Office of the President

Speeches & Reports

Message to Texas A&M Students, Faculty and Staff

September 29, 2009

Howdy from your Interim President!

• We marked a major milestone last Thursday with the opening of the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building. It is a spectacular facility, but what impresses me even more is the knowledge that Aggies will work side by side there to take our mission of improving lives to the next level—finding cures for cancer, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer's disease and other afflictions.
• Our next open forums will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Rudder Theatre. These sessions are a great way to get information to the Aggie Family and to hear what's on your mind as well. This forum will feature many administrators and student leaders, with the main topics being the MSC renovation and other construction on campus. As always, we will conclude with a question-and-answer session. If you are unable to attend, you can view the forums on KAMU-TV (Texas A&M campus channel 82) or via TTVN Live Webcasts page at http://ttvn2.tamu.edu/home/?p=streams (scroll down and click on "Channel 20") and submit your questions via email to askthepresident@tamu.edu.
• Don't forget to mark your calendar for Thursday's Academic Convocation. The academic procession will step off from Cushing Library at 2:15 p.m., and the event will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Rudder Theatre. I will be giving the annual state of the university address, which will outline Texas A&M's progress related to Vision 2020 and our commitment to the Academic Master Plan. A reception will follow in Rudder Exhibit Hall.
• If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes to complete the survey regarding the qualifications and characteristics of the next president of Texas A&M. The deadline is this Wednesday. The search committee, headed by Regent Richard Box '61, wants to hear from the entire Aggie Family. Your opinion matters!
• It is hard to believe that the first month of the fall semester has already come and gone. I have enjoyed the opportunity to visit with many groups of faculty, students and staff — and even dip ice cream at Sbisa Dining Hall.
• Until next week, Gig 'em Aggies! And don't forget about my Face2Face segment on Texas A&M's official Facebook page on Monday. As always, you can also send your comments or questions to president@tamu.edu.

Dr. R. Bowen Loftin '71
Interim President