Texas Southern University Participates in Fleet Week Houston 2026

Texas Southern University proudly joins civic, military, and community partners in welcoming the United States Navy and maritime services to Fleet Week Houston, April 15–22, 2026—a historic, citywide celebration honoring the service, sacrifice, and global impact of America’s sea services.

With the strong leadership of University Board of Regents member Ben Proler, Texas Southern University was proud to be among the first institutions to step forward in support of Fleet Week Houston, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to service, leadership, and community engagement. “Texas Southern University is honored to have actively participated in Texas’ first Fleet Week,” said Regent Ben Proler, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander and Reserve Supply Corps Officer. “We were proud to bring together students, faculty, and the broader community to recognize our nation’s heroes. It was also an opportunity to introduce Texas Southern to Navy and Marine Corps personnel as a place to pursue academic excellence after their service and to encourage them to consider Houston as their next home.”

As part of its official participation, Texas Southern hosted a Naval Leadership Reception on Sunday, April 19. The event welcomed senior naval leadership to Houston, honored veterans of the United States Armed Forces, and connected Houston residents to the incredible women and men in uniform visiting the city. Attendees included commanding officers from the Navy and Marine Corps, including the command triad of USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul and USS Kearsarge, and other members of the veterans community from across the Greater Houston region were in attendance.

From left: CDR Arthur Bond, Commanding Officer, USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21); Lt. Col. Sean O’Rourke, Commanding Officer, Marine Wing Support Squadron 272; Texas Southern University President James W. Crawford III; Sgt. Maj. Steven Tholen, senior enlisted leader, Marine Wing Support Squadron 272; Master Chief Petty Officer Dennis Harris, Command Master Chief, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3); and CAPT Gervy Alota, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (N-N250), are pictured during a Naval Leadership Reception hosted by Texas Southern University as part of Fleet Week Houston 2026.

On April 15, Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Admiral Karl O. Thomas visited Texas Southern University at the Houston Spaceport, where the University’s nationally ranked aviation program operates its state-of-the-art aircraft to educate and train Texas Southern students pursuing a degree in Aviation Science and a professional pilot’s license. Additionally, the University’s world-renowned Ocean of Soul Marching Band will be featured during an on-campus Navy Day on April 22, which is scheduled to perform alongside a contingent of the U.S. Navy Band in a powerful tribute to service and national pride.

Fleet Week Houston brings together Navy operational demonstrations, community engagement, educational programming, and public celebrations across the region, with activities spanning Port Houston, the Houston Spaceport, and other venues across the city. This event highlights Houston’s strategic importance as a global port city and its deep ties to national defense, innovation, and economic strength. The celebration also recognizes the 250th birthday of the United States, an anniversary of great pride for the state of Texas. There will be numerous events across the state commemorating the nation’s birthday.

For more information about Fleet Week Houston, visit www.fleetweekhouston.com.