All things must come to an end, and President Steven Tallant’s reign is coming to a close. On Thursday, Oct. 18, Dr. Mark Hussey, a long-time leader in the A&M University System, visited the A&M University-Kingsville campus. Hussey was named the sole finalist for President of A&M-Kingsville on Tuesday, Oct. 16.
“The thing that I keep hearing over and over again is this is a family, it feels like a family here and I think that is a very important aspect as we go forward as an institution. And as we try to achieve some other goals moving forward, particularly growth, that we be able to keep some of those family kind of experiences here for our students,” Hussey said.
Hussey now has 21 days under state law before being officially appointed. The Board of Regents will meet again to make the announcement at the Nov. 16 board meeting.
“[Hussey] has a long and distinguished career in the discipline of agriculture. He is ready and willing and happy and eager to jump in and lead this university as it moves forward,” said James Hallmark, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for Texas A&M-University.
After President Tallant announced his retirement in April a search committee was put together consisting of faculty, staff and members of the community and a national search was underway. There were 48 applicants in total from all over the world, some were current presidents of universities while others had been presidents previously. The 48 applicants were then reduced to nine candidates who underwent interviews. From those, five were recommended to the chancellor and board of regents who then narrowed it down to a sole finalist.
“My confidence is I know almost everyone that was on that committee. I think they are a good judge of people’s skills and character, so I’m confident they sent the names forward of people who would be successful here,” said Dr. George Allen Rasmussen, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at TAMUK.
Hussey received his bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Illinois, and eventually finished his graduate work at Texas A&M University with a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding. Hussey’s professional background and resume is extensive including being a professor, a department head, and even residing as Interim President of Texas A&M University during 2014-2015.
Hussey is no stranger to South Texas as he started his career in the Rio Grande Valley as an assistant professor at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Weslaco from 1983 to 1985.
“[Hussey is] very familiar with South Texas and he has love for South Texas. I’m very excited that he’s here and he’s going to lead us forward, and I think he brings some good fresh ideas and relationships that I don’t have,” Tallant said.
Hussey will visit the campus frequently over the next few weeks as he tries to get to know the university more, the faculty and staff, and also develop an understanding of the mass cultures and diversity A&M University-Kingsville possesses.
