The above headline is a quote from an address given by Abraham Lincoln in his famous House Divided Speech on June 16, 1858.

But before continuing, let me state that my comments are directed to events or statements I have taken from The South Texas published on Tuesday, 27 October 2009, the Kingsville Record published on Wednesday, 28 October 2009 and my personal observations.

As all of us know, Texas A&M University-Kingsville Homecoming was conducted this year during the week of 17-14 October 2009.

Two activities were scheduled at the same time at noon on 24 October – the Javelina Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Luncheon held at the MSUB and the Texas A&I Alumni (Association) Luncheon was held at the Kingsville Center.

It must be pointed out that the Texas A&I Alumni (Association) is not the recognized alumni association of the university nor is it affiliated with the university.

Several students from the university protested outside the Kingsville Center because of the theme that the Texas A&I group has adopted-change the name of the university back to Texas A&I University.

In 1993 after a hard fought battle and some under the table dealings, Texas A&I University became TAMUK and part of the A&M System.

Yet still today, a very small group of individuals continue to fight a losing battle to change the name back to Texas A&I University.

Claims have been made that the university has been known as Texas A&I since 1929. I attended and graduated in 1962 from Texas College of Arts and Industries in Kingsville. This is a period of time before it became a university and the name changed to Texas A&I University.

We’re all Javelinas no matter what year or name you graduated under.

I would like to clarify a few statements that were made in both The South Texan and the Kingsville Record. According to what I have been told, State Senator Lucio has not undergone open heart surgery and has not been bedridden for the past three weeks.

Could it be that Senator Lucio was told that there may be protestors outside the Kingsville Center and he elected not to appear at the A&I luncheon?

If I am wrong then I stand corrected and apologize. However, if I am right then I must dub this as a “smoke screen”. Was State Representative Tara Rios Ybarra really delayed or did she select to stay clear also?

I spoke with Representative Ybarra in the tailgate area and she was very receptive to my statements that this name change mess needs to come to a halt. I know that both of these individuals introduced legislation last year to change the name back, but did they yea or nay for the legislation when it came up for vote? I have heard two different versions of the story so who knows the truth?

Another point of contention; one individual stated: “that we need to protect their school, and we are trying to save the institution, because I believe that eventually they will try to merge the university with the Corpus Christi campus” (The South Texan). Come on now, let us get serious.

Do people really think that just because the name is changed back to Texas A&I that it will prevent the Kingsville campus from being merged with the Corpus Christi campus?

If it should be the intent of the Chancellor and Texas A&M System Board of Regents to undertake such an action, it will not matter what the name of the institution is.

More smoke screen or is this a scare tactic?

For those who think changing the name back will improve our school it might be helpful to ask themselves the following questions:

1. Have any of you toured the campus in the past three years and witnessed the facility construction completed and that which is in progress? Do you know the dollar value of all of these programs? Would Texas A&I have received this money if not part of the A&M System?

2. Are you aware or have you noticed that in addition to 7 regular-season home games this fall we also continue to enjoy a long list of national championship reunions, luncheons, presidential socials, golf tournaments, and the list goes on? Two favorite comments from these events as stated to one of the administrators are:

a. I apologize for testifying in Austin–I was wrong.

b. I changed my tone– for me, it’s now Javelinas till I die.

3. How many students scholarships have been lost due to all the money spent on the name change effort? Costs associated with advertising, lobbying, and leasing and renovating the Texas A&I Alumni (Association) building could have gone to helping our school award needed scholarships.

4. What reason to donate are you going to provide to the students (now alumni) that have graduated from the university with a diploma that reads Texas A&M University- Kingsville? Do you want them to support Texas A&I?

5. Is the name change back to A&I more of an “ego trip” for a handful of individuals or do they truly believe that the name change will generate more funds for physical plant improvements, scholarships, programs, and staffing?

6. Was the scheduling of the two luncheons at the same time a coincidence? Did it cause confusion for some people?

7. Is a college or university permitted to have more than one alumni association? Sorry, only one. The Javelina Alumni Association is the one that is recognized by our university.

This conflict is hurting the institution we love.

Do you truly believe that there is a positive outcome with a name change?

It is time to halt this name change mess. If not, then “the house divided” will truly crumble.