion of the new James C. Morriss Business, Engineering, and Technology Building and the ongoing construction phases of the RRCU Athletic Complex as major campus milestones. He also briefed the University on the upcoming expansion of the Eagle Landing student housing community, a soon to be constructed Alumni and Events Center, as well as a future stand-alone eSports arena.

Dr. Alexander recognized a number of faculty and staff members for achieving five, 10, 15, and 20 years of service with the University. Dr. Luz Mary Rincon, Professor of Humanities and Education, was honored for her 20 years with the University.

Dr. Alexander also presented the inaugural Soaring Eagle Award, which will be given annually to a faculty or staff member who exemplifies the University's core values of innovation, community, and excellence. The inaugural Soaring Eagle Award was presented to Kevin Myers, A&M Texarkana Project Manager. Kevin oversees the many construction, renovation, and expansion projects on campus and has become known as someone who not only has a tremendous sense of pride in his work and for the University, but is a highly respected coworker known to solve problems and lend a hand to anyone in need.

While faculty and staff members prepare for the semester to begin Monday, August 24, students can still register for Fall classes through Friday, August 28. For more information or to apply please visit https://www.tamut.edu.