Jorge A. Bermúdez Named 2016 Outstanding International Alumnus
“His selfless service, dedication and generosity to Texas A&M University makes us very proud to have him represent the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as Texas A&M University’s 2016 Outstanding International Alumnus.”
Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students have presented the 2016 Texas A&M University Outstanding International Alumnus Award to Jorge A. Bermúdez ʼ73.
Texas A&M Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Karan L. Watson, The Association of Former Students President and CEO Porter S. Garner III ’79 and Chair of the Board Dwain Mayfield ’59 presented the award, along with Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dr. Mark A. Hussey ’79.
Bermúdez came to the United States as a young Cuban refugee with his brother through the underground Catholic Church program Operation Pedro Pan. Arriving in the U.S without his parents who were unable to get permission to leave, Bermúdez began his new life in America living with a foster family in Los Angeles, CA until his parents arrived a year later. Arriving in College Station on the 4th of July in 1969 in a wool suit, Bermúdez said his first exposure to Aggie hospitality came when a young man in a pickup recognized that Bermúdez was lost and gave him and his luggage a lift to his dorm.
Jorge Bermúdez graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics in 1973 and a master’s degree in agricultural economics in 1974 from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He joined Citibank in 1975 and held various prestigious positions during his 33-year career–positions ranging from Head of Global Asset Redeployment and Equity Investments to CEO of Citigroup Latin American and President and CEO of Citigroup’s Commercial Business Group in North America and Citibank Texas until retiring in 2008.
“Jorge Bermúdez’s exceptional career demonstrates the value of his education,” said Hussey. “His selfless service, dedication and generosity to Texas A&M University makes us very proud to have him represent the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as Texas A&M University’s 2016 Outstanding International Alumnus.”
After spending his entire career with Citibank and Citigroup, Bermúdez came back to College Station where he became involved in the university and the community. He serves on advisory boards both locally, at the University, statewide, nationally and internationally. In 2006 he became a member of the International Advisory Board at Texas A&M where he has served as a guest lecturer and mentor to the students of the Academy of Future International Leaders as well as to students in his own college and Mays Business School. Bermúdez served on The Association of Former Students’ Board of Directors for seven years and as Chair of the Board in 2011. He generously supported The Association’s building enhancement project, which was recognized with the naming of the Bermúdez Room, and brought the core value of Integrity to life with his inspiring quote on the Integrity core value wall near the Haynes Ring Plaza which states: “Integrity has no price, only value that accrues throughout your life.” Bermúdez currently serves on the Texas A&M Foundation Board of Trustees and the International Advisory Board, as well as the Development Councils of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and the Mays Business School. A recipient of the Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry Award, he was recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 2009.
“Jorge Bermúdez has exemplified the excellence Texas A&M strives for in its graduates,” said Provost Watson. “During International Student Week, I am proud to recognize his accomplishments as a member of our global family of students who embrace Texas A&M values and spirit.”
Another example of his love for Texas A&M is shown in the establishment of a Jorge A. Bermúdez ’73 Family Endowed Scholarship Fund to benefit the dependent child of a spouse of an Aggie or veteran who served in conflict or who was killed on disabled as a result of serving in a conflict. The scholarships established through The Association of Former Students were designed to be perpetually funded serving ten deserving students in the spring semester of 2008.
“The Outstanding International Alumnus Award exists to formally acknowledge those unique former students who came to Texas A&M from across national and cultural boundaries and who now serve as loyal ambassadors of the worldwide Aggie Network,” said Porter S. Garner III ’79, President and CEO of The Association of Former Students. “Jorge Bermúdez is most deserving of this prestigious award as he exemplifies Texas A&M’s core values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service in all that he does – both personally and professionally.”
The Outstanding International Alumnus Award is jointly sponsored by Texas A&M University, The Association of Former Students and the college of the recipient. Created in 1994, the award honors Texas A&M graduates who were not U.S. citizens while attending the university, but who went on to achieve prominence in education, the sciences, technology, agriculture, the arts, business, humanities or government. Those who are chosen for this award must have a good record of accomplishments that favorably reflect on his or her educational experience at Texas A&M. Other recipients are listed online at http://www.aggienetwork.com/tribute/.
