Texas A&M University–Kingsville facts for kids

Texas A&M University–Kingsville

Former names	South Texas Normal School (1917) South Texas State Teachers College (1925) Texas College of Arts and Industries (1929–1967) Texas A&I University (1967–1993)
Type	Public research university
Established	1925; 100 years ago (1925)
Parent institution	Texas A&M University System
Endowment	$115.7 million
President	Robert H. Vela Jr.
Provost	James Palmer
Academic staff	512
Students	6,092 (4,847 undergraduate) (Fall 2022)
Location	Kingsville , Texas , United States 27°31′30″N 97°52′57″W / 27.5251°N 97.8825°W / 27.5251; -97.8825
Campus	Suburban, 1,600 acres (650 ha)
Colors	Blue and Gold
Nickname	Javelinas
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division II – Lone Star
Mascot	Porky the Javelina

Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a public research university. It is located in Kingsville, Texas. This university is the southernmost campus of the Texas A&M University System. It was the first in the nation to offer a special degree. This degree was for teaching in two languages, called bilingual education. The university is known for its high research activity. It is also approved by a group called the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Texas A&M University–Kingsville is the oldest public college in South Texas. It has been open without stopping since it started. The school began as the South Texas Normal School in 1917. But it opened later because of World War I. It officially started in 1925 as South Texas State Teachers College. Its name changed in 1929 to Texas College of Arts and Industries. People often called it Texas A&I. This new name showed that the school was teaching more subjects. In 1967, it became Texas A&I University. The university joined the Texas A&M University System in 1989. Then, in 1993, it got its current name.

Learning and Programs at TAMUK

Texas A&M University–Kingsville offers many different programs. Students can choose from a wide range of subjects. The university is known for its strong academic programs.

Who Studies Here?

Texas A&M University–Kingsville has a very diverse group of students. There are over 6,300 students here. They come from 40 U.S. states. Students also come from more than 35 different countries. About 53% of the students are men. About 47% are women. Most students, around 80%, are working on their first college degree. Many students are from the South Texas area. About 69% of students are of Hispanic background.

How to Get In

Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a public university in Texas. It is part of the Texas A&M University System. If you are a Texas high school student, there's a special rule. If you finish in the top 10% of your class, you are guaranteed a spot. This is part of the Texas "top-10 law." Texas A&M–Kingsville welcomes all students who meet this rule.

Meet the Teachers

Most of the teachers at the university have advanced degrees. These are like PhDs. They come from over 41 U.S. states and other countries. There are about 16 students for every teacher. This means students can get good attention. Teachers help decide school policies. They also help with the school's calendar.

What Can You Study?

Texas A&M–Kingsville has many choices for students. There are 56 programs for undergraduate degrees. These are first college degrees. There are also 61 master's programs. And there are six doctoral degrees. These programs are in different colleges. Some colleges are for Agriculture, Arts and Sciences, and Engineering.

The university has special programs. It is the only one in the region with engineering, social sciences, and agriculture programs. Its bilingual education program is very strong. It was the first of its kind in the country. Many students can join research projects. They can do this in almost any subject.

In 2006, the Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy opened. This was the first professional school of its kind south of San Antonio. Texas A&M University–Kingsville is known as a top school for Hispanic students. It helps many Hispanic students earn degrees. Especially in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The university ranks high for degrees given to Hispanic students. It is also ranked well for agriculture degrees. And for multi/interdisciplinary studies. The fashion and interiors merchandising program is also highly ranked. It is one of the top programs in the Southwest.

Research and Discovery

The National Natural Toxins Research Center is at Texas A&M–Kingsville. It has a large collection of venomous snakes. Researchers from all over the world visit this special center. They study toxins found in snake venoms. This research can lead to new medicines.

The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute is also here. It is famous for its wildlife research. It studies how to protect and manage wildlife. Researchers and students study many things. These include animal habitats, diseases, and genetics. They work with deer, wild cats, and birds.

The Texas A&M University–Kingsville Citrus Center is known worldwide. It works on citrus research and development. Scholars and projects come from everywhere. They study things like biotechnology and pathology. The center has also helped create popular citrus types. One example is the Ruby Red grapefruit.

The Wellhausen Water Resources Center helps with water conservation. It shares its knowledge with other countries. The South Texas Environmental Institute works to solve environmental problems.

The James C. Jernigan Library is a key part of the university. It is one of the largest libraries in Texas. It has over half a million books. It also has many academic magazines. The library has a special room for rare books. These books are about Texas and the Southwest. It also has a Bilingual Center. This center has many materials from different cultures. The library helps students get books from other libraries too.

The South Texas Archives and Special Collections is part of the library. It has one of the biggest collections about South Texas history. It holds official records from local towns and courts. It also has many old photographs. And it has written and spoken stories about the region.

