Dr. Sammy Ray, TAMUG Marine Biology Professor, To Receive Harte's Heroes Award
What: Dr. Sammy Ray, Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) marine biology professor and world-renowned TAMUG oyster expert will be honored as a Harte Hero. The Harte’s Heroes awards are given to honor the wisdom, mentoring, and leadership of those considered pioneers in protecting and preserving the richness of the Gulf of Mexico’s resources. Known as Our “Legends of the Gulf,” these pioneers serve as role models “for those who look for ways to make the world – especially the Gulf of Mexico – a better place.” Ray will be recognized with a Harte’s Heroes award during a reception and an awards ceremony.
When: The reception will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 pm and the awards ceremony will begin at 7:30 pm on June 8 (Friday).
Where: The event will take place at the Art Museum of South Texas, located at 1902 North Shoreline Boulevard in Corpus Christi, Texas. The reception will be held in the Singer Gallery and the awards ceremony will take place in the museum’s auditorium. The museum is Valet parking will be provided at no charge.
Sponsor: Harte’s Heroes awards are given by the Harte Research Institute-Gulf of Mexico Studies. The institute is an endowed research component of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and is dedicated to advancing the long-term sustainable use and conservation of the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Larry McKinney, Harte Research Institute executive director, will present the award to Ray.
Invitees: Media is invited to attend. An RSVP is required.
Contact: For more information, contact Harte Research Institute Project Coordinator Allison Knight at (361) 825-2066.
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Quote from Dr. Sammy Ray
“I’m particularly honored to receive this award, because of my great respect for its namesake, Ed Harte, who also had a great love for the Gulf of Mexico,” Ray said. “I’m being recognized for doing what I love to do. Yes, I want to make the Gulf of Mexico a better place for those who enjoy seafood, and for those who fish, recreate and live near the gulf. It’s my legacy.”
Quote from Rear Admiral Robert Smith III (Ret.), President and CEO of Texas A&M University at Galveston
Dr. Sammy truly deserves this Harte’s Heroes award,” Smith said. “He’s a pioneer for oyster research worldwide and for seafood safety for all Texans. He’s been studying oysters around the world for most of his 90-plus years, and has worked right here in Galveston for 50 of those years. He’s an oyster expert, problem solver for Gulf (of Mexico) issues and an amazing mentor. Generations of our faculty, staff and students have benefitted from his teaching and sage advice. We are indeed fortunate to call Dr. Sammy one of our heroes, and we are pleased that he is being recognized as a Harte Hero.”
Dr. Sammy Ray’s Biography
The scientific contributions of Dr. Sammy Ray to oyster disease research are widely acclaimed. In the 1950s, he was one of just a handful of scientists to investigate a new disease-causing agent, which was producing massive mortality in oyster populations in the Gulf of Mexico. This disease is commonly known today as “Dermo.” Ray developed a highly-reliable diagnostic technique for detecting “Dermo.” This technique is still widely used in oyster disease studies today.
Ray was born in Mulberry, KS. After graduating from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1942, he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in biology from Rice University in Houston in 1952 and 1954, respectively. His postgraduate career began with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a fishery research biologist that same in 1954. Ray left his fisheries research to serve his country as a U.S. Navy Pharmacists during World War II.
In 1957, he joined the Texas A&M staff at the Research Foundation Laboratory in Grande Isle, Louisiana. Six years later, he became an associate professor in Oceanography and Wildlife and Fisheries Science, and was named director of the Marine Laboratory at Galveston.
Obtaining the title of full professor in 1972, Ray was named head of the Department of Marine Sciences. He later served as dean of the Moody College of Marine Technology and interim president of Texas A&M University at Galveston. Ray officially retired in 1990, but remains active as an advisor and coordinator of student programs and several community outreach programs. In addition to his other academic and professional honors, he was awarded a lifetime honorary membership in the National Shellfisheries Association, an international organization concerned with the ecology, economics, and management of shellfish resources.
Since his retirement, Ray continues to be a reliable source of scientific knowledge for management decisions related to oyster and shrimp fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. He is past chair of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee for the Galveston Bay National Estuary Program. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Bay Foundation. One of the most notable achievements of his career is the initiation of Sea Camp, a 5-day summer marine adventure for students aged 10-16, sponsored by Texas A&M University at Galveston and the Texas Sea Grant College Program.
Ray and his wife, Charlotte, an accomplished pianist who has played the organ for several Galveston Island churches, have four children and reside in Galveston.