S T U DE N T SU CCESS A N D E N G AG E MENT
IN THE MIDST OF A BUSY AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER, EUGENIO PIÑEIRO-SOLER ’79 REMAINS A HIGHLANDER AT HEART. BY MARK LAMBERT, M.S. ’97
river and the small college campus located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains was over four decades ago when he began classes as a philosophy student. All these years later, the Highlander spirit is still strong within Piñeiro-Soler, and he cherishes the memories he made at Radford to this day. “I was just a kid when I came to Radford, but it meant so much to me as I grew as a person,” Piñeiro-Soler recalled. “I don’t live in Radford, but Radford lives in me.”
HARD WORK AND THE “LUCK” OF THE HIGHLANDER
Piñeiro-Soler describes himself as a “lucky man,” but luck had little to do with the success he has had both at Radford IN A PROFESSIONAL LIFE THAT HAS SPANNED University and in life beyond the campus. Instead, his success OVER 30 YEARS, EUGENIO PIÑEIRO-SOLER ’79 can be attributed to research, hard work and determination, HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIAL which helped him achieve some very impressive life goals. FISHERMAN, A FISHERIES CAPTAIN AND AN When he was exploring where he would attend college, ENTREPRENEUR IN HIS NATIVE PUERTO RICO Piñeiro-Soler decided to dive into some intense exploration AND THROUGHOUT THE CARIBBEAN. of what various institutions had to offer. He wanted to pursue a law degree eventually and felt it was crucial to develop a He has worked alongside multiple oceanic conservation strong ability to think critically, identify issues and create and administrative organizations, some of which include solutions. He considered colleges and universities across the the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council, the country, but Radford became a natural choice. International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic “I did my research and found that the faculty was Tunas, the International Whaling Commission and the absolutely amazing,” Piñeiro-Soler said. “That had a big Marine Protected Area Federal Advisory Committee, influence on me choosing Radford. Aristotelean logic and amongst others. He has even served under four U.S. ethics are my great passions, and Radford’s program was presidents at the Department of Commerce and, he said, excellent in that area.” met some of the most beautiful and powerful scientific Over the next four years, Piñeiro-Soler worked diligently minds in the country. in his classes, while making lifelong friends and lasting But every time Piñeiro-Soler returns to Radford, he finds memories as a Highlander. himself drawn to the New River, where he sits for hours “My fondest memories of Radford are its people,” Piñeiroenjoying its simple, quiet natural beauty. Soler remembers. “I think about my friends and teachers “It’s reassuring to know that it is there and as beautiful often. Tom ’79 and Kathy ’79 Lillard, Randy Metger ’78, Mike as the very first time I saw it,” said the Radford University McCardle, Sandra Russell, Tony Yankus, M.S. ’79, Dr. Vengrin alumnus and native of Puerto Rico. His first view of the and many others. They helped me become who I am today.”
Summer 2021
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