Hello!
We wish you all the best and a happy final month of a very successful Fall 2024 semester. As always, I am in awe of the amazing work you all do every day to support our students and the University, and I am proud to work alongside you every day.
It is with mixed feelings that I am writing this email today to inform you that my wife and I have decided to retire as of January 1, 2025.
I’m very excited to start a new chapter in life. A chapter that allows me to devote more time to my wonderful wife Terry, nine children, and eight grandchildren. Due to the nature of the work I have chosen over the years, my family has had to endure many sacrifices as a result. As much as I love my job, I also recognize that I need to dedicate my time and energy to spending quality time with the people I love most, my family. That’s what I plan to do after I retire. That includes spending some quality time with Terry somewhere in the Caribbean, soaking your toes in warm water, sipping drinks under an umbrella, and smoking a delicious cigar.
But I also know that I will miss being on campus every day and working with the dedicated professionals in the Office of Student Affairs and across campus. From the day I first stepped onto the Quad in 1975 as a naive fish in the Corpse and Aggie Band, I fell in love with Texas A&M, and I still have. After serving our great country for 31 years in the U.S. Army, I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to serve the world’s greatest university for 11 years as the 45th Cadet Corps Commander and as Vice Chancellor. I think so. Worked as a student affairs supervisor for about 4 years. The past 14 years have been truly rewarding for my wife and I, and we leave with nothing but great memories of great people and our alma mater.
I will miss interacting with the wonderful students. Students remind me every day that the future of this great nation will be in the capable hands of gifted and gifted young leaders who will represent our proud university with dignity and honor. It makes me feel safe. Texas A&M is a special place for students who seek innovative ways to make this world a better place while continuing to honor our past through our cherished traditions. The Texas Aggies will shape the future of our world. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with these wonderful young people over the past 14 years.
I will also miss all of my colleagues, colleagues, and friends in the Student Affairs Division. Texas A&M boasts the No. 1 student experience in the nation because of the tireless effort and compassion you bring to work every day. Texas A&M Student Affairs is a unique and wonderful place to work, and I am humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to work with you over the past three and a half years. You truly are the best of the best.
Thank you again for all you do for the students of Texas A&M University. You make a difference in the lives of the people you work with every day, and you do everything with a positive attitude while upholding the core values of this great organization.
I will continue to work with you and the students of Texas A&M every day until the day I retire. And I look forward to sharing my interactions with you during these final months.
Thank you for everything you have done professionally and for Terry and me personally. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you all and to have shared so many fun times with you. We will never forget you and all you do every day for Texas A&M University.
God bless you all, Student Affairs, and Texas A&M.
Gig em!
With deep respect and gratitude,
Joe
