Author Spotlight

W

hen Ricardo Bates (’11) is in the throes of

producing his next film, he remains grateful for staying true to himself and inspiring others to do the same. “I firmly believe that we were put here to make use of our gifts and fulfill our purpose,” said Ricardo. Ricardo’s interest in writing and filmmaking began to take root when he was a young boy. “I experienced a rather significant event involving my father that gave way to my creativity and ability to paint a picture through words,” said Ricardo. “When I went to the University of Houston to play football, my curiosity in the creative arts remained constant.”

Soon after Ricardo graduated from UH, he began work on his first documentary, “The Prattville Way” about a high school football team in Prattville, Alabama that overcomes

the odds and gains national recognition. The documentary, available through Amazon, met with rave reviews and was featured in six film festivals. Ricardo’s next project involved collaborating with his mentor, Anthony Brock who he has known since he was a young boy growing up in Prattville, Alabama. “I was from a single parent household, and Anthony was there to offer me true kindness and confidence,’’ said Ricardo.

Highlighting the importance of mentoring, Ricardo and Anthony partnered to author a book called “FRUIT,” which chronicles an all-boy school in Montgomery, Alabama, and how the act of mentoring and providing guidance can change lives. From the book, Ricardo produced the “FRUIT” documentary. “When we had the film’s premiere in Montgomery, it was literally sold out and has since received several awards,” said Ricardo. “We are now looking at several distribution and streaming platforms.”

With the success of “FRUIT,” Ricardo continues on his

next venture; a feature film, which is roughly based on his life. Entitled “Sound of Glass,” the film focuses on a young boy who is facing a mental tug of war between who he wants to be and who his father wants him to be. “For many people, it is hard sometimes to be your authentic self and not conform to others’ expectations,” said Ricardo. “With “Sound of Glass,” I hope people remember to embrace who they truly are and make use of their gifts and talents.”

Taking his message to heart, Ricardo hopes to continue creating impact through his work and be of service to others. “If we are to be truly happy, we have to acknowledge what we were put on this earth to do and share it with others for the good.”

THANK YOU

FOR BEING A LIFE MEMBER!

Congratulations to those who are on the 2021 Life Member panel, which is installed in Life Member Plaza located in front of the Athletics-Alumni Center on Cullen Blvd.

The names that appear on the panel are those who fulfilled their Life Member pledge within the 2021 calendar year or paid in full.

If you have questions about your Life Membership, please contact Life Member Manager, Kirstyn Speich (’16) at klspeich@uh.edu.

We customize. You could save $947. 1

See how much you can save with auto and home insurance from Liberty Mutual Insurance. Along with valuable savings, Liberty Mutual Insurance offers a great collection of helpful benefits.

Exceptional service 94% of customers are satisfied with Liberty Mutual.2 Whether you’re in an accident or just need some advice, know we’ll always be on call for you. Benefits you’ll love Enjoy a number of superior benefits, such as 24-Hour Claims Assistance, Accident Forgiveness3, 24-Hour Roadside Assistance4 , and Better Car Replacement™5 .

For your free quote, call 1-800-853-7103 or visit LibertyMutual.com/UHAA

Client #9742

AUTO | HOME | RENTERS | UMBRELLA | MOTORCYCLE | CONDO | WATERCRAFT

1Savings validated by new customers who switched to Liberty Mutual between 1/2020-10/2020 and participated in a countrywide survey. Savings may vary. Comparison does not apply in MA. 2Based on a 2017 study conducted by Qualtrics. 3ACCIDENT FORGIVENESS NOT AVAILABLE IN CA. Terms and conditions apply. 4Coverage is provided on the optional Towing & Labor Coverage endorsement. May vary by state. Applies to mechanical breakdowns and disablements only, and may be subject to limits. 5Optional coverage in some states. Availability varies by state. Eligibility rules apply. In Texas, coverage is provided and underwritten by one or more of the following Liberty Mutual companies: Liberty County Mutual Insurance Company, Liberty Insurance Corporation, Liberty Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, and Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 2100 Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, TX 75038. Equal Housing Insurer. ©2021 Liberty Mutual Insurance 14998159 AFF_686950_03 TX 2019/06 This organization receives financial support for offering this auto and home benefits program.

D

uring March Madness, UH fans came out in droves to cheer on our Men’s Basketball team in

true Cougar fashion. Among the alumni who lent their support were Glynda (’89, UHCL M.A. ’91) and Carl (’85) McGinnis. “Going to UH games is a large part of our social life now,” said Glynda. “Every time we go, whether in Houston or away, we always form new connections with some great people. It is a wonderful tight-knit community.”

In addition to attending various sporting events, Glynda and Carl also