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Maureen Turk and Nancy Nielson were the first women to study nuclear engineering at A&M. When Nielson graduated in 1970, she was the first woman since the Hutson twins to complete a course of study in engineering and the first ever to receive a degree in the field. Turk graduated in 1972
In 1971, 1,767 women were enrolled. Four years later the number had climbed to 7,182 and by 1980 nearly doubled to 12,207.
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Champion golfer Brenda Goldsmith signed with A&M in 1973 and was thus the first female athlete recruited by the school. There was not an official women’s golf team, however, because the Southwest Conference prohibited competition among women. Goldsmith instead “represented” A&M at tournaments and other competitions. Through the late ’60s and early ’70s women’s athletics were limited to “club sports” status and could not begin in earnest until the rules of the SWC were changed.
Roxie Pranglin, shown here leading W-1 in the 1977 Kansas march-in, was the first female cadet to lead a unit who had also served all four years in the Corps.
Coeducation also led to the end of some traditions. In 1970, A&M coeds were allowed to compete for the title of “Aggie Sweetheart” for the first time. Since 1938, when the tradition began, this honor had been reserved for a “Tessie,” the Aggie name for students at TWU. In 1971, Carolyn Haley was the first Aggie to compete for the title. In 1972, Becky Upham (pictured) became the first Aggie “Aggie Sweetheart.” She was also the last as the tradition was discontinued the next year.