A Message from the Colonel Maritime Academy Enrollment Boom TS Lone Star State Construction Update
BY THE SEA GERTY! Howdy,
Reddish Egret Sculpture Promoted Awareness About Marine Debris in the Gulf
OCTOBER 16, 2025
A message from the Colonel
Michael Fossum ‘80 COO, TAMUG | Vice President, TAMU | Superintendent, Texas A&M Maritime Academy
Dear members of the Texas A&M University at Galveston Board of Visitors,
Howdy! The fall 2025 semester is off to a strong start, with a record number of new cadets joining our license-option program and an overall increase in enrollment across the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies! We are energized by this momentum and are actively expanding our recruiting efforts across all programs.
We’re also excited about the upcoming opening of our new Engineering Classroom and Research Building next spring, which will support the continued growth of our fouryear engineering degree programs. In addition, thanks to a generous donor, we now have the funding to build the Cheryl Mellenthin Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and Educational Outreach Center—a long-awaited project that is now moving into its early planning stages.
On Sept. 16, cadets gathered at the dock to salute TS Kennedy as it sailed into retirement after 58 years of service. Our new training vessel, TS Lone Star State, is on track to be delivered next summer. In the meantime, our new central facilities plant to support the new ship is now operational. We hope you can join us for the groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 15 for the TS Lone Star State Pier and Shoreside Infrastructure Project.
We had huge success during the last Texas legislative session. We gained financial support to help underwrite the operational expenses of the training ship and maritime academy for the next two years. This significant victory would not have been possible without your help in securing endorsements from over 80 business
and maritime entities to validate the urgency of our request. We also received approval from the Board of Regents and the Texas Legislature to allow all cadets in the maritime academy to pay the same fees as Texas residents. We expect both factors to have a dramatic impact on future recruitment.
The Texas Legislature also provided funding for the Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas, which is administered by our campus. This institute significantly impacts the lives of Texans by enhancing disaster resilience through its mission of connecting research with decisionmaking.
Finally, I am sure you have heard we are going through another season of change in the university with the departure of President Welsh. I want to thank him for his service to our university and the nation. We will have an interim president for many months until a new president is selected, but in the meantime, we are in a solid position and are on an excellent course. Our mission of education, research and discovery remains unchanged, and we are all moving forward to accomplish that mission every day.
Thank you for your continued support of our campus, students, faculty and staff through your time, energy and generosity. You are a vital part of the successes we celebrate, and I look forward to continuing our work together in the year ahead.
Thanks & Gig ‘em!
Col.
A message from
The Chairman
Jonathan Whitworth ‘89 Chairman Board of Visitors
Howdy Fellow Board of Visitors Members,
Another busy summer is behind us, and I hope you were able to enjoy some time with the family, or at a minimum, able to stay cool and out of the heat.
Although the temperature outside is cooling down, things are heating up at Texas A&M University at Galveston! We look forward to sharing with you some exciting news about this year’s incoming class along with reporting on significant progress with the campus infrastructure projects, including the groundbreaking of the new pier for the T/S Lone Star State which will be arriving on campus in approx. 12 months!
Regrettably, I must mention two significant losses which occurred this year. The first was the surprising passing of fellow BOV member, Shrub Kempner. He was a silent force to be reckoned with, a huge advocate for both Galveston Island and our campus, and he will be sorely missed.
Secondly, I was very saddened to hear Texas A&M University President, General Mark Welsh has retired, along with the
circumstances around his departure. If anyone has had the pleasure of spending more than 5 minutes with Mark, you know how much he loved A&M, closely guarded the Aggie traditions and values, and was a steadfast supporter of A&M at Galveston (in his first year he visited our campus more than his three predecessors combined). I’m sorry to see him leave, and I sure hope the Regents are able to find someone to fill his enormous shoes.
Lastly, after receiving feedback from my fellow BOV members, we’ve pivoted once again, and we have a new format we’re trying out for this meeting. As you will see in the attached agenda, there will be no committee breakouts, and the meeting will be shortened in order to complete around lunch time.
I look forward to seeing you either in person or via Zoom at the meeting, and thanks again for all your help and support, it’s very much appreciated.
See you in Galveston soon.
