Issue date: 6/18/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Stephen Fogg

As Texas A&M University at Galveston vice president and chief executive officer, and 2008 Galveston United Way campaign chairman, Interim President R. Bowen Loftin has had to think on his feet.


"I've had a long and pretty broad career; I've had to do many kinds of things," Loftin said. "2008 brought [Texas A&M Galveston] two major crises. I've gone through enough experience in my life … that nothing much suprises me anymore. We had the kick-off luncheon at United Way in early September of 2008; on the 13th of September [Hurricane Ike] happened."


In addition to the evacuation and relocation of Galveston students due to Hurricane Ike, the sailing accident was an extremely difficult moment for all Galveston students, faculty and staff, Loftin said.


"I got to the office at 7 in the morning on the 10th of September and looked at the models and it looked okay," Loftin said. "As the day went on I watched the models change, and by 2:30, I said we're going have to leave and I made a decision to evacuate the campus and all the students were gone by the end of the day."


Loftin did not have the privilege of time in making the evacuation decision, he said.


"So planning is important. Dwight Eisenhower once said that 'plans are nothing; planning is everything,'" Loftin said. "We were able to improvise and follow our plan in general."



The timely evacuation and smooth transition to the flagship campus is widely attributed to Loftin, said Galveston County's The Daily News editor Heber Taylor.


"When he began to ask around and realized they didn't have a plan on campus, he convened a meeting with the faculty and staff," Taylor said. "I think he really does listen to faculty, students and members of the community. As a result, A&M's performance during and after that storm was amazing."


More than 90 percent of Galveston Aggies made the transition to College Station, said Texas A&M Galveston regents English professor Stephen Curley, and the Galveston campus experienced a record student enrollment in the returning spring semester.


"The main campus needs that kind of a leader, especially now," Curley said. "He brings no hidden political agenda to the position of interim president."


As a former student, Class of 1971, and former faculty member, Loftin said he can relate.


"I'm a faculty member at heart. I know how faculty think; I think the same way. I was a student here, so I know how students think as well," Loftin said. "So I believe that I'm in the right place, at the right time to be able to help this University quickly heal and continue on its mission without any disruption."

Continued...

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