Richard Amsberry, Distinguished Alumni 2001
Possessing what appears to be an inexhaustible supply of energy, Richard Amsberry is a firm believer in giving back. Whether it's to his church, his community, or his alma mater, Mr. Amsberry is persistently a willing and active participant rather than a passive bystander.
He first graduated from UTD - with honors - in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, then earned his Master of Science degree in Management and Administrative Sciences two years later. In 1996, he earned a Master of Arts in International Management Studies.
Today, Mr. Amsberry is a self-employed CPA who specializes in taxation and consulting for emerging businesses. He has employed numerous UTD student interns since starting the company in 1995, and he has been an active member of the UTD Alumni Association since 1998. His strong devotion to the University is obvious in his efforts with the association, which he chaired last year. He has remained active by speaking to potential students, assisting in fundraising efforts, and even working on campus beautification projects.
"Fundamentally, I believe that we're all here, not for the feathering of our own nests but for the advancement of our fellow man," he explains. "A tremendous amount of joy comes from giving back to others. If it were not for those activities and volunteer opportunities, life would be dull and boring."
He also says that he wants to expose others to the advantages that UTD afforded him. "I [initially] had a very limited opportunity to get a higher education," he says. "When I got back into it, I was in my late 20s, and they allowed me to pursue an education that worked with the responsibilities in my life at that time. A lot of people come to it later in life, and I want to promote that mission to them. I want to help others find what I've found."
-- Management Vol. 5 No. 1 Autumn 2001, by Paula Felps
