Dublin Core
Title
Lawrence Sullivan “Sully” Ross Statue, Texas A&M, College Station, TX
Description
Lawrence Sullivan Ross, born on September 27, 1838, in Bentonsport, Iowa, played a crucial role in Texas history as a military officer, politician, and academic. Raised in Texas, he served as a Confederate officer during the Civil War, earning the rank of brigadier general. Ross also served as the 19th governor of Texas from 1887 to 1891, he focused on education, prison reform, and financial stability. His political focuses fueled his aspiration to enter education management, eventually leading him to the role of a university president. Ross became the president of Texas A&M University in 1891, leaving a lasting impact on the institution.
Texas A&M University finds itself embroiled in a persistent debate surrounding the Lawrence Sullivan "Sully" Ross statue. Positioned on the Texas A&M University campus, at the Academic Plaza, the statue pays tribute to Ross, a pivotal figure in the university's history, and simultaneously symbolizes a contentious past. Ross, with roles as a former Texas A&M President, Confederate Soldier, and an accused Native American killer, adds complexity to the discussion. What used to be a beacon of hope as students placed pennies for good luck at the feet of the former university president, the statue now amplifies a historical past that students are eager to move away from. The statue's strategic placement amplifies the debate, with the university steadfast in its decision to retain the monument, even as similar statues across the nation face removal.
In 2017, amidst a nationwide reckoning with Confederate symbols, Texas A&M resisted the trend, affirming that the Sully Ross statue would remain untouched. This decision deepened the divide between students and the institution, sparking heated arguments on both sides.
In 2020, former Texas A&M quarterback Kellon Mond publicly criticized the statue, aligning it with values conflicting with those of the student body. Chancellor John Sharp and then-President Michel K. Young defended Ross's legacy, emphasizing his support for black student educational and mental health initiatives.
In 2021, an "Action-Focused" Committee was established under interim president John Junkins, introducing a new layer of complexity. The committee's ambiguous stance, opting for contextual reference rather than removal, left students advocating for the statue's removal disheartened. This move prompted questions about the sincerity of the university's commitment to meaningful dialogue and action regarding the contentious statue. In the same breath, Sharp and Young pledged $100,000 towards honoring Matthew Gaines, a former slave who became the first Black state senator of Texas. The unveiling of Gaines's statue in November 2021 marked a symbolic shift in the university's approach, acknowledging diverse voices and histories beyond the shadow of the Sully Ross controversy.
The Lawrence Sullivan “Sully” Ross Statues still stands in 2023.
Texas A&M University finds itself embroiled in a persistent debate surrounding the Lawrence Sullivan "Sully" Ross statue. Positioned on the Texas A&M University campus, at the Academic Plaza, the statue pays tribute to Ross, a pivotal figure in the university's history, and simultaneously symbolizes a contentious past. Ross, with roles as a former Texas A&M President, Confederate Soldier, and an accused Native American killer, adds complexity to the discussion. What used to be a beacon of hope as students placed pennies for good luck at the feet of the former university president, the statue now amplifies a historical past that students are eager to move away from. The statue's strategic placement amplifies the debate, with the university steadfast in its decision to retain the monument, even as similar statues across the nation face removal.
In 2017, amidst a nationwide reckoning with Confederate symbols, Texas A&M resisted the trend, affirming that the Sully Ross statue would remain untouched. This decision deepened the divide between students and the institution, sparking heated arguments on both sides.
In 2020, former Texas A&M quarterback Kellon Mond publicly criticized the statue, aligning it with values conflicting with those of the student body. Chancellor John Sharp and then-President Michel K. Young defended Ross's legacy, emphasizing his support for black student educational and mental health initiatives.
In 2021, an "Action-Focused" Committee was established under interim president John Junkins, introducing a new layer of complexity. The committee's ambiguous stance, opting for contextual reference rather than removal, left students advocating for the statue's removal disheartened. This move prompted questions about the sincerity of the university's commitment to meaningful dialogue and action regarding the contentious statue. In the same breath, Sharp and Young pledged $100,000 towards honoring Matthew Gaines, a former slave who became the first Black state senator of Texas. The unveiling of Gaines's statue in November 2021 marked a symbolic shift in the university's approach, acknowledging diverse voices and histories beyond the shadow of the Sully Ross controversy.
The Lawrence Sullivan “Sully” Ross Statues still stands in 2023.
Creator
Pompeo Coppini
Source
[1] Source: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2017/08/21/amid-debate-over-confederate-monuments-texas-am-will-not-remove-sul-ross-statue/
[2] Source: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29321542/texas-kellen-mond-removing-controversial-statue-need-see-action
[3] Source: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/01/27/texas-am-sul-ross-statue/
[2] Source: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29321542/texas-kellen-mond-removing-controversial-statue-need-see-action
[3] Source: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/01/27/texas-am-sul-ross-statue/
Date
1918
Contributor
Angelica Smith
Language
English
Type
Sculpture
Identifier
HIST 402A Fall 2023
Coverage
College Station, Texas