Howdy!
It is with mixed emotions that I announce after much deliberation with my wife that I have decided to retire effective January 1, 2025.
I am extremely excited to start a new chapter in my life – one in which I can dedicate more time to my amazing wife Terry, our nine children and eight grandchildren. Because of the nature of the work I chose to do over the years, my family has had to endure many sacrifices as a result. As much as I love what I do, I also realize that I need to dedicate time and energy to spend quality time with the ones I love the most, my family. And that is what I plan to do upon my retirement – including spending some quality time with Terry somewhere in the Caribbean dipping my toes in some warm water, sipping on an umbrella drink, and smoking a good cigar!
However, I also know that I am going to miss being on campus every day, working with the dedicated professionals in the Division of Student Affairs and across the campus. I fell in love with Texas A&M the first day I stepped on the Quad as a naive fish in the Corps and Aggie Band in 1975, and those feelings have never subsided.
After having served our great nation for 31 years in the U.S. Army, I have truly been blessed to have had the opportunity to serve the best university in the world as the 45th Commandant of the Corps of Cadets for 11 years and as the Vice-President for Student Affairs for almost four years. These past 14 years have truly been rewarding for my wife and me, and we leave with nothing but fond memories of great people and great times at my alma mater.
I am going to miss the interaction with our incredible students, who reassure me every day that the future of this great nation will be in the capable hands of talented and gifted young leaders who represent our proud university with dignity and honor every day. Texas A&M is a special place because of its students, who continue to honor the past through the traditions that we hold so dear, while also searching for innovative ways to make this world a better place. Texas Aggies will shape the future of our world, and I am proud of having had the opportunity to work with these amazing young people over the past 14 years.
I am also going to miss my colleagues, co-workers and friends in the Division of Student Affairs. Texas A&M boasts the nation’s No. 1 student experience, and it is because of the tireless effort these professionals put into their work every day. The Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M is a unique and remarkable place to work, and I am humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to work beside the best in the business over the past 3.5 years.
I will continue to work alongside the DSA staff and the students of Texas A&M every day until my retirement date, and I look forward to the last couple of months of interactions we will share together.
Thank you all for what you have done for me, professionally, and for Terry and me personally. We are truly grateful for the opportunity and to have shared so many good times.
God bless all of you, God bless the Division of Student Affairs, and God bless Texas A&M.
Gig’ Em!
With deepest respect and appreciation,
Joe
BG Joe E. Ramirez Jr.
Vice President for Student Affairs