Year In Review: Defining Stories of 2024

Digital Risk Infrastructure Program Strengthens Texas Communities

With the support of the Texas Legislature, the Texas A&M Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas (IDRT) launched an initiative called the Digital Risk Infrastructure Program (DRIP) in 2022 to provide under-resourced Texas communities that experience chronic and acute flood events with better tools and training to help local leadership reduce future losses.

With Love From Across The Sea: Sailors’ Valentines

A 19th century sailor needing a gift for his loved one could find the perfect option in Barbados: a sailor’s valentine. The small island was a frequent port of call for American and English ships and was a major trading post of the time, as the Caribbean’s easternmost island.

Photo courtesy of Mystic Seaport Museum Accession No. 1952.2107.

Texas A&M is Reducing Tuition For Non-Resident Merchant Mariner License Students

Texas A&M University at Galveston is reducing fees for current and future out-of-state students seeking a merchant mariner license from the Texas A&M Maritime Academy following approval of a new regional fee structure by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.

Sea Life Facility Clownfish Hatchlings Prove Aggieland Doesn’t Stop At The Water’s Edge

Classroom learning looks a little bit different at Texas A&M University at Galveston, where students can study alongside reef fish and coral.

Texas A&M Maritime Academy Rescues Three Stranded at Sea

Texas A&M Maritime Academy student cadets received first-hand training in answering the first law of the sea to render aid to those in distress.

Father And Son Together On Summer Sea Term

This summer, James P. (Jim) Gompper, Texas A&M Maritime Academy commandant, and James H. (Jim) Gompper ’21, Texas A&M University at Galveston former student and summer sea term deck watch officer, sailed together on TS Kennedy as part of the academy’s annual summer sea term.

Whittington Has A Magical Summer With Disney College Program

Ashton Whittington ’25 joined the Walt Disney World team a cast member, a term for all Walt Disney World employees, in the Disney College Program last summer. Bldg. 311 sat down with him to talk about his experience.

Texas A&M Launches College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies

Texas A&M University launched the new College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies to lead in innovation, education and discovery for the nation’s “blue economy,” the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources for economic growth.

Former Student Carved Into Maritime History

In the fall of 1980, Texas A&M University at Galveston freshman cadet Amy McAllister Speth ’83 joined the crew to restore Elissa, the 1877 iron-hulled square-rigged barque and official tall ship of Texas. By the end of the restoration, her role included modeling for the figurehead.

Professor Vanicha McQueen Talks Career, Next Generation Of Engineers

Vanicha McQueen, an associate professor of the practice and assistant department head, is committed to teaching the next generation to be better engineers than they were the day before. Her teaching philosophy is deeply interwoven with a broad practical knowledge from an impressive career in the maritime industry.

Q&A: Discussing Ancient Sea Monsters With Dr. Christopher Smith

Bldg. 311 sat down with Dr. Christopher Smith, a marine science professor in the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, to get an insight into the prehistoric marine reptiles featured in his Ancient Sea Monsters class.

Photo “Paleo Hall at Houston Museum of Natural Science” by Kim Alaniz is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit tx.ag/creativecommonslicense

Galveston’s Dr. Christopher Marshall Named Regents Professor By Texas A&M System

The Board of Regents honors Dr. Christopher Marshall for his extraordinary contributions to the university and the people of Texas.