When Charles Whitman went to the top of the University of Texas Tower and started shooting on Aug. 1, 1966, dozens of people grabbed their rifles and tried to stop him. But only Allen Crum made it to the top of the tower with police that day.
Matthew Watkins
Matthew Watkins began serving as editor in chief of the Tribune in September 2024. He is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended Texas A&M University and has spent his entire professional career in Texas journalism, including stints at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Matthew joined The Texas Tribune in 2015 has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. He has helped guide the Tribune's award-winning journalism that has included coverage of six legislative sessions, multiple election cycles, natural disasters and political scandals. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Posted in
Higher Education
Top Texas Leaders Tweet Support for UH in the Big 12
The University of Houston has been clamoring for months, if not years, for a spot in the Big 12 Conference. On Thursday, it received some powerful support.
Posted in
Higher Education
Agency Staff: Texas Doesn’t Need Any More Traditional Veterinary Schools
The staff of Texas’ higher education oversight agency sees no need for a new traditional veterinary school in the state, according to a draft report on the issue.
Posted in
Higher Education
Three of the Top Four Highest Paid University Executives are Texans
A report released Sunday by the Chronicle of Higher Education looking at executive pay shows that for public college presidents and chancellors, it pays to work in Texas.
Posted in
Higher Education
Provost Confirmed as Next Texas Tech President
Lawrence Schovanec, a longtime Texas Tech University faculty member who is the current provost, has been named the next president of the school.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Attorney General Calls Professors’ Campus Carry Lawsuit “Baseless”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is calling a lawsuit filed by three University of Texas at Austin professors in an effort to block the state’s new campus carry law “baseless” and said he plans to “vigorously defend it.”
Posted in
Demographics
After Court Win, Fenves Says UT Will Re-Examine Admissions Policies
The University of Texas at Austin’s long legal fight over race and admissions is over. But in his first extended interview about the case, President Greg Fenves says the school is now ready to review its policies and possibly make changes.
Posted inState Government
Three UT Professors Sue to Block Campus Carry
Three University of Texas at Austin professors sued their university and the state on Wednesday, claiming that Texas’ new campus carry law is unconstitutional.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Houston Law Schools in Fight Over Names
The University of Houston sued the erstwhile South Texas College of Law for trademark infringement on Monday for changing its name to the Houston College of Law.
Posted in
Higher Education
Supreme Court Ruling Could Spur Changes to Top 10 Percent Rule
The U.S. Supreme Court may have upheld UT-Austin’s use of race in admissions, but the battle over the issue is just getting started. Thursday’s ruling could pave the way for scaling back the controversial Top 10 Percent Rule in the state.
