George N. Ricks TAMIU Spring Commencement Speaker
George N. Ricks will be the Commencement Speaker for Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) College of Education and College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Spring Commencement Exercises Friday, May 22 at 6 p.m. in the Kinesiology-Convocation Building. Read his speech here.
Ricks, a successful businessman and civic duty enthusiast, has lived in the San Antonio area the past 30 years. He is Vice President, Technology Services for a statewide office equipment company with multiple locations.
A veteran of the United States Navy and graduate of Sam Houston State University, he was elected to the Schertz Cibolo Universal City Independent School District Board in 1999. He served as its President for many years and continues to serve on the Board.
In 2006 he was elected to the all-volunteer Board of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM). George has served on numerous committees and is Chair Elect of the Board. Since 1995, MHM has shared an equal joint ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA).
As part of the agreement, MHM provides local governance to ensure the Methodist Healthcare System continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed, and it provides revenue to MHM for its programs.
Earlier this month, MHM, now the largest private, faith-based funding source for healthcare services in South Texas and a grantee of the Social Innovation Fund, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, announced a $13 million investment in South Texas' health care delivery system.
This is part of its Sí Texas Project: Social Innovation for a Healthy South Texas. Texas A&M International University joins seven organizations from the Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend as the inaugural cohort of sub-grantees.
The federal funding targets three problem areas in Laredo: depression, diabetes and obesity. The sub-grants’ funding will explore integrated behavioral health models that are effectively improving health outcomes in communities with high rates of poverty, depression, diabetes, obesity and associated risk factors.
George and his wife Barbara are active members of the Schertz United Methodist Church. Their son, Michael, is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin.
The University has a dedicated micro-site on Commencement with information continually updated at www.tamiu.edu/commencement.
The University will also livestream all ceremonies at the following links. Links will be live five minutes prior to the start of ceremonies.
10 a.m. -- TAMIU College of Arts & Sciences
https://youtu.be/Z4K7b0aExx8
2 p.m. -- TAMIU College of Arts & Sciences / A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business
https://youtu.be/zWAH51BQTf0
6 p.m. -- TAMIU College of Education / College of Nursing & Health Sciences
https://youtu.be/wC0Hp218VrQ
For additional information, contact the Office of the University Registrar at 956.326.2250.
Registrar hours are Monday – Tuesday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Additional information is also available on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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