Tec gives awards to 4 distinguished graduates

Four Tecnológico de Monterrey graduates with distinguished national and international careers have been given the 2020 EXATEC Career Award.

The award was given to Adriana Ramírez, Herminio Blanco, Ernesto Martens, and posthumously to Héctor García Molina  for outstanding achievement in their professional areas.

“The EXATEC Career Award is given to graduates who’ve consistently distinguished themselves in an extraordinary manner and strengthened the Tec’s reputation and prestige, with a high level of social responsibility,” said Joaquín Lozano, Director of Graduate Relations.

“It fills us with pride to recognize their career stories and life projects which have been recognized in their (different) activities,” he added.

This was the first time the award had been given, and it adds to the distinctions the Tec has made for the past 7 years with the EXATEC Merit Award.

These recognitions highlight the careers of outstanding graduates in disciplines such as business, education, science and research, public service, human rights, volunteering, philanthropy, and arts or sports.

“Through the EXATEC Awards, Tecnológico de Monterrey seeks to recognize and connect graduates with the institution, awaken their sense of pride, belonging, and love for their alma mater,” added the director.

Here’s the list from CONECTA of the award winners:

Adriana Ramírez: international seismic geophysics researcher

She graduated with a degree in engineering physics in 2001 and has become a scientist in the energy industry. Adriana has developed geophysics and geology projects for hydrocarbon exploration by international companies.

As a teacher and researcher focusing on seismic phenomena, this Tec graduate (EXATEC) has worked on projects in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway. What’s more, as an activist, she fights for gender equality and against the sexual harassment of women.

“This is more than an award. It’s an inspiration and a reminder of how lucky I am.

“I’ve had excellent teachers, mentors, and colleagues who’ve shared their knowledge and experience with me. They’ve guided, challenged, and inspired me immensely,” she said.

The award was given to Ramírez by Miguel Schwartz and Alberto Santos, members of the Development Committee.

Héctor García: the Mexican behind Google

He graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the Tec in 1974. When Héctor was Director of the Information Systems Laboratory at Stanford University, he supported two students with advice and by purchasing computer equipment.

These students were Larry Page and Sergey Brin, whose thesis project would later turn into what we know today as Google.

García was a renowned scientist. He was a technical adviser to companies such as Yahoo! and Oracle, and author of the book Database Systems: The Complete Book, used at universities throughout the world.

This scientist from Monterrey passed away on November 25, 2019, in his apartment at Stanford University. His son David García Garza received the EXATEC Career Award.

“I’m proud to be here today, recognizing Hector’s achievements with this award. This is not only an honor, it’s a very important opportunity for me to reflect on my father’s legacy,” said García Garza.

David Noel Ramírez Rector Emeritus of Tec de Monterrey, and Margot Molina, member of the Evaluation Committee for the award, gave this posthumous recognition of Héctor García.

Herminio Blanco: an economist who encouraged international trade

A graduate of the Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1971, Herminio Blanco has more than 30 years’ experience in international trade.

Over this time, he has led Mexican negotiation teams for the signing of free trade agreements with more than 30 countries.

He was the Mexican Minister of Trade and Industrial Development during the administration of president Ernesto Zedillo, being one of the main Mexican negotiators at the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

“I’m grateful to the Tec because here I learned to work to a very high standard. It prepared me very well for what would come next in my life, which was studying at the University of Chicago,” said Blanco.

“I believe my studies at these two universities, have helped our country to improve a little, to have slightly more wellbeing, employment, and investment,” he added.

David Garza, Rector of Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Ismael Rodríguez, member of the Development Committee, gave the award to this economist, teacher, and researcher.

Ernesto Martens: leading engineer in business and politics

Martens, who graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1956, ended up running several Mexican companies, such as Grupo Vitro and Cintra, the parent company of Aeroméxico and Mexicana de Aviación.

This engineer also took an active role on the boards of more than ten companies, as well as holding the position of Mexican Minister of Energy during the government of president Vicente Fox.

“The most important thing the Tec gave me was integrated learning, which has supported me over the years of my career. In retrospect, I now see it represents Don Eugenio’s legacy and above all his example,” said the businessman.

This Tec graduate received his recognition from Salvador Alva. President of Tecnológico de Monterrey and Lorena Guillé, member of the Development Committee.

THE EVENT

The awards ceremony was held at the Annual Board Meeting, which took place in the Conference Center of the Monterrey campus of the Tec.

175 nominations were received for this first awards ceremony, from which 125 candidates were put forward.

Their profiles were evaluated by representatives of the Development Committee, associated graduates and the Vice President’s Office for Relations and Development, the regional departments of Development and the Department of Graduate Relations.

“Those who’ve received awards tonight represent what our community of graduates has to offer to the benefit of society. In this sense, they are the repositories of our institution’s values and goals,” said Lozano.

As well as the EXATEC Career Awards given to this year’s four winners, the 17 winners of the EXATEC Merit Awards were also announced, who are as follows:

Northern Region

• Juan Carlos Guerra López Negrete (IAP’94), from Saltillo campus
• Jesús Andrade Sánchez (IEC’83), from Ciudad Juárez campus
• Fernando Javier Amarante Zertuche (LAE’76), from Laguna campus
• Luis Antonio Corral Pérez (LAF’92), from Chihuahua campus

Western Region 

• Mónica Murillo Rogers (CP’92), from Sinaloa campus
• Marco Antonio Molina Rodríguez (CP’67 & LAE’66), from Sonora Norte campus
• Juan Manuel Durán Gutiérrez (MAE’77), from Guadalajara campus

Central Region

• Manuel María Urquiza Estrada (IMA’68), from Querétaro campus
• Carmen Karina Silva Villicaña (LAE’03), from Morelia campus
• Juan Jaime Delgado (LAE’84), from León campus
• Salvador Cayón Ceballos (CP’94), from Irapuato campus

Mexico City Region

• José Arturo Zapata Guízar (MA’91), from Mexico City region

Southern Region:

• Lorena Zahoul Olguín (LAE’02), from Hidalgo campus
• Marco Antonio Beltrán Bernal (IAP’94 & MA’01), from Toluca campus
• Jorge de Velasco Rivero (IMA’74), from Puebla campus

Postgraduates:

• Ana Cristina Ruelas Serna (LED’06 & MAP’12), from the School of Government and Public Transformation
• Jorge Luis Torres Aguilar (MBE’06), from EGADE Business School

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