Port Adds $28,000 to Maritime Education Endowments

Port Adds $28,000 to Maritime Education Endowments

August 25, 2026

GALVESTON, TX (Aug. 25, 2026) – The Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees is continuing its investment in the future of the maritime industry with $28,000 in additional contributions to maritime education endowments at Texas A&M University at Galveston and Galveston College.

The Wharves Board recently contributed $18,000 to its endowment at Texas A&M and $10,000 to its endowment at Galveston College. The funds are net proceeds from the port’s Maritime Day and scholarship luncheon fundraisers held on May 22. 

The endowments were initially funded with net proceeds from the port’s bicentennial sponsorships in 2025. The Texas A&M endowment was established with more than $300,000 to provide scholarships for students pursuing maritime-related degrees. The Galveston College endowment was established with an initial $40,000 to support students pursuing maritime-related degrees and technical certifications.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said the additional contributions reinforce the port’s ongoing commitment to building a strong maritime workforce.

“As one of the Gulf Coast’s leading deepwater ports, the Port of Galveston depends on a strong pipeline of skilled professionals to sustain and grow our maritime economy. These additional contributions demonstrate our continued commitment to helping students gain the education and training they need to build successful careers and strengthen the maritime industry for generations to come.”

The A&M endowment provides $3,000 annual scholarships to four undergraduate students pursuing degrees in Maritime Business Administration, Marine Transportation or Marine Engineering Technology. Scholarships begin in fall 2026, with preference given to students from Galveston County.

“Strong partnerships between education and industry are essential to preparing the next generation of maritime professionals,” said Col. Michael E. Fossum ’80 (Ret.) USAFR, vice president of Texas A&M University and chief operating officer of Texas A&M University at Galveston. “Building this endowment demonstrates the port’s long-term commitment to our students and its investment in the future of the maritime industry.”

At Galveston College, the endowment supports students pursuing maritime-related degrees, including global logistics and supply chain management, as well as technical certifications such as welding and ship fitting.

Galveston College President Tracee Watts, Ed.D., said the college greatly appreciates the Wharves Board’s continued support.

“Galveston College is grateful to the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees for this continued investment in our students and the future of the region’s maritime workforce. These contributions will help open doors for students pursuing high-demand careers in maritime industries and skilled trades that are vital to the economic success of Galveston and the Gulf Coast.”

Galveston Harbor is a major economic engine with a $7.3 billion economic impact and nearly 24,000 direct and indirect jobs. The maritime industry supports a wide range of careers, including ship pilots, mariners, barge and tugboat crews, stevedores, ship repair workers and shipfitters, cruise staff, truck drivers, railroad workers, construction workers, logistics professionals and administrative staff.

About the Port of Galveston

Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, the Port of Galveston has been a thriving maritime commercial center since 1825. Just 45 minutes from open seas, the 840-acre port has infrastructure and assets to serve growing cruise, cargo and commercial businesses. 

The port is the fourth-ranked cruise home port in the U.S. with four cruise terminals. In 2026 the port projects 446 sailings and almost 2 million passengers, a new record for the port. 

The port also leases and maintains a wide range of cargo facilities on the deep-water Galveston Harbor, which is ranked among the top 40 busiest U.S. cargo waterways. The Galveston Wharves is a self-sustaining city entity whose mission is to generate and reinvest port revenues to benefit the Galveston community with economic growth, jobs and sales tax revenues. www.portofgalveston.com

Wharves Board Contributes $18,000 for Texas A&M Endowment

Col. Michael E. Fossum ’80 (Ret.) USAFR, vice president of Texas A&M University and chief operating officer of Texas A&M University at Galveston, thanks the Galveston Wharves for its $18,000 contribution to the port’s maritime endowment to fund scholarships at the Galveston campus. Pictured from left are trustees Erik Stramblad, Vic Pierson and Sheila Lidstone; Fossum; Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees; and trustees Jeff Patterson, Mayor John Paul Listowski and Richard Moore.

Wharves Board Contributes $10,000 for Galveston College Endowment

Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees recently presented a $10,000 contribution to Galveston College to fund its maritime scholarship endowment at the college. Pictured are Wharves Board trustees Eric Stramblad, Vic Pierson, Sheila Lidstone, Jeff Patterson, Mayor John Paul Listowski and Richard Moore with Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees. Pictured with Galveston College President Tracee Watts are college regents Carolyn Sunseri, Michael Hughes and Fred Raschke.