Sombrilla

Editor's Note

A sense of promise

When Ricardo Romo celebrated his 10th anniversary as president of UTSA in May, letters from well-wishers around the state and the nation poured in. Friends and colleagues including Frost Bank Chairman Tom Frost, former Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe and UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa all offered their congratulations. “I remember our conversation when you asked me if you should be interested in the position,” wrote Peter Flawn, who served as UTSA president from 1973 to 1978 and now is president emeritus of UT Austin. “It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years!”

His friends have plenty of good things to say about the work Romo has done in his 10 years at UTSA, even though Romo’s record speaks for itself: Enrollment has increased by 50 percent in the past 10 years. Where once only three doctoral programs were offered, there are now 21.

Sure, there’s still more to be done. Texas Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes, who first met Romo when they were undergraduates at UT Austin and later served on Romo’s dissertation committee at UCLA, talks of Romo’s goals of improving undergraduate graduation rates and taking the university to national research university status.

UTSA President Ricardo Romo and his wife, sociology professor Harriett Romo, stroll through their neighborhood with typical UTSA flair.

“He created a new identity for UTSA. … He created the foundation for the institution to think much bigger,” said Paredes, adding that Romo also has created “a sense of promise and hopefulness” among the UTSA community.

But Paredes’ favorite story about Ricardo Romo is a personal one. When Paredes’ father died and his son was sorting through all his father’s belongings, he found a scrapbook full of press clippings about himself, particularly after he became the Texas Higher Education Commissioner. All the articles had been sent by Romo to the elder Paredes, along with handwritten notes that said, “Look how well your son is doing. Look at the great things Raymund’s been up to.” Until he found that scrapbook, Paredes didn’t know how close his father and his friend had become.

“Ricardo is my closest friend,” Paredes said. “UTSA is lucky to have him.”

UTSA is lucky indeed, and not just for the long list of things he’s accomplished. “If anything can exceed your distinguished record of achievement as a historian and president, it is your warmth, civility and deep passion for the San Antonio community,” wrote University of California system President Mark Yudof, who formerly was chancellor of the UT System. “You have indeed proven that nice guys can still be great leaders.”

Thank you, Dr. Romo, for 10 years of creating a sense of promise and hopefulness. And for being a nice guy.

—Rebecca Luther