The Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M University commemorated its 75th anniversary in style last month, bringing together former students, faculty and friends for a Sept. 20-21 weekend celebration reflecting on the department's rich history and looking ahead to its equally bright future.
The two-day itinerary featured three events in the course of 48 hours: a symposium, a gala and a tailgate event, all honoring 75 years of Aggie oceanography. The symposium included presentations from renowned speakers highlighting the latest research and advancements in oceanography. The gala gave attendees an evening to reconnect and celebrate the department’s achievements, while the tailgate event created a fun, casual vibe for former students and friends to enjoy food and fellowship before the big game.
The weekend festivities kicked off Friday, Sept. 20, with the Texas A&M Oceanography 75th Anniversary Symposium, held at the Memorial Student Center. During the morning session, a panel of experts shared insights about the department's past and its future in oceanography.
The panel featured Mr. Stuart Burbach '77, Dr. Richard A. Feely '74, Dr. Jim Kendall Jr. '83, and Dr. Chrissy Wiederwohl '06. Burbach, an exploration geologist with extensive experience in oil and gas, earned his master's in oceanography from Texas A&M and serves as chairman of the Texas A&M Oceanography Advisory Board. Feely is a senior fellow at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who specializes in carbon cycling and ocean acidification; he received both his master’s and Ph.D. in chemical oceanography from Texas A&M in the early 1970s. Kendall is the regional director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Gulf of Mexico office and also holds a Ph.D. in oceanography from Texas A&M. Lastly, Wiederwohl is an instructional associate professor and associate head of Texas A&M Oceanography, receiving both her master’s and Ph.D. from Texas A&M. After the panel discussion, more than 30 posters were presented during the afternoon session in a showcase of research by both students and faculty.
That evening, the Texas A&M Oceanography 75th Anniversary Gala featuring a reception and dinner took place at The George Hotel in College Station. Dr. Mark J. Zoran, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, opened the festivities with a toast and some initial remarks. Former students, current students and invited guests shared a memorable evening filled with camaraderie, reflections on 75 years of achievements and discussions about the department's future.
"We’ve been doing such great work for so long, and this weekend is a celebration of that legacy," said Dr. Shari Yvon-Lewis, professor and head of Texas A&M Oceanography. "But it’s also about looking ahead. This is just the middle of another 75 years of incredible progress.
“The future of oceanography excites me because we’re not only deepening our knowledge but also preparing the next generation to tackle urgent issues like hurricane intensification and ocean acidification. We need to train students to think across disciplines and be ready for the challenges ahead."
My advice to current students and young professionals moving forward is to be flexible. Embrace the unexpected. Our field demands resilience and an open mind, whether you're at sea collecting data or facing challenges along the way. It’s a privilege to be part of this journey.
The weekend festivities concluded Saturday, Sept. 21, with the Texas A&M Oceanography 75th Anniversary Tailgate at Aggie Park, held three hours before the Aggies’ win over Bowling Green. Former students and supporters gathered along with faculty and staff to enjoy food, drinks and lively company while celebrating the department’s legacy.
“My time at Texas A&M was transformative; the faculty encouraged me to explore new disciplines and think outside the box,” Kendall said. “Being part of this gala is an incredible honor. Thirty years ago, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to engage with students and contribute to this community. The future of oceanography is bright, and the cutting-edge work being done by our students is essential for protecting our planet.”
Among the long list of distinguished guests who attended the weekend celebration were Dr. Reagan Errera '06, Dr. Ruth Perry '04, and Dr. Amy Wagner '98, all of whom earned oceanography degrees from Texas A&M. Errera, who earned a master's in wildlife and fisheries sciences and a Ph.D. in oceanography while at Texas A&M, is a research ecologist at NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializing in harmful algal blooms and freshwater acidification. Perry earned a bachelors in biology along with her master's and Ph.D. in oceanography from Texas A&M and is the head of regulatory affairs for Shell Energy Renewable Generation, based in Houston. She oversees land development and environmental research for renewable projects across the Americas. Wagner earned a bachelors in marine science from Texas A&M at Galveston as well as both her master's and Ph.D. in oceanography from Texas A&M and is currently an associate professor and chair of the Geology Department at California State University, Sacramento, where she specializes in paleoceanography and marine geology.
"Texas A&M laid the groundwork for my career in oceanography, especially during my master’s program,” Errera said prior to the gala event. "The quality of education and the innovative research here set me on a path to work with the federal government, helping to protect our oceans.
"Being part of this gala is incredibly meaningful; it connects me to a tradition of pioneering oceanographic research that began in College Station. As we face global changes, oceanography is more critical than ever."
The 75th anniversary celebration was a time to celebrate the Department of Oceanography's achievements and inspire the next generation of oceanographers. Yvon-Lewis noted that, throughout the weekend, there was a strong focus on the importance of supporting future professionals, with discussions and activities highlighting their roles in shaping the field.
"I’m incredibly honored to be a part of this weekend, celebrating 75 years as the oldest oceanographic department in the country," Wiederwohl added. "It's a remarkable milestone that highlights the groundbreaking work we do every day.
“My advice to current students and young professionals moving forward is to be flexible. Embrace the unexpected. Our field demands resilience and an open mind, whether you're at sea collecting data or facing challenges along the way. It’s a privilege to be part of this journey.”