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Jeb Bush to teach at Texas A&M's government school

Former Florida governor and ex-presidential candidate Jeb Bush is joining the Texas A&M University faculty and will teach a short course in the university's public affairs school named after his father, former President George H.W. Bush.

Former Florida Gov. and presidential candidate Jeb Bush at the GOP debate in Greenville, South Carolina on Feb. 13, 2016.

*Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout.

Jeb Bush is a University of Texas at Austin graduate, but he chose family ties over school loyalty when choosing a school in his home state to teach at this winter.

The former Florida governor and presidential candidate is coming to Texas A&M University to teach a short course at A&M’s school of public affairs, which is named after his father, former President George H.W. Bush.

In a Facebook video announcing the move, he said he couldn’t help but flash the “hook ‘em, Horns” sign and proclaim his loyalty to his alma mater.

“But you know what’s more important to me? That I am the son of the greatest man alive, George H.W. Bush, the founder of the Bush School for Public Service,” he said.

The course will be 10 days long, and will be taught in January before the spring semester. Its focus will be on "the role of gubernatorial leadership and its impact on government at all levels," according to the university. Sixty-five students have already signed up.

The Bush School’s dean, Mark Welsh, said in a statement that he is proud to be bringing the governor’s insight and experience to the school.

“Governor Bush is a dedicated and accomplished public servant who will provide our students — future leaders in public life — with a vivid perspective of the challenges facing state officials,” Welsh said. “We are very pleased to offer a course of this nature and look forward to Governor Bush’s arrival on campus."

Welsh said the course will draw on Bush's personal experience, as well as research on state government. It will be co-taught by a full-time Bush school professor, Blease Graham.

George H.W. Bush's presidential library is also located on the A&M campus. The elder Bush has been a regular presence on campus since the library was dedicated in 1997. 

Read more:

  • Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a native Texan, suspended his presidential campaign after a disappointing finish behind the top three contenders in the GOP South Carolina primary.
  • As Jeb Bush geared up for a presidential run, longtime friends and colleagues said the native Texan always had the aura of political potential hanging over him.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

 

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