Community Commitment: Santa Clause Brings Holiday Cheer to Texas A&M University
At Texas A&M University, Galveston, there’s a man who makes sure everything gets where it needs to go, whether it’s a shipment of lab supplies, a box of Mardi Gras beads, or a hearty dose of holiday cheer.
For 18 years, Mike O’Connor has been part of the A&M family, 12 of those with SSC, serving as the Supervisor of Shipping and Receiving. And though his job keeps him busy managing the flow of hundreds of packages and event setups, his impact stretches far beyond logistics.
Because when Mike dons a red suit and white beard, he becomes something more than a supervisor, he becomes Santa.
Delivering Holiday Joy
Mike’s second career as Santa began almost by accident, but in hindsight, it seems inevitable. With salt and pepper hair by 14, he jokes that he was born ready for the role. A friend who owned Shipley Donuts asked him to fill in as Santa for the Salvation Army on December 24. Mike agreed on one condition: he wanted to hand out every single gift. Two and a half hours later, his heart was full, and a new calling was born.
Since then, Mike has brought holiday cheer to places like the Ronald McDonald House, Shriners Hospital for Children, UTMB, and Moody Gardens. “The joy you see on both kids and adult faces, that’s what keeps me coming back every year.” One moment he’ll never forget is helping a young girl, burned and recovering from amputation, sit on his lap. “An hour or two with these kids can change everything, for them and for me.”
A Steady Hand and a Heart for Service
Mike’s career at SSC has been defined by consistency and care. “Everything that comes to campus runs through us.” From oysters for the seafood lab to computers, Mike’s small but mighty team ensures that the right things reach the right people, often the same day they arrive (and in the case of the oysters, the same hour!).
His department plays a quiet but crucial role in making campus life happen. They support events like Ring Day, where students receive the iconic Aggie ring, sometimes even being handed down the ring from their proud Aggie parents. They’re there for graduation, family weekend, and even large-scale community events that bring hundreds of guests. Mike sees these moments not as logistics, but as connections, each delivery a small piece of someone’s milestone.
“Show up with kindness, whether you’re delivering a package, setting up an event, or spreading a little holiday cheer. The best gifts you can give at SSC don’t come in boxes.”
– Mike O’Connor
A Family Man with a Jolly Twist
Off campus, Mike’s just as beloved. His grandchildren proudly tell their teachers, “My Paw Paw is Santa!” and they’re not wrong. Even at family parties during the holiday season, “Uncle Mike” is expected to bring the suit.
He and his wife enjoy going to movies, visiting family, and staying connected with their children and grandkids, including their grand-dog, Loki (who must be mentioned, according to his granddaughters).
Embodying SSC’s Values of Service, Teamwork, and Integrity
Whether he’s managing 500 weekly deliveries or driving a Mardi Gras float for his cousin’s krewe (something he’s done for nearly a decade), his focus is always on the people around him.
Challenges, like last-minute event changes or high package volume, don’t shake him. “We work as a team. The event folks help us when we need it, and we help them. It’s a partnership.”
That spirit of collaboration and compassion defines him. Students stop him and his team regularly walking on campus to talk fishing spots, swap stories, or just share a laugh. “It’s like growing your family every year. You meet people from all over the world, and before you know it, you’re connected.”
Delivering More than Packages
And when the holidays are over, he keeps the cheer alive—whether cheering on his Pittsburgh Steelers or steering a 22-passenger float through the streets of Galveston.
In every sense, Mike O’Connor delivers packages, smiles, and genuine human connection. His steady leadership, joyful spirit, and humble service reflect the heart of SSC’s mission: taking care of people.
He may manage shipping and receiving, but his true gift is what he gives every day, a little kindness, a lot of heart, and the simple magic of showing up.
After all, that’s what Santa, and Mike, do best.
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