All Things Robert Gates

[Texsox]

First off, I am a big fan of his and think he will serve with distinction and honor. He just sent this to the Aggie Faithful.

 

November 8, 2006

 

To the Aggie Family,

 

By the time you read this, the President of the United States will have

announced that he will nominate me to be the next Secretary of Defense. I

am deeply honored, but also deeply saddened.

 

As most of you know, almost two years ago I declined an opportunity to

become the first Director of National Intelligence. I did so principally

because of my love for Texas A&M and because much of the program we had

initiated to take A&M to a new level of excellence had only just started.

 

Today, two years later, all of the initiatives of greatest importance are

well underway and on an assured path to completion. The faculty

reinvestment program is on track and all 447 new positions should be

funded by next September. Work is underway or in planning for more than

$500 million in construction, some 90% of it on new academic facilities.

We have made significant progress in increasing the diversity of our

faculty and student body, and both the programs and funding are in place

to continue that important and on-going effort. And many new initiatives

are now underway or are already complete to enhance both graduate and

undergraduate education, including, above all, the new University Studies

degree program. The Corps is on the right track in terms of growth and

grades, and the Capital Campaign will end next month having far exceeded

our billion dollar goal.

 

Some of you may worry whether one or another of these efforts will

<!-- D(["mb","continue with my departure. You need to know that the progress we havecontinue with my departure. You need to know that the progress we have

made has been a team endeavor, and the team will remain. A remarkable

faculty and a group of gifted administrators and staff who truly deserve

the credit for all that has been accomplished over the past four-plus

years will still be here -- above all, my strong right arm for nearly four

and a half years, the Executive Vice President and Provost, Dr. David

Prior.

 

I apologize for surprising you with this momentous decision and

announcement, and for leaving as president before fulfilling my commitment

to serve Texas A&M for at least five years. I hope you will understand the

circumstances that made this necessary and that this appointment comes

nearly as much a surprise to me as to you.

 

I will have more to say to you before I leave (if I am confirmed by the

Senate). But I must tell you that while I chose Texas A&M over returning

to government almost two years ago, much has happened both here and around

the world since then. I love Texas A&M deeply, but I love our country more

and, like the many Aggies in uniform, I am obligated to do my duty. And so

I must go. I hope you have some idea of how painful that is for me and how

much I will miss you and this unique American institution.

 

At this point, I expect to remain as President of Texas A&M until

completion of the confirmation process and a Senate vote. I assure you,

you will hear more from me before my departure.

 

Robert M. Gates, President Texas A&M University

[sox4lifeinPA]

lol...go AGGIES!

[sox4lifeinPA]

NAME _ Robert M. Gates.

 

AGE-BIRTH DATE _ 63, Sept. 25, 1943, Wichita, Kan.

 

EXPERIENCE _ CIA intelligence analyst, 1966-1974; National Security Council staff, 1974-1979; director of executive staff for CIA director, 1981-1982; deputy director for intelligence, 1982-1986; chair of the National Intelligence Council, 1983-1986; deputy director of CIA, 1986-1989; acting director, 1986-1987; deputy assistant to the president for national security affairs, 1989; assistant to the president and deputy for national security affairs, 1989-1991; CIA director, 1991-1993; interim dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, 1999-2001; president of Texas A&M University, 2002-present

 

EDUCATION _ B.A. from College of William and Mary, 1965; M.A. Indiana University, 1966; Ph.D. Georgetown University, 1974.

 

FAMILY _ Gates and his wife, Becky, have two children.

 

 

try and tell me this guy didn't have the world handed to him. Nice resume.

[Texsox]

try and tell me this guy didn't have the world handed to him. Nice resume.

 

Whaaaaaaaaaaat, did you see where he attended Indiana?? He had to live in Indiana! What could be worse?

[kapkomet]

Whaaaaaaaaaaat, did you see where he attended Indiana?? He had to live in Indiana! What could be worse?

That's a hell of a point you have there.

[sox4lifeinPA]

B.A. from College of William and Mary, 1965

M.A. Indiana University, 1966

CIA intelligence analyst, 1966

 

 

hold the phone.... he was only there for a year or so....does that even count?

[Texsox]

hold the phone.... he was only there for a year or so....does that even count?

It must have felt like 10. I spent three days in Michigan City, it was the longest week of my life.