Texas A&M University at Galveston
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
|
| Established | 1962 |
|---|---|
| Type | state university Branch of Texas A&M University |
| Endowment | $5.6 billion (Systemwide) |
| President | Dr. Robert M. Gates |
| Vice-President | Dr. R. Bowen Loftin |
| Faculty | 350+ |
| Students | 1,438 |
| Location | Galveston, Texas, USA |
| Telephone | 1-979-845-3211 |
| Campus | Suburban, 135 acres (0.546 km²)[1] |
| Colors | Maroon and white |
| Nickname | Aggies |
| Mascot | Reveille VII |
| Affiliations | AAU, Big 12 |
| Website | www.tamu.edu |
Texas A&M University at Galveston serves as an ocean-oriented campus of Texas A&M University. The University offers four-year courses in maritime administration, oceanographic/physical sciences, marine biology, maritime engineering and transportation. 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 Texas Clipper, which sails every summer on a training cruise. The ship is berthed at the campus when not at sea.
Students attending TAMUG 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 ceremonie 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.
Contents |
[edit] History
Texas A&M University Galveston began in 1962 as a Marine Laboratory and home of a Texas Maritime Academy. The federal government donated the first Texas Clipper in 1965 and in 1968 the campus expanded with a 100 acre 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.
[edit] Texas Clipper
Texas A&M Galveston acquired its first clipper in 1965 when the Texas Maritime Academy was formed. It was given the name Texas Clipper because of its rounded stern. In 1996 Texas A&M Galveston acquired USNS. Chauvenet built by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders of Glasgow, Scotland in 1970 and was named Texas Clipper II as tradition. TAMUG's current Texas Clipper, given the original name, made its Maiden Voyage to Galveston in the summer of 2005. It was originally named the USNS Sirius, built in 1966 as a replenishment ship for the Royal Navy and purchased by the U.S. Navy as a logistic ship. It supported two carrier battle groups in the Indian Ocean during the Iranian hostage crisis and continued its carrier 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 agreement that it can be activated by MARAD at anytime. 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 Sirus was unable to under go refit in 2006 to adapt its new role and comply with coast guard safety standards. Because the Sirus has not gone into refit, it has not been formally commissioned as the USTS Texas Clipper nor can it be used for summer cruises. This is forcing the University to look to other maritime academies (California Maritime Academy in 2006) to help fulfill the summer cruise requirements until the Sirius goes into refit.
[edit] Endowment
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)[2]; 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.
[edit] Traditions
Texas A&M University has many time-honored traditions, many of which began when the university was known as Texas Agriculture and Mechanical College. Since then, traditions have evolved as the university became open to non-regs and students brought in new ideas. From the infamous “Howdy”, to the leadership of the Corp, A&M’s traditions have emphasized the welcoming atmosphere every visitor can expect.
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, but ceased observance of the tradition after the structure in College Station collapsed in 1999, killing twelve students. (See Aggie Bonfire for more on the 1999 Bonfire Collapse.) Also held as a tradition at Galveston involves students walking under the anchor in front of the library prior to an exam as good luck.
[edit] Notable people
The 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.[3]
Seven Congressional Medal of Honor recipients are former students of Texas A&M University. [4] Texas A&M University has more honorees than any other institution of higher learning with the exception of West Point and Annapolis. Virginia Tech also has 7 Medal of Honor recipients.
Current Texas Governor Rick Perry is a Texas A&M alumnus.
[edit] External links
| The Texas A&M University System |
| Universities: Texas A&M University | A&M–Commerce | A&M–Corpus Christi | A&M–Kingsville Prairie View A&M | Tarleton State | A&M–Texarkana | A&M International | West Texas A&M Branches: TAMU at Galveston | TAMU at Qatar |
| Maritime Academies in the United States |
|---|
| Federal: United States Merchant Marine Academy State: California Maritime Academy • Great Lakes Maritime Academy • Maine Maritime Academy • Massachusetts Maritime Academy State University of New York Maritime College • Texas Maritime Academy |
