Texas A&M University at Galveston

Texas A&M University at Galveston

Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) is a special campus of Texas A&M University. It focuses on ocean and sea studies. Students at TAMUG are called 'Sea Aggies.' They get all the benefits of being part of the big Texas A&M University in College Station, but they study right by the water on Pelican Island.

The school offers many programs to help students learn about the ocean and jobs at sea. One special part of TAMUG is the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. There is also a group for students who want to join the Navy called the NROTC. This group is only for Navy students. Students who want to join the Marine Corps must go to the main campus in College Station. TAMUG also has a program with the Coast Guard called the Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program. This program helps students become officers in the Coast Guard after they finish their studies. The school does not have a full ROTC program.

History

Texas A&M University at Galveston began in 1962 to study the sea and train people for work on ships. In 1965, the government gave the school its first training ship, the Texas Clipper. In 1968, a man named George P. Mitchell gave land on Pelican Island to help the school grow. More land was given in 1993 for the school’s sailing and rowing teams. The school studies the ocean, including marine biology, marine sciences, and oceanography. In 1971, 91 students were enrolled.

Academics

Texas A&M University at Galveston is a special part of Texas A&M University that focuses on ocean studies. It offers many programs for students to choose from. For example, students can study marine biology, marine science, or maritime studies. There are also engineering programs, such as marine engineering technology.

Students can study at the Texas A&M Maritime Academy to become licensed mariners. For those who want to continue after getting a bachelor's degree, there are graduate programs in marine biology, marine sciences, and maritime administration. Some students can join special "3+2" programs to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in five years instead of six.

Student life

Enrollment at Texas A&M University at Galveston grew from 551 students in 1987 to over 2000 students in 2012. Students come from 49 states and the District of Columbia. Most students study science and engineering.

The campus has places for students to live, and sometimes it’s required for some students. There are many places to play and stay active, like volleyball courts, a gym, a pool, tennis courts, an indoor basketball court, and a student center. The campus is always changing with new buildings, like new dorms for students.

Texas A&M Maritime Academy

The Texas A&M Maritime Academy is one of only seven United States maritime academies that train U.S. Merchant Marine officers, and the only one located on the Gulf of Mexico. The academy helps cadets learn how to work on big ships that travel the oceans. Students sail on training ships and commercial ships during summer trips to practice skills in navigation, seamanship, and engineering. They also have classes and hands-on learning during the school year. The academy has simulators, labs, small boats, and other tools for training.

The Texas A&M Maritime Academy started in 1962 when Texas Governor Price Daniel and Texas A&M University President General Earl Rudder signed an agreement. The first class of cadets began training in 1962 at the main campus in College Station before moving to Galveston. The academy used both campuses for eight years until 1971. Over time, cadets have joined many programs. All students are part of the Corps of Midshipmen, which helps them learn discipline and leadership. The academy has used several training ships, including the TS Texas Clipper, TS Texas Clipper II, and now the TS Kennedy.

Traditions

Main article: Traditions of Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University has many traditions that began when the school started in 1876. These traditions have changed over time as new students join. Students at Texas A&M University at Galveston, called Sea Aggies, share many of these traditions.

Sea Aggies can earn the same Aggie ring as students at the main campus after completing enough courses. They can also go to sports events, concerts, and shows at the main campus in College Station. In 2023, a large statue of two Aggie Rings was placed on the Galveston campus. It shows rings from 1966, when the first class graduated, and 1975, when the first women and Black students graduated.

Students at Galveston have their own special traditions too. For example, younger students rub a big anchor for good luck before exams, while older students walk under its chain. They also have their own Midnight Yell Practice on Thursday nights so they can still attend the main campus’s Midnight Yell on Friday.

The Sea Aggie Band, restarted in 2010, plays at many campus events. There is also a special nighttime tribute called Silver Taps to honor students who have passed away while studying.

Response to Hurricane Ike

Because of Hurricane Ike, the university closed on September 10, 2008. The hurricane hit Galveston on September 13. The campus was not badly damaged, but the island had many problems. This made it hard to keep the school open for its students. Most students moved to the main campus in College Station, where classes started again on September 24. The Galveston campus returned to normal in spring of 2009.