Eleven proposals from the university’s academic colleges were selected to receive funding and are expected to serve more than 4,000 students per year. Projects selected for funding are chosen to inspire students to commit to a lifetime of learning, as well as to prepare them to solve problems that are not yet imagined, say TOP committee officials.

“The TOP program is possible due to the budget reallocation, which granted the program $1 million in recurring funding,” said Antonio Cepeda-Benito, dean of faculties and associate provost. “That money is going to improve and expand the education experience of undergraduate and post-graduate students. Additionally, the program takes full advantage of the faculty and resources of our Tier One research university, which gives our students both a competitive edge and a unique experience that couldn’t be provided at other universities.”

TOP grants — which are awarded for up to three years — help fund interdisciplinary education programs that integrate emerging scholarly work with experiential and high impact learning practices into curricular offerings for students at Texas A&M, officials note. In order to qualify for a grant, each proposal must be a joint effort between faculty members of two or more academic colleges. Additionally, the resulting learning activity must be available to more than 100 undergraduate or 50 post-graduate students.

The range of disciplines and learning opportunities within selected proposals is wide. For example, a program developed by the Colleges of Engineering and Liberal Arts will develop a  student-oriented, interdisciplinary approach to educating future leaders in the energy industry and empowering smart consumers in the smart electricity grid by offering new courses, increasing interaction between student organizations and leading a capstone project that will develop new energy technology platforms. The goal of this particular program, say organizers, is to promote the professional and leadership interests of students focusing on the energy sector, as well as raising the overall energy awareness of Texas A&M students.

Another proposal selected for funding will explore the sociological and environmental impacts of the Bastrop wildfires. Developed by the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Agriculture & Life Sciences, this program will give students the opportunity to study, observe, interview and volunteer in the areas ravaged by the fires. Organizers says students will also learn how to collect and analyze data from field observations and conduct interviews using innovative tools, as well as writing up their findings based on relevant literature.

Other funded proposals include developing an after-school program lab, an interactive arts and technology initiative and a festival that will feature audiovisual arts from around the world.

Abstracts for all the submitted proposals can be found on the Dean of Faculties website.

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Media contact: Krista Smith, News & Information Services, at (979) 845-4645

A:  The record was more than 100 years ago, says Texas A&M University’s John Nielsen-Gammon, who also serves as the state climatologist. “On Feb. 12, 1899, both Texas and Oklahoma had its coldest weather ever,” he reports. “On that day, all of Oklahoma was below minus-10 degrees, while one-half of Texas was below zero. Galveston Bay had areas of ice in it. Most cold waves in Texas aren’t that bad because the cold air tends to move east quickly, but on this particular day the air mass was so cold and large that there was little that Mother Nature could do to prevent it.”

Texas' coldest recorded weather occured in 1899

Q: What about other cold periods?

A: In December 1895, Amarillo had a cold spell in which the city spent 261 consecutive hours below freezing. In January 1930, the temperature reached only 13 degrees in Galveston while farther north, Oklahoma set its all-time cold record of minus 27 degrees in the town of Watts, Nielsen-Gammon adds. “In the more modern era, on Jan. 4, 1959, Spearman in north Texas had a high temperature of zero. On Jan. 9-12 of 1962, the temperature dropped to minus-14 degrees in the Panhandle and 10 degrees in the lower Rio Grande Valley, which saw 65 consecutive hours below freezing. And in the last days of January 1951, Houston was below freezing for a record 132 consecutive hours.”

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Weather Whys is a service of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University.

The South Pole Has More Than 300 Lakes Under The Ice

Mahlon “Chuck” Kennicutt II, professor of oceanography and president of and United States delegate to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and who leads several Antarctic science groups, says the Russian efforts to drill 2.5 miles through to Lake Vostok will open new doors for polar research and beyond.

“It will be extremely interesting to see what they find because the water that has pooled under the vast East Antarctic ice sheet has been isolated for potentially millions of years,” Kennicutt explains.

“They could find sedimentary records of climate change that are available nowhere else on Earth. These records of climate change would give us insight into the evolution of the Southern Ocean and the continent of Antarctica, which is estimated to have been ice-covered for 35 million years. It could also tell us important clues about the history of ice flow from the continent to the ocean, giving us critical information for predicting future sea level rise as our planet warms.

“The outbursts of water from sub-glacial lakes have occurred in the past and the freshwater from these lakes may influence weather patterns and climate as they carve out unique features on the surface of Earth.”

There are now more than 300 known sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica, Kennicutt says, and Lake Vostok — about the size of Lake Ontario — is considered the crown jewel of them all as the largest and most mysterious.

“Whatever living organisms are found in these environments have been able to live under extreme conditions, and this could tell us if and how life has evolved in the ocean hundreds of millions of years ago and possibly about other icy worlds in our solar system,” he notes.

“The clues to how Earth may respond to the continuing impact of humans, particularly fossil fuel emissions and related climate change, are housed in the records of past climate change in Antarctica. A view of the past gives us window on our planet’s future.”

