The Milner's tale

After AMC President Thomas Harrington was forced out in the wake of a Corps strike, Robert Teague Milner took over. Milner had been a member of the legislature and the first Commisioner of Agriculture in Texas. In the legislature, Milner wrote the law that requires students to learn Texas history. As President, Milner divided Engineering and Agriculture into separate schools within the College. Milner was an example for today's A&M, keeping costs down while expanding enrollment by housing the students in a tents.

In 1913, the faculty expelled 27 members of the Corps for hazing. In response, the Corps showed their reverence for the chain of command by deciding to stop going to class. 466 were dismissed for insubordination. The legislature, parents, and governor got involved. After a Board meeting in August, Milner resigned effective Oct. 1, 1913. Adams writes:

Milner's enthusiasm for growth did not take into account the need for additional staff support, recruitment of new faculty, extracurricular events, and what the cadets termed "amusements," such as a gymnasium

Vision 1920 cautions our leaders to learn from Milner. Never scrimp on the amusements!