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Fossum Appointed as Superintendent of Texas A&M Maritime Academy    

October 7, 2019

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By Division of Marketing and Communications

Col Michael E. Fossum ’80 has been appointed to Superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy at Texas A&M at Galveston in addition to his current leadership duties as Chief Operating Officer of that campus and Vice President of Texas A&M University, has been appointed as Superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. Following a review of administrative structure and responsibilities, this appointment creates strategic alignment in achieving the goals of the Galveston campus, including enhanced resource management, collaborative learning and student success. 

Fossum replaces former superintendent Rear Admiral Michael Rodriguez who will remain as an advisor through October 31 to assist in the transition. Capt. Allan Post, current Executive Director of Marine Education and Safety Support Operations has been appointed Acting Deputy Superintendent of the Academy to support Fossum.

The Texas A&M Maritime Academy is one of six state maritime academies in the United States and currently provides education and training to over 425 cadets for Maritime License Option programs, Naval Reserve Officer Training, Strategic Sealife Midshipman program and provides a direct line to the U.S. Coast Guard through the Maritime Academy Graduate Direct Commission Officer program.

Fossum joined Texas A&M following his retirement from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - Johnson Space Center in 2017. He is a veteran of three space flights with more than 194 days in space and more than 48 hours in seven spacewalks during his 19 years as an astronaut. He has logged over 2,000 hours in 35 different aircraft throughout the course of his career. Fossum was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force in 1980 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and Master of Science degrees in Systems Engineering and Physical Science from the Air Force Institute of Technology and the University of Houston - Clear Lake, respectively.

For more information, please email newsmedia@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.