Welcome Back, Faculty!

MICHAEL K. YOUNG
President

August 30, 2017

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

It is a great relief to see you all returning to campus, and some faculty arriving to campus for the first time! My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

The Texas A&M community response to Hurricane Harvey has been heartening. We have seen the finest from faculty, staff and students in heroic efforts to save and support others. This week, an ad hoc student group known as BTHO Harvey is rallying to deliver supplies. To support them, please visit here. The university is directing financial donations to the American Red Cross. The Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M Foundation joined forces to help Aggies mobilize to help others. Colleagues serving as subject matter experts have advised FEMA and other organizations. We are caring for students, faculty and staff evacuated from our Galveston campus. We are also caring for animals in regions affected and here, including 35 Houston Police Department horses evacuated to our Parsons Mounted Calvary facility until it is safe for them to return home. We appreciate your working with students affected by the Hurricane who may still be having a hard time traveling here to class this week.

As we embark upon a new academic year, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your extraordinary dedication to our great university and its students. I am pleased to welcome our new provost, Carol Fierke, along with new faculty members. I wish to thank Doug Palmer who has served as interim provost and who will continue to support Provost Fierke in the near term with her transition.

I hope that you find the special blend of opportunities in scholarship, resources, membership and service for positive impact that I witness daily. Texas A&M is positioned well in 2017 – our 141^st year – to continue a positive trajectory in research funding, discovery and innovation, and impact upon our students, our state, the nation and world. While we will undoubtedly face challenges, we will find solutions and I invite you to keep in communication with the Provost, Deans, Department Heads, and myself and staff to help you succeed in every way.

My best wishes for a bright and successful year!

Mike