The Texas Gulf Coast boasts impressive institutes of higher learning from small community colleges to large research universities. For members of the surrounding communities, these schools are great places to go for exciting events and activities.

 

As one of the largest universities in the country, Texas A&M has countless resources that are shared with the surrounding communities. Although the main campus is located in College Station, the school’s athletic reputation reaches far beyond. In honor of Aggie tradition, the Texas A&M Sports Museumoffers visitors an exciting look at the university’s sports-related history. The museum is located in the Bernard C. Richardson Zone at Kyle Field and consists of photos, films, interactive displays and more. Stop by the Timewall, which brings together photos and programmed audio-visual effects that depict the past, present and future of A&M athletics. Don’t miss the memorabilia in the Legends Gallery or items honoring the Aggie Band in the perimeter displays. The museum is open to all visitors free of charge. Learn more at http://lettermen.tamu.edu/museum.php.

 

At Rice University,in Houston, the events calendar features several lectures from world-renowned researchers and business professionals. Check out the School Science and Technology Speaker Series. On January 25, Dr. David Alexander will present “Astronomy, Sun & the Solar System.” The Collaborative Workshops for Investigators in Biosciences, Bioengineering, and Computational Sciences Seminar Series also brings inspiring speakers to Rice. On January 27, enjoy an enlightening lecture by Harvard University’s Pamela Silver. If you have an interest in environmental issues, join Paul Edwards and Gabrielle Hecht from the University of Michigan for their lecture “Cultures of Energy”on February 3, 2012 at the Fondren Library. For even more upcoming lectures at Rice University, visit www.events.rice.edu/index.cfm.

 

Victoria College is a proud Gulf Coast school with lots of community events on their Victoria campus. Visit the Museum of the Coastal Bend where the region’s heritage is celebrated with exhibits, educational programs and more. The exhibit Cattle Boom! Ranching in Victoria and the Texas Coastal Bend, 1845-1929tells the story of the state’s ranching families and culture through photographs, maps, artifacts and documents. Cattle Boom! will be open to the public until December 15, 2012. Another temporary exhibit not to miss is Lonesome Dove: Photographs from the Wittliff Collections, running January 19 through March 17, 2012. See what else is coming to this treasured museum at www.museumofthecoastalbend.org.

 

The Gulf Coast region of Texas offers exciting campus attractions. Stop by a nearby college or university and see what’s happening this month.