June 1, 1924:
Leading the pack!
State Superintendent of Education, Robert B. Cousins, was named the first president of the soon-to-be institution.
September 15, 1924:
Constructing the future.
Robert J. Kleberg turns the initial shovel of earth at the groundbreaking ceremony for the first campus building.
1925:
President Cousin’s is first to occupy the newly built President’s Home located on the east end of campus. The building is still standing, and occupied by the current university president.
March 21, 1925:
Set in stone.
Governor Miriam A. Ferguson (along with more than 10,000 people) lay the cornerstone of the first campus building, Manning Hall. The building housed administrative offices, a library, an auditorium, laboratories and classrooms.
June 8, 1925:
Now open for business.
South Texas State Teachers College (STSTC) begins its first session with 276 students.
June 22, 1925:
Finding their niche.
Students and faculty found the first student organization on the STSTC campus, the Robert J. Kleberg History Club. Within the span of a few days, other organizations followed; including the Dora K. Cousins English Club, the Elena Mar Spanish Club, the Classical Club, and the Chorus Club!
November 18, 1925:
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Students make headlines by publishing the first issue of the school’s newspaper, the South Texan.
August 1926:
The school mascot was selected!
Bob, Joe and Baby were the first Javelinas used to represent the university. Agriculture professor, W.H. "Aggie" Warren, trained the animals to act as mascots for football games. It was not an unusual sight to see the three javelinas roaming around campus; they even came up to Professor Warren on command!
January 6, 1928:
Get your fitness on!
Javelinas are now able to workout on campus with the newly built Health and Recreation building on Engineering Avenue.
June 12, 1929:
Improving on excellence.
Over 200 upcoming freshmen wait to enroll in the growing institution that was previously known as Texas College of Arts and Industries (TCAI).
1935 - 1942:
Campus thrives with the construction of many new facilities for faculty, staff, and students; including Seale Hall, the Connor Museum, Nierman Hall and College Hall.
July 23, 1946:
The College of Arts and Industries is approved to use the Naval Air Auxiliary Station in Kingsville to accommodate classes and living quarters for faculty and staff. This site was known as East Campus.
1949:
Symbol of excellence.
An image of the College Hall Bell Tower becomes part of the official university logo, and currently still stands in the heart of campus.
Hog Call.
The school’s fight song, Jalisco, was introduced to a crowd of screaming fans during this football season.
1950-1951:
College Hall, which housed the administration building and the library, was constructed between (and across the street) the two Kleberg Hall buildings in 1950. Construction for College Hall was completed in 1951.
October 28, 1950:
The new hangout.
The Student Union Building (SUB) opens during Homecoming festivities and becomes the center of campus social life. The Alfred L. Kleberg Engineering Hall was also constructed the same year.
April 15, 1951:
A Signal Corps ROTC unit is established on campus with the activation of the Texas A&I Detachment of 4305 ASU Texas ROTC Instructor Group.
September 15, 1951:
Game on!
Javelina Stadium opens its doors for the first home football game with the Javelinas claiming victory over the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs 37-7.
1956:
A place to call home.
Lorine Jones Lewis Hall and Robert C. Eckhardt Hall opens, providing students with their first on-campus residences.
TOUCHDOWN!
The first documented firing of the victory cannon fired in celebration of football score in Javelina Stadium.
1959:
A fresh habitat.
Agriculture enthusiasts are pleased to welcome the opening of the Robert J. Kleberg Agricultural Hall.
1967:
Texas College of Arts and Industries becomes officially known as Texas A&I University.
1970:
Taking over the airwaves.
KTAI, the university student-run radio station, officially launches the station’s first broadcast.
1975:
Taking the lead.
Our university becomes the first institution in the nation to offer a doctoral program in Bilingual Education.
1976:
With a collection of diverse items, the John E. Conner Museum is named in honor of the university’s first history professor and located at Loftin Hall.
1981:
Life on the wild side.
Through a grant from the Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute is established.
1986:
A new page.
Students have a new place to read and study with the addition of Jernigan Library.
February 14, 1986:
A point of pride.
The “Leaders of the Pack” statue, a symbol of unity and pride, is unveiled on University Boulevard (then known as College Boulevard). University officials commissioned alumnus Armando Hinojosa to create the statue.
September 1, 1989:
A Texas-sized merger.
Texas A&I University joins the Texas A&M University System. It is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation; with a statewide network of 11 universities, seven state agencies and a comprehensive health science center.
1991:
Educating to the highest degree.
The Doctor of Education Degree (Ed. D.) in the College of Education and Human Performance offers prospective educational leaders new opportunities.
September 1, 1993:
Texas A&I University officially changes its name to Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
March 24, 2000:
The Texas A&M System Board of Regents recognized the excellent biomedical research and established the Natural Toxins Research Center at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The center is now known as the National Natural Toxins Research Center (NNTRC).
September 1, 2002:
Sustaining our future.
The Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering is now home to the Ph.D. program in Environmental Engineering.
2003:
An Institute fit for a King.
To commemorate the 150 year anniversary, long history of leadership, and philanthropy; King Ranch® and its family and friends create and endow the King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management in collaboration with Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
May 2008:
University honors Caesar Kleberg Foundation for support.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved a new identity for Texas A&M-Kingsville’s College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences today (May 23), approving the university’s request to name the college in honor of the late Richard M. “Dick” Kleberg Jr. and his wife, Mary Lewis Kleberg, who resides in South Texas with homes in Kingsville and San Antonio.
