Affectionately known as "Dr. B" to tens of thousands of students, former students, and their families, Manuel P. Berriozábal, Ph.D., a mathematician at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), is one of our nation's unsung heroes.  Quietly, without fanfare, and with extraordinary vision, dedication and hard work, Dr. B has been a powerful agent of change in the lives of literally thousands of America's middle and high school students and their families.

More than 20 years ago, Dr. B observed that there was a significant under-representation of people of color in the fields of engineering and science. He felt sure that this "drain of minority talent" occurred somewhere between the elementary and college years - and he set out to do something about it.

In the face of opposition and even ridicule, he envisioned and, in 1979, launched the nation�s first Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP) at UTSA.  "When I started this work," he said, "I was told that it was doomed to failure because students would never want to spend eight weeks during the summer on a college campus studying mathematics and its applications."  There were other challenges.  A magazine article on UTSA highlighted the racist attitudes towards students of color, quoting a state education official who said, "The Mexican-American community is not where engineers come from anyway."  

The naysayers were proven dead wrong.  Today, thousands of PREP graduates, a majority of whom came from minority families, are now in college, majoring in mathematics and the sciences or enjoying successful careers as professionals in these fields.  In fact, in July 2003, San Antonio PREP graduated its 25^th class, helping to produce what will undoubtedly become part of San Antonio�s future technology workforce.

A rigorous, mathematics-based academic enrichment program offered on college campuses in the summer for promising middle school and high school students, PREP gives participants the opportunity to hone their abstract-reasoning and problem-solving skills through courses and laboratories that are normally not offered to students at that level. 

The students thrive on the challenges!  Two weeks into the program, a 14-year-old participant recently said, "I've already learned so much in such a short time.  At first I felt a little confused with all these new kinds of problems, but after a while the problems started to become clear to me.  I'm seeing mathematical problems I have never seen before, but I see it as a challenge and it makes me feel good."

A ninth grader and three-time participant in PREP programs, said, "I love to figure out problem-solving questions.  Where did I get that aptitude, you might ask?  Why, PREP, of course!"

Dr. B's program was such a success, soon it was exported to other Texas cities.  Under his leadership, the program was offered throughout Texas, including Arlington, Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Edinburg, El Paso, Fort Worth, Harlingen, Houston, Laredo, Lubbock, San Angelo, and San Antonio.  In 1997, San Antonio PREP received the nation's highest recognition when Dr. B accepted, on its behalf, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring at a White House ceremony.

According to the most recent survey of TexPREP graduates, 99.9% graduated from high school and 88% went on to college.  Among the college students, the senior college graduation rate was 90% - and 75% of those graduates were students of color.  More than half majored in science, mathematics or engineering and 71% of these new professionals were men and women of color.  It's an extraordinary record of accomplishment that begs replication.

In 1996, in fact, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) stepped up to the plate to underwrite an effort to export this exemplary program to other states.  Known as "Proyecto Access," the NASA-funded effort, under the leadership of Dr. B and the auspices of NASA and UTSA, offered PREP programs across the nation, from Bronx, New York to Los Angeles, California - including Bayamon, Puerto Rico; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Jersey City, New Jersey; Las Cruces, New Mexico; Miami, Florida; Oxnard, California; and Tucson, Arizona. 

Dr. B�s brainchild has captured the imagination and support of an extraordinary coalition of public and private donors, nationally and regionally, attracting nearly $30 million in resources.  In addition to the annual million-dollar funding that NASA provides Proyecto Access, other city, state, and federal agencies have joined in providing funding or in-kind services; local, regional, and national businesses have contributed financial support; colleges and universities have offered their campuses and faculty; and foundations and individuals have joined in lending support.

As a result, the PREP program is available at no charge to students.  In addition, students from low-income families are eligible for free daily lunches through the Summer Food Service Program.

If PREP were a business, Dr. B would be hailed as one of San Antonio's leading entrepreneurs - a self-made man who created a multi-million-dollar enterprise, engaging tens of thousands of individuals in a collaborative public-private venture that has gone national from its San Antonio hub.   

Over the years, Dr. B and PREP have received numerous awards, honors, and commendations.  Among the more recent: In 2000, Dr. B was inducted as a Charter Member of the Texas Hall of Fame for Science, Mathematics and Technology, along with Dr. Michael DeBakey, Dr. Denton Cooley, four astronauts, and four Nobel Laureates.   In 2001, Dr. B received the most prestigious award given annually by the Mathematical Association of America to one of its 24,000 members for distinguished service.  Hispanic Business Magazine in 2001 named him one of "100 Most Influential Hispanics." In 2002 TexPREP, the state network of PREP programs received the Texas Higher Education Star Award, and in 2003, UTSA bestowed on him the President's Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in University Service.

Dr. B�s public and professional service extends beyond PREP to his church and community.  He is a Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus Council at St. Ann�s Church and in 1985 was inducted into the Knights of St. Gregory the Great by Archbishop Patrick F. Flores of the Archdiocese of San Antonio.  He has served on numerous civic and community boards and commissions, and testified in Congress and the Texas Legislature on education.  He has spoken at innumerable conferences and events and his scholarly work has been published and cited in professional journals.

A quiet man of humble origins, a devout Catholic and devoted husband, a respected scholar and educator who has worked tirelessly to advance the principle that all children can succeed if given the opportunity.  Dr. B is an exemplar - a model of integrity, a beloved mentor, and a community leader in whom families, communities, universities, government agencies, businesses, foundations, and individuals across the nation have vested their trust.  How can we thank him enough?  Why has he been removed from the helm of PREP? 


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