History
On Monday, October 2, 1876, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, the first state-supported institution of higher learning, was officially opened for registration. 
The opening resulted from the Morrill Act passed by Congress fourteen years earlier, which provided a permanent fund to be raised through the sale of public land given to the states. The accruing interest from this fund was to be used to support a technical college which, among other things, specialized in the studies of mechanics, agriculture, and military tactics. Monday, October 2, 1876 was the first official day of classes at A&M. Unfortunately, only a handful of students appeared on that appointed matriculation day. On Wednesday, October 4, 1876, forty students and six faculty members began instruction, with Thomas Gathright as acting president. Governor Richard Coke was present on this day to dedicate the school and wish it success; and his advice is still included as required knowledge for Cadets.
