 The first public institution of higher education in Texas , the school opened on October 4 , 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas under the provisions of the Morrill Land @-@ Grant Acts . Originally , the college taught no classes in agriculture , instead concentrating on classical studies , languages , literature , and applied mathematics . After four years , students could attain degrees in scientific agriculture , civil and mechanical engineering , and language and literature . Under the leadership of President James Earl Rudder in the 1960s , A & M desegregated , became coeducational , and dropped the requirement for participation in the Corps of Cadets . To reflect the institution 's expanded roles and academic offerings , the Texas Legislature renamed the school to Texas A & M University in 1963 . The letters " A & M " , originally short for " Agricultural and Mechanical " , are retained only as a link to the university 's past . The school 's students , alumni , and sports teams are known as Aggies . 
