Texas A&M Brig. General Joe Ramirez announces retirement in 2025

Hello!

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying your academic year as we approach the final month of a very successful Fall 2024 semester. As always, I admire the great work you all do every day in support of our students and our university, and I am proud to work alongside each of you every day.

It is with mixed emotions that I am sending you this email today to let you know that my wife and I have decided to retire effective January 1, 2025.

I am very excited to begin a new chapter in my life in which I can devote more time to my wonderful wife Terri, our nine children and eight grandchildren. Due to the nature of the work I have chosen over the years, my family has had to make many sacrifices as a result. As much as I love what I do, I also recognize that I need to dedicate time and energy to spending time with those I love most, my family. And that’s what I plan to do after I retire – including spending some time with Terry somewhere in the Caribbean, dipping my toes in warm water, sipping a drink under an umbrella, and smoking a good cigar!

However, I also know that I will miss being on campus every day, working with the dedicated professionals in Student Affairs and throughout campus. I fell in love with Texas A&M the first day I stepped foot on the Quad as a wide-eyed fish in the Corps and Aggie Band in 1975, and those feelings never subsided. After 31 years of service to our great nation in the United States Army, I am truly fortunate to have the opportunity to serve at the finest university in the world as the 45th Commandant of the Corps of Cadets for 11 years and Vice President. in Student Affairs for nearly four years. These last 14 years have been truly rewarding for my wife and I, and we leave with only fond memories of great people and great times at my alma mater.

I will miss interacting with our wonderful students who assure me every day that the future of this great nation will be in the capable hands of the 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 we hold dear while also seeking innovative ways to make the world a better place. The Texas Aggies will shape the future of our world, and I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with these incredible young men over the past 14 years.

I will also miss all of you, my colleagues, co-workers and friends in Student Affairs. Texas A&M boasts the No. 1 student experience in the country, and it’s because of the tireless effort and compassion you all put into your work every day. Texas A&M University Student Affairs is a unique and wonderful place to work, and I am proud to have had the opportunity to work alongside you over the past 3.5 years. You are truly the best of the best.

Thank you again for all you do for the students of Texas A&M University. Every day you make a difference in the lives of those you work with, and you do it all with a positive attitude while upholding the core values ​​of this great institution.

I will continue to work alongside you and the students of Texas A&M every day until I retire, and I look forward to the last few months of the fellowship we will share together.

Thank you everyone for what you have done for me professionally and for Terry and me personally. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to work with all of you and share so many good times with you. We will never forget you and all you do every day for Texas A&M University.

God bless you all, God bless the Office of Student Affairs and God bless Texas A&M.

Gig Em!

With deepest respect and gratitude,

Joe