Photo of Col. Michael E. Fossum accepting the award in Washington D.C., while standing next to members of the Association for Rescue at Sea.

The award recognizes the students who saved three people stranded aboard a disabled vessel for 15 days while underscoring the academy’s mission to develop maritime professionals committed to service.

From historic campus milestones, former student highlights and groundbreaking faculty research, here are the stories and moments that made Aggieland by the Sea great this year.

Isaiah Castillo ’26 shares his motivation to be a mariner.

MARAD took possession of the ship on September 16 as the academy prepares to usher in a new era.

Rucker smiling with the campus in the background

August Grad Makes History

Aug 5, 2025 • 4 min. read

Jonathan Rucker is the first graduate student to receive the Student Incentive Payment through the Strategic Sealift Midshipman Program.

TS Kennedy in the Galveston Ship Channel

These student leaders are ready to set sail.

Docked TS Kennedy behind Texas A&M flags and campus landscaping

The academy will kick off the annual summer sea term with a dock party and sail away flotilla.

Alli DeYoung on cruise ship with ocean and sky in background

A Week With Alli DeYoung

Apr 23, 2025 • 5 min. read

The marine transportation senior took bldg. 311 along for a first-person view of a week in her life.

Maroon map of the United States with Texas A&M and Texas A7M Maritime Academy logos.

U.S. undergraduate students pursuing these degrees will qualify for the tuition change starting fall 2025.

Cadets on TS Kennedy

The annual training semester at sea includes two international locations and a partnership with Maine Maritime Academy.