Texas A&M University at Galveston Holds Spring Commencement
Nearly 200 students were conferred with degrees during a pair of ceremonies on May 8
It has been said that each new beginning comes when some other beginning ends. Perhaps nowhere is this truer than with the idea of college commencement. What began as a new opportunity at the start of a collegiate journey ends with the promise of new beginnings of life after graduation. Commencement stands as a time where years of hard work and sacrifice in pursuit of a degree culminates with a walk across a stage on a path towards charting a course to new horizons.
Texas A&M University at Galveston honored the ending of a new beginning on Friday, May 8 with two spring commencement ceremonies at the Aggie Special Events Center (ASEC) Ballroom on TAMUG’s campus.
During an afternoon ceremony, Masters and Baccalaureate graduates of the College of Marine Science and Maritime Studies (Department of Maritime Business Administration, Department of Maritime Studies, Department of Marine Engineering Technology, Department of Maritime Transportation) along with the College of Engineering (Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering and Department of Ocean Engineering) were honored.
The evening ceremony featured Doctorate, Masters and Baccalaureate graduates of the College of Marine Science and Maritime Studies (Department of Foundational Sciences, Department of Marine Biology and Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science) along with the College of Arts and Sciences (Department of Oceanography).
While graduation marks the end of one journey, each student enters a lifelong association with Texas A&M University at Galveston. As a new beginning starts for the Class of 2026, it is not a journey that graduates will take alone.
“Graduates, you are launching on your personal mission with your Aggie family by your side,” said Col. Michael E. Fossum ’80, Vice President of Texas A&M, Chief Operating Officer of the Galveston Campus, and Superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. “You are not just an Aggie during your time as a student. You are an Aggie for life. Even after you die, each one of your names will be called at an Aggie Muster with someone answering ‘here’ for you one final time.”
With Spring commencement ending, another class of Sea Aggies is equipped and stands ready to impact the world while seeking out new beginnings and embracing each challenge with a hearty “Gig ‘em.”
In his address to the Class of 2026, Col. Fossum noted the symbolism of the tradition of striking the ship’s bell eight times to signify a changing of the guard while honoring the past and looking towards the future.
“Congratulations graduates. Your work is done. We have the watch,” said Col. Fossum.
