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On October 3, 2025, Texas A&M University hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Aplin Center, a first-of-its-kind immersive learning hub transforming hospitality, retail, and marketing education, preparing students for the industries shaping our future. The $250 million Aplin Center is supported in part by $100 million in Permanent University Funds and a $60 million gift from former student Arch “Beaver” Aplin III ’80, founder and CEO of Buc-ee’s and namesake for the future center. As the future home of the Texas A&M Visitor Center, the Aplin Center will redefine the campus welcome experience with a 170-seat theater, 70-seat multipurpose rooms, and student ambassador spaces. It will serve as both the first stop for prospective Aggies and the last stop for graduates, bookending the Aggie journey in a vibrant, cutting-edge space. Set to open for classes in the Fall of 2028, the 211,724-square-foot, three-story mass timber facility will be a comprehensive experiential academic facility. The facility features immersive learning laboratories, food-tasting centers, student-run retail and dining spaces, and corporate training opportunities that position Texas A&M as a leader in hospitality, retail, and food innovation - and serve as a primary gateway to campus for all visitors. The center will redefine how Aggies learn. Students will gain hands-on, real-world experience by managing retail and dining operations, practicing product development and service management, and engaging in industry-partnered research and training. Lab spaces and classrooms are intentionally designed for visitors to watch students and professors learning and teaching, whether it is the intricate process of roasting coffee beans or the skillful technique of making ice cream. This live, hands-on environment will help ensure graduates are workforce-ready and industry-connected as they leave Texas A&M. Texas A&M University Aplin Center FUNDED WITH $100 MILLION FROM THE PERMANENT UNIVERSITY FUND
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