General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III was named by the Texas A&M University System Regents on Friday as the sole finalist to become Texas A&M University’s next full-time president.
“Serving as interim president for the last several months has been an incredible privilege, and I’m truly honored to be named as the sole finalist for President of Texas A&M University,” Welsh said via a release. “I love this university and everything it represents, and I’m grateful to the Board of Regents and Chancellor (John) Sharp for their confidence in me.”
Welsh currently serves as Texas A&M’s interim president, a position he has held since July 30, 2023. Prior to that, Welsh was the Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service since August 2016.
WATCH: Mark A. Welsh III’s 2022 Muster Speech
“Even in an interim role, General Welsh has moved decisively and effectively to advance the university’s mission,” Sharp said. “He has earned the trust of faculty, staff, students and former students and added to his long-standing reputation as a thoughtful, common-sense and collaborative leader.”
Following this announcement from Friday’s special meeting, a required 21-day waiting period before a sole finalist is selected and officially appointed has begun.
“The Board is confident in General Welsh’s abilities to take Texas A&M to even greater heights,” Board of Regents Chairman Bill Mahomes said. “Everything points to him being the perfect person for this pivotal moment in the history of our beloved flagship.”
Before his time with the Bush School, Welsh served as the 20th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force since August 2012. In that role, Welsh was responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 664,000 active-duty Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas.
A native of San Antonio, Welsh received a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1976 and a Master of Science Degree from Webster University in 1987. He has been a fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Syracuse University and Johns Hopkins University, among others. During a long and distinguished military career, Welsh received numerous awards and honors, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster and Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster.
“While I'm excited by the possibility of leading this remarkable institution in a more permanent capacity, I value the comprehensive decision-making process that will occur over the next few weeks,” Welsh said.
Since becoming A&M’s interim president, Welsh has overseen a reassessment process of M. Katherine Banks’ overhaul of the university following her resignation in July amid a controversy surrounding Kathleen O. McElroy’s decision to walk away from Texas A&M’s journalism department.
When Sharp appointed Welsh on an interim basis, he became the eighth Texas A&M President — in a full-time or interim capacity — since Robert M. Gates left the position to serve as Secretary of Defense of the United States in December 2006.
Welsh is set to become the 27th full-time president in school history.
