2020 Vice President's Meritorious Awards & William Paul Ricker Distinguished Service Award Winners Announced    

Texas A&M University at Galveston is pleased to announce the 2020 staff and faculty recognized for their meritorious service to the university through the Vice President’s Meritorious Service Awards and the William Paul Ricker Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards. 

Recipients of these prestigious awards have demonstrated their commitment to the Aggie Core Values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service. 

The William Paul Ricker Award award recognizes outstanding achievement in teaching, research and student relations and honors the late William Paul Ricker, who tragically passed away while serving as Corps Commander at the Texas A&M Maritime Academy in 1974. Mr. R. Paul Ricker left provisions in his will for the establishment of the William Paul Ricker Memorial Endowment Fund. Each year, $4,000 from the endowment is used to recognize one outstanding faculty and one outstanding staff member, who are awarded $2,000 each, as well as a watch and commemorative plaque.

Associate Professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science Dr. Wesley Highfield and Senior Administrative Coordinator for the Center for Texas Beaches & Shores Ms. Cherie Coffman have been chosen as the 2020 recipients of the prestigious William Paul Ricker Award. 

Next, the Vice President’s Meritorious Service Award recognized recipients in four categories. Each winner receives $750 and a commemorative plaque. 

This year, Instructional Assistant Professor in the Department of Liberal Studies Dr. Kristin Josvoll, has been recognized in the Outstanding Classroom Teaching category. Recognized for Outstanding Staff Service is both Executive Director of Human Resources Jeff Boyer and Seibel Learning Center Program Coordinator Krista McBrien. The winner in the Outstanding Student Relations category is Associate Director of Counseling and Career Services Daisey McCloud, and SSC Custodial Manager Michelle Kirkland has won in the Outstanding Services category. 

“I’m thrilled to recognize and award the incredible work ethic of these staff and faculty members,” said Texas A&M-Galveston Chief Operating Officer Col. Michael E. Fossum ‘80. “The way in which they live out our Aggie Core Values is commendable and sets an example for everyone on our campus.”