University of North Texas president to step down after 10 years
Under President Neal Smatresk, UNT in Denton became a Carnegie Tier One research university and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Full Story
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Kate McGee is an Austin-based enterprise and investigative reporter. She joined the Tribune in October 2020 as a higher education reporter. She was a three-time finalist for the Education Writers Association's Beat Reporter of the Year award, winning the title in 2024. She was also a Livingston Award finalist for her coverage of the University of Texas at Austin. Before the Tribune, she spent nearly a decade as a reporter at public radio stations nationwide, including in Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Austin; Reno, Nevada; and New York. Kate was born in New York City and primarily raised in New Jersey. She earned her bachelor's degree from Fordham University.
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![University of North Texas President Neal Smatresk speaks on the UNT campus in Denton on March 8, 2023.]()
Credit: Maria Crane/North Texas Daily -
UT-Austin investigates students amid tensions over Israel-Hamas war
Administrators are weighing possible disciplinary action against four students who criticized the university’s response to the Middle East conflict. Full Story
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![TAs Callie Kennedy, left, and Parham Daghighi, right, speak to a crowd. UT Austin students rallied at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work in a protest demanding the reinstatement of TAs Callie Kennedy and Parham Daghighi on Dec. 8, 2023.]()
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UT-Austin becomes first Texas university to raise $1 billion for student support
The sum is part of a larger philanthropic campaign to raise $6 billion for the flagship university in Austin. Full Story
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![The University of Texas tower on July 16, 2020.]()
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In the Panhandle, a conservative vision for higher education takes root at West Texas A&M
University president Walter Wendler’s plan to promote “Panhandle values” has conservatives cheering. But he’s not without critics. Full Story
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![President Dr. Walter V. Wendler speaks to the graduates during the West Texas A&M University Commencement program Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.]()
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West Texas A&M turned to leading conservatives to build out institute for “Panhandle values”
Emails obtained by The Texas Tribune suggest the new center is more closely aligned with influential conservative actors than publicly discussed. Full Story
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![Amarillo businessman Alex Fairly speaks to the crowd Saturday night after his endorsed candidate Cole Stanley won the Amarillo mayoral election in downtown Amarillo.]()
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Elon Musk plans to open a new university in Austin
The Tesla CEO and Texas resident’s charitable foundation filed an application to create the new school “dedicated to education at the highest levels.” Full Story
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![Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups, in Paris, France, June 16, 2023.]()
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Mark Welsh III officially named president of Texas A&M University
Welsh served as interim president of the flagship university for a little over four months after the prior president resigned in the midst of a hiring scandal that drew national attention. Full Story
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![Texas A&M interim president Ret. Gen. Mark A. Welsh III speaks with student leaders before addressing the senior class during Elephant Walk on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Aggie Park in College Station.]()
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University of Austin President Pano Kanelos pitches Texas’ newest university as a place dedicated to free inquiry
UATX was launched by a group of higher education critics, including Kanelos, who believe universities have abandoned their commitment to open inquiry, free speech and civil discourse. Full Story
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Texas A&M Board of Regents names Mark Welsh III sole finalist for president
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents named the former dean and four-star general as the sole finalist for president Friday. Many believe Welsh is the right person to move the university forward after a pair of controversies bruised the school’s morale. Full Story
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![Texas A&M interim President and Ret. Gen. Mark A. Welsh III during Elephant Walk on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Aggie Park in College Station.]()
Credit: Meredith Seaver for The Texas Tribune -
Jury rules against Texas professor who claimed suburban community college retaliated against him for political speech
The professor alleged the North Texas school violated his First Amendment rights when he advocated for the removal of Confederate statues and criticized the college’s COVID-19 plans. A jury disagreed. Full Story
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![Former Collin College Professor Michael Phillips alleges the school violated his First Amendment rights.]()
Credit: Eli Mabli Photography