Campus Life and Buildings

Texas A&M–Kingsville is in Kingsville, Texas. It is about 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Corpus Christi, Texas. It is also about 120 miles (193 km) north of Mexico. Kingsville has about 25,000 people. It is home to the famous King Ranch. The university campus covers 1,601 acres (648 ha). Most activities happen on the main campus. This area is about 250 acres (101 ha) and has over 85 buildings.

The buildings on campus have a special look. They are in a Spanish Mission Revival style. The first president wanted the campus to reflect the local culture. So, all buildings have red tile roofs, towers, and curved gables.

Manning Hall was the first building. Its eastern tower looks like the tower at Mission San José. The western tower is like the one at Mission Concepcion. The curved gable reminds people of the Alamo.

The university also has other areas. There is an agricultural research area. There is also a rodeo arena and livestock area. And the Tio and Janell Kleberg Wildlife Research Park.

The university has plans to improve the campus. This includes new buildings and walkways. There will also be more green spaces and parking. The campus will also get new signs, lighting, and landscaping.

Texas A&M-Kingsville also has two large research farms. These are part of the Citrus Center in Weslaco. Scientists there find new ways to help the citrus industry. They also develop new types of citrus, like the 'Ruby Red' grapefruit.

Poteet Hall houses Santa Gertrudis Academy High School. This is a high school for the Santa Gertrudis Independent School District.

Student Life at TAMUK

Life at Texas A&M–Kingsville is full of activities. Students have many choices for living and fun.

Where Students Live

Most undergraduate students live on campus. There are several dorm buildings. Turner Hall, Bishop Hall, Martin Hall, Lynch Hall, University Village, and Mesquite Village West house about 2,300 students. These can be shared or private rooms. The university also has apartment-style halls. These house about 1,200 students.

Many dorms have special "Living Learning Communities." These groups help students with similar interests live together. Examples include Fitness and Wellness, Music, and Engineering. There are also groups for Agriculture and Wildlife, Fashion, Leadership, Technology, and Honors students.

The university recently built a new residence hall. It has 600 beds in a suite style. Another new hall is being built for Honors College students. Mesquite Village West opened in 2011. It offers suite-style apartments with kitchens.

Students can eat at many places on campus. There are dining halls in the dorms. The Student Union Building also has restaurants. These include Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and Subway.

The Memorial Student Union Building (MSUB or SUB) is a popular spot. It has offices for financial aid and student activities. It also has ballrooms and meeting rooms. There is a large university bookstore here. The building also has a game room. It has pool tables, ping pong, and video games.

Fun Activities

The university opened a new Student Recreation Center. It is open 24 hours. It has two indoor gyms for basketball, soccer, and volleyball. It also has a large area for cardio and weights. There is an elevated track too.

The Steinke Physical Education Center (SPEC) has many activities. It has a bowling alley, racquetball courts, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

The school offers many activities all year. The Office of Student Activities plans events. These include Hoggie Days (orientation), festivals, and picnics. They also host free movie nights. These are in the Peacock Auditorium or outside. There are also recreational sports and Family Weekend events. The Homecoming Bonfire is a big tradition.

Campus Media

Texas A&M University-Kingsville has its own media. The South Texan is the school's newspaper. Students write it. It has been published since 1925. Many former student journalists now work in media across the country.

The university also has broadcast media. KTAI 91.1 FM is the school's radio station. It has been on air for over 40 years. It is Kingsville's only radio station. Students run it. They play music, news, and live sports. The school also has a TV station, TAMUK TV-2. It airs on campus and local cable TV. Students can work in different roles here. Both KTAI and TAMUK TV-2 help students learn about broadcast media.

Student Groups

The university has many student organizations. There are about 105 different groups. They are for many interests. These include academic groups, community service, and honor societies. There are also faith-based, cultural, military, and sports groups. Students can find groups for performing arts, social issues, and more.

Academic Groups

Students can join groups related to their studies.

College of Arts and Sciences

• Javelina Broadcast Network
• Press Club

College of Education and Human Performance

• Texas Association of Students for Bilingual Education (TASBE)
• HKN Club

College of Engineering

• Engineering Student Council (ESC)
• Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• American Nuclear Society (ANS)
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Society of Women Engineers
• American Society of Civil Engineers
• National Society of Black Engineers
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
• Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists
• Society of Petroleum Engineers
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Marine Technology Society
• Association for Computing Machinery
• Information school

College of Business Administration

• Delta Mu Delta
• Delta Sigma Pi
• Association of Information Technology Professionals

Greek Life

The university has several fraternities and sororities. These are social groups with Greek letters.

