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Gift of $1.5 million from the Abe and Annie Seibel Foundation helps launch construction of a new Student Services building for TAMUG
In January, Texas A&M University at Galveston conducted a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the beginning of construction on its new 9,800 square-foot Student Services building on the university’s Mitchell Campus on Pelican Island.
At the same time it started the countdown toward completing the facility before the end of the 2011 fall semester. TAMUG also celebrated a $1.5 million gift from the Galveston-based Abe and Annie Seibel Foundation that will cover half the cost of the new $3 million building.
TAMUG Acting Vice President and CEO William J. Merrell and Texas A&M University President R. Bowen Loftin hosted the celebration and welcomed distinguished guests from the Seibel family, the TAMUG Board of Visitors, PGAL of Houston (the project’s architectural
 firm), Whiting-Turner (the construction contractor) and the Galveston community.
The new building – to be situated between the Mary Moody Northen Student Center and the university swimming pool ―will become the home for Student Life, Counseling and Career Services offices and staff. Currently those offices are located in the Student Center.
Merrell announced that TAMUG will express its deep appreciation for the generous gift from the Seibel Foundation by seeking approval from the Texas A&M System Board of Regents (at an upcoming Board meeting) to name the new building in honor of the Seibel family.
As soon as the new building opens a portion of the vacated space in the campus’ Student Center will be reallocated to create more room in the TAMUG dining hall for the university’s growing student population. That facility was originally designed to serve 500 meals per day, but now, due to enrollment growth, it serves more than 1,500 meals per day.
Editor’s Note:
Both Annie and Abe Seibel were known for their charity, not only for supplying financial assistance but for using their time and expertise to work in Galveston for a myriad of non-profit organizations. Annie Seibel passed away in 1969 and Abe Seibel in 1970. However, their good work continues through The Abe and Annie Foundation, as overseen by The Frost Bank.
The Abe and Annie Siebel Foundation also provides interest-free loans for qualified Texas residents attending TAMUG as well as other colleges and universities throughout the state.
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Powell Marine Engineering Complex Dedicated
Family, friends, colleagues and classmates of Thomas W. Powell '62 gathered on the Mitchell Campus on April 30, to watch as the long-time friend of the university and former chair of the
 TAMUG Board of Visitors christened the university’s Powell Marine Engineering Complex.
Up to that time, the facility was known as the Marine Engineering Research Complex
The 55,509 square foot complex is the center of activity for TAMUG’s two engineering programs – Marine Engineering Technology and Maritime Systems Engineering.
In 2007, Powell established the Thomas W. Powell ’62 Chair in Engineering and Technology with a $1 million endowment that funds teaching, research, service, and professional development activities in marine engineering technology.
After earning his degree in mathematics from Texas A&M University, Powell worked at the Westinghouse Electric Corporation for two years. He then returned to the family business - Powell Electrical Manufacturing Company.
While there he founded two corporations, Diversified Power Systems and Raintight Corporation, which were merged into Powell Industries Inc. in 1984. Currently, he is chairman of the board for Powell Industries, Inc.
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