The Last Deadline

With this issue of Spirit, we’re bidding a heartfelt goodbye and happy retirement to our longtime designer and creative director.

By Dunae Reader ’15

With this issue of Spirit, we’re bidding a heartfelt goodbye and happy retirement to our longtime designer and creative director, Mark Geer of Geer Design in Houston.

Spirit launched in 1998 as a small publication that printed in two ink colors and mailed biannually. In 2007, the magazine literally grew up—evolving to full color and a larger A4 format size.

Remarkably, Mark is both the inaugural and only designer for Spirit in its 27-year history. His working relationship with the Texas A&M Foundation began in 1995 designing high-end annual reports, invitations and other custom print materials before Spirit was brought to life. The first editions were produced in sepia tones, and none other than Sterling C. Evans ’21, one of Texas A&M University’s earliest benefactors, fittingly debuted on the cover of the first edition in spring 1998.

Work continued on Spirit twice a year until 2007, when the magazine moved to full color, and then expanded in 2008 to three issues annually. Mark’s talents helped drive this evolution as well as later redesigns in 2016 and 2022. In many ways, he has made Spirit what we aspire it to be—a publication that simultaneously celebrates and inspires philanthropy for Aggieland and a showcase piece for all the wonderful things that Aggies undertake on and off campus. Through storytelling and design, our goal has always been to reflect the unique qualities that make Texas A&M so special, including its culture, core values, traditions and history. Mark has always understood this.

While he graduated from Texas Tech University and can’t claim an Aggie Ring, you will find no better honorary Aggie. And I can’t imagine many non-Aggies know more about Texas A&M at this point—he recently even educated me about “square meals” in the Corps of Cadets back in the day.

From 2016 to present, Spirit continues to boldly progress to capture and reflect the values and strengths of Texas A&M’s unique culture and history.

For those of you who’ve read the magazine for years, I hope you’ve appreciated Mark’s work. I hope you’ve seen photos that made you smile, designs that delighted you, elements that surprised you and maybe even some typography that puzzled you. We’ve always most valued Mark for his commitment to approaching each story thoughtfully and developing spreads that effectively bring our words to life. There’s no better magic than the art of pairing words and pictures on a page, and in our estimation, Mark will always be one of the greats.

Please enjoy this final issue of his work for Spirit, which includes wonderful and diverse stories on Texas A&M students, faculty and programs to kick off your new year with pride. We’ll be back in the spring under new designers who I’m confident will continue Spirit’s legacy in style.

Finally, to Mark: We wish you and Julie all the very best in your retirement. It’s time to have fun, travel, piddle around the house and love the grandkid! I’ll always treasure our partnership these last 10 years—it’s been a joy, honor and privilege to work with someone who cares so much.

Dunae Reader ’15
Editor, Spirit magazine