Some scientists believe the pristine waters of Lake Vostok may contain oxygen levels far greater than anywhere else on Earth. If true, whatever forms of life that have survived in such an environment will surely be unique, Kennicutt says.

The Russian research team has been drilling in the area for more than three decades and “they clearly want to be the first ever to enter the lake,” Kennicutt adds.

“For them, it is a matter of national pride that they be the first and if this accomplishment is verified, it will be a valued prize by the Russian people.”

Some scientists have compared the conditions of Lake Vostok to other icy worlds in our solar systems such as Europa, a moon of Jupiter, and Enceladus, a moon of Saturn.

“The bottom line is that we don’t know what is in Lake Vostok,” Kennicutt says. “That’s why this is such a great moment and what is found there could change the way we think about life on our planet and how Earth has evolved over the millennia.”

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Media contact: Keith Randall, News & Information Services, at (979) 845-4644 or Chuck Kennicutt at (979) 458-4345

Questions regarding the award or nomination process may be addressed to Margaret McGraw, Chair of the Koldus Award Selection Committee, at (979) 845-4728.

Meredith Malnar

What is the goal of the Office of New Student Programs?

The goal of the Office of New Student Programs (NSP) is to facilitate the success of new students through their first year at Texas A&M, thereby, retaining them for their second year and through graduation. We achieve this goal by providing new students with the framework to adjust to the expectations, standards, academic rigors and social community at Texas A&M. Additionally, we recognize the important role that family members play in a student’s college success and strive to equip families with the resources to aid their student throughout their student’s college career.

What sort of services do you provide?
Most notably, NSP coordinates the New Student Conference, the mandatory orientation program for all new undergraduate students. In addition, we coordinate several other programs designed to assist students in transition including Gig ’Em Week: Aggieland’s Week of Welcome; Amplify; ATMentors and the First-year Photo Project. We also coordinate the Aggie Family programs. We are able to connect with the parents of new students during the New Student Conference, and we strive to maintain that connection and continue to be a resource for them throughout their student’s academic career at Texas A&M. For more information on these programs, visit here.

Are these just for parents?

We recognize that the primary support system for a student may include parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, neighbors and friends. The services provided by Aggie Family programs empower these vital support systems with the information needed to be the best resource possible to their Aggie and develops a strong commitment to Texas A&M.

Do you offer any programs for university faculty or staff or help them connect with students?

A number of our programs offer opportunities for faculty and staff to interact with students. Namely, the ATMentors program is an organization of faculty, staff and administrators who volunteer extra office hours to make themselves available to students who just want to talk to someone. We currently have more than 200 mentors in almost every department on campus. To find or become an ATMentor, visit here.

How does the office help families stay connected with the university and why is this important?
We believe that although our students are adults, the role of a parent or family member as a mentor and support system is as important as ever. Studies show that parental involvement increases the chances that a college student will be successful on campus and improves graduation rates. We offer families a number of ways to stay connected to the university. Family members can find a host of resources online. While there, they can sign up for our Aggie Families listserv. Once on the listserv, they will receive monthly “Aggie Quick Connection” e-newsletters that provide information about campus resources, upcoming events and tips for assisting their student. We also host a program called New Family Welcome. This offers an opportunity for the family members of new Aggies to meet and interact with Texas A&M faculty and administrators, learn more about Texas A&M history and services and provide a chance for families to visit their student in a unique college atmosphere. Historically, New Family Welcome has taken place during a home football game weekend, and events have included a Friday night dessert reception, game-day tailgate and the football game.

This is the third straight year the program has ranked in the top 10 among public programs by the magazine.

The program placed at No. 51 overall in the world (down from No. 44 last year) and at No. 24 among U.S. programs (down from No. 21 last year). Since 2007, the Mays program has risen 34 places in the Financial Times MBA ranking.

The program remains ranked as No. 1 in “Value for the Money” among U.S.-based programs, and moved up 4 places to No. 4 among all programs globally in the category. This designation indicates Mays graduates recover the cost of their degrees with post-graduation salary increases faster than graduates of any other public U.S. programs. The program has ranked No. 1 in this category for the past three Financial Times rankings.

In other categories, the Mays program is:

• Ranked second among U.S. public schools and tied for seventh among U.S. schools in “Employment at Three Months”
• Ranked first among U.S. public schools and sixth among U.S. schools in “Aims Achieved” (defined as: The extent to which alumni fulfilled their most important goals or reasons for undertaking an MBA)
• Ranked second among U.S. and U.S. public schools in “Salary Percentage Increase” (defined as: The percentage increase in average alumni salary from before the MBA to today as a percentage of the pre-MBA salary)

Kelli Kilpatrick, director of the MBA program at Texas A&M, says the ranking places Mays among the most elite MBA programs in the world – “a tremendous accomplishment and, in my view, well-deserved recognition for our program.” The Full-Time MBA program broke into the Financial Times’ top 10 U.S. public programs in 2010.

Kilpatrick says this acknowledgement reflects Mays Business School’s dedication to excellence. “Our success in this ranking indicates the quality of our students and faculty. We strive to recruit the very best students and provide them with a high-quality experience, both inside and outside the classroom.”

