Hall of Fame - Richard Rodriguez

Richard Rodriguez Richard Rodriguez was Director of Financial Aid for Laredo State University from September 1973 to August 1980. During that time he was elected to the TASFAA Board of Directors from 1977- 1979. He also served as chairperson of the Texas Minority Committee. From August 1980 to September 1983, he was Director of Student Activities for Laredo Community College. However, like many financial aid "true" professionals he could not stay away and returned to the "fold" September 1983 becoming Director of Student Financial Aid. He served on the Board of Directors again from 1986-89 and 1994-96.

Richard believed all students should pursue a college education and he worked hard to achieve this goal. He believed in professional training and to help promote the concept, he hosted several South Texas Regional Rallies. His involvement in professional training dated back to the late 70's when we worked with the Coordinating Board with the State Student Financial Assistance Training Program.

He also recognized the value of collaboration among financial aid administrators and other industry participants. He used the south Texas regional rally as a forum and opportunity to make all industry participants part of a united effort to help Texas students realize their dream of attending college.

Richard was instrumental in the formation of the South Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Some financial aid administrators believe that the formation of this association was a catalyst that led to the creation of the regional rally concept. Regional Rallies are now an integral part of TASFAA and Richard deserves some of the credit. He and his colleagues also recognized the importance of communicating with our Texas legislators and were successful in securing legislators to attend STASFAA meetings.

Contributions to TASFAA
Richard recognized that the growth and success of this association of student financial aid administrators was tied to the working and professional relationship with the other financial aid industry participants like TGSLC, lenders, loan servicers, secondary markets, the Coordinating Board and others. In the early years of TASFAA, he joined with others and took extra steps to make this idea work. TASFAA's growth as an association is historically tied to the cooperation and support of many industry participants. He played an important part in this development. Richard believed in TASFAA's mission and was a loyal member; actively involved for 24 years.

Richard's value to TASFAA is not necessarily something that is easily reflected in a resume or vita. Richard was a mentor to many colleagues who are currently in Director positions. Henry Garcia from Del Mar remembers when he first became Director, Richard would encourage him to call anytime, providing him with much needed advise when they both began automating their financial aid process. Richard was the very first person that Linda Gonzalez-Hensgen met at her very first TASFAA conference. She was totally lost and felt very uncomfortable in a room full of people she had never met. Richard immediately keyed on that and took it upon himself to make her feel a part of this wonderful group. In a large part Linda's involvement in TASFAA was the result of Richard's encouragement.

Most of his colleagues remember him as a kind person who always had a smile; a person who would go out of his way to help others. He was one who was always ready to offer a word of encouragement when you most needed it; a person who was always ready with a joke that would liven the spirit and made the moment special. Richard was an ambassador for TASFAA as well as for the financial aid profession.

As a person, a professional, and for his contribution to TASFAA, Richard is clearly a deserving inductee to the TASFAA Hall of Fame.