Here is the email sent out to us students at Texas A&M...
By the time you read this, the President of the United States will have
announced that he will nominate me to be the next Secretary of
Defense. I am deeply honored, but also deeply saddened.
As most of you know, almost two years ago I declined an opportunity to
become the first Director of National Intelligence. I did so
principally because of my love for Texas A&M and because much of the
program we had initiated to take A&M to a new level of excellence had
only just started.
Today, two years later, all of the initiatives of greatest importance
are well underway and on an assured path to completion. The faculty
reinvestment program is on track and all 447 new positions should be
funded by next September. Work is underway or in planning for more
than $500 million in construction, some 90% of it on new academic
facilities. We have made significant progress in increasing the
diversity of our faculty and student body, and both the programs and
funding are in place to continue that important and on-going effort.
And many new initiatives are now underway or are already complete to
enhance both graduate and undergraduate education, including, above
all, the new University Studies degree program. The Corps is on the
right track in terms of growth and grades, and the Capital Campaign
will end next month having far exceeded our billion dollar goal.
Some of you may worry whether one or another of these efforts will
continue with my departure. You need to know that the progress we have
made has been a team endeavor, and the team will remain. A remarkable
faculty and a group of gifted administrators and staff who truly
deserve the credit for all that has been accomplished over the past
four-plus years will still be here -- above all, my strong right arm
for nearly four and a half years, the Executive Vice President and
Provost, Dr. David Prior.
I apologize for surprising you with this momentous decision and
announcement, and for leaving as president before fulfilling my
commitment to serve Texas A&M for at least five years. I hope you will
understand the circumstances that made this necessary and that this
appointment comes nearly as much a surprise to me as to you.
I will have more to say to you before I leave (if I am confirmed by the
Senate). But I must tell you that while I chose Texas A&M over
returning to government almost two years ago, much has happened both
here and around the world since then. I love Texas A&M deeply, but I
love our country more and, like the many Aggies in uniform, I am
obligated to do my duty. And so I must go. I hope you have some idea
of how painful that is for me and how much I will miss you and this
unique American institution.
At this point, I expect to remain as President of Texas A&M until
completion of the confirmation process and a Senate vote. I assure
you, you will hear more from me before my departure.
Robert M. Gates
President
Texas A&M University