Sammy Mehedy Ray

Born in Kansas in 1919, Dr. Sammy Ray joined the Texas A&M faculty in 1957 at the Galveston Marine Laboratory, where he was a key person in developing its marine biology and oceanography program. In 1986, he helped originate the Sea Camp program to inspire young students’ interest in marine science. At various points he served as director of the Galveston Marine Laboratory, head of the Department of Marine Sciences, dean of the Moody College of Marine and Maritime Studies, and as interim president of Texas A&M – Galveston. He was an expert on oyster biology and disease, and was deeply committed to the sustainability of oyster and shrimp fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.