Fraternities:

• Kappa Sigma
• Lambda Chi Alpha
• Sigma Lambda Beta
• Sigma Chi
• Omega Delta Phi
• Omega Psi Phi
• Delta Chi

Sororities:

• Alpha Kappa Alpha
• Alpha Sigma Alpha
• Delta Phi Epsilon
• Theta Phi Alpha
• Kappa Delta Chi

Honor Societies

Honor societies recognize students who do well in their studies.

• Alpha Lambda Delta (ΑΓΔ) – for first-year students
• Alpha Phi Omega (ΑΦΏ) – a service fraternity
• Alpha Psi Omega (ΑΨΏ) – for theatre students
• Beta Gamma Sigma (ΒΓΣ) – for business students
• Delta Omicron (ΔΟ) – for music students
• Eta Sigma Phi (ΣΦ) – for classical studies
• Kappa Delta Pi (ΚΔΠ) – for education students
• Lambda Pi Eta (ΛΠΣ) – for communication studies
• Phi Alpha Theta (ΦΑΘ) – for history students
• Phi Beta Delta (ΦΒΔ) – for international studies
• Phi Eta Sigma (ΦΗΣ) – for first-year students
• Phi Sigma Pi (ΦΣΠ) – an academic honor society
• Pi Delta Phi (ΠΔΦ) – for French language students
• Pi Gamma Mu (ΠΓΜ) – for social sciences
• Pi Sigma Alpha (ΦΣΑ) – for political science
• Psi Chi (ΨΧ) – for psychology students
• Sigma Gamma Epsilon (ΣΓΕ) – for earth sciences
• Tau Beta Pi (ΤΒΠ) – for engineering students

Sports at TAMUK

The sports teams at Texas A&M–Kingsville are called the Javelinas. They compete in NCAA Division II. This is a level of college sports. They are part of the Lone Star Conference.

Texas A&M–Kingsville has 13 different sports teams. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, and football. Women's sports include basketball, softball, and volleyball. The Javelinas have won many titles in sports. Especially in baseball and football.

Football Success

The football team has been very successful. Some people call the school a "football factory." They have won 7 National Championships. They also have 34 Conference Championships. Many players from this school have gone on to play in the NFL. This includes famous players like Gene Upshaw and Darrell Green.

Many fans come to watch football games. Javelina Stadium has over 18,000 seats. It is one of the biggest stadiums in NCAA Division II. The stadium also hosts the NCAA Division II Cactus Bowl every year. This game brings together the best senior football players from Division II. NFL teams watch these players.

Other Sports

The university offers many other sports. These include track, baseball, and softball. Facilities include Javelina Stadium for football and track. The Gil H. Steinke Physical Education Center is for volleyball and basketball. There is also Nolan Ryan Field for baseball. And Vernie & Blanche Hubert Field for softball. The campus also has places for tennis, soccer, and swimming.

Students can also play intramural sports. These are fun, competitive sports within the university. Students can play basketball, flag football, and soccer. Many of these games are held in the new Student Recreation Center.

Traditions at TAMUK

Texas A&M University-Kingsville has many old and new traditions. These traditions make the school special.

Current Traditions

• School Colors: The official colors are Blue and Gold. You can see them everywhere. They are on uniforms, flags, and clothes.
• Mascot: The Javelina is the official mascot. Its name is Porky III. The mascot is often at school events and games.
• Alma Mater: The school's official song is Hail AMK.
• Bell Chimes: Bells chime from College Hall every 15 minutes. At the top of the hour, they ring to tell the time. At the end of the school day, the Alma Mater plays.
• School Songs: The fighting song is Jalisco. It plays after every touchdown. The Javelina Victory March plays after every field goal. Fans often chant “Go Hogs Go!”

• Pride of South Texas Marching Band: This is the school's award-winning band. They perform at football games. They also play the Alma Mater.
• Bonfire: During homecoming week, there is a big bonfire. It is open to students, teachers, and alumni.
• Homecoming King and Queen: Students vote for a King and Queen. The winners are announced at the Homecoming Game.
• Tailgate Party: Before each home football game, there is a party. It is held outside Javelina Stadium. Many students and groups join in with food and music.
• Hoggie Days: This is a required orientation for new students. It helps them learn about the university.
• Fall Carnival/Spring Fling: A big festival is held each fall and spring. It has bands and free activities. Student groups also set up booths.
• Mesquite Groove: The KTAI radio station hosts a concert series here.
• Miss TAMUK Pageant: Each spring, female students compete for a scholarship. The winner represents the university. Famous actress Eva Longoria was once Miss TAMUK.
• Freshman Night Out: New students can have dinner with teachers and staff. This helps them meet professors.
• Class Ring: The school has an official class ring. Graduating students can order one. There is a special ceremony for it.
• Graduation: Ceremonies are held after each semester.

