Former astronaut named Texas A&M Galveston VP, COO

Colonel Michael E. Fossum to also serve as executive professor

Colonel Michael E. Fossum was named the new Texas A&M vice president and chief operating officer of the Galveston campus effective March 1.

Fossum, a former astronaut and a 1980 Texas A&M graduate, will also serve as executive professor.

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“I am pleased that Colonel Fossum will be bringing his vast experience in collaborative leadership and consensus-building to the Texas A&M University Galveston campus,” Texas A&M Provost Executive Vice President Karan Watson said.

Fossum said he is looking forward to his new role at the university.

“I have been fortunate to serve our nation as an Air Force officer and NASA astronaut in the realm of research, development and operations," he said. "My education at Texas A&M prepared me to work hard and live my dream of reaching for the stars. As I move into this new role serving the university I love, I look forward to inspiring and equipping our next generation of leaders and explorers.”

Fossum was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force after graduating with a mechanical engineering degree from Texas A&M in 1980. He then went on to complete a master of science in systems engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He resigned from active duty in 1992, which is when he went to work for NASA.

Fossum is a veteran of three space flights, logging more than 194 days in space and more than 48 hours in seven spacewalks.

He has received many honors, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, three NASA Spaceflight medals and the U.S. Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.

Watson said Fossum was chosen based on the recommendation of the search advisory committee for selection of the person to lead the Galveston campus. He will report to Watson.

“I wish to thank the members of the search advisory committee, the faculty, staff and students of the Texas A&M University at Galveston, and the outstanding candidates whom we were able to attract,” Watson said. “I also want to recognize Dr. Douglas J. Palmer for his service as interim vice president and COO over the past eight months.”


About the Author:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.