Edelmiro “Ed” Muñiz ’67 has spent his life climbing the ladder of success — not one built for him, but one he constructed through hard work, resilience and the Aggie Spirit. Now, alongside his wife, Alicia, Ed is lifting others as he climbs, creating opportunities for future generations of Aggie engineers.
Reflecting on the sacrifices and values that shaped their lives, Ed and Alicia made it their mission to give back and open doors for others, just as doors were once opened for them.
From Cotton to College
One of seven brothers, Ed was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley.
“I come from a family of seven boys with humble beginnings — not wealthy, but rich in family values. We all worked hard and shared responsibilities. Growing up, my parents ran a tortilla factory where we’d get up at 2 or 3 a.m. to make tortillas and deliver them before school,” Ed said.
During his childhood summers, Ed and his family would travel to California to work in crop fields, and in August the family returned to South Texas to pick cotton. Every dollar they earned was saved for their children’s education.
“My mom believed strongly in education and made sure we all got at least a high school education,” Ed said.
Growing up in a small town, Ed’s high school often promoted paths other than college. While common in rural areas, Ed’s mother wanted him to pursue higher education.
“In high school, counselors advised us to join the army or work locally, but my mom insisted on college,” Ed recalled. “An older brother attended Texas A&M and offered to pay my tuition if I went there. Initially, I wanted to be a pharmacist, but since A&M didn’t have a pharmacy school, I enrolled in aerospace engineering, which was new at the time. I completed both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees there.”
Enrolling at Texas A&M University gave Ed more than an elevated education — it gave him the confidence and skills to pursue a demanding and challenging career. In the Corps, Ed learned discipline and resilience, which prepared him for life beyond college.
“Coming from a modest background in Harlingen, Texas, I wasn’t well prepared for college initially. The counselors didn’t give me much guidance or information on financial aid. Being a minority student with limited resources was challenging. The rigorous demands of the Corps and academic work required a lot of hard work and persistence, but my family’s emphasis on education kept me motivated.”
During graduate school, Ed married his wife, Alicia, before joining and serving in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years.
Choosing A Life of Service and Purpose
“After retiring, I worked for a small business briefly before starting my own engineering company,” Ed said. “I eventually sold the company to my daughter, Stephanie Murphy, an A&M graduate herself. We set up trusts for our kids and grandkids, all of whom are pursuing advanced education.”
Stephanie has followed in her parents’ footsteps and, through her company, Aegis Aerospace Inc., created exclusive International Space Station research opportunities for Aggies on the TAMU-SPIRIT Flight Facility. This project will create unique research opportunities for Aggie engineers and expand the understanding of space and its properties.
Now with a family full of degrees, the Muñizes decided to support students who want to follow similar paths.
“A few years ago, my wife and I reflected on how we’ve supported our family and decided to give back to others,” Ed said. "We started with scholarships to help students follow in our footsteps. But scholarships help a limited number of people, so we decided to establish an endowed chair. A chair allows a professor to impact many students over the years, creating a multiplier effect. Some of those students will also give back in the future, continuing the cycle of reciprocity.”
The Muñizes’ gift will continue to impact students and faculty in aerospace engineering for generations. By investing in people and potential, they are creating opportunities that once felt out of reach.
“We hope our gift will empower faculty to advance research and provide excellent education — the endowed chair creates opportunities for innovation and mentorship that reach many students,” Ed said. “While we didn’t specify a particular research focus, we wanted to support areas with the greatest need and potential to inspire future leaders.”
The Muñizes are proud to support Texas A&M, a place that helped shape their journey and now benefits from the legacy they continue to build. This is not the first time the Muñiz family has supported Texas A&M and its students. In 2013, Ed was recognized for his impact on the aerospace engineering community as a Distinguished Aerospace Engineering Alumni.
“Our family story is one of hard work, faith and giving back,” Muñiz said. “We hope to inspire others to consider the power of education and generosity. The cycle of reciprocity is key: if you receive, you should give back. That mindset builds communities and changes lives over time. We are thankful for the chance to support Texas A&M and its mission.”