October 2008:
Texas A&M University-Kingsville Receives United States Department Of Education Grant:
Texas A&M University-Kingsville has received a grant from the United States Department of Education under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. The university and its partner institution, Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, will receive a two-year $2.3 million Hispanic-Serving Institutions grant to develop services and strategies to enhance student success in engineering. The grants are awarded to develop and carry out activities to improve and expand institutional capacity to serve Hispanic and other low-income students.
Ground breaking for new student recreation center:
Officials at Texas A&M University-Kingsville broke ground on the new Student Recreation Center at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at the site on University Boulevard and Avenue C. Construction will begin this month on the $12 million building. It is expected to be complete by January 2010.
June 2009:
A&M-Kingsville Breaks Ground on New Citrus Center!
Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s Citrus Center in Weslaco has served the Rio Grande Valley citrus industry for 60 years, providing new varieties of fruit, new ways to manage pests and disease and new students eager to learn. Now the faculty, staff and students at the Citrus Center are getting something new—a 25,000 square foot building.
August 2009:
Oh, so suite!
University Village, the new 210,000 square-foot co-ed residence hall welcomes 600 students to kick off the fall semester. Suite-style living accommodates for one or two bathrooms, a living room and kitchenette – The first of its kind at A&M-Kingsville. In May 2013, University Village is renamed the Eduardo and Josefa Lucio Hall
March 2010:
Need to lift?
The new state-of-the-art Student Recreation Center opened its doors to students looking to keep fit. The 36,000 square-foot facility houses two multi-purpose gymnasiums, an elevated indoor jogging track, a 5,400 square-foot cardio & weight room and outdoor basketball court.
October 2010:
Texas A&M-Kingsville was awarded a $3.8 million grant for Student Success in South Texas!
Officials at Texas A&M University-Kingsville have been notified that they will receive more than $3.8 million over the next five years under the Strengthening Institutions-Hispanic Serving Institutions Program through the United States Department of Education. The first year’s funding will bring just over $760,000 to A&M-Kingsville. “This new grant allows us to continue our relationship with Del Mar College,” said Dr. Dann Brown, dean of University College. “Our two institutions share a common commitment to student success and the programs we will be able to support with this grant will help students achieve their dream of obtaining a college degree and entering the workforce in their chosen career field.” Two activities will be included under this grant, one designed to enhance student retention and persistence and the second to develop student employment as a positive influence on student success.
March 2011:
Feast your eyes on the new Javelina Dining Hall. This state-of-the-art facility churns out 20,000 meals a week and feeds 1,800 to 2,000 students per day.
August 2011:
Hall of Honors.
With 98,000 square-feet, Mesquite Village West is now home to 300 students and the Honors College.
November 2011:
Environmental Engineering Program Receives Grant from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
The Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment (ISEE) in the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville received a $1.1 million dollar grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help fund green development in the rapidly-growing Lower Rio Grande Valley.
January 2012:
A&M-Kingsville Online Industrial Engineering Program Earns National Recognition for Student Engagement, Accreditation and Technology
Just four years after its inception, the online Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is gaining national recognition through the most recent rankings of online degree programs by U.S. News and World Report.
May 2012:
A&M-Kingsville Ranked First in the Nation for Awarding Engineering Graduate Degrees to Hispanic Students:
Texas A&M University Kingsville is ranked first in the nation when it comes to awarding master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering to Hispanic students, according to a spring issue of The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education.
Environmental Engineering Program Receives Grant to Expand Low Impact Development Project in Rio Grande Valley:
The Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment (ISEE) in the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville has received an $835,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will fund green development in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
December 2014:
Texas A&M-Kingsville Ranks Among Most Affordable Colleges in the Nation
Texas A&M University-Kingsville ranks among the top 50 most affordable public four-year colleges in the nation, according to recent rankings released by affordablecolleges.com.
August 2017:
Recreation Sports Complex Grand Opening!
The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Recreation and NCAA Sports Complex opened! The recreation fields include tennis courts, cricket pitch, flag football fields and more!
September 2017:
Javelina Nation came together!
The initial groundbreaking ceremony for the new music education complex was held inside Jones Auditorium, adjacent to the construction site, and the action moved outdoors for the official turning of the soil.
November 2017:
Texas A&M University-Kingsville Earns AACSB International Accreditation!
AACSB International (AACSB) announces that Texas A&M University-Kingsville has earned accreditation for its College of Business Administration (CBA). Founded in 1916, AACSB is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting students, educators, and businesses worldwide.
April 2018:
With You, Without Limits!
It has been over 100 years since the people of Kingsville rallied together to bring home the first normal school south of San Antonio. Now, that group includes thousands of alumni who join the fight to make Texas A&M University-Kingsville the best it can be and make sure it’s current and future students have everything they need.
To that end, university officials and alumni joined together to mark the beginning of the new With You, Without Limits comprehensive campaign with a celebration at the on-campus home of President and Mrs. Steven Tallant.
May 2018:
Music students, faculty and staff were the first to get a chance to sign the top beam of the new A&M-Kingsville Music Education Complex!
Recent Traditions:
Throw up your J's!
Javelina Nation students show their Javelina pride in photos, at football games, and on campus by making the letter "J" with their left hand.