Texas A&M’s Law School Opens to Public

The late Texas Wesleyan University School of Law officially opened its doors Thursday to students, faculty, patrons and the Fort Worth community as Texas A&M University School of Law. While the acquisition gave A&M the juris doctorate program it has long wanted, administrators say it also will allow the school to redefine legal education. “It’s an interesting time for legal education,” said Aric Short, interim dean of A&M Law. “I think the timing of this transaction couldn’t be better.” The public opening followed Monday’s official close on A&M’s $73.2 million acquisition for the law school. The transaction close came just in time for the first day of classes next Monday.The acquisition was a result of a year of tireless planning, negotiating and seeking approval from regulatory bodies. This included the American Bar Association for accreditation, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s permission for A&M to add a J.D. degree and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to approve the transaction. In addition to Short, those in attendance of the grand opening included Texas A&M University President R. Bowen Loftin; Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp; Texas A&M University System General Counsel Ray Bonilla; Texas…