President’s Message
Looking forward, not backward

It is never easy to let go of a job you really enjoy and take on a new one. Yet, after more than 13 years as the president of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the time would certainly come for new leadership and administration. The accomplishments over the past decade of our University community have been outstanding, and the potential for the future is nearly limitless. With any “going” organization, progress is always due to the combined efforts of the people associated with its operations. From the groundskeepers to the research faculty, each person adds to this progress in his or her own important way.

We have been very fortunate during our University’s growth phase to have many people excelling in their responsibilities. These people currently exist, and, therefore, will carry on as usual during the transition to a new president. Our reputation will attract many highly qualified candidates. So take comfort, the show will go on with mucho gusto.

The lure of heading the new Harte Research Institute was nearly irresistible for me. It is one way I can help pay back Mr. Ed Harte for his confidence in this University in providing the $46 million endowment to establish the Institute.

The timing for its creation is remarkable. Several studies of national and international significance released recently raised alarms related to the degradation of our oceans and waterways. The Gulf of Mexico, often referred to as America’s ocean, is in serious jeopardy, and HRI is poised to address the acute issues related to its sustainability.