The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

New chancellor shares visions for A&M-San Antonio

Chancellor John Sharp

Texas A&M-University’s new chancellor John Sharp said Tuesday at a forum that Texas A&M-San Antonio will soon be the second largest university in the system of 11 universities.

“Shortly thereafter I will predict it’ll be the largest campus in the A&M System,” Sharp said.

Sharp toured the facilities at Brooks City-Base Campus Tuesday afternoon before speaking to a classroom of about 30 faculty and staff members in Main Campus Building.

Sharp stressed that although A&M-San Antonio is still young, it is already a competitive university and that mirrored programs like those offered at matured universities should be implemented here.

“You interest students with things like gyms. You interest students with things like sports teams,” Sharp said and also added that A&M-San Antonio will move as fast as it can in getting new competitive programs off the ground in the near future.

Sharp said that at its current stage, A&M-San Antonio’s opportunities are limitless.

“Maybe this can be the place where the military saves money and can train its officers,” Sharp said.

Sharp assured that as A&M-San Antonio grows, the university will find its niche in the Texas A&M-University System.

He said that the current students at A&M-San Antonio have the opportunity to lay the foundation for the future of the university.

Also, he said it is important to make lifelong connections with classmates as he has with Gov. Rick Perry and other A&M-College Station alumni.

“Spread the word,” Sharp said about making it known that A&M-San Antonio is on the rise.
“This is our new showcase. We’re here to make it all it can be.”

During the forum, members of the faculty and staff raised questions on how the A&M System would support its newest member.

Business Professor Dr. Syed Harun asked the chancellor what the A&M System’s plans are in sharing the same financial structures that support the bigger A&M universities because, “We have a very small database.”

Sharp said the officials of the system would make efforts to operate collaboratively, where each university in the system works financially with the other universities on matters such as academics, library services, technology and food services.

He said that if one university in the system has a great idea, perhaps all the universities in the system can benefit if the idea is shared.

“That’s what has to change,” Sharp said. “If you want the same things, the same IT, equipment or whatever it is that somebody (other schools) has, then add your name to that deal.”

Sharp said he does not have all the answers and that he is not an expert on every role that makes the A&M System work.

In 1972, Sharp earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Texas A&M-College Station, and served as an officer in the Army, as railroad commissioner, state legislator and state comptroller. Sharp was named chancellor of the A&M System on Sept. 6.

He explained that his role as chancellor is not in anyway authoritative and that he remains eager to connect with the experts who work in the respective departments and that any participation in trying to improve the system is commended.

“I praise anybody who puts forth a particular idea,” Sharp said.

Sharp explained that he will remain close in his contact with the administrations of each member of the A&M System and said, “ I will never be more than a phone call away.”

Sharp said he plans to periodically hold collaborative meetings where administrators of all the universities in the A&M System can exchange ideas and work together in making the experience at any Texas A&M-University a great one.

 

About the Author

Joseph Camacho
Joseph Camacho is the Multimedia Editor for The Mesquite. Previously, he served as the Mesquite’s Managing Editor and as a member of A&M-San Antonio’s Student Media Board. He has worked as a camera operator and student intern with NowcastSA.com and freelances as an audio/video engineer for local musicians and documentary filmmakers. He is a 2000 Southside High School graduate, attended Palo Alto College and served as a U.S. Marine. He is the father of two children, ages 3 and 7.

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