Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Approves Name Change for Texas A&M University-Commerce

The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents voted to change the name of Texas A&M University-Commerce to East Texas A&M University.

By The Texas A&M University System

COLLEGE STATION, TX — During its quarterly meeting on November 7, 2024, The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents voted to change the name of Texas A&M University-Commerce to East Texas A&M University, effective immediately. The university will have several months to transition to the new name.

This decision reflects the Board's commitment to strengthening the university's identity and increasing its regional visibility. The change aims to reinforce the university's mission to serve the educational needs of rural and urban East Texas communities.

“The growth and success of A&M-Commerce over the past several years have been remarkable,” said Bill Mahomes, chair of the Board of Regents. “However, we must enhance our identity and outreach to continue building on this foundation. Changing the university's name is a crucial step in our broader strategy to serve our state better.”

Chancellor John Sharp agreed.

“We have corrected a decades-long mistake when the name A&M-Commerce was adopted,” he said. “It always should have been ET! ‘East Texas A&M’ restores the historic pride to a great university.”

The rebranding to East Texas A&M University aligns with the institution's goals to improve name recognition. It also represents an opportunity to highlight the university's commitment to regional engagement and educational excellence.

“We believe that this name change will better reflect our heritage and mission while allowing us to connect more deeply with the communities we serve,” said Mark Rudin, president of East Texas A&M University. “This is not just about a name; it's about creating a stronger, more unified vision for our future.”

The transition to the new name will involve updates to the university's branding, signage, website, URL, email addresses and communication materials over the coming months. The university community and stakeholders will be engaged throughout this process to ensure a smooth transition.

Questions? Check out East Texas A&M University’s FAQ page.

Featured Photo: A mockup image of the new signage on East Texas A&M’s Performing Arts Building | East Texas A&M Marketing and Communications

About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $7.3 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, and the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus, the Texas A&M System educates more than 157,000 students and makes more than 21 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceed $1 billion and help drive the state's economy.

Contact: Laylan Copelin
Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications
(979) 458-6425
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About East Texas A&M University

East Texas A&M University serves rural and metropolitan East Texas with a dedicated mission to transform lives. With an enrollment of approximately 13,086 students, East Texas A&M is the third-largest member of The Texas A&M University System. Students choose from among 143+ academic degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels and learn from world-class faculty who conduct nationally recognized research. A vibrant student experience includes a thriving Greek community and more than 95 student-led organizations. As a member of the Southland Conference, East Texas A&M features 14 NCAA Division I athletic teams. The university offers classes online and on-site in Commerce, Dallas, Corsicana, McKinney, Mesquite, and Bryan (RELLIS).

Contact: Michael Johnson
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

903.886.5128