Angelo State's General Isn't Repeating the Mistake of Texas A&M's General

SAN ANGELO, TX — Until recently, two Texas universities were led by retired U.S. Air Force generals. Texas A&M University in College Station was headed by Gen. (Ret.) Mark Welsh, while five hours west (by car), Angelo State University in San Angelo is led by Gen. (Ret.) Ronnie Hawkins. In College Station, Welsh resigned amid intense criticism from conservative lawmakers and activists for allegedly tolerating transgender ideology in classroom instruction. At Angelo State, however, Gen. Hawkins has taken a firm stance to ensure such ideologies find no foothold.

Hawkins’ approach, articulated through university spokeswoman Brittany Miller, aligns with state and federal directives. He points to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s January 30, 2025, letter, issued shortly after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, which instructed state agencies to adhere to state and federal laws, including Trump’s executive order rejecting radical sexual orientation and gender identity ideologies. The executive order, signed on January 20, 2025, emphasizes that “my Administration will defend women’s rights and protect freedom of conscience by using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male.” Further reinforcing this stance, Texas HB 229, passed in June 2025 and effective September 1, 2025, defines “sex” as a binary concept based on biological reproduction, mandating that state records categorize individuals as either female (capable of producing ova) or male (capable of fertilizing ova).

“Angelo State University, as a public institution, fully complies with all applicable state and federal laws, executive orders, and directives from both the President of the United States and the Governor of Texas,” Miller stated.

ASU's policy follows the high-profile resignation of Texas A&M’s President Mark Welsh on September 19, 2025, after weeks of backlash from conservative figures, including MAGA Republican State Rep. Brian Harrison, over a viral video showing a student challenging a professor on gender-related content in a children’s literature course.

At Angelo State, Hawkins has introduced a stringent policy prohibiting discussions of transgender issues or gender diversity in classrooms. Faculty are required to use students’ legal names, remove pronouns from email signatures, and take down any LGBTQ+ pride flags or stickers that might suggest endorsement of woke ideologies. Those on the left argue that these symbols in the university classroom designate the space as "safe" for those who identify as homosexuals and transgender.

Critics on the left argue this policy stifles free speech and academic freedom, urging voters to support Democrats in the upcoming midterms and the 2028 presidential election to reverse such measures. Supporters, however, view Hawkins’ compliance with state and federal directives as a pragmatic approach, akin to a general following orders from higher authorities.

The debate over gender ideology is not new to Angelo State. In 2015, a San Angelo LIVE! video captured students discussing “gender gray areas” and pronouns, signaling early awareness of these issues on campus.