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Mardi Gras Gives A&M-Galveston Students Unique Chance to Shine    

February 21, 2020

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Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets are cheered on by onlookers and supporters as they march in last year's The Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade.
Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets are cheered on by onlookers and supporters as they march in last year's The Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade.

By Andréa Bolt, Content Manager, Division of Marketing & Communications

It’s the Friday before the final weekend of Mardi Gras Galveston and Texas A&M Maritime Academy Deputy Commander Daryn Taylor ’20 is gathering throws for a parade the following evening.
 
“We definitely need something soft and very ‘Galveston,’” he says, deciding on fishing buffs, foam “Howdy” keychains and 12th Man towels to take and distribute to the crowd for Saturday night’s sixth annual Texas A&M University at Galveston Mardi Gras Parade & Viewing Party.
 
Taylor and first-, second- and third-year cadets will all march in The Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade, the pinnacle parade procession of Mardi Gras Galveston taking place Saturday evening.
 
“We are incredibly excited to have our Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets marching in the Momus parade and to know they, and hundreds of other students are giving back to our beloved community,” said Col. Michael E. Fossum ’80, Chief Operating Officer of the Galveston Campus and Superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy.
 
The two-weekend-long event involves a number of parades featuring different krewes, themes and causes. Krewes also host balls to fundraise for their parade and float needs.
 
“It’s really fun for them to get have a role. They do everything from working on floats, loading beads, working some of the balls and helping with setup or cleanup, or serving food. All of the different Mardi Gras krewes hire them and look to give them a chance to help out, especially in the Gambrinus and Momus parades,” said Director of Student Activities Shelly Fordyce ’99.
 
Mardi Gras season presents a fun time for students to help out and experience the revelry of the Galveston Mardi Gras community spirit, but it also goes back to the Aggie Core Values of leadership and selfless service.
 
“When you see our cadets leading the way, representing our Aggie and Galveston communities and bringing them together, it’s a powerful thing,” said Col. Fossum.

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Media contact:
Andréa Bolt
a_bolt@tamug.edu
409.740.4929

More:
Read more about Texas A&M Maritime Academy
Read more about Student Life


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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.