Springtime In Aggieland And Beyond

MICHAEL K. YOUNG
President

January 15, 2019

Howdy!

Welcome back to Texas A&M and to a promising spring semester. Exciting days are ahead for the Aggie family, including students, faculty and staff not just here in Texas, but all those working and learning at our sites worldwide.

It is a pleasure to reflect on remarkable ways Aggies contributed for the better, stood at the ready to serve and were recognized for their efforts over the past year.

It has already been a great start to the New Year, certainly for the Fightin' Texas Aggie football team, which capped off an exciting season with a bowl win. I am so proud of all of our student athletes, coaches and staff, and grateful to our fans and supporters who keep the spirit so enthusiastically.

Cheers also to Parson's Mounted Calvary, which made its first appearance marching in the legendary Rose Parade on January 1.

Spring semester is always an exciting time for Aggies with a number of beloved traditions on the horizon including the Big Event, Family Weekend, Aggie Ring Days and Muster, which for this year only, has been moved to April 22. It is heartening to see current and former students around the globe carry on these traditions with such love and pride.

Staff Appreciation Week kicks off on the same day, so I hope each of us takes the time to show our hardworking and dedicated staff members just how much their work is appreciated.

Congratulations to the 100 teams of faculty researchers who received a total of $3 million in funding to launch innovative ideas as part of the President's Excellence Fund. I am excited to see what kinds of new and cutting-edge developments our researchers will present to campus at a symposium in College Station this semester.

The dedicated work of our students, faculty and staff has propelled Texas A&M into a tier-one research institution with a global reputation of excellence. Of course, there is always room for improvement, which is the goal of the Student Success Initiative and Vision 2030 Committee, both working to advance inclusiveness in the university community, refine our efforts to provide transformational education to our students, ensure that our students have all the resources and assistance they need to get the most out of their education here at Texas A&M, and more. The university community can provide input at both committees' periodic town hall meetings, one of which is later this month.

Many other great ventures are yet to come this spring, so I hope you take advantage of all Texas A&M has to offer — excellence in teaching and research, transformational learning experiences, coveted career opportunities and the privilege of carrying the enduring Aggie Spirit.

Thanks and Gig 'Em!

Michael K. Young