Looking back at some of the best Texas Tribune reads of 2023
Our journalists brought life to the experiences of everyday Texans, held powerful institutions accountable and surfaced stories that went beyond the daily news cycles. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3d5e6dbb997b8b5a8e27133473e72a2f/longform%207.jpg)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Elon Musk plans to open a new university in Austin
The Tesla CEO and Texas resident’s charitable foundation filed an application to create the new school “dedicated to education at the highest levels.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c47cb8a836a3a61171d7ad02831649e4/Elon%20Musk%20VivaTech%202023%20TT.jpg)
![Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups, in Paris, France, June 16, 2023.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes -
Mark Welsh III officially named president of Texas A&M University
Welsh served as interim president of the flagship university for a little over four months after the prior president resigned in the midst of a hiring scandal that drew national attention. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1027bcf12189f53732ba26a791500913/Mark%20Welsh%20TAMU%20MS%2010.jpg)
![Texas A&M interim president Ret. Gen. Mark A. Welsh III speaks with student leaders before addressing the senior class during Elephant Walk on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Aggie Park in College Station.]()
Credit: Meredith Seaver for The Texas Tribune -
As Israel-Hamas war sparks tensions on Texas campuses, universities struggle with how to respond
A series of incidents across Texas campuses have brought attention to universities’ handling of heated political debates about the war. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ec6b3164e2c1ab0a0aab4c0d1e314e84/1112%20ATX%20Palestine%20Protest%20JS%20TT%2024.jpg)
![Thousands of Texans march in support for Palestine in downtown Austin on Nov. 12, 2023.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
These rural Texans opted out of a degree. The community college down the street wants them back.
To survive, Texas community colleges have to prove their worth. But residents of this rural north Texas town are questioning what's right for them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/465b5e4c5ded337da06f887579f47590/1203%20Nikki%20Murray%20DR%2031.jpg)
![Nikki Murray, center, watches her grandson, nieces and nephew play outside her home on Sunday, December 3, 2023 in Vernon. Murray, who works as a cashier at McDonald’s, attended Vernon College in the early 2000s but withdrew to raise her two kids while in an abusive relationship. College is still a dream for her, but she is currently settled in her job and continues to focus on caring for her family.]()
Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune -
With new funding formula, community colleges can better prepare students for Texas workforce, experts say
The state’s new funding model can help schools train students for high-demand jobs, panelists said at a Texas Tribune event. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8518846897ff6dc4f83c08d0756bcfef/01-24_SessionColleges-Lead-Title-01.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Rice University relocates its founder’s remains after reckoning with his ties to slavery
William “Willy” Rice, the founder of Rice University, will be buried at his family plot after students called for his removal due to his slave-owning past. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fad60da715b8172b19e93af79b83fd2d/William%20Marsh%20Rice%20Statue%20AM%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The William Marsh Rice statue at Rice University in Houston on March 11, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
University of Austin President Pano Kanelos pitches Texas’ newest university as a place dedicated to free inquiry
UATX was launched by a group of higher education critics, including Kanelos, who believe universities have abandoned their commitment to open inquiry, free speech and civil discourse. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6e20deddb0f642e36dabfca710fbb89d/12-13_PanoKanelo-Lead-Title-01-v2.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Texas A&M names Mike Elko as new head football coach
The announcement comes after the university spent more than $75 million to fire former football coach Jimbo Fisher. A&M did not immediately say how much it will pay Elko. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/86278dc74b2df079d925adcc06b95b39/Mike%20Elko%20REUTERS.JPG)
![Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Football matchup at Wallace Wade Stadium September 4, 2023, in Durham, NC.]()
Credit: Scott Kinser/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
A Texas university removed its unique public billboards after students used them to share thoughts on Gaza war
The University of Texas at Dallas replaced three boulders — known as the Spirit Rocks — with trees, citing “extended political discourse.” Students say the quirky public square is a frequent venue for political messaging. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c0c8d8992ebd5d8e409cac85cb24df6a/UT%20Dallas%20Covid%20File%20ST%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Students walk through campus at the University of Texas at Dallas on Aug. 27, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Texas State University will host first 2024 presidential debate
