Dr. Gilbert Sanchez inspired this Latino student at NM Tech
I AM a 1975 biology graduate of the N.M. Institute of Mining and Technology. I journeyed to Tech from Los Angeles for the need of a new experience, quietness and to reset my goals of becoming a doctor. At that time, there were many barriers for Latino students to succeed in professional pursuits. One major impediment for someone like me was the lack of witnessing another person that looked like me, who was successful and a leader in his profession.
Meeting Dr. Gilbert Sanchez at Tech was a pivotal moment in my life, when I was most in need of a positive mentor. He was born in Belen and was a biology professor and chair of the Department of Biology. When I arrived, I received a work study assignment to work in his laboratory. I did not know then how I was selected. Later I learned that Sanchez searched for Latino students like himself.
At the time, I did not realize or understand what this placement meant to me. Throughout my entire education, I had never had a Latino teacher, professor or advisor until I worked for Dr. Sanchez. Here was someone ethnically and culturally like me, who was the department chair of Biology. He selected me to start with cleaning rat cages and to move up into his microbiology lab and help him with his research.
As I worked and studied, it was not easy for me to matriculate from Tech, graduating with a B.S. in biology. I never remember Sanchez offering direct encouragement, but he did instill in me the belief that I still carry today. If someone believes in you, then one has a better chance to succeed and pass it on to others. I give credit to Sanchez for helping me achieve my goal to become a medical doctor, now completing 35 years as a board-certified psychiatrist in New Mexico.
Sadly, I will truly miss Dr. Sanchez, and I extend my heartfelt sympathy to his family on his passing in March. He went on to excel as dean, vice president and president of several universities. He was a very proud Latino who achieved many things but never forgot to help others, like me, along the way. DR. ERNEST A. FLORES Las Cruces