College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies

Association Of Former Students Awards Galveston Professor

Dr. Debbie Thomas and Dr. Samuel Mark at the annual Academic Affairs Forum

On Friday, August 18, the Association of Former Students awarded Texas A&M University at Galveston Liberal Studies Professor Dr. Samuel Mark with the 2023 College-Level Teaching Award at the annual Academic Affairs Forum.

Every year since the fall of 1982, the Association of Former Students gives this prestigious award to outstanding faculty who demonstrate devotion, talent and dedication to teaching Aggies. The nomination process begins in early spring and involves the entire campus community: students, colleagues and top university administrators.

“Dr. Mark has been a practitioner of transformational and hands-on learning long before it became a pedagogical goal of our department and institution,” said Dr. JoAnn DiGeorgio-Lutz, Professor and Department Head of Liberal Studies.

“Hands-down, in all his courses, student evaluations are consistently positive and praiseworthy of Dr. Mark’s commitment to their learning,” continued DiGeorgio. “He is committed to student learning and often engages our students in directed studies, mentoring them along the way. While his classes are academically rigorous, Dr. Mark gives unselfishly of his time to ensure his students are successful both in their academic endeavors and their professional pursuits.”

Dr. Debbie Thomas, Executive Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer of the Galveston campus, hosted the forum.

“Dr. Mark’s commitment to his students is so deeply inspiring, and his leadership by example benefits the students in all of our amazing programs,” said Thomas. “His efforts and accomplishments are a gift to our academic community and the university as a whole, and I’m thrilled that the Association of Former Students has awarded him this recognition.”

Mark earned his Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology, Geology & History at Ball State University in 1980, his Master of Arts in Anthropology at Texas A&M University in 1993, and his PhD in Anthropology, Geology & History at Texas A&M University in 2000.

Award winners from previous years can be found on the Office of Academic Affairs website.