Issue date: 8/29/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Wade Barker Gig 'em week has passed and classes have begun again. It's the start of the school year and Texas A&M President Elsa Murano is rebuilding her administration to be as dominant as the women's soccer team. [Click to enlarge]

This will be her first full school year in office. Murano is the first hispanic and first woman to take office at A&M and said this was one of her reasons for accepting the position.

"I had a special responsibility to show A&M's universally accepting environment to diverse people," she said.

Prior to serving as president, Murano served as vice-chancellor of the A&M system and as dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Once she accepted the position, she had a specific short term goal.

"My goal was to get us a new mascot by football season-mission accomplished," Murano said.

The more professional goals of Murano are largely centered on continuing and advancing Robert Gates' Vision 2020.

"I want to continue Gates' legacy and his march towards top ten public institution," Murano said, "We must not let Gates' advances fall, but rather accelerate them."

Murano said that she has high expectations and goals for A&M and plans to accomplish them in two areas: better quality of teaching and emphasis on preparing Aggie graduates to emerge as leading citizens in a global economy. Murano has instituted the "Murano Report," which focuses on better advising for Aggie students, but most importantly, it focuses on international study.

"With the provost search, students were involved in a very formal process; with Reveille we were totally involved; with the Vice President of Student Affairs, there was a bit of a time crunch, but she did give students a chance to meet with General Weber before he was hired," said Mark Gold, Student Body President.

Although neither the vice president nor provost are from the A&M system, Gold said he believes in them and their abilities.

Continued...

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