by Jessica Priest and Nicholas Gutteridge, The Texas Tribune

November 4, 2025

The Texas A&M University System paid former President Mark A. Welsh III more than $3.5 million after he resigned amid the fallout of a controversy over the teaching of gender identity issues, according to a separation agreement obtained through a public records request.

In the days before he stepped down, Welsh had pushed for a full payout of the remainder of his contract, something that Welsh seemingly believed some members of the Board of Regents were opposed to, according to communications reviewed by The Texas Tribune.

Welsh became president in 2023 and his contract ran through December 2028 with a $1.1 million annual salary, meaning he had a little more than three years remaining when he resigned. He

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