Senior Chemistry Lecturer Wendy L. Keeney-Kennicutt and Professor of Ecosystem Science and Management X. Ben Wu are the 2009 winners of the Presidential Professor for Teaching Excellence Award at Texas A&M University. Dr. Keeney-Kennicutt is a former student of the College of Geosciences having earned her Ph.D. in the Department of Oceanography in 1982.

Ann E. Jochens, a research scientist in the Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M University, has been named a winner of the Offshore Leadership Award by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the U.S. Department of the Interior. This award recognizes individuals for performing an act or service that significantly enhances MMS's ability to meet offshore energy and minerals management mission objectives. Jochens will receive her award at the MMS Safety Awards for Excellence luncheon Thursday, May 7, at the Reliant Center in Houston, Texas.

By Keith Randall 

Numerous government and scientific leaders will be present at 10 a.m. local time Wednesday (May 6) at Pier 2 in Honolulu Harbor as the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) celebrates the return of the "JOIDES Resolution," one of the world’s premier research vessels, to scientific ocean drilling following its $115 million overhaul. The ship is operated by Texas A&M University for the IODP.

Oceanography Professor Mahlon C. Kennicutt II recently led the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) delegation to the 32nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting hosted by the United States in Baltimore, MD, April 6-17. The meeting celebrated the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty and the conclusion of the International Polar Year 2007-2008. A joint session of officials and foreign ministers representing the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties and the Arctic Council convened on April 6 with an address by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Kennicutt participated in the joint session and attended a luncheon hosted by Secretary Clinton at the U.S. State Department.

Dr. William Sager, professor in the Department of Oceanography and holder of the Jane and R. Ken Williams ’45 Endowed Chair in Ocean Drilling, has been honored by the University with a 2009 Distinguished Achievement Award for Research. The award recognizes and rewards individuals whose research efforts have been particularly significant and outstanding.

Brandi Kiel Reese, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M University, has been accepted as a participant in the 59th Meeting of the Nobel Laureates to be held in Lindau, Germany, June 28 to July 4, 2009. The annual Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings provide a globally recognized forum for the transfer of knowledge between generations of scientists. Reese’s sponsor, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), and advisors, Oceanography Assistant Professor Heath Mills and Oceanography Professor John Morse, guided her in her research and supported her on the way to receiving this invitation.