The RELLIS Campus has a rich history dating back 75 years, playing a key role in protecting the nation during wartime and advancing scientific understanding. Originally a cotton field, it became the Bryan Army Air Field during World War II and housed over 1,000 Women Air Service Pilots. After the war, it became a college annex and then a jet-pilot training facility during the Korean War. In 1962, Texas A&M leased the property and ultimately gained full ownership in 1988, renaming it the Riverside Campus and using it as a research home for various ventures.

In 2016, Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp saw the potential in Riverside Campus and its location and announced the transformation of Riverside Campus into the RELLIS Campus, named for the six Aggie Core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity, and selfless service. The innovative campus is now a technology and testing research hub that facilitates collaboration between private and public sector companies and provides unique educational opportunities for students.

If you’re interested in learning more about the storied past of the property by visiting the RELLIS Recollections website.