Giving Back To The Environment By Paying It Forward To Future Aggies

“Connections, traditions, service and scholarship.”

Those are the words that come to mind for Luis A. Rios ‘95 when he reflects on what traits define being an Aggie and former student of Texas A&M University. They are also the characteristics he hopes to amplify in establishing the Lou A. Rios ‘95 Climate Sustainability Endowment for Atmospheric Sciences.

Before his arrival in Aggieland, Rios attended Rutgers University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science in 1989. Rios attended Texas A&M from 1993 to 1995, earning a master’s in meteorology. He is also a retired career military veteran with experience in the operational application of environmental data as it applies to national security.

“The donation felt like a meaningful and worthwhile placement of assets for me,” Rios said.

Rios’ generous gift will bolster both teaching and research efforts within the Department of Atmospheric Sciences by supporting climate sustainability studies and providing research and assessment graduate fellowships as well as undergraduate internships for atmospheric sciences students with an interest in climate change sustainability at Texas A&M.

“I wanted to help future students and scientists in the climate area, considering how important this area is to future generations,” Rios said.

Rios resides in San Antonio and serves as an adjunct professor at both The State University of New York and Pace University. Despite being decades removed from his time at Texas A&M, his connection with his alma mater and passion for helping Aggies remains strong.

Rios embodies the Aggie Core Value of selfless service through his generous gift that ensures current and future students in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences can experience similar connections, traditions, service and scholarship that he remembers so fondly from his time at Texas A&M.