A&M Regents Honor Service Legacy of TAMIU Retiring VP García

The odds are that if over the past 28 years something was bought at Texas A&M International University, built at TAMIU, or involved seeking legislative support or contract hire, Joe García, retiring Vice President for Finance and Administration, probably had a hand in it.

This month, surrounded by colleagues, friends and family, García announced his retirement, bringing an end to a storied career and impressive higher education service legacy.

García’s long history of leadership with the University is far from the norm in higher education or the business world, said TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck.

“It’s just not often that an institution or a business is able to benefit from an executive who has such a breadth of experience and personal history for such a long time. We have been very fortunate to have Joe’s presence at every juncture and turn in the University’s development from shared campus at the former Laredo Junior College to being Texas’ newest University constructed in over 25 years,” Dr. Keck said, “It’s a stunning legacy.”

Last month, García’s significant contributions were recognized by The Texas A&M University System’s governing Board of Regents at their September meeting. The Board honored García with a resolution honoring his “Outstanding Dedication and Service as Vice President for Finance and Administration at Texas A&M International University.”

In previous action, the Board named García Vice President Emeritus for Finance and Administration.

In addition to members of TAMIU’s administration, García was joined at the Regents meeting by his family, including wife Gloria and son Joseph. His other son and daughter, Philip and Verónica, were unable to attend.

The Board noted that during García’s tenure:

The University’s budget grew from $2.8 million in 1980 to $64 million in 2007;
García served as the campus project director for construction of all 15 buildings of the new TAMIU campus;
García guided the formation of an intercollegiate athletics program at TAMIU, helping secure full membership in the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference in a record three years;
Established the first collegiate level ROTC program in Laredo and re-established the program in 2003 at TAMIU.

Keck observed that while García’s service to the University has included Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Finance and Administration, he also served as interim President in 1995-96.

He was also quick to add that the community at large has also long benefited from García’s service orientation, as have professional organizations at the state and national level.

“Just as we have benefited, so have a diverse array of community organizations and charities. He’s spent two decades on the Board of Directors of the United Way and served as its president in 2002; he’s served on the boards of Mary Help of Christians School, the Laredo Kiwanis Club, Laredo Development Foundation, the United Way of Texas and the Laredo Chamber of Commerce.

“In his professional capacity, he has served as president of both state and regional professional groups including the Texas Association of State College and University Business Officers and the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers and as a board member of the National Association of Colleges and University Business Officers,” Keck said.

“He has been an inspiration to all of us and the foundations he has provided will continue to undergird this University’s and community’s future for years to come,” Keck concluded.

García and his wife Gloria celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a week prior to his retirement.
He has just begun work with the Texas A&M University-San Antonio campus as Executive Director of Strategic Planning.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu