Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier

Maria Hernandez Ferrier was invested as the inaugural president of Texas A&M University-San Antonio in 2010 after serving as interim president when Governor Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 629, designating A&M-San Antonio as a stand-alone institution.  Dr. Ferrier was the driving force behind the University's unprecedented growth and development and had the vision to create the beautiful Main Campus on One University Way, including the first building, later memorialized as the Senator Frank L. Madla Building, the Central Academic Building, which serves as the iconic center of the growing campus, and the unique Patriots' Casa, academic home of the brave.

Dr. Ferrier oversaw the creation of the first 22 undergraduate programs and 10 graduate programs, giving students the freedom to choose from a wide variety of fields.  She lead the University's independent accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, a major milestone in the University's development. Dr. Ferrier guided the University to be Military-Embracing committed to providing the best service to the military community and honoring their courage and devotion to the country.  She established the Educational & Cultural Arts Center, located in the heart of historic downtown San Antonio, to celebrate the city's cultural heritage and provide opportunities  to the San Antonio community to learn more about Latino art. She brought beauty to the spirit of South San Antonio to Main campus with imported Mexican artisan tiles, San Saba sandstone and the President's Rose Garden in the courtyard of the Madla Building.

Lionel Sosa (American, b. 20^th Century)
Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier
Oil on canvas
Signed l.r.
47 x 36 inches

John Sharp, Texas A&M University System Chancellor said it best, "Even a life-size portrait of Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier is not big enough to capture her inner strength, heart and spirit."

In this portrait, I tried to capture Dr. Ferrier's immense inner strength, her dignity, as well as her compassionate heart.  Her loyalty to the A&M spirit is expressed by the Texas A&M-San Antonio flag to her left.  In the background, we see the main building she carefully nurtured to completion - this building is the hub of the young campus, destined to one day become one of the largest in the A&M System.  Her hands rest on the maroon leather chair in her office, signifying her steady and sure leadership.  Her stately posture illustrated pride in her country and a lifetime replete with accomplishments.  I was honored to be chosen as the artist to paint her official portrait.