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.