In addition to the Financial Times ranking, Mays was also recognized as one of the “Best Global MBAs for Mexicans” by Mexico’s leading business magazine, Expansión, for the fifth consecutive year. The ranking of No. 42 globally is an improvement from the program’s No. 43 rank in 2011. Mays also ranked No. 23 among programs in the United States and No. 6 among programs at U.S. public universities — up one spot from last year in both categories.

Complete results of the 2012 Expansión magazine “Best MBAs for Mexicans” ranking are available here.

“We are committed to ensuring our MBA students leave with the skills and abilities needed to be successful business leaders and manage their careers for a lifetime. The success of our graduates reflects well on our program, which helps us continue the cycle of producing high quality business leaders,” Kilpatrick explains.

For more information, contact Kelli Kilpatrick at (979) 845-4714.

Texas A&M spring enrollment totals more than 46,000 students

Spring semester enrollment at Texas A&M University totaled at a record 46,717 students as of the institution’s 12th class day, for an increase of 295 over the certified figure for the spring 2011 semester, university officials reported today.

Official certified enrollment is based on the 20th class-day total, as tabulated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, but officials note the difference between the 12th and 20th class-day figures typically varies only slightly. The 12th-day figure is what is initially reported to the Coordinating Board.

Spring semester enrollment is traditionally less than that for the fall semester because of the large number of students who graduate in December, university officials note. Texas A&M’s 2011 fall enrollment was a record 49,861.

Both of Texas A&M’s branch campuses also have record enrollments. Texas A&M University at Galveston reported a spring enrollment of 1,882, for an increase of 122, and Texas A&M University at Qatar has 524 students this spring, for a gain of 48.

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Media contact: Lane Stephenson, News & Information Services at (979) 845-4662

Dr. Vladislav Yakovlev

Vladislav V. Yakovlev, who joined the faculty as professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering in January, has been elevated to the rank of Fellow Member of the Optical Society (OSA).

He is one of just 66 individuals among OSA’s regular members to be so distinguished in 2012. Election to Fellow is based on outstanding contributions to optics through accomplishments in science and engineering, through technical leadership, and through impact on the optics community. Yakovlev is being recognized for the development of new nonlinear-optical techniques for diagnostics and imaging, and their applications to medicine and biology.

“Vladislav has served the optics community with distinction, and I am very pleased to recognize him with this honor,” said OSA President Tony Heinz. “He is part of a truly global group of individuals, this year’s fellows representing more than a dozen countries on four continents.”

OSA Fellows are selected based on nominations from current Fellow members. OSA’s Fellow Members Committee recommends candidates each year to the Board of Directors. Limited to no more than 10 percent of total OSA membership, Yakovlev and the new class of Fellow Members will be recognized individually at meetings throughout 2012. More information about his appointment and the OSA’s Fellow program is available in the Awards and Grants section of their website.

In addition to the OSA Fellow, Professor Yakovlev has received several awards, including a Research Corporation Award, National Science Foundation CAREER award, UWM Foundation Research Award, and ASEE/Air Force Summer Fellowship Award. In 2006, he held a visiting professorship position at the Graduate School Frontiers of Biosciences, University of Osaka (Japan).

Prior to joining the Texas A&M University faculty as professor of Biomedical Engineering, Yakovlev held the rank of professor in the Department of Physics at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Yakovlev received his M.S. in Physics and his Ph.D from Moscow State University (Russia). He has authored and published numerous scholarly articles and served as editor for Biochemical Applications of Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopy, published by CRC Press, 2009. His article, “Detecting Anthrax in the Mail by Coherent Raman Microspectroscopy,” is featured in the January 2012 issue of PNAS, published by the National Academy of Sciences. Yakovlev’s research includes chemical, biological and medical applications of advanced optical spectroscopy; nanoscopic in vivo optical imaging of molecular and cellular structures; single molecule spectroscopy and manipulation; protein spectroscopy and structural dynamics; and, bioanalytical applications of optical technology and spectroscopy.

Contact: Vladislav V. Yakovlev at (979) 458-2326 or  or Kathy Koza at (979) 847-5833.

The event offers all interested students and their families an opportunity to meet current students, tour campus residence halls, visit libraries and computer labs and see what opportunities Texas A&M has to offer.

Sponsored by the Office of Admissions, Aggieland Saturday is open to all prospective students, including both high school and transfer students.

While on campus for the day, visitors can learn more about the university’s academic colleges and the majors they offer. A variety of group sessions will provide information about admissions, financial aid, student services, student organizations and student traditions, organizers note.

Because Aggieland Saturday is designed to be self-guided so participants can focus on their specific areas of interest, each academic college and several student services offices have planned fun and informational sessions throughout the day, they add.

While registration is not required, officials say it is encouraged to help ensure that visitors are accommodated to the fullest extent possible. Aggieland Saturday activities are free except for meals and parking.

For more information, including registration and a schedule of events planned for the day, go here or contact the Prospective Student Center at (979) 458-0950, or email admissions@tamu.edu. For a map of parking areas designated for “Aggieland Saturday,” go here.

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Media contact: Tura King, News & Information Services, at (979) 845-4670