<P> The history of Texas A&M University, the first public institution of higher education in Texas, began in 1871, when the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas was established as a land - grant college by the Texas Legislature . Classes began on October 4, 1876 . Although Texas A&M was originally scheduled to be established under the Texas Constitution as a branch of the yet - to - be-created University of Texas, subsequent acts of the Texas Legislature never gave the university any authority over Texas A&M . In 1875, the Legislature separated the administrations of A&M and the University of Texas, which still existed only on paper . </P> <P> For much of its first century, enrollment at Texas A&M was restricted to white men who were willing to participate in the Corps of Cadets and receive military training . During this time, a limited number of women were allowed to attend classes but forbidden from gaining a degree . During World War I, 49% of A&M graduates were in military service, and in 1918, the senior class was mustered into military service to fight in France . During World War II, Texas A&M produced over 20,000 combat troops, contributing more officers than both the United States Military Academy and United States Naval Academy combined . </P> <P> Shortly after World War II, the Texas Legislature redefined Texas A&M as a university and the flagship school of the Texas A&M University System, making official the school's status as a clear and separate institution from the University of Texas . In the 1960s, the state legislature renamed the school Texas A&M University, with the "A&M" becoming purely symbolic . Under the leadership of James Earl Rudder, the school became racially integrated and coeducational . Membership in the Corps of Cadets became voluntary . </P> <P> In the second half of the 20th century, the university was recognized for its research with the designations sea - grant university and space - grant university . The school was further honored in 1997 with the establishment of the George Bush Presidential Library on the western edge of the campus . </P>

When did texas a&m stop being a military school