of Arts, Sciences and Education is partnered with all three of the above as well as Collin College. In 2015, local ophthalmic group Texarkana Eye Associates partnered with the university to offer an ophthalmic assistant/optician training course, which was then offered beginning in 2016 as a professional (not for credit) course. In 2019 the History department launched the Red River Center for Regional History and Culture to support the collection, preservation, exchange, and dissemination of locally and regionally significant materials relating to history and culture in the Red River area, including southeast Oklahoma, northeast Texas, southwest Arkansas, and northwest Louisiana. In 2020, A&M–Texarkana announced that it would launch a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering 2020 beginning fall 2020. Campus The Texarkana metropolitan area is located one hour (72 miles) from Shreveport, Louisiana, two hours (145 miles) from Little Rock, Arkansas, and less than three hours (180 miles) from Dallas, Texas. Until 2010, the university shared the same campus with Texarkana College. On this campus, buildings included the construction of the A. M. and Welma Aikin Learning Center in 1978, a library in 1983, and a Center for Professional Development in 1985. In 2004, the university acquired 375 acres of land as a gift from the City of Texarkana, Texas (300 acres), and the Anita and Truman Arnold Foundation (75 acres). The university received funding from the Texas Legislature for construction of buildings at the new campus near Bringle Lake in Texarkana, Texas. Construction of the new campus began in 2006. Six buildings have been built: Science & Technology, University Center, Central Plant, Bringle Lake Village, the Student Recreation Center, and the Building for Academic and Student Services, completed in 2019. Bringle Lake Village is a 294-bed furnished residence hall that features many amenities, including an in-ground swimming pool, sand-volleyball court and fitness center. Students have three floor plans from which to choose. Its library is named after founding president Dr. John F. Moss. Athletics The Texas A&M–Texarkana (TAMUT) athletic teams are called the Eagles. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) since the 2016–17 academic year. The Eagles previously competed as an NAIA Independent within the Association of Independent Institutions (AII) from 2014–15 (the same season when it began its athletics program and joined the NAIA) to 2015–16. TAMUT competes in 11 intercollegiate varsity