Dr. R. Bowen Loftin ’71
Named Interim President
of Texas A&M University
D
r. R. Bowen Loftin ’71 was
named interim president of
Texas A&M University June 15,
an immense leadership opportunity he
couldn’t have imagined was in his future
when arrived in College Station in the
summer of 1967. His appointment was
made official during a special meeting of
the Texas A&M University System Board
of Regents June 15 and followed the
resignation of Dr. Elsa A. Murano, Texas
A&M’s 23rd president.
Loftin, who earned a B.S. in physics
from Texas A&M University in 1970
and an M.A. and Ph.D. in physics from
Rice University, has served as vice
president and chief executive officer of
Texas A&M at Galveston since 2005.
His distinguished career also includes
professorial appointments at Old
Dominion University and the University
of Houston, as well as Texas A&M
University where he serves as professor
of maritime systems engineering.
While at the helm of Texas A&M’s
Galveston branch, he has provided
steady and inspired leadership through
unprecedented events, including the
relocation of 1,600 Sea Aggies to College
Station after Hurricane Ike damaged
the infrastructure of Galveston Island
and access to the Galveston campus.
“As a former student, I have an
abiding love for Texas A&M University,”
Loftin said. “It is a privilege to serve in
this interim capacity. I will ensure that
we remain committed to our core values
as well as to our status as one of the top
teaching and research universities in
the nation.”
The leadership of The Association
of Former Students expressed their
appreciation for Dr. Murano’s service to
the University, as well as their confidence
in Loftin’s abilities to lead the University
40
Texas Aggie | july-august 2009
through a time of transition.
“During her tenure as president, Dr.
Murano was genuine and passionate in
her devotion to our great University,”
said Shelley Potter ’78, 2009 Chair of
the Board. “This was evident in many of
her actions and especially last fall when
she provided tireless leadership in the
successful transition of our Galveston
students to our College Station campus.”
Both Potter and Association President
and CEO Porter S. Garner III ’79
anticipated continued collaboration
between the University and The
Association of Former Students during
Loftin’s service as interim president.
“Throughout our 130-history, The
Association has enjoyed positive and
productive relationships with the
leadership of Texas A&M University,”
Garner said. “Bowen Loftin is a great
Texas Aggie and a proven leader who
will serve our University well. We look
forward to working with him to promote
the interests and welfare of Texas A&M.”
While Loftin leads operations in
College Station during this critical
period, Dr. Rodney McClendon ’07,
will serve as acting vice president and
CEO of TAMUG. McClendon currently
serves as executive associate vice
president and chief operating officer for
the Galveston campus.
The Texas A&M University System
Board of Regents will conduct a national
search to identify and hire the 24th
president of Texas A&M University.
Board of Regents Chairman Morris E.
Foster ’65 said he hoped that search
would be completed within six months.
Former students and friends of
Texas A&M can follow news regarding
the transition of leadership at Texas
A&M by regularly visiting www.
AggieNetwork.com.
Dr. R. Bowen Loftin ’71 (second from right), the new interim president of Texas A&M University, was
present at Kyle Field last November when The Association of Former Students presented a check
representing $4.6 million in total support to Texas A&M. The Association was also recognized for
the additional $200,000 provided to assist Texas A&M University-Galveston students with expenses
related to Hurricane Ike. Pictured (from left) are Dr. Elsa Murano; Porter S. Garner III ’79, President
and CEO of The Association of Former Students; Association 2008 Chair of the Board General Hal
M. Hornburg ’68 (USAF, Ret); Loftin, who was Vice President and CEO of the Galveston campus; and
TAMU-Galveston’s then Student Body President Mike Spiers ’10.
aggienetwork.com
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
June 17, 2009
To the Aggie Network:
Monday, June 15, will long be a memorable day for me. I had the pleasure of speaking at the Houston A&M
Club’s weekly Traditions Lunch at noon, talking about our Galveston branch campus and our experiences
in surviving and recovering from Hurricane Ike. Shortly after I finished my remarks, the Board of Regents
announced that I was appointed to serve as Interim President of Texas A&M following the resignation of Dr.
Elsa A. Murano.
As I set foot on the campus of Texas A&M in the summer of 1967 for my freshman year, I could never
have dreamed that I would step onto the campus 42 years later as its leader, even for a short time. I am both
honored and humbled to have been asked to take on this important role at this time. Undoubtedly, there is
currently some tension and uncertainty, but we must not forget who we are. Over our 133-year history, Texas
A&M has prevailed against many challenges, including devastating fires, tough economic times, and . . . even
changes of leadership. The university is still here, and it is stronger than ever.
So, during this time of transition, I ask all of you—the entire Aggie Network—to remember what has kept
our university strong for all these years. We have something unique and very special that no other group can
claim—the Aggie Spirit—and in that Spirit, I pledge to you that I will:
•
Promote excellence throughout the university;
•
Maintain my personal integrity in all that I do;
•
Provide the leadership needed by the university to continue the trajectory defined in Vision 2020;
•
Remain steadfastly loyal to our treasured institution;
•
Respect all with whom I interact; and
•
Give Texas A&M the selfless service that defines us as Aggies.
In striving to embody the university’s core values – excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and
selfless service – we all enhance the reputation and standing of our beloved alma mater.
Gig ’em,
R. Bowen Loftin ’71
Interim President
president@tamu.edu
1246 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-1246
Tel. 979.845.2217
www.tamu.edu
aggienetwork.com
Fax. 979.845.5027
july-august 2009 | Texas Aggie
41