On June 22, 2000, scientists received images from Mars of new landforms that appeared to contain gullies formed by flowing water. These images from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft drew national attention because the principal investigator believes the landforms are so young that they might still be forming today. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has a part in all the excitement: our own Dr. Kit Price Blount is a member of the Mars Mapping Team. She has been working with NASA to produce basic geological maps that could help determine if life exists on Mars. You can read more about this cutting edge research on page 2.

Also, in this edition of The Island University you will find an article on page 7 about the Teacher Induction Program created by Vickie Moon-Merchant of our faculty. The program is keeping good teachers in Texas schools by providing support to beginning teachers as they transition into the classroom.

We said goodbye to two longtime members of the University family. Dr. Robert Cox, dean of the College of Education, and Dr. Jane Wilhour, director of the Early Childhood Development Center, retired this summer. Their contributions to our programs have really been appreciated.

Our sports program is expanding this year. Women's volleyball kicks off this fall as does men's and women's cross country. Schedules for the men's and women's basketball teams are set. So, make your plans now to come out and support our athletes. The coaches assure me we have some awesome students who will make us proud. Finally, speaking of pride, you will notice on the cover of this magazine our new official alumni ring glowing in the background. It features the University seal, the alumni logo, a ribbon that reads "Islanders," and a unique sunset scene. I was deeply touched and honored during commencement last May when Diane Lawrence, president of the National Alumni Association, presented me with a ring. Instead of a graduation year and the degree earned, my ring bears the year 2000 and my title. While I may not have attended classes here as a student, I hope you will accept me as an adopted Islander and I do wear my ring proudly.