The oldest statue on the Texas A&M campus is not going away.
The Sul Ross statute was dedicated in 1918, following his stint as A&M president from 1891-1898. That followed two terms as Texas Governor.
It was Ross’s service as a Confederate general that led to questions about the statute.
Current president Michael Young and A&M system chancellor John Sharp both said Ross’s statue is staying.
Young said without Sul Ross, neither A&M nor Prairie View A&M would likely exist today.
Young referred to comments made in 1897 by the chief administrator at Prairie View, who at the time reported to the president at A&M, who praised Ross as an early advocate of the first state-supported historically black college.
The statute, nicknamed “Sully”, is where students leave pennies among other coins and gifts for good luck when taking exams. The items are collected each semester and donated to local charitable organizations.
WTAW News asked if there would be any additional security around the Sul Ross statute. According to a university spokeswoman, “That statue and Academic Plaza are already part of our security patrol day and night and now may or may not be under video surveillance.”
Text of statement issued by Michael Young:
“Lawrence Sullivan “Sul” Ross is honored on our campus as a former president of the school. Without Sul Ross, neither Texas A&M University nor Prairie View A&M University would likely exist today. He saved our school and Prairie View through his consistent advocacy in the face of those who persistently wanted to close us down,” said Michael K. Young, President, Texas A&M University.
Edward L. Blackshear, himself the son of slaves and former principal and chief administrator of Prairie View, praised Sul Ross in comments made in 1897 regarding the nobility of his character and for being an early advocate for the creation of the first state-supported historically black college, fulfilling a promise for doing so in the Texas state constitution. Historian and former Prairie View A&M University president George C. Wright stated “It should be noted that the President of Texas A&M (then A.M.C.) was also the President of Prairie View until 1948 when the title of “principal” was upgraded to “president.” Wright continued, “As such, Edward Blackshear’s comments at the time noting the vital support that Sul Ross as president provided to Prairie View were significant and a true testament to his contributions to African American students.”
President Young added, “The Sul Ross statue will remain. We will look at other historical artifacts across Texas A&M to assess their consistency with our core values.”
Chancellor John Sharp has asked the other universities in the Texas A&M System to review their historical artifacts as well, adding: “Anyone who knows the true history of Lawrence Sullivan Ross would never ask his statue to be removed. It will not be removed.”
