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ABOUT US
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PERSONNEL
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ADMINISTRATION
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FURGASON
DR. ROBERT FURGASON
HRI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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ADMINISTRATION
DR. ROBERT FURGASON
 DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
GULFBASE BIO
DR. WES TUNNELL
DR. SYLVIA EARLE
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Furgason to
retire
as HRI Director
Source: Coastlines
July 2007 –Dr. Robert R. Furgason, executive director of
the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) at
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, has announced his retirement
effective Dec. 31.
Furgason served as the University’s president from 1990 to 2004
before becoming the first HRI director. Since its inception in 2004
the HRI has become the premier research institute for advancing the
long-term sustainability and conservation of the Gulf of Mexico.
Through its trilateral relationship with Mexico and Cuba, the HRI
has established and activated an agenda to promote excellence in
conservation, research and innovative public policy.
“The work of Bob Furgason will remain in the hearts and minds of
many,” said University President Flavius Killebrew. “His vision and
hard work laid a strong foundation for us to build upon as Texas A&M
University-Corpus Christi takes its place among the nation’s leading
universities in marine research and policy.”
Philanthropist Edward H. Harte, whose $46 million endowed gift paved
the way for the Institute’s creation, said that Furgason, while
president of A&M-Corpus Christi, participated actively in the
incubation of the ideas behind the Harte Research Institute.
“Bob Furgason has been pivotal to the establishment and success of
the Harte Research Institute,” said Harte. “He has been part of
everything we have done, and we owe him a great debt.”
As head of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies
Furgason was highly instrumental in bringing many leading oceanic
experts from the academic, government and private sectors to Corpus
Christi for the first State of the Gulf of Mexico Conference in
2005. The Summit, the first of its kind to address issues
specifically related to the Gulf, drew more than 300 participants.
In addition, HRI researchers are collecting data for the 50-year
update of “Bulletin 89- The Gulf of Mexico- It’s Origins, Waters and
Marine Life” which was originally compiled by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service in 1954.
“It has been both my pleasure and privilege to be part of the
University over the years and to work with many dedicated faculty,
staff and students,” said Furgason.
Within the community, Furgason and his wife, Gloria, have been
tireless champions for the performing arts, leading fundraising
efforts to expand the South Texas Institute for the Arts and to
build the University’s $18 million Performing Arts Center. Each
year, the Bob and Gloria Furgason Bravo! Series for the Performing
Arts brings internationally-known performers to the Performing Arts
Center.
Before joining the University, Furgason was vice president for
Academic Affairs and professor of chemical engineering at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He earned his B.S. and M.S. in
chemical engineering from the University of Idaho and holds a Ph.D.
from Northwestern University.
President Killebrew has named Trent Hill, vice president for
Institutional Advancement, and Frank Pezold, dean of the College of
Science and Technology, as co-chairs of the search committee for
Furgason’s replacement.
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Dr. Robert Furgason in his HRI office
Carrie Robertson photo - download hi-rez (460KB)
Contact Information:
Harte Research Institute
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5869
Corpus Christi , Texas 78412-5869
Telephone: (361) 825-2000
Fax: (361) 825-2050
E-mail: robert.furgason@tamucc.edu
Dr. Robert R. "Bob" Furgason
became the first Executive Director of the Harte Research Institute in
January 2005. He stepped down from his post March 31, 2008,
giving the university ample time to choose his successor.
Dr. Larry D. McKinney, director of Coastal Fisheries and senior
director of Aquatic Resources for the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department (TPWD), will take Furgason's place as HRI's new
executive director this July.
While at the HRI, Furgason oversaw the development of the new Institute, from the
earliest planning stages through the construction of the
state-of-the-art facility. He also played a key role in bringing the endowed chairs and other
personnel onboard. Edward Harte encouraged the
administration to appoint Dr. Furgason for this role of developing the HRI, because his experience as President of
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC)
made him the perfect candidate. Not only did he have a
thorough understanding of the university where the Institute was to be
located, but he knew how to make something grow: During Furgason's
14-year tenure as TAMU-CC president, the size of the student body
increased dramatically, as did the number of programs and degree
offerings. The regional university has earned a reputation as being one of
the best in Texas and the nation.
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Dr. Furgason's reflections
on his tenure at HRI
“After working 14 years as president, it seemed to be a
reasonable time to turn the leadership of the university over to a new crew.
At the same time, we were searching for a director of the Institute to
set in place the long-term objectives of the HRI since at that time no
permanent research personnel had been hired. Mr. Harte urged me to
consider doing this for a while since he and I had been the originators
of the Institute. One of my successes has been identifying outstanding
people to carry out a mission. For me, it has been an exciting
challenge and a wonderful experience.”
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Professional Experience:
- Executive Director, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico
Studies, TAMU-CC, 2005-present
- President, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 1990-2004
- Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor of Chemical Engineering,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, Dean of Engineering, and Chairman of
the Chemical Engineering Department, University of Idaho
- B.F. Goodrich Chemical Co.
- Consultant, Martin-Marietta Corp. and Phillips Petroleum
- National Science Fondation Program participant, Escuela Politecnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador, 1974-1975
Positions Held:
- President of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Board of Directors
- Engineering Accreditation Commission Chairman
- Chairman of American Institute for Chemical Engineer’s (AIChE) Education and Accreditation Committee
- Chairman of AIChE Department Heads Forum
- Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Texas International Education Consortium
- State President of Idaho Society of Professional Engineers
- Idaho Energy Policy Board member
- Advisory Committee member to the Northwest Power Policy Council
- Chair of the Nebraska Energy Management Committee
- Chair of the Nebraska Citizens Advisory Committee for the Siting of a Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility
- Fellow of AIChE and ABET, a Centennial Medalist of American Society of Engineering Education
- Member of the Explorers Club
- Member of Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi, Phi Eta Sigma
Awards and Recognitions:
- The National Conference for Community and Justice 2003 Humanitarian Award
- 2001 King Alonzo XLVIII of Buccaneer’s Pageant
- Corpus Christi Caller Times 2000 Newsmaker of the Decade
- United Married Couples, 2000
- Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce Henry Baldwin Award, 2000
- Founder’s Meritorious Achievement Award, National Archives & Historical Foundation of the American GI Forum, 2000
- Corpus Christi Caller Times 1998 Newsmaker of the Year
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Grinter Award, 1996
- Idaho's Young Engineer of the Year
- Public Service Award, Idaho State Library Association
- Outstanding Teacher Award, University of Idaho
- African Peoples Union Service Award, University of Nebraska
- Alumni Hall of Fame, University of Idaho
Degrees:
- B.S. (Ch.E) and M.S. degrees, University of Idaho
- Ph.D., Northwestern University
- Additional work, University of Wisconsin
- Honorary Doctorate of Administrative Science degree, University of
Idaho, 2006
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