Luis “Lou” Rios ’95 may be a few decades removed from his time as a Texas A&M University meteorology master’s student, but his connection to Aggieland and passion for sustainability and climatology remains strong. Recently, Rios planned a generous estate gift in his will to benefit the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at his beloved alma mater — a gift that reflects his commitment to supporting future generations of Aggie students and advancing climatology research.
Now residing in San Antonio, Rios is an adjunct professor at The State University of New York and Pace University. Despite his busy schedule and distance from College Station, his heart remains close to Texas A&M, where he turned his lifelong interest in weather and atmospheric sciences into a career that has allowed him to impact others.
From Air Force To Academia
Growing up in regions across the United States as well as Puerto Rico, Rios was exposed to a wide range of weather phenomena. He admits he is a “weather nerd” who chased storms with radios long before advanced technology made its debut. His undergraduate years at Rutgers University further solidified his passion for studying meteorology, and his Air Force service allowed him to utilize his academic interests during his 22-year career.
With assignments from Las Vegas to Saudi Arabia, Rios provided vital meteorological support to military operations. As a liaison between weather stations and operational units, he was responsible for aviation weather forecasts, lightning detection and radar systems, ensuring the safety and success of Air Force missions.
After serving three and a half years in the Air Force, he sought a deeper understanding of atmospheric sciences to enhance his military career. Texas A&M’s strong meteorology program, coupled with its renowned student experience, made it the perfect landing spot for Rios to earn his master’s degree in meteorology. His first encounters with Aggie traditions, like Bonfire, the Corps of Cadets and football games, left a lasting impression, solidifying his deep connection to the university.
Preparing For Change
While Rios has contributed significantly to meteorology and climatology, it was his financial advisor who first suggested leaving a planned gift to Texas A&M. Rios hadn’t considered supporting his former department, but after a conversation about estate planning, he began to reflect on where his resources could make the most impact. “I give all the credit to my financial advisor,” he said. “She pointed out that without heirs, my estate would go to the state. She asked if I’d ever considered leaving it to Texas A&M, and that really got me thinking.”
This prompted Rios to establish a planned gift through a contingent bequest in his will, which allows him the flexibility to ensure his two older family members are taken care of in the event he predeceases them. If they pass away first, the remainder of his estate will be directed to the Texas A&M Foundation to create a significant endowment for Texas A&M Atmospheric Sciences, supporting a range of research projects, resources for students and overall advancement of its climatology program.
For anyone on the fence about giving, I’d say it’s a meaningful landing spot for your funds. Supporting students and research at a place like Texas A&M ensures your gift will have a lasting impact.
Utilizing a bequest provides Rios with peace of mind, knowing his family’s needs are covered and his alma mater will very likely benefit in the future. “I wanted to make sure my family was taken care of first,” he noted. “But if the Foundation inherits these funds, my resources can be used to continue important work in climate studies."
Inspiration For Generations
Rios hopes his story will inspire others to consider using an estate gift to support future generations. “For anyone on the fence about giving, I’d say it’s a meaningful landing spot for your funds,” he shared. “Supporting students and research at a place like Texas A&M ensures that your gift will have a lasting impact."
He believes that trusted advisors, such as financial planners and the Foundation’s planned giving team, can be pivotal in helping individuals navigate the complexities of estate planning and realize how their resources can be directed toward causes they care about. “It’s a process,” he said, “but with the right guidance, you can make decisions that align with both your personal and philanthropic goals.”
When asked about his legacy, Rios emphasized his desire to make a difference for future Aggies. “I hope this endowment will help create more opportunities for research and education in climatology and related fields.” His ambition to fostering innovation ensures that his impact will not only benefit Texas A&M, but will shape the future of atmospheric sciences.
This story was originally published by the Texas A&M Foundation.