Making Waves: The Port of Galveston Celebrates Its Bicentennial With a Tide-Changing Gift

The Port of Galveston is no stranger to changing tides. For the past two centuries, the port that put Galveston on the map has witnessed history in the making. From the Texas Revolution and the Civil War to commercial booms and cruise lines, Galveston Island and its natural harbor have played a pivotal role in the growth of the Texas economy.

Today, under the direction of Galveston Wharves, the Port of Galveston continues to shape the future of the state and nation. With 840 acres of infrastructure, the port serves growing cruise, cargo and commercial enterprises and supports almost 24,000 jobs statewide.

As the city entity chartered to manage the city-owned port, Galveston Wharves focuses on generating and reinvesting port revenues to benefit the Galveston community. Most recently, the organization expanded its outreach with a $300,000 gift supporting maritime students at Texas A&M University at Galveston. The special endowment was funded with proceeds from the port's bicentennial celebration in 2025. Situated just across the harbor, Galveston Wharves and the port already help provide critical job experience for students through internship opportunities, allowing them to connect with their futures in the industry. This endowed gift, however, marks a new level of impact.

“As one of the Gulf Coast’s leading deepwater ports, the Port of Galveston depends on a strong pipeline of skilled professionals to sustain and grow our maritime economy,” explained Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO. “This endowment reflects our commitment to helping the next generation of mariners, administrators, engineers and logistics experts gain the education and training they need to lead this critical industry.”

Voyaging Through the Past

The port that supports a burgeoning coastal industry today was destined for greatness from the start of its 200-year narrative.

Early Texas settler Stephen F. Austin described Galveston Island as having “the best natural port” he had ever seen. At his urging, a proclamation by the Congress of Mexico on Oct. 17, 1825, officially opened the port to trade and travel. By the time the Texas Revolution rolled around, the port’s harbor was home to the Texas Navy, a squadron of four sailing vessels that helped the fledgling revolutionaries gain their independence from Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836.
 

The city of Galveston, founded three years later, quickly grew around the thriving port. Steamship and commercial enterprises helped the city grow in prominence, so much so that by the end of the 1890s, the port led in cotton exports, claiming the title of “The Greatest Cotton Port in the World.” Tragically, in the midst of its economic prosperity, the 1900 Galveston hurricane devastated the island.

Just weeks after the deadly storm, however, the city was already reopening businesses. Projects such as the seawall helped the community rebuild with reinforced strenth and fresh determination to succeed. The port once again gained traction as a major commercial center and in 1940 became the self-sustaining entity through Galveston Wharves that it is today.

Now a home port to six major cruise lines, 4 million passengers move through its cruise terminals each year. The port also maintains major cargo facilities on Galveston Harbor, one of the top 40 busiest waterways in the U.S.

A Bicentennial Celebration

To commemorate the Port of Galveston’s legacy, Galveston Wharves hosted a year-long bicentennial celebration, including publication of a history book, a free Party on the Pier and a 200th anniversary gala last October. The gala, presented by Carnival Cruise Line, included a night of dinner and dancing for 700 guests. Sponsorships for the 200th anniversary events resulted in net proceeds totaling $300,000 that were invested directly back into the future of the maritime industry with an endowed gift to Texas A&M Galveston through the Texas A&M Foundation.

“I am so deeply humbled by this visionary gift from Galveston Wharves,” expressed Dr. Debbie Thomas, executive associate vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer of Texas A&M Galveston. “This donation is an investment in the future of the port and Galveston community, enhancing our ability to grow and sustain leadership in the maritime workforce.”
 

Scholarships totaling $3,000 each will be awarded annually beginning fall 2026 to four undergraduates pursuing degrees in maritime business administration, marine transportation or marine engineering technology. Preference will be given to students from Galveston County.

“The Port of Galveston has relied on Texas A&M Galveston for highly trained maritime professionals since the maritime academy was established in the 1960s,” explained Rees, “so we know how critical the campus is to the growth of our industry. We hope the endowment will encourage Galveston students to choose maritime careers so that our industry will continue to grow and future generations will enjoy working in this dynamic, exciting field.”

Embarking on the Future

As Texas A&M Galveston prepares the maritime leaders of tomorrow, this gift will help students find their bearing in uncharted waters. “Nearly 30% of our students are first-generation college students,” explained Col. Michael Fossum ’80, Texas A&M Galveston’s chief operating officer. “The scholarships this gift creates will enable these students to afford the caliber of education that will change their lives and their families’ lives forever.”
 

Fossum emphasized that the close ties between the port and the Galveston campus have lasting benefits for both parties. “We’re helping develop the kind of workforce that Galveston Wharves needs in all aspects of its operations,” he noted. “Aggies know how to roll up their sleeves, persevere, find solutions and get the job done.”

“The port has been the catalyst of growth and jobs in this region for more than 200 years,” Rees added. “Supporting maritime education ensures that our industry continues to thrive for the next 200.”