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Texas A&M-Galveston Celebrates 60th Anniversary and Honors the Mitchell Family    

February 28, 2022

Students and leaders of the Texas A&M University at Galveston, alongside members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and Aggie mascot Reveille X, pose for a photo in the middle of the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade during 2022's 7th Annual Mardi Gras Parade & Viewing Party at the Tremont House in Galveston.
Students and leaders of the Texas A&M University at Galveston, alongside members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and Aggie mascot Reveille X, pose for a photo in the middle of the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade during 2022's 7th Annual Mardi Gras Parade & Viewing Party at the Tremont House in Galveston.

By Andréa Bolt, Social Media & Communications Manager, Division of Marketing & Communications

Texas A&M University at Galveston kicked off a year-long series of events celebrating their 60th anniversary with a scholarship fundraiser honoring the legacy of the Cynthia & George P. Mitchell family this past Saturday evening. The 7th Annual Mardi Gras Parade & Viewing Party continues Mitchell’s legacy of giving back with proceeds supporting at least four, four-year undergraduate students enrolled at Texas A&M University-Galveston.

Mitchell, a Galveston native and 1940 distinguished petroleum engineering graduate of Texas A&M University, is the all-time most generous donor in Texas A&M history. Mitchell’s visionary support included the 135 acres on Pelican Island that Texas A&M-Galveston and the Texas A&M Maritime Academy call home. As such, it is a fitting tribute that students, faculty, staff and visitors are greeted by Mitchell’s statue when they arrive to the Galveston Campus.

“We wouldn’t exist without the generosity and philanthropy of Mr. Mitchell. When we talk about legacy, that ‘Old Ag’ represents the best of everything we aspire to be. I was happy to don the same Corps of Cadets khaki he did forty years before me, and I’m honored now to help provide purpose and pride to his vision for the Galveston Campus. His spirit continues to drive everything we do in Galveston and beyond,” said Col. Michael E. Fossum ’80, Chief Operating Officer of the Galveston Campus and Superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy.

Students are also choosing to honor Mitchell’s dedication to selfless service. Student volunteers from the Black Student Alliance, Freshman Leadership Organization and Texas A&M Maritime Academy support events around the island for the duration of Mardi Gras. Maritime Academy cadets also lead parades throughout Mardi Gras, including the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade pictured above.

For over 30 years, Mitchell hosted Galveston’s premier Mardi Gras Ball and Parade Viewing Party at The Tremont House. This event historically coincided with the grand opening of The Tremont House on February 16, 1985. In 2015, this traditional Mardi Gras event ushered in a new era in memory of Mitchell when Texas A&M-Galveston hosted the first official university-affiliated Mardi Gras parade viewing party.

The annual event benefits the George P. Mitchell Society (GPMS), which in turn provides funding for a permanent undergraduate scholarship each year. The GPMS is comprised of individuals and organizations committed to the wellbeing of the world’s oceans by supporting marine and maritime research, education, training, and more at Texas A&M-Galveston.

Details on upcoming events hosted by the Galveston Campus will be available on calendar.tamug.edu.

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Media contact:

Andréa Bolt
Social Media & Communications Manager
a_bolt@tamug.edu




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.