 With over 280 @,@ 000 alumni , A & M has one of the largest and most active alumni groups in America . Many Aggies have attained local , national , and international prominence . Jorge Quiroga and Martin Torrijos have served as heads of state for Bolivia and Panama , respectively , and Rick Perry is the former Governor of Texas and 2012 US Presidential candidate . Robert Gates , United States Secretary of Defense in the George W. Bush and Obama administrations , is a past president of the university . Congressmen Joe Barton , Bill Flores , Jeb Hensarling , and Louie Gohmert , and former Austin , Texas , mayor Will Wynn are all graduates . William A. Pailes , Michael E. Fossum , and Steven Swanson became NASA astronauts . 
