Texas A&M University at Galveston

Infobox_University
name = Texas A&M University at Galveston


image_size = 250px
established = 1962
type = State university
Branch of Texas A&M University
endowment = $5.6 billion (Systemwide)
staff =
faculty = 350+
president = Dr. Elsa A. Murano
vice-president= Dr. R. Bowen Loftin
students = 1,600
undergrad =
postgrad =
doctoral =
alumni =
city = Galveston
state = Texas
country = US
telephone = 1-979-845-3211
campus = Suburban, 135 acres (0.546 km²)" [http://www.tamug.edu/About/aboutHistory.htm History] ". "About Us- History".]
colors = Maroon and white
mascot = Reveille VII
nickname = Aggies
affiliations = AAU, Big 12
website= [http://www.tamug.edu/ www.tamug.edu]

Texas A&M University at Galveston is as an ocean-oriented branch campus of Texas A&M University offering courses in marine biology, marine fisheries, marine engineering technology, marine sciences, marine transportation, maritime administration, maritime studies, maritime systems engineering, oceans and coastal resources, and university studies (marine environmental law and policy). The university also offers a two-year Masters in Marine Resources Management. The program is available with or without a thesis option. It is the home of the Texas Maritime Academy and has a Navy-option-only NROTC unit on campus. (Marine Corps-option NROTC cadets must attend the main campus in College Station, TX.) The Texas Maritime Academy cadets of Texas A&M at Galveston get hands-on training on board the TS "Texas Clipper III", which sails every summer on a training cruise. The ship is berthed at the campus when not at sea.

Students attending Texas A&M University at Galveston have many benefits of students attending the College Station campus. Sea Aggies, or Sea Ags, may purchase tickets for all sporting events, fine arts performances and concerts held in College Station. Degrees are awarded from Texas A&M University in College Station and Sea Aggies receive the same Aggie ring of which they have the option to attend the ring ceremony in College Station.

While the branch shares much with the main campus, the atmosphere fostered by the faculty, staff, and students emphasizes the intimate relationship between the Galveston, Texas-based university and the sea. Campus life is enhanced by the cultural and social activities in Galveston, Texas and incorporates many of the advantages of living on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

History

Texas A&M University Galveston began in 1962 as a marine laboratory and as the home of the Texas Maritime Academy. The federal government donated the first training ship, the Texas Clipper, to the Maritime Academy in 1965. In 1968 the campus was expanded with a convert|100|acre|km2|sing=on donation by George P. Mitchell on Pelican Island. Land was donated again in 1993 with an additional 35 acres as well as 14 acres on Teichman Road to house TEEX, the sailing and rowing teams. Since then Texas A&M Galveston has been focused towards maritime fields in biology, administration, and engineering. Enrollment included 91 students in 1971 and has since risen to roughly 1,400.

"Texas Clipper"

The Texas Maritime Academy acquired its first training ship in 1965. Previously named the SS "Excambion" when sailed by American Export Lines, the vessel was renamed the "Texas Clipper" because of its rounded (or clipper) stern. In 1996 Texas A&M Galveston (of which Texas Maritime was now a part) retired the aging "Texas Clipper". In its stead, the school acquired the decommissioned USNS "Chauvenet". Built by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders of Glasgow, Scotland in 1970, the new vessel was named the "Texas Clipper II" as per tradition.

TAMUG's current "Texas Clipper", made its maiden voyage to Galveston in the summer of 2005. It was previously named the USNS "Sirius", built in 1966 as a replenishment ship for the Royal Navy and purchased by the U.S. Navy as a logistics ship. It supported two carrier battle groups in the Indian Ocean during the Iranian hostage crisis and continued its career in the Navy serving across the world, notably in the Persian Gulf. It was retired and given to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), then assigned to TAMUG under an agreement that it can be activated by MARAD at any time. During the fall of 2005, the "Sirius" served in New Orleans for Katrina relief, from September 10th until November 29th and at Lake Charles, LA for Rita relief until March 2nd. Because of its extended relief effort the "Sirius" was unable to undergo a refit in 2006 to adapt its new role as a training vessel and comply with U.S. Coast Guard safety standards. Because the "Sirius" had not undergone a refit, it has not been formally commissioned as the USTS "Texas Clipper" nor can it be used for summer training cruises. This is forcing the University to look to the other state maritime academies (California Maritime Academy in 2006 and 2007) to help fulfill the summer cruise requirements until the work on the "Sirius" is completed.

# TS "Texas Clipper", ex-USS "Queens" (APA-103) — 1965–1996
# TS "Texas Clipper II", ex-USNS "Chauvenet" (T-AGS-29) — 1999–2005
# TS "Texas Clipper III", ex-USNS "Sirius" (T-AFS-8) — 2005–present

Endowment

The Texas A&M University System is a minority stakeholder in an endowment known as the Permanent University Fund established within Texas, and holding around $15 billion. Texas A&M’s endowment share totals approximately $5.6 billion" [http://www.nacubo.org/documents/about/FY05NESInstitutionsbyTotalAssets.pdf 2005 NACUBO Endowment Study] ". "National Association of College and University Business Officers"] ; 10th largest in the nation and fourth among public university systems. At one time, the PUF was the chief source of income for Texas A&M, but today its revenues account for less than 10 percent of the university's annual budget. This has challenged the university to increase sponsored research and private donations.

Traditions

Texas A&M University has many time-honored traditions, many of which began when the Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas was establish in 1871. Traditions continued to evolve as service in the Corps was no longer a requirement, causing a new generation of students an opportunity to alter traditions. Such traditions involve university sponsored events such as Silver Taps honoring students who have died, to student run events, which include the Student Bonfire.

Starting in the 1970s, the students of Texas A&M at Galveston created their own Aggie Bonfire, mirroring the traditions of the College Station student body. However, the Galveston campus ceased observance of the tradition after the structure in College Station collapsed on November 18, 1999; killing twelve students. (See Aggie Bonfire for more on the 1999 Bonfire Collapse.)

One tradition unique to the Galveston campus includes underclassmen students rubbing the anchor in front of the library prior to an exam for good luck. It is a senior privilege to walk under the anchor for good luck. Now if an uperclassmen catches an underclassmen walking under the anchor, the underclassmen is punished by doing a Class Set, i.e 112 push-ups for someone in the class of 2012, 111 for someone in the class of 2011 etc.TAMUG/Texas Maritime Academy is also home of the William C. Hearn Honor Guard, an organization composed of fifteen cadets. Commonly known as Hearn's Guard, the organization participates in events both on and off-campus. They present a highly visual presence at TAMUG ceremonies, campus events, Galveston parades, and local ceremonies and memorial services." [http://www.tamug.edu/corps/honorguard.html William C. Hearn Honor Guard] ". "Texas A&M University at Galveston website"] ;

Notable people

Texas A&M University has a base of more than 273,000 living former students, one of the largest and most active alumni groups in the nation. With strong academic and successful athletics programs, the school has seen many of its students earn local and national prominence." [http://www.tamu.edu/home/aboutam/amfacts/worldimpactfacts.html Texas A&M University Facts -- World Impact] ". "Texas A&M University".]

Seven former students have earned the Medal of Honor. [cite web |url=http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/msc.shtml |title=Aggie Traditions |publisher=Texas A&M|accessdate=2006-11-20] Texas A&M and Virginia Tech have more honorees than any other university outside the service academies at West Point and Annapolis.

References

External links

* [http://www.tamug.edu/ Texas A&M University at Galveston]