#48 Postcard Trivia 3.19.19

This postcard from the 1950’s shows the Memorial Student Center on the campus of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (A. and M. College, later to become Texas A & M University) shortly after it was built in 1950. The MSC serves as the student union building for the campus but it is unique in that it is also a living memorial to all of the Aggies who have lost their lives in wars. Dedicated on April 21, 1951, the MSC has continued to honor the sacrifice of Aggie men and women who served our country. Students, staff, and visitors follow the tradition of respect by removing hats in the building and refraining from walking on the grass around the building. Although it has been updated through the years to accommodate student life, the original building and grounds will always be the heart of the Texas A & M University campus.

Trivia Question:

When the Memorial Student Center was built, the A. and M. College of Texas was an all male institution and participation in the Corps of Cadets military training was mandatory. In which decade were the following changes made: the name was changed to Texas A & M University, women were admitted as students, and participation in the Corps of Cadets became voluntary?

A. the 60’s B. the 70’s C. the 80’s

See answer below.

Answer to Trivia Question:

A. the 60’s. The changes were made during the 1960’s, when General James Earl Rudder was president of the university. Today, Texas A & M is a world-class research university with over 59,000 students enrolled at the main campus in College Station, Texas.

Source Links:

Memorial Student Center. https://www.tamu.edu/traditions/remembrance/msc/

History of Texas A & M University. https://www.tamu.edu/about/history.html

Current Enrollment. https://today.tamu.edu/2019/02/21/texas-am-announces-spring-2019-enrollment/