Ramirez Brothers, Sam and Ricardo.
Engineering Success Runs in Brothers’ Genes
Much attention has been paid to a son who followed his father into presidential office, but at UTSA a brother followed his brother to take leadership of a national organization. Ricardo Ramirez, president of the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES), became president of MAES in 1998. But the first president was his brother Samuel, who helped start the local chapter in 1993.
Sam graduated in 1995 and became a transmission engineer with Ford Motor Company
in Detroit. He and several Ford colleagues were honored June 15 at MAES’
third annual Engineering and Science Extravaganza, that brought more than
1,000 Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP) secondary school students to
campus. Ford was a major sponsor of the event. The brothers reunited last
week during the Extravaganza.
"It was something special to have my brother here today," said Ricardo.
"I followed in my brother’s footprints, and his reputation was difficult
to follow. We even had the same professors in engineering school."
In conjunction with the MAES conference, Ricardo organized a benefit golf
tournament that is hoped to become an annual event. The tournament was held
June 14 at Golf Clubs of Texas to raise money for MAES scholarships.
"Both Sam and Ricardo are exceptional," said Manuel Berriozabal,
professor of mathematics and director of San Antonio PREP. "They both
got involved in PREP in high school. Sam has done very well in his career,
and I’m sure Ricardo will do the same," added Berriozabal.
© The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2001