HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Pres. T.O. WaltonAGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
PRESIDENT•8 OFFICE
Dear Friend and Aggie Parent:
Enclosed herewith is a statement of grades made by your boy at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of
Texas for the past semester. Since your boy resumed his studies in September momentous events have transpired which
vitally affect this institution.
The Congress of the United States has lowered the selective service age limits, and unfriendly nations have
launched a most violent and treacherous attack upon our country.
Both actions have deeply stirred the emotions of our boys, and the writer knows it has caused you incon-
solable worry. Fortunately these events have solidified the people in their determination to give their utmost to the
defense of our Nation and to the ultimate victory of the allied cause.
To assure the ultimate achievement of the goals set forth by our national leaders, the faculty and student body
of the College have pledged their unreserved support. In view of the pressing need, the College has completely changed
its schedules and is now on a year-round basis of educational endeavor, with a stricter military discipline in effect than
ever before.
We must have the sympathetic support and cooperation of all the friends of this institution, and it is for this
purpose that I address you-the parents and guardians of our fine student body.
It was my privilege and honor to preside last week in Washington as Chairman of a meeting of the Executive
Committee of the Association of Land Grant Colleges and Universities. It was the consensus of all the educators present
that there is great uncertainty in the minds of the young men enrolled in the Land-Grant Colleges, such as Texas A. and
M. College, and to offset this unrest our committee forwarded a resolution to the Commissioner of the U. S. Office of
Education that we believe will clarify the situation for many young men now in college. We believe that the final de-
termination of where a young rnan can serve his country most effectively should be left to the agencies charged
by law with this responsibility.
This letter is to assure you of our unceasing efforts to help our boys find their places of greatest usefulness
whether in civil or military life. We believe we shall find the answer soon and that it will include as much education
for each boy as may be consistent with the other needs of the nation. Therefore, allow me to urge you to counsel
your boy to remain in college until definite plans and programs are formulated which will be best for the boy, and
will best serve the Nation.
And for those students who have been over-wrought and unsettled, and who have had or are now having
scholastic difficulties, we urge that they too, return to College. If'they have not passed sufficient work to be allowed
by College rules to continue the studies in which they have been registered, we have at Texas A. and M. College a number
of Engineering, Science and Management Defense Training courses for which they cannot be given college credit, but
which will train them to take their places in Defense Industry where shortages of skilled men almost assure them of
immediate employment.
These courses will begin within the next few days. Cost of the instruction is borne by the U. S. Office of
Education and the only cost to the student is maintenance-room, board, laundry and books. The courses last from
12 to 16 weeks and occupy the student's full time.
We want you to know that we want your boy to return to Texas A. and M. College-to continue his studies
for a college degree if he is successfully passing his work, or to take one of the Defense Training courses if he is
not able to continue his studies for a degree.
Yours very truly,
~'`6 ~d~e~,~
T. O. Walton, President.