Donor Stories: Ramon Cordies
"I give back because I am grateful."
When Ramon Cordies came to the United States in 1962 as a 14-year old with his family, he couldn’t have imagined what his life in a new country would become with a new culture and a new language to learn. Fifty years later, he looks back humbly on the opportunities that ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ gave him and is so grateful for his experience that he has donated to the University since 1988.
"ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ provides a great education at an affordable price," said Cordies, who is now retired from his position as a construction manager with the City of New York. "My success is a reflection of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ and it helped me overcome great adversity."
Cordies earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting in 1983, a degree that was required, and one he credits for helping him get his original position with New York City through a competitive civil service test. He would go on to be a part of numerous rebuilding projects throughout New York City, including the courthouses in the Bronx and the Bronx Zoo.
"I give back because I am grateful," said Cordies. "There are a lot of people that are responsible for all that I have. So many different individuals helped me academically, socially and professionally."
