Education Report Set for Release

Texas A&M’s President Announces An Expansion Of The Health Science Center In The B/CS Biocorridor And An Upcoming Pay Raise

Texas A&M’s president announces an expansion of the health science center in the Bryan/College Station biocorridor. Mark Welsh posted on his website, details of a board of regents vote at their May 7th meeting to purchase the former iBio building on HSC Parkway. Welsh described the 139,000 square foot facility as “one of the largest for plant-produced biologics in the world”. He wrote the new building “will support research growth across the health sciences, including preclinical testing with dedicated vivarium space, staging for clinical studies and investigational new drugs and first-in-human dosage development.” The purchase price was not disclosed. Valuation from the Brazos Central Appraisal District is almost $29.4 million dollars. Welsh also announced the regents approval of A&M’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes money for pay raises in the form of a performance based merit pool of four percent. The president said A&M’s overall operating budget for the 2025 fiscal year is just over $3 billion dollars. That breaks down to $2.5 billion on the flagship campus, $472 million for the health science center, and $88 million for the Galveston campus.

Bryan ISD School Board Approves Naming Bryan High School’s Softball Field For Janice Williamson

Bryan ISD school board members Monday night (May 20) approved naming the Bryan High softball field for the person who founded the program. Bryan High alum Janice Williamson recently announced her retirement after 43 years with the district…the last five as executive director of athletics. As softball coach, Williamson led the Vikings to a state championship in 2002 and runner up finishes in 2000 and 2003. Board members Ruthie Waller and Leo Gonzalez praised Williamson’s work as a teacher. Click below to hear comments from Ruthie Waller and Leo Gonzalez during the May 20, 2024 Bryan ISD board meeting:  

Never Forget Garden Veterans Memorial Dedication

A new Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial site was dedicated Tuesday morning at Veterans Park in College Station. The Never Forget Garden Veterans Memorial commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, which is guarded 24/7/365 at its location in the Arlington National Cemetery. Keynote speaker Roy May Jr. is a former Sentinel Guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. “As we gaze upon this monument, let us be reminded of the sacrifices made by those who have gone before us. Let us honor their memory and let us pledge to uphold the values that they fought for and died. For in doing so, we ensure their legacy lives on for generations to come,” said May. Retired Lieutenant General Randy House accepted the memorial as the Chairman of the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board. “It is fitting tribute to those American service members who paid the ultimate price in service to our country and remain unknown only to their maker,” said House. The Never Forget Garden Veterans Memorial is the 19th site at Veterans Park. Listen to “Never Forget Garden Veterans Memorial Dedication Ceremony” on Spreaker.