UNIVERSITY NEWS LONGTIME TAMIU ADMINISTRATOR’S PASSING LEAVES LASTING LEGACY The beginning of 2023 sadly marked the passing of longtime TAMIU administrator José “Joe” García, who served the University for 30 years. García passed away in San Antonio on January 10, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born on September 18, 1939, he was 83 years old. Many had the good fortune to work alongside Joe, or to have benefited from the many programs and systems he put in place at TAMIU and other A&M System campuses. “We are grateful for Joe García’s legacy and service here and will cherish his memory always,” said TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz. The Joe García STEM Scholarship honors his service and memory at TAMIU. Before joining then-Texas A&I University at Laredo, he completed more than 25 years in the U.S. Army, retiring with the rank of Major. He started the University’s ROTC program in 1973. He served in several leadership positions, including director of Physical Plant, vice president of Finance and Administration, and as interim president. He oversaw TAMIU’s primary Phase I – IV construction -- while leading the business office, human resources, campus police, physical plant, purchasing and support services, computer and telecommunications services, and payroll. Upon his retirement, the A&M System Board of Regents designated him Vice President Emeritus, Finance and Administration. Always up for a challenge, he would go on to serve as Special Assistant for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University-San Antonio-- while also serving as interim vice president for Finance and Administration at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He is survived by his wife Gloria, and son Joseph (Toni) and grandchildren Sebastian MacMahon and Mia García; son Philip (Emily) and grandchildren Nicolas and Alex García, and daughter Verónica (Eddie). García was a strong advocate for the addition of Starbucks to campus life and collegiality with the coffeehouse opening in 2008. Mr. García joins students and campus leaders for groundbreaking for University Village, the first housing complex, which opened in 1997. 9
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