Board of Visitors Agenda
8:00 AM Networking with Continental Breakfast
8:15 AM Virtual Waiting Room Open
8:30 AM - Call to Order - General Meeting - Approval of April 2025 Meeting Minutes & Agenda Updates
8:45 AM Campus Briefing and General Update
Col. Mike Fossum - COO, TAMUG | Vice President, TAMU
9:15 AM Texas A&M Foundation Presentation
Mr. Jason Tieman - Senior Director of Development, Texas A&M Foundation, Galveston Campus
9:30 AM Break
Committee Update and Q&A
Industrial Relations - Mr. Brandon Neff and Mr. Ken Bailey Creation of Texas A&M Maritime Academy Advisory Board
10:00 AM
Student Affairs - Mr. Jonathan Whitworth and Mr. Todd Sutherland Project to ensure every graduate has an Aggie Ring
11:00 AM Federal and State Government Relations Update
Mr. Michael J. Hardy - Deputy Chief Government Relations Officer & Director of Federal Relations
11:30 AM Professor Highlight
Sheila Kitchen - Assistant Professor | Department of Marine Biology | College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies | TAMU
12:00 PM Student Speaker
Caiden Heausler - Corps Commander, Corps of Cadets, Texas A&M Maritime Academy
12:15 PM Board of Visitors In-camera Session
12:30 PM Adjourn and optional Lunch
Board of Visitors Members
Deana Atteberry ‘11
Sea Aggie Former Student Network
Greg Binion Auxo Marine
John Binion ‘94 Tiberinus Holdings, LLC
Michael Cokinos ‘77 Cokinos Energy Corporation
Thomas Farmer ‘71 Farmer’s Alloy Fabricating (Retired)
Gen. William Fraser, III ‘74 WM Fraser Enterprises, LLC (Retired)
Robert Fry Marinus Interests
Roger Guenther ‘83 Port of Houston Authority (Retired)
Leonard Hale ‘81 Gulf Copper
John Hallmark ‘97 Kirby Corporation
Amy Hark ‘95 Huntsman Corporation
Peter D. Huddleston, P.E. ‘80 Huddleston & Co., Inc.
Charlie Jenkins ’89 Port of Houston Authority
Chris Johnson ‘06
Johnson & Associates Attorneys at Law, PLLC
Mark Keller ‘74 Edison Chouest Offshore Companies
Dale Laine ‘78
Laine Strategy Group
Joshua LaVire ‘00
American Bureau of Shipping
Mark Lyons
McDaniel Charitable Foundation
Keith McFatridge, Jr. McFatridge & Associates, P.C.
John Michael ‘98 Vinson & Elkins, LLP
Phyllis Milstein Retired
B. Greg Mitchell
Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UC San Diego
Frank M. Muller, Jr. ‘65
Toby Enterprises
Chaz Neely ‘62 Retired
Brandon H. Neff ‘99 HFN Enterprises
George O’Kelley ‘90 Flex
Chris Orth ‘80 Florida Marine Transport
Victor R. Pierson
Moody National Bank
Wayne H. Prescott ‘69
Law Offices of Wayne H. Prescott
Laura Protz
PW Technologies
Terry Ray ‘79 Retired
Brian Roy Jr. ‘82 Houston Wire & Cable
Robert Sakowitz Hazak Corporation
Todd Sullivan ‘97
Texas International Terminals
Kelly Teichman ‘91 T & T Marine Salvage, Inc.
Sidney Theis ‘74 RDR Tec.
Andy Tirpak ‘81
Texas Parks and Wildlife (Retired)
Mark Waller Proceanic, LTD.
Jonathan Whitworth ‘89 Seaspan (Retired)
Committees
EXECUTIVE ADVISORY
Jonathan Whitworth
Chairman, Board of Visitors
Michael E. Cokinos
Thomas Farmer
Robert Fry
Roger D. Guenther
Pete D. Huddleston
INDUSTRY RELATIONS
Brandon Neff
Chair, Board of Visitors
Tom Farmer
Roger Guenther
Leonard Hale
John Hallmark
Amy Hark
Amy Hark Vice Chair, Board of Visitors
Keith McFatridge
Phyllis Milstein
Frank M. Muller
Chris Orth
Victor R. Pierson
Wayne H. Prescott
Todd Sullivan
Kelly Teichman
Ken Bailey Co-Chair, Texas A&M at Galveston
John Michael
L.C. ‘Chaz’ Neely
George O’Kelley
Vic Pierson
Brian Roy
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Jonathan Whitworth
Chairman, Board of Visitors
Greg Binion
Michael Cokinos
Will Fraser
Bob Fry
Pete Huddleston
Charlie Jenkins
Todd Sutherland Co-Chair, Texas A&M at Galveston
Chris Johnson
Dale Laine
Mark Lyons
Keith McFatridge
Greg Mitchell
Robert Sakowitz
Todd Sullivan
Kelly Teichman
Andy Tirpak
Phyllis Milstein
Frank Muller
Chris Orth
Wayne Prescott
Laura Protz
Board of Visitors Meeting
Meeting
Minutes April 8, 2025
Location
Aggie Special Events Center
Members Present (In-Person)
Deana Atteberry, John Binion, William Fraser, Robert Fry, Leonard Hale, John Hallmark, Pete Huddleston, Charlie Jenkins, Mark Keller, Joshua LaVire Phyllis Milstein, Chris Orth, Wayne Prescott, Laura Protz, Robert Sakowitz, Kelly Teichman, Sidney Theis, Andy Tirpak, Mark Waller, Jonathan Whitworth
Members Present (Online)
Dale Laine, Frank Muller, Brian Roy
Members Not Present
Greg Binion, Michael Cokinos, Jennifer Doerr, Tom Farmer, Roger Guenther, Amy Hark, Chris Johnson, Mark Lyons, Keith McFatridge, John Michael, Greg Mitchell, Jerry Mohn, Chaz Neely, Brandon Neff, George O’Kelley, Vic Pierson, Terry Ray, Todd Sullivan
TAMUG and TAMU Foundation Attendees
Ken Bailey, Amber Booth, Shelley Fordyce, Donna Lang, Susan Lee, Mike Fossum, Debbie Thomas, Jason Tieman, Pete van Hengstum
Call to Order
Mr. Jonathan Whitworth, Chairman
Mr. Whitworth called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m. and welcomed BOV membership.
