Texas A&M University has recently declared its participation with Fast Company at South By Southwest (SXSW) occurring at the Fast Company Grill from March 8-10.
SXSW is a yearly gathering for international professionals encompassing panel discussions, film and television showings, musical acts, exhibitions, and more; this event attracts hundreds of thousands of individuals to Austin every March.
United under the theme “A Force For Good,” influential thinkers and innovators are set to share their insights on “genuine transformation” — how leaders of integrity rise up, take action, and inspire significant change.
Texas A&M’s three-day involvement at the Fast Company Grill during SXSW will highlight its contributions as one of the country’s leading land-, sea-, and space-grant universities. Whether on land, at sea, or in outer space, Texas A&M’s research endeavors and scholars are leading the charge.
During SXSW, the “land” aspect will concentrate on how Texas A&M’s research facilitates sustainable agriculture and coffee production. The “sea” focus will dive into research from Texas A&M University at Galveston regarding sustainable fishing practices and their influence on the blue economy. Furthermore, the “space” element will spotlight a groundbreaking achievement from Texas A&M AgriLife: the first chickpeas cultivated in moondust and its implications for growing food in harsh or extraterrestrial conditions.
“South by Southwest is an international occasion that coincidentally takes place in our local area, and we could not be partnered with a more fitting collaborator than Fast Company, the sole media entity committed to documenting the future of business and the leaders, concepts, and organizations shaping its trajectory,” stated R. Ethan Braden, vice president and chief marketing officer of Texas A&M. “Becoming a part of this vibrant environment filled with innovative thinkers and changemakers aligns perfectly with the Texas A&M University brand. We are at the cutting edge of several critical areas, and sharing our narrative at SXSW alongside Fast Company allows us to present the impactful work Aggies are doing both in Texas and globally.”
During the panel titled “A Force for Good: Visionaries Redefining the Future,” speakers Dr. Amy Waer, dean of the Texas A&M College of Medicine; Col. Michael E. Fossum, vice president and COO of Texas A&M-Galveston; and Dean Kamen, creator of the Segway and president of DEKA Research & Development Corp., will discuss their endeavors to uncover solutions for global betterment within their fields and promoting a culture that nurtures similar aspirations for the future. This 30-minute discussion will kick off on Monday at 5:10 p.m. at the Cedar Door Patio Bar and Grill.
A happy hour hosted by Texas A&M following the panel at the Fast Company Grill will feature a live musical performance by Garrett Talamantes, a versatile Aggie: a scholar at Texas A&M, a rodeo cowboy, and an emerging singer-songwriter whose style combines country, rock, pop, and Spanish classics.
Texas A&M at Fast Company Grill House
A Force for Good: Visionaries Redefining the Future Panel Discussion
Monday, March 10
5:10-5:40 p.m.
Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill
201 Brazos St., Austin
Panelists
Col. Michael E. Fossum, chief operating officer, Texas A&M University at Galveston; vice president of Texas A&M University; superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy; and executive professor of Maritime Administration. Fossum, a former NASA astronaut, is instrumental in advancing Texas A&M-Galveston as a frontrunner in the blue economy — the economic, social, political, and ecological vitality of our seas and associated ecosystems.
Dr. Amy Waer, dean of the Texas A&M University College of Medicine, has emphasized her research and clinical endeavors on surgery and surgical education, particularly focused on breast cancer prevention and early detection. Waer provides insights into contemporary medical education and how innovations like AI are enhancing prospects for medical professionals and their patients.
Dean Kamen, an inventor and entrepreneur, is famed for creating the Segway and IBOT, and co-founding the nonprofit organization FIRST with Woodie Flowers. As the executive director of the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), he is pioneering initiatives to employ patients’ own cells to cultivate new organs that their bodies accept as their own. Kamen possesses over 1,000 patents.
Discover more about SXSW 2025 at sxsw.com.
The article Texas A&M Returns To SXSW With Fast Company As ‘A Force For Good’ originally appeared on Texas A&M Today.