• Study Abroad: Students can study in other countries. They can earn college credit. Programs are in Mexico, Spain, France, and more.
• Army ROTC: The university has an Army ROTC program. Students can become officers in the U.S. Army. They fire a cannon called “Old Smokey” at football games.
• Honor Code: Students are expected to follow the Javelina Honor Code. It includes values like honesty, trust, and respect.

• Honor Pledge: Students pledge to uphold the Honor Code.
• Business Etiquette Dinner: Students learn formal dinner manners at this event.
• Movie Nights: The Campus Activity Board hosts movie nights. They show new movies.
• Midnight Breakfast: During exams, cafeterias offer free late-night meals. This helps students studying late.
• Rush Week: Greek societies recruit new members during this week.
• Moon Festival: This event celebrates Asian cultures. It has Asian food and entertainment.
• See You at the Pole: Religious student groups meet to pray for the school year.
• Holiday Decorations: Students and staff help decorate the campus for holidays.

Football Game Traditions

Many traditions happen during football games.

• Pep Rallies: Exciting rallies are held before games.
• Tailgate Party: A party is held before each home game.
• Blue Out: Students wear blue to show school spirit.
• Porky's Pack & Train: Kids can ride a train around the stadium with the mascot.
• Blue Thunder: Fans kick metal rails to make a loud noise.
• Flag Run: After each touchdown, two school flags are run around the stadium.
• "Old Smokey:" The Army ROTC cadets fire a cannon during home games.
• Tortilla Toss: In the past, students threw tortillas after touchdowns. This tradition has changed.
• College Hall Blue Lights: After a football victory, the bell tower is lit with blue lights.

Famous Alumni

Many notable people have attended Texas A&M University–Kingsville.

• Mike Adams, a pitcher for the Texas Rangers
• Elsa Alcala, a judge in Texas
• Johnny Bailey, a retired NFL running back
• Sid Blanks, a retired NFL running back, first African American player in the Lone Star Conference
• Michael T. Boyd, an Emmy Award-winning costume designer
• Laura Canales, a famous Tejano singer
• Juan Castillo, an NFL Coach
• James Crumley, a crime novelist
• Jorge Diaz, a retired NFL offensive lineman
• Earl Dotson, a retired NFL offensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers
• Ramón H. Dovalina, former president of Laredo Community College
• Carmen Lomas Garza, an artist
• Roberto Garza, a retired NFL offensive lineman
• Raquel González (wrestler), a professional wrestler for WWE
• Darrell Green, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and retired cornerback for the Washington Redskins
• Don Hardeman, a retired NFL running back
• Al Harris, an NFL Cornerback
• Dwight Harrison, a retired NFL cornerback
• David Hill, a retired NFL tight end
• Jim Hill, a retired NFL player and sports anchor
• Armando Hinojosa, a sculptor
• Rubén Hinojosa, a U.S. Representative
• Tom Janik, a former American Football League safety and punter
• Levi Johnson, a retired NFL cornerback
• Randy Johnson, a former American football player
• Eva Longoria, a famous actress and model
• Maurice Lukefahr, an agricultural scientist
• Alvin Matthews, a retired NFL cornerback
• Jose S. Mayorga, Current Adjutant General of Texas National Guard
• Jermane Mayberry, an NFL Guard
• Eddie Moten, an AFL Cornerback
• Marwan M. Muwalla, president of University of Petra
• Dwayne Nix, a College Football Hall of Famer
• Ernest Price, a retired NFL defensive lineman
• John Randle, a retired NFL Hall of Fame defensive tackle
• Richard Ritchie, a College Football Hall of Famer and attorney
• Pete Saenz, mayor of Laredo, Texas
• Ricardo Sanchez, a U.S. Army Lt. General
• Mario Santos Jr., a former sheriff of Webb County
• Kimberly A. Scott, an actress
• Heath Sherman, a retired NFL running back
• Gil Steinke, a former NFL defensive back and Javelinas coach
• Carlos Truan, a former member of the Texas Legislature
• Gene Upshaw, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former NFL Players Association leader
• Buzz Williams, current head coach of the Texas A&M men's basketball team

Images for kids

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  Lamps align alongside University Blvd at TAMUK

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  Pharmacy complex with Business Administration building in the background

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  Courtyard of the Memorial Student Union Building, referred to as the "MSUB" or "SUB" by students

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  University Village residence hall at Texas A&M-Kingsville opened Fall 2009

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  Swimming pool at the Steinke Physical Education Center (SPEC)

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  Manning Hall and the KTAI radio tower

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  Homecoming Bonfire at Texas A&M University-Kingsville

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  Fall Carnival on University Blvd

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  Students enjoy a Drive-In movie in the western parking lot of Javelina Stadium

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  Tailgate party before Javelina football game