Approval of Minutes
Charlie Jenkins moved to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2024 meeting as drafted, Joshua LaVire seconded the motion; all approved.
Board of Visitors Meeting
Meeting Minutes April 8, 2025
Welcome and Campus Briefing
Col. Mike Fossum welcomed the group and shared a campus update:
• We are in legislative session, and Col. Fossum is spending time in Austin meeting with legislators. He shared a full report on the budgetary status and details of our special request for the Texas A&M Maritime Academy.
• The new engineering building has topped off and construction continues.
• This is the last summer on our current training ship, the TS Kennedy. We will be sailing with Maine this summer on the Kennedy, and next year on their newly delivered NSMV III, State of Maine.
Dr. Debbie Thomas shared the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies update:
• The inaugural awards ceremony for the College is scheduled for April 25, 2025, and Dr. Thomas invited the BOV membership to attend the event and support Charlie Jenkins, the recipient of the award.
• Dr. Thomas shared that the College has started its first strategic plan. The strategic planning process is each academic unit is identifying their value proposition to begin the planning process.
• Blue Economy and our students – what differentiates graduates of the Galveston Campus? An entrepreneurial spirit. Being adaptable is one of the traits that sets our students apart.
• Dr. Thomas updated the group on the status for the Office of Outreach and Community and Engagement. She thanked the BOV for their role in supporting the creating of our need, and reported the launch of the office is in progress. She is in the final stages of hiring the director for the office.
Student
Panel
Facilitated by Jonathan Whitworth
Student panel featuring:
• Jason Elliott, Maritime Transportation
• Hunter Newton, Maritime Business Administration
• Adin Gauthier-Tyger, Computer Science
• Hannah McCarthy, Marine Biology
• Ashton Whittington, Maritime Studies
The students shared their backgrounds, their “why” for choosing TAMUG, and their experience on the campus.
Transition to Committee Meetings
- Industrial Relations Committee (Chair, Leonard Hale)
- Student Affairs (Chair, Jonathan Whitworth)
8, 2025
Board of Visitors Meeting Meeting Minutes April
Discussion with Industry Speaker: Capt. Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer, Houston Pilots Association
Mr. Whitworth and Capt. Winegar discussed how Clint got his start in the industry and how his journey led him to attend TAMUG. Capt. Winegar shared information about the Houston Pilots Association, focusing on the volume of traffic and management of working the logistics of the Houston Ship Channel. They discussed the importance of increasing awareness of the maritime industry in the local area, the port expansion, and related issues.
Break for lunch
Committee Reports
Leonard Hale, Industrial Relations:
Mr. Hale shared the discussion of creating an advisory board for the Texas A&M Maritime Academy (TAMMA). Mr. Fry and Mr. Bailey shared information about key stakeholders and creation of the new advisory board. Emphasis on diversification of the membership, including USCG representation and different types of employers within the maritime industry. The creation of the board is expected to be completed in 9-12 months.
Jonathan Whitworth, Student Affairs:
• Mr. Whitworth shared information about a new initiative to help students who need financial support to purchase their Aggie rings. Details to be shared after some
• Update on transportation initiative—BOV member Laura Protz, with support of the Mary Moody Northen Foundation, worked with the TAMU Foundation, and the van is ordered and will arrive by the start of the fall term.
• Other updates included in kind donations and promotion of support to the campus food pantry, a $10,000 contribution to Sea Camp, and $7,000 to beautification project on campus, also facilitated by Ms. Protz. Mr. Whitworth also thanked Mr. Kempner for supporting TAMUG initiatives in the Galveston community.
Texas A&M Foundation
Mr. Jason Tieman shared an overview and information about current TAMF projects and needs for the Galveston Campus. (PowerPoint presentation shared with BOV membership.)
Closed Session
Board of Visitors Members only.
Meeting Adjourned
The Board of Visitors meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
TEXAS A&M
MARITIME ACADEMY
SUMMER SEA TERM
The TS Kennedy completed its final sea term in July, where the 430 cadets from Texas A&M Maritime Academy and Maine Maritime Academy melded well. The greenhorn cadets learned and practiced the basics of watch standing, maintenance and sanitation, ship safety and rust busting. The senior cadets were put to the test on their skills honed over the past three years as leaders and watch standers. The 58-year-old ship performed admirably and safely, reaching her designed speed of 20kts with room to spare on the throttle.
Both Maritime Academy teams will begin planning for the joint sea term in 2026 aboard the brand-new TS State of Maine NSMV-3. Current plans include sailing from Maine to Galveston to pick up our team, a Caribbean port, a US east coast port and attending Sail 4th 250 in NY Harbor on the 4th of July. The TSOM, along with the TS Empire State will be anchored in New York Harbor for the event and parade.
