For the past 50 years, the Division of Student Affairs has facilitated a campus environment where students feel a sense of community and have the opportunity to develop as leaders. Through a student-centered approach, the Division of Student Affairs will continue to instill a commitment to critical thinking, lifelong learning, and the Aggie Core Values.
The Past 50 Years
1973: Student enrollment: 18,410
1973: The Division of Student Services was created, and Dr. John J. Koldus, III was named Vice President for Student Services.
1973: A.P. Beutel Health Center opened.
1974: The Personal Counseling Service (renamed the Student Counseling Service in 1982) opened in Beutel Health Center.
1974: The first woman was admitted to the Corps of Cadets.
1976: The MSC, originally dedicated to the Aggies killed in World Wars l and ll, was rededicated to all Aggies killed in all wars (past, present, and future).
1980: Student enrollment: 33,499
1980: The Intramural Rec Sports Program (renamed the Department of Recreational Sports in 1989) moved into the Division of Student Services.
1985: Greek organizations began to be recognized as official student organizations at Texas A&M in response to Supreme Court decision on Gay Student Services v. Texas A&M University.
1986: Penberthy Intramural Sports Center opened.
1986: Beutel Health Center was renovated and expanded.
1987: Students approved construction of a Student Recreation Center and established a dedicated Rec Sports Fee.
1989: The Department of Multicultural Services was created.
1989: Student Services began providing services for students with disabilities through the Office of Handicapped & Veterans’ Services (renamed Services for Students with Disabilities in 1997 and elevated to the Department of Disability Services in 2005).
1990: Student enrollment: 41,171
1992: J. Wayne Stark Galleries opened.
1993: Dr. John J. Koldus, III retired. Dr. J. Malon Southerland served as Interim Vice President until he was appointed Vice President for Student Affairs in 1994.
1994: The Division of Student Services was renamed the Division of Student Affairs.
1994: The Departments of Residence Life and Student Life were created.
1995: The newly constructed Student Rec Center opened.
1997: Women’s Programs, part of Student Life, was renamed Gender Issues Education Services and included GLBT services. Eventually, this entity was split into the Women’s Resource Center and the GLBT Resource Center.
1998: The Department of Student Life Studies was created.
1998: The Texas A&M University Children’s Center opened.
1999: Bonfire collapsed.
2000: Student enrollment: 44,026
2003: Dr. J. Malon Southerland retired. Dr. Bill Kibler served as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs.
2004: Dr. Dean Bresciani was named Vice President for Student Affairs.
2004: The Bonfire Memorial was dedicated.
2005: The University Center Complex and Rudder Theatre were reassigned to the Division after being removed in 2004.
2006: The Texas A&M University Children’s Center was renamed the Becky Gates Children’s Center.
2006: The Department of Information Technology was created.
2008: Dr. Dean Bresciani left Texas A&M. Dr. David Parrott served as Interim Vice President until Lt. Gen. Joe Weber, USMC (Ret.) was named Vice President for Student Affairs.
2009: Phase l of the Gardens Apartments was completed of the site of the former University Apartments, with Gardens Phase ll following in 2010.
2009: The MSC is closed for renovations.
2010: Student Enrollment: 49,129
2012: The Veteran Resource & Support Center was created.
2012: The newly constructed Corps Buzbee Leadership Learning Center opened.
2012: The newly renovated MSC is reopened and rededicated.
2013: The University Center Complex and Rudder Theatre Complex were combined into one department: University Center & Special Events.
2013: The new north side Hullabaloo residence hall opened in Fall 2013, as did the renovated Corps dorms.
2013: Kyle Field undergoes renovations.
2014: The Student Rec Center undergoes major renovations.
2014: Lt. Gen. Joe Weber retires as Vice President of Student Affairs
2014: Mr. Tom Reber serves as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs.
2015: The new on-campus housing, White Creek Apartments, opens.
2015: Kyle Field is reopened with over $485 million in renovations and over 100,000 seating capacity.
2015: Dr. Daniel Pugh, Sr. becomes the new Vice President of Student Affairs.
2016: Alyssa Michalke becomes the First Female Corps Commander.
2016: Wofford Cain Hall, which had housed Student Affairs Departments, was demolished.
2016: The new Gene Stallings Blvd. Garage opens.
2019: The Music Activities Center opens.
2020: Student enrollment: 71,080
2020: The new $42 Million Student Services Building opens.
2021: The new Polo Road Rec Center opens.
2021: The statue of Sen. Matthew Gaines was unveiled.
2021: BG Joe E. Ramirez, Jr., USA (Ret.) assumes the role of Vice President for Student Affairs.
2022: The new Southside Rec Center opens.
2022: The new Aggie Park opens.
2023: Student Affairs Strategic Planning (formerly Student Life Studies) turns 25 years old.
2023: The Career Center moves into the Division of Student Affairs.
2023: Evelyn Dorsey, Administrative Coordinator II for Rec Sports, celebrates 50 years of service at Texas A&M.
John J. Koldus III
The first Vice President for Student Affairs
Past Vice Presidents
Dr. J. Malon Southerland (1990s - 2003)
Dr. Bill Kibler (Interim during 2003)
Dr. Dean Bresciani (2004 – 2008)
Dr. David W. Parrott (Interim during 2008)
Lt. Gen. Joseph Weber (2008 – 2014)
Mr. Tom Reber (Interim during 2014)
Dr. Daniel Pugh Sr. (2015 – 2021)
BG Joe E. Ramirez, Jr., USA (Ret.) (2021 - present)
Crunching the Numbers
Over $200 Million
In funding raised for DSA
12
Departments in the division
>1300
Student orgs founded
In the News
The Division of Student Affairs Celebrates 50 Years of Serving Students
For the past five decades, the Division of Student Affairs has been invested in providing transformational learning experiences to Texas A&M students.
Can You Pass This Student Affairs Quiz?
Celebrate the Division of Student Affairs’ 50th anniversary with our 12-question quiz about all things student success!
