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Galveston Students Lend A Helping Hand To Galveston Residents During The Big Event    

March 24, 2018

Big Event Director Jessica LeMoine (Left) and Big Event Public Relations Executive Denae Johnson (Right) with Col. Michael Fossum, COO of Texas A&M Galveston.
Big Event Director Jessica LeMoine (Left) and Big Event Public Relations Executive Denae Johnson (Right) with Col. Michael Fossum, COO of Texas A&M Galveston.

By Bob Wright, Marketing and Communications

As part of the nation’s largest one-day, student run community service project, hundreds of students from Texas A&M University at Galveston participated in the 24th annual Big Event today, Saturday, March 24 across Galveston.

The Big Event originally began at Texas A&M University in College Station in 1982, as a way for the university and students to give something back to the community that is so supportive. Students work on a variety of projects like cleaning yards, painting houses and planting trees.

Col. Michael Fossum, chief operating officer of Texas A&M Galveston and former NASA astronaut, joined the students at several locations helping to dig a trench at the USS Stewart at Seawolf Park, clean up the Galveston Community Garden and plant a tree at a neighborhood home.

In 1994, this Aggie tradition was started in Galveston to inspire students to get out into the community and make a difference.  “The Big Event has been a part of my life for the last 3 years and I am grateful to have seen both myself and the organization grow,” said Big Event Director Jessica LeMoine.  “The Aggie Core Value of Selfless Service is how I feel I can make the most difference.  Getting out into the Galveston community is very rewarding and there is a new story to be told at every location.”

The Big Event hosted 20 sites in the Galveston area this year.  “It's beautiful to see students using their time to give back to our community,” said Big Event Public Relations Executive Denae Johnson.  “If it wasn't for the Galveston community we wouldn't be able to have such a vibrant campus. That’s why A&M's traditions, like The Big Event, make me proud to be an Aggie.”

Staff advisor for the Big Event Taylor Kemp hopes to see the Big Event continue to grow and influence the lives of so many students at Texas A&M Galveston as well as the Galveston community.  “Big Event is one of the best ways to expose students to volunteer opportunities as well as give them a chance to use their gifts and talents to make a difference in the community.”

If you would like to apply to have your project be considered or if you would like to donate items, please email bigeventgalveston@gmail.com.  Requests for sites are not guaranteed, but each application will be considered.

Students and Col. Fossum plant magnolia trees at homes in Galveston. Students work on ship USS Stewart at Seawolf Park. 

Students work cleaning the Galveston Community Garden.

Editors Note: Photo 1: Students and Col. Fossum plant magnolia trees at homes in Galveston, Photo 2: Students work on ship USS Stewart at Seawolf Park, Photo 3: Students work cleaning the Galveston Community Garden.

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Media contact:
Bob Wright, Marketing and Communications, Texas A&M University at Galveston. Office: 409-740-4840, Cell: 713-586-9870 Email: wrightb@TAMUG.edu.

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Texas A&M University at Galveston is the marine and maritime branch campus of Texas A&M University which educates nearly 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students in science, business, engineering, liberal arts and transportation. It is driving the development of the blue economy in the Gulf Coast Region and is a critical contributor to Texas A&M's rare land-, sea-, space-grant mission with nearly $10 million in research expenditures.

Texas A&M-Galveston is also home to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, one of six state maritime academies and the only one in the southern United States, which trains over 400 cadets annually for maritime service and employment around the world.

Texas A&M-Galveston is located in Galveston, Texas on the Gulf Coast where it is surrounded by industry, environment and programs essential to fulfilling its special-purpose mission. Aggies are known for their deep commitment to the success of each other and their strong desire to serve.