RECORD ACADEMY ENROLLMENT
TAMUG Enrollment Services and the TAMMA Recruiting team welcomed the largest class of cadets ever to Orientation Week 2025, with 206 cadets (previous record was 202).
They were trained in teambuilding, ship safety and security and drill as part of their introduction to the Maritime Academy. The “fish” cadets were joined by their parents for our O-Week Pass In Review and pinning ceremony where the cadets were inducted into the United States Maritime Service.
206
TS LONE STAR STATE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
The TS Lone State is well into her fitting out period and is now at the main fitting out berth at Hanwha Philly Shipyard. Modular cabin units and interior equipment are being installed. Systems startup and testing will commence in the late winter and progress through sea trials tentatively scheduled for late spring early summer with a delivery in mid-summer 2026.
Captain Howell is currently assembling his crew and will be at the shipyard while the vessel is completed to train on the new ship and get her ready for delivery to Texas A&M Maritime Academy.
LONE STAR STATE PIER CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
The construction of the pier has officially commenced with a ceremonial groundbreaking scheduled for October 15th. This pier will accommodate the TS Lone Star State, including its roll-on roll-off capability as well as securing it through heavy weather.
This construction is funded by an 80/20 mix of federal and state funding and is expected to be completed by Fall of 2027.
FINANCE, BUDGETS & COMPLIANCE
89th Legislative Session
#3
Maritime Academy Workforce Development –TAMUG received per year of the biennium starting 09/01/2025
The State corrected funding error for our Seafood Safety Lab, which guarantees in funding each year for the next two years to continue seafood safety lab work. $95K
The Institute for Disaster Resilience, led by Dr. Sam Brody, received per year of the biennium starting 09/01/2025 to support his continued work.
Development News
Final report from this year’s Mardi Gras fundraiser resulted in four fully funded endowed scholarships of $75,000 each. WIN #1
$3.5M WIN #4
Formula funding for TAMUG increased by approximately per year of the biennium, which is being used to support a merit pool for FY2026. $800k
The Center for Sea Turtle Research received its final donation to completely fund the new Cheryl Mellenthin Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and Educational Outreach Center.
Overall Development celebrates its biggest year ever in fundraising with over $10 million raised.
FINANCE, BUDGETS & COMPLIANCE
The Budget Office spent several months in Preparation and Presentation of the FY2026 Budget before the BOR Finance Committee.
Day One: Financial Review Presentation
Day Two: Capital Plan and Deferred Maintenance
Key Activities
Budget preparation is done in two phases, which is a complex process requiring the following:
PHASE 1
Day Two slide presentation is prepared to present the overall capital plan and deferred maintenance picture. Presentation includes slides such as capital plan showing approved construction projects and wish list of unfunded projects.
PHASE 2
After the BOR approved our budgets at the August BOR meeting:
The Budgets and Finance Office manages merit distribution memo and spreadsheets and finalizes all unit budgets for FY2026.
CFO prepares and presents the budget summary for the executive team.
The Office of Research and Budgets and Finance presented a plan and received approval to centralize research business operations, following the centralization model currently in place for all other business operations. This change will:
Create a full complement of three grant administrators expected to provide a much-needed improvement to the customer service needs of our researchers. The Centralized Grants Administration Unit can now be held accountable for compliance with sponsor rules, regulations and accounting processes; establish proper training and performance measures (e.g., checklists, account reconciliations); and offer commensurate career development opportunities, like those created for the centralized business team.
A modest increase to the base salary will help recruit individuals with increased finance and accounting talent to elevate the level of customer service delivered to the TAMUG research community.
Updates
FY2026 Operating Budget
We just completed the FY2026 budget.
In legislative years, this process is delayed until the session has ended because our state appropriation must be known to develop the annual budget.
Good News! 20th Class day headcount shows an increase of 146 students enrolled in TAMUG degree programs and a decrease of 90 students enrolled in TAMU Engineering for a net increase of 56 students.
Reserve Balances
Reserve balances are holding steady from 5.2 months at the end of FY2023 to 5.1 months at the end of FY2024.
We expect a significant impact on reserves in FY2025 due to 2024’s Hurricane Beryl emergency response costs. We are filing claims with FEMA, however the reimbursement process from FEMA takes time. Additionally, FEMA will only reimburse 75% of the total approved costs.
Hurricane Beryl Financial Impacts
Financial impacts from Hurricane Beryl total about $6 million for emergency response and $35 million for permanent repairs for TAMMA Hall.
Total funds raised for the TAMF Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025), in support of TAMUG students, projects, programs and facilities, is a record $9.6 million. A significant portion of these funds are dedicated to the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and Educational Outreach Center Capital Campaign.
Thanks to the generosity of donor Cheryl Mellenthin, the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and Educational Outreach Center Capital Campaign goal has now been met.
With approval at the August 2025 Board of Regents meeting, the facility is officially named the Cheryl Mellenthin Sea Turtle Hospital and Educational Outreach Center, in recognition of Cheryl’s transformational support.
A HISTORIC FUNDRAISING YEAR FOR
HOWDY, GERTY!
Gerty was on display in front of the Williams Library through the end of September.
Gerty of the Gulf was created entirely of marine debris collected from local beaches, as a way to help educate the public about plastic pollution in the water through art. Gerty was sculpted by a Galveston artist, Evan McClimans in partnership with the Galveston Park Board and The Washed Ashore Project, a group that creates and shares marine life sculptures to illustrate the effects of pollution in our oceans and waterways.
The Reddish Egret is native to this area and the sculpture will be a rotating exhibit in the community.
visit washedashore.org/galveston to learn more.
TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY at GALVESTON
Our fiscal year 2025 fundraising success started with a new approach to fundraising with very clear and measurable goals.
THE CONDEMNED COVERED BOAT DOCK
at the TAMUG campus marina was removed, thanks to a major contribution from a generous donor, with additional plans to assist with funding a new boathouse to support the marina operations.
The Director of Outreach and Community Engagement position at TAMUG is now staffed, thanks to a significant gift made by the McDaniel Charitable Foundation.
FOUNDATION WAY THE
UPDATES
TAMF’s Annette Forst has transitioned from an interim vice president of development role to a permanent vice president of development position. Most recently, Annette served as the assistant VPD and oversaw multiple teams including the Galveston team. Annette still oversees the Galveston development team, with additional oversight responsibilities.
Chastity Carrigan is now the permanent senior vice president for development. Chastity oversees the Texas A&M Foundation’s development strategy. She ensures coordinated fundraising initiatives and donor engagement programs as well as effective advancement strategies across colleges, professional schools and satellite campuses to advance the university’s mission.
Our FY2025 fundraising success started with a new approach to fundraising with very clear and measurable goals: The Foundation Way. This helped each team member stay focused on the most impactful methods to bring in the most gifts. Additionally, team members were aligned with the goals and vision and were encouraged to do what works best for them to be successful. The team did a phenomenal job of targeting prospects and conducting frequent in-person donor visits inside and outside of Texas. We will continue to expand on regional focused efforts in key areas across the country.
KEY ACTIVITIES
The Texas A&M Foundation partnered with Texas A&M University at Galveston on the 2025 Summer Sea Term New York Port event in May. TAMF’s main role was to provide communication and tracking tools used by development officers to plan donor visits coordinated with port stops. Clear participation tracking and follow-up data demonstrated that these communication efforts increased attendance at the New York port event. This partnership effort resulted in seven scheduled visits with prospective donors and one new gift to TAMUG that was finalized during the Homeward Bound event.
A target audience of Summer Sea Term and Texas A&M Maritime Academy donors participated in the July Homeward Bound event. A total of 40 donors were onboard TS KENNEDY during Homeward Bound. Notably, those donors who recently provided support toward current and incoming License Option engineering students were stewarded with generous recognition pieces prepared by engineering students and staff on board. In addition, a generous donor completed a gift signing while on board, resulting in a significant endowment for Summer Sea Term scholarships.
ADMINISTRATION & AUXILIARY
SERVICES
THE SEA TURTLE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH CENTER IS ONE OF SEVERAL EXCITING NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS COMING UP FOR TEXAS A&M GALVESTON
FOR THE FUTURE BUILDING
The Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and Educational Outreach Center was approved for pre-construction services (including design and engineering) at the May 2025 Board of Regents meeting. Design on the new facility is expected to begin in early November 2025.
Conceptual rendering of Dock Improvements - Phase 2 Project
Celebrate Successes
Construction of the new supplemental utility plant was completed and the facility transitioned to the campus in May as part of the campus’ Infrastructure, Dock Improvements and Ship FF&E - Phase I project. This $35 million project increases cooling and heating capacities for the campus as well as enhanced natural gas capacity.
Heating hot water infrastructure repair in Oceans and Hullabaloo Halls was completed in July 2025
Key Activities
Construction is winding down on the Engineering Classroom and Research Building (ECRB). Turner Construction serves as the Construction Manager at Risk. This new $50.9 million facility will provide critical office, teaching and research space to support the university’s growing engineering programs in Galveston. Substantial completion is scheduled for late 2025.
Infrastructure, Dock Improvements and Ship FF&E
Phase II project was approved for construction at the August 2025 Board of Regents meeting. McCarthy Building Companies serves as the Construction Manager at Risk. Project elements include replacement of the existing bulkhead, pier/dock improvements to meet heavy weather mooring requirements, dredging, extension of campus utilities necessary mechanical and electrical equipment to connect the new state-of-the-art training ship to campus utilities and site security elements. Construction began in September 2025 and substantial completion is anticipated to be September 2027.
Texas A&M Maritime Academy Hall Building Envelope
Texas A&M Maritime Academy Hall Building Envelope Repair project design is complete and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) has been approved. Work on this project is expected begin at the end of the Fall 2025 semester. An approved phasing plan will allow the campus to continue to occupy 75% of the student rooms while the work is in progress. Substantial completion is scheduled for Summer 2027.
Texas A&M Maritime Academy Hall
RESEARCH & GRADUATE STUDIES
$18.5M TAMUG RESEARCH EXPENDITURES
including
$3.6M $9.3M
from federal sources (e.g., National Science Foundation)
from state sources
(e.g., Texas General Land Office, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality)
Thus far in 2025, TAMUG faculty published 38 articles in international peer-reviewed journals or periodicals spanning several research categories including biological sciences, environmental sciences, Earth sciences and environmental management. It is highly likely that during FY2026, TAMUG will surpass the milestone of having published more than 2000 research articles during its history.
Research expenditures by fiscal year
NEW FEDERAL AWARDS
Do viruses play a fundamental role regulating the global carbon and sulfur cycle? Despite viruses being the most abundant biological entity on our planet, their world is so small that humanity knows very little about the ecological and chemical role of viruses in the ocean.
Along with three other research institutions, the Biological Oceanography program at the National Science Foundation awarded $1.6 million to Dr. Jessica Labonte and her team to contribute to investigate and contribute in-depth understanding of the relationships between viruses and sulfate reducing bacteria.
This project will support educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students on our campus and provide experiential learning activities for K-12 students.
Dr. Jessica Labonte Associate Professor, Marine Biology College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies
Because flooding is one of the costliest natural hazards globally, addressing flood risk and the damage it causes requires an integrated investigation across different disciplines, sectors and international boundaries.
Dr. Yoon Lee is the leader of a new program funded by the Office of International Science and Engineering at the National Science Foundation to launch the International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) Global Flood Resilience Program (GFRP) between the U.S. and South Korea.
The GFRP Program is designed to develop American students as researchers and practitioners to address complex flood-related problems both domestically and globally. It also trains the next generation of problem solvers to have a comprehensive set of visions and tools to succeed.
Dr. Yoonjeong (Yoon) Lee Lecturer, Marine and Coastal Environmental Science College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies
Centers & Institutes
Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas
In the most recent legislative session, the Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas (IDRT) received $3 million towards its mission of improving disaster-resilient decisions in the state of Texas. This is the result of two years of hard work by Dr. Sam Brody and his IDRT team. IDRT launched the Texas Disaster Information System portal (tdis.io), which is a front-facing website and one part of a $40 million project and
the largest investment by the state in developing decision-support tools to enhance disaster resilience.
Dr. Nicholas Hoskins established the Disaster Data Reconnaissance Service Center, to serve the growing demand for drones and other autonomous data-gathering technologies that boost IDRT’s goal to lead data analytics for resilient communities.
A formal partnership was created on flood risk reduction between IDRT and South Korea’s Pusan National University) with new funding from National Science Foundation.
Gulf Research Institute for Highly Migratory Species
Dr Jay Rooker (director) and Dr. David Wells (assistant director) have been awarded $1.1 million from the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and the McDaniel Charitable Foundation (MCF). Their work on coastal migratory species in Texas over the next five years will focus on tarpon.
Other new funding includes $1 million from the NOAA National Centers Coastal and Ocean Science and Texas One Gulf provide another $1 million in research. GRIHMS is also deploying time-lapse cameras and acoustic receivers on a recently deployed array of fish-aggregating devices (FADs) to characterize offshore fish assemblages associated with the FADs and detect highly migratory species (e.g., billfishes, tunas, wahoo) tagged by GRIHMS scientists and associated participants.
Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research Center (GCSTR)
The center reached its $23 million fundraising goal to support the construction of a new public outreach and education center, as well as a state-of-the-art hospital where sea turtles will receive care through a partnership with Houston Zoo.
More than 150 trained volunteers with The Sea Aggie Sea Turtle Patrol responded to more than 160 sea turtles. The Aggie rescue and recovery program, now in its 10th season, focuses on monitoring the upper Texas coast for nesting sea turtles, including the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley species. Each year, more than 350 community volunteers and students participate; together, they have contributed over 35,000 hours, surveyed about 170,000 miles of beach and helped relocate more than 8,000 eggs from 82 nests to Padre Island National Seashore, where the eggs are protected to improve survival rates.
GCSTR is already engaging the public through the Turtle Trails Educational Program, which has offered hands-on learning experiences including mock sea turtle patrols and nest excavations to over 300 people this season.
GCSTR launched the Marine Debris Program, which is supported by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The program has hosted seven cleanup events this year, with 501 volunteers who removed more than 5,300 pounds of marine debris from local coastal habitats.
Sea Life Facility
In collaboration with the Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS), three different species of stony corals arrived at TAMUG Sea Life Facility (SLF) in August. These species are the dominant reef builders in the sanctuary. Dr. Sheila Kitchen will be conducting further scientific research during the coming year with the goal of conditioning the coral for spawning.
TAMU Undergraduate Research Scholar Cathy Verneuil (’26) partnered with Dr. Lene Petersen and Lone Star Oysters, a local oyster farm, to investigate the impacts of acute and gradual temperature changes on Eastern Oysters, an economically and ecologically important species. With the growth of oyster aquaculture industry in Texas, understanding how extreme weather events impact the growth of oysters is critical for oyster farmers and resource managers.
Madeline Sunshine (’25) and Paris Waters (’25) presented a lecture at the Aquatic Animal Life Support Operator (AALSO) symposium, detailing their undergraduate research with the Phytoplankton Dynamics Laboratory, generating marine snow in the SLF.
GRADUATE STUDIES
MARB Ph.D candidate Vanessa Fernandez-Rodriguez (Advisor: Dr. Anja Schulze) was selected from a field of 73 applicants for a 2025-2026 Future Faculty Fellowship (F3) Program scholarship. This program is administered in partnership with TAMU Graduate and Professional School and the Center for Teaching Excellence.
Professional development during the F3 program seeks to improve the competitiveness of TAMU graduate students in the academic job market and position them for early-career success. Her current research investigates the phylogeny of non-native serpulids (a family of sessile, tube-building annelid worms in the class Polychaeta) in Galveston Bay and their response to thermal stress.
Graduate Ambassadors are current graduate students who play a critical role on our campus, representing their peers and advocating for their needs and concerns.
They will be educating incoming graduate students and connecting them to various services and opportunities to create a robust graduate student community. They will participate in several events and activities throughout the academic year, such as orientation, Gig’em Week and Howdy Lunch.
They will also work closely with the Graduate Studies team in recruiting prospective graduate students, leading campus tours, participating in graduate fairs and other activities.
Please visit the Graduate Ambassadors website to learn more about this amazing group of Aggies and their individual studies, as well as research they are involved in on campus.
https://www.tamug.edu/grad/Current-Students/GradAmbassadors.html
RESEARCH SHORTS
In July 2025, Dr. Sheila Kitchen and a team of authors published a paper on Elkhorn coral — one of the dominant reef-builders in the Western Atlantic — in the prestigious Journal Science Elkhorn coral has faced incredible population decline from changes in the marine environment, with rising sea water temperatures an important culprit. The team writes that policy changes are desperately needed to support, rather than impede, species conservation.
Aurora Gaona Hernandez, Marine Biology Ph.D candidate, recently published an article in the Journal of Shellfish Research investigating parasites that affect oyster health in Galveston Bay. The results are important for managing future reproduction of parasites, which is expected to be amplified by warming seawater in the coming decades. Hernandez has since been nominated for the National Shellfisheries Association Sandra E. Shumway Outstanding Student Paper award for the quality of this work.
Associate Professor of Marine Biology Dr. Maria Miglietta published an interesting paper on the development of baby Upside-Down Jellyfish (Cassiopea) under laboratory conditions. The experiment involved cutting jellyfish in two and observing their regeneration back to complete individuals. All developmental stages were observed, including birth, trauma and complete regeneration. It only took two weeks for the jellyfish to repair themselves and return to normal behavior.
From the Desk of Toni Mooney Smith, MSC Director of Marketing and Communications
Texas A&M University at Galveston
I’m honored to join the leadership team at Texas A&M University at Galveston as the new Director of Marketing and Communications. This is a transformative time for our campus, and I’m excited to help shape the next chapter of our story.
With the arrival of our new ship, the expansion of digital storytelling for research, and a growing portfolio of strategic initiatives, our university is poised for unprecedented visibility. Marketing and communications will play a vital role in amplifying our impact, and I’m committed to leading efforts that elevate our brand, increase enrollment, and deepen student engagement, to name a few.
Together with the MarCom team, faculty, staff, researchers, and campus community, we will build a unified brand voice that reflects the excellence and innovation happening here every day. Our priorities will include:
• Launching high-impact campaigns around the ship’s arrival and research visibility
• Strengthening brand identity across platforms and audiences
• Building strategic partnerships to expand media reach
• Enhancing internal communications to foster clarity and connection
As a brand strategist with over 20 years of experience across higher education, healthcare, and public/private sectors, I’ve led communications at institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University and Rutgers University. I bring a deep understanding of how storytelling, strategy, and collaboration can elevate an institution’s reputation and influence.
I’m proud to be part of a university that embodies the values of leadership, service, and community—core traditions of Texas A&M. I look forward to contributing meaningfully and working alongside you to advance our shared vision.
I earned my master’s in communications from Northwestern University and hold executive certificates from Harvard and UT Austin.
On a personal note, I hold a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Houston, where I was a Division I athlete and member of the 1,000-Point Club. I was also a first-round draft pick for the Houston Shamrocks of the Women’s American Basketball Association, coached by Hall of Famer Elvin “The Big E” Hayes.
Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m energized by what’s ahead—and ready to get to work.
Sincerely,
Toni Mooney Smith, MSC Director of Marketing and Communications
Texas A&M University at Galveston
TEXAS A&M-GALVESTON RESEARCHERS SECURE $650K NSF GRANT TO ADVANCE ARCTIC OCEAN SCIENCE
The large grant allows The College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies to conduct groundbreaking research into the carbon and freshwater dynamics of the Arctic Ocean, a region critical to understanding global climate systems.
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING: SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL NAMED IN HONOR OF GENEROUS DONOR
Cheryl Mellenthin’s $8.55 million contribution supports the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research’s mission to advance sea turtle conservation, research and education.
TEXAS A&M-GALVESTON PROFESSOR AWARDED OVER $500K NSF GRANT TO STUDY OCEAN VIRUSES
The three-year grant enables researchers to study how viruses are key players in the ocean’s carbon, sulfur and iron cycles.
UPCOMING NATIONAL NEWS COVERAGE PLANNED
The New York Times (11.88 million subscribers) will visit TAMUG to cover the Fall 2025 Career Fair.
NBC’s The Today Show (2.4 million average viewers) is developing a segment on the Blue Economy, highlighting TAMUG’s leadership in marine science and our groundbreaking coral reef research, led by Dr. Shelia Kitchen.
CBS News - With a viewership of approx. 4.17M, CBS is interested in interviewing Dr. Shelia Kitchen about her groundbreaking coral reef research, highlighting TAMUG’s leadership in marine science and the Blue Economy. This opportunity significantly boosts our national visibility. They’ve also requested to speak with Col. Fossum regarding broader campus initiatives.
Our teams have much to be proud of in this reporting period. As you’ll read below, we’ve been busy, with the goal of enhancing student life at TAMUG.
Student Activities
In July, members of the Student Activities team attended the Hazing Prevention Institute, where they explored proven strategies to reduce hazing and began shaping TAMUG’s prevention plan. SALT Camp, held August 17–19 at Camp Cho-Yeh, welcomed 327 new Aggies with traditions, leadership lessons, and talks from guest speakers including campus leadership.
A week later, Organizations Night drew 855 students to the ASEC Ballroom, where 90+ campus groups, nonprofits and churches shared opportunities for involvement. The evening featured yell practice and a lively Two-Step Team performance. From August 24–30, more than 2,200 students joined over 38 Welcome Week events hosted by Student Activities, academic departments, and student organizations. Highlights included Movie Night, the Gig ’Em Week Concert, Aggie Vendor Showcase, Cupcakes with the C-Suite and SAP’s Pin Your Pride. These events set a vibrant tone for the semester ahead.
Corps of Cadets
On May 18, 428 cadets departed for SST25, with leadership positions shared across Texas and Maine academies, creating a strong mix of experience. On September 6, 372 cadets joined the Corps in College Station for the first pregame march of the year. Units competed in scored drills, and Bravo 1’s Commanding Officer earned a Challenge Coin from General Bierman for exceptional performance.
Student Counseling
Counseling Services expanded programming this fall with Time Out Tuesdays, a collaboration with Marine Biology offering weekly stress-relief activities, along with two support groups: Breakup Bootcamp and Healing Hearts.
Three Coffee with a Counselor events averaged 55 attendees, mainly freshmen and engineering students. Staff also trained academic support workers to recognize crisis situations. So far, 367 students have already visited Counseling this semester.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Campus Recreation
Campus Rec refreshed facilities with new cardio machines, a sauna, massage chair, Thera guns, a functional exercise hub, Fit benches, and a guided-workout MARS screen. Wellness efforts included a study survival bag event, Green Dot bystander workshops for SALT Camp and the Corps, and a twoday Health Fair featuring 22 partners.
In September, Suicide Prevention Month featured Donuts for Downloads, encouraging students to install the Telus health app, plus another Coffee with a Counselor and a Talk Saves Lives training for faculty and staff. Attendance was robust and comments were positive for these activities.
Student Assistance Services
This fall launched the 12th Van, offering free rides to grocery stores and healthcare providers on Galveston Island—an essential resource for students without cars. Food Pantry use increased in the first weeks of classes, with restocking supported by student groups and Aggie Moms.
Hullabaloo Hall also reopened, now featuring a full kitchen,
new students 1,000+ family members
participated in the NSCs
commuter lounge, and study areas for all students. These new spaces provide muchneeded resources for both commuter and residential students, complete with comfortable furniture, study spaces, bulletin boards specific to commuter student needs and of course, a large TV.
Career Planning
In June, Career Services welcomed representatives from other maritime academies to exchange best practices and meet with employers such as Military Sealift Command, G&H Towing, and American Eagle Tankers. October brings a full slate of recruiting activity, anchored by the Oct. 23 Career Fair. Employers including Gulf Copper, AECOM, MSC, ExxonMobil, Disney, and Crowley are visiting campus to
recruit Aggies for internships and careers.
Campus Living and Learning
With 1,560 students living on campus —75% of the TAMUG student body--—TAMUG continues to see strong housing demand, and records a 97% occupancy rate. This is in a reflection of rising island rents that encourage more students to remain on campus.
This fall, staff attended MaxFest in Louisville, a national training for student conduct professionals.
Meanwhile, the Campus CARE Team is on pace for a record number of reports for the fourth year in a row, underscoring student trust in campus support services.
GALVESTON
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
TEXAS A&M AT GALVESTON TECHNOLOGY SERVICES SYSTEM AUDIT
OVERALL CONCLUSION
Internal controls over information technology at Texas A&M University at Galveston are operating as intended and in compliance with applicable laws and policies.
The university has approximately 318 faculty and over 2,150 students. Information Technology Services (ITS) manages approximately 109 servers and over 2,000 workstations.
The meticulous preparation for the TAMU System Auditors’ visit resulted in an exemplary audit report. However, our summary does not fully capture the significance of our achievements and the countless hours of commitment involved.
The dedication of our team deserves the highest recognition.
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY at GALVESTON