The debate, scheduled for Sept. 16, 2024, will be the first of four for the general election. The San Marcos school would be the first Texas university to hold a presidential debate, Texas State officials said. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9817b5088353c61f65c27bd9027a1da0/TXST%20COVID%20JV%20TT%2027.jpg)
![Empty seats in the Alkek Teaching theatre on the first day of the fall semester at Texas State University in San Marcos on Aug. 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas A&M Board of Regents names Mark Welsh III sole finalist for president
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents named the former dean and four-star general as the sole finalist for president Friday. Many believe Welsh is the right person to move the university forward after a pair of controversies bruised the school’s morale. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7f1ba2ab04a90aac84c12c78721ba8f1/Mark%20Welsh%20TAMU%20MS%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Texas A&M interim President and Ret. Gen. Mark A. Welsh III during Elephant Walk on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Aggie Park in College Station.]()
Credit: Meredith Seaver for The Texas Tribune -
Jury rules against Texas professor who claimed suburban community college retaliated against him for political speech
The professor alleged the North Texas school violated his First Amendment rights when he advocated for the removal of Confederate statues and criticized the college’s COVID-19 plans. A jury disagreed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9331cf4d59a430607b9f558a5b249618/Collin%20College%20Michael%20Phillips%20TT.jpg)
![Former Collin College Professor Michael Phillips alleges the school violated his First Amendment rights.]()
Credit: Eli Mabli Photography -
Texas A&M Interim President Mark Welsh will get nod to keep permanent position
A&M System Chancellor John Sharp will recommend Welsh, a retired Air Force general, as the sole finalist for the job at a Board of Regents meeting later this week. Welsh has held the position in the interim since July. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1fdf8a40f1d4f4eeeacce6a9ebeecaa4/0802%20TAMU%20Welsh%20Eagle%20MS%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Retired General Mark A. Welsh III, interim president of Texas A&M University, speaks at a press conference in the Flag Room of the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus in College Station, on Aug. 2, 2023.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Meredith Seaver/The Eagle -
Texas A&M to spend more than $75 million to fire football coach Jimbo Fisher
The buyout amount is the largest in college sports history. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/83d80f6428003b128881d55b54b81f77/Jimbo%20Fisher%20%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher reacts to a call during the second quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field in College Station on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports]()
Credit: Maria Lysaker/USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS -
Texas community colleges see biggest enrollment recovery since the pandemic
The uptick comes after community colleges saw enrollment drop by about 80,000 students between 2019 and 2021. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f971ff814c5a9d2b5f0bce4f4647abc2/12_ACC_Riverside_Community_College_MG.jpg)
![ACC Riverside campus on Feb. 27, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
With $200 million and state approval, University of Austin is ready to start accepting applicants
The university was started by a group of higher education critics who believe traditional higher education has abandoned its commitment to open inquiry, free speech and civil discourse. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/28c5ed7ac6ec9d7cba21b8c73ec74a59/University%20of%20Austin%20JS%20TT%2002.jpg)
![The University of Austin in downtown Austin on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
Texas universities seeking top research status will have a clearer path under new rules
Texas universities trying to earn the coveted Carnegie “R1” title might be closer than before after a major overhaul this week. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/80edcf23dbab9b5a8d3dd820ea21514f/Baylor%20University%20JV%20TT%2013%20.jpg)
![Yellow leaves fall on a gusty day on the campus of Baylor University in Waco, TX on Dec 23, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas to get four new maternal health research centers amid mortality crisis for moms
Texas continues to struggle with maternal mortality and morbidity, despite a decade of tracking and reviewing these cases. Four new research centers will pilot innovative solutions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/49cfc6c4a01d25cb0050d99371f3dbbc/UTRGV%20File%20EG%20TT%2005.jpg)
![A school flag found at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley campus in Brownsville on Oct. 19, 2021.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Proposition 5 on Texas ballot would create new endowment for ‘emerging’ research universities
If approved, the new fund would provide tens of millions of dollars to the University of Houston, Texas Tech, Texas State University and University of North Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/067e43d34e7c195a6b3706ae3b3ee41e/HARVEY-UH0455.jpg)
![University of Houston students back on campus in Houston Tuesday, September 5, 2017 after the labor day holiday and Tropical Storm Harvey.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune