Regents Unanimously Approve Academic Building Restoration
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has approved a $30 million plan to restore and repair the exterior of the historic Academic Building at Texas A&M University.
“The Academic Building is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Spirit of Aggieland,” said Board Vice Chairman Jay Graham. “It is more than brick and stone. It is one of the great symbols of Texas A&M to generation of Aggies. The Board is committed to preserving the Academic Building not just because of what it means to former students today, but because future Aggies deserve to experience and cherish it for generations to come.”
The Academic Building was constructed in 1914 after the tragic fire that destroyed Old Main, the original campus central building. Its copper dome rises above Academic Plaza near many of Texas A&M’s most treasured traditions, including Silver Taps, the Lawrence Sullivan Ross statue where students leave pennies for good luck before exams, and the nearby Century Tree, long associated with Aggie romance and marriage proposals.
It also houses the State of Texas’s replica of the Liberty Bell, awarded to Texas A&M in 1950 on Independence Day by Texas governor Allan Shivers in recognition of the university’s contribution to World War II.
The renovations will repair and restore the exterior masonry and stone. This will prevent future interior damage, eliminate safety hazards, and restore the exterior to its original appearance. The
“It is our responsibility to take care of this historic building while it is our turn to do so,” System Chancellor Glenn Hegar said. “The Academic Building has stood at the heart of Texas A&M for generations, and these renovations will ensure it continues to educate, inspire and serve Aggies long after we are gone.”
The renovation will be funded by the Permanent University Fund and the Excellence Initiatives. Construction is anticipated to begin in June 2026. Completion is projected for June 2029.
About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest and most impactful higher education systems in the country, with an annual budget of $8.1 billion. Its statewide network includes 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M–Fort Worth, and the Texas A&M–RELLIS Campus. The A&M System serves nearly 175,000 students and reaches millions more through research, service, and outreach programs each year. With nearly $1.6 billion in annual research expenditures, the A&M System fuels innovation, supports communities, and drives Texas’s economy forward.