 On March 26 , 1960 , Major General James Earl Rudder , class of 1932 , became the 16th president of the college . Rudder 's tenure ( 1959 – 1970 ) marked a critical turning point in the school 's history . Under his leadership , Texas A & M underwent a dramatic expansion in its physical plant construction , but more importantly , it diversified and expanded its student body by admitting women and minorities . The Corps of Cadets became voluntary . In the face of growing student activism during the 1960s , Rudder worked diligently to ensure that the school continue to fulfill its mission of providing a quality education for all Aggies . By his death in 1970 , Rudder had overseen the growth of the school from 7 @,@ 500 to 14 @,@ 000 students from all 50 states and 75 nations . 
