Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi (Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, TAMU-CC, A&M-Corpus Christi, or A&M-CC) is a public research university in Corpus Christi, Texas. It is part of the Texas A&M University System and classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". History TAMU-CC originally opened in 1947 as the University of Corpus Christi, a private university operated by the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). After the campus was severely damaged by Hurricane Celia in 1970, the school (which had financial problems since the outset) could not afford to rebuild and requested the Texas Legislature for assistance. The Legislature approved opening a branch of the Texas A&M University System the following year; UCC held its final graduating class in 1973, and BGCT sold the campus to the state shortly thereafter, retaining 10 acres to maintain a student religious center. Originally named Texas A&I University at Corpus Christi, it was later named Corpus Christi State University before joining the Texas A&M University System in 1989 and taking its current name. Presidents Academics Texas A&M-Corpus Christi offers 33 undergraduate majors, 25 graduate programs, and six doctoral programs through six colleges. The College of Liberal Arts has seven departments, housing 12 undergraduate and six graduate degrees, ranging from the arts to criminal justice to psychology. The College of Business offers eight undergraduate and two graduate degrees and is accredited by AACSB. The College of Education and Human Development offers teacher certification in more than 30 areas as well as three undergraduate degrees, 11 graduate programs, and two doctoral programs. The College of Science offers eight undergraduate and three graduate degrees. The College of Engineering offers five undergraduate and two graduate degrees. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers two undergraduate degrees and four graduate degrees, including the doctor of nursing practice. The College of University Studies offers a degree in university studies. The university also includes The School of Arts, Media, and Communication within the College of Liberal Arts. Centers, institutes, and affiliates The Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science is a research institute dedicated to geospatial science. The Institute was founded by an endowment from the Conrad Blucher family. Research by the institute includes the Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network (a tide monitoring system), Texas Spatial Reference Center research for the Texas Height Modernization, and other geospatial research relating to surveying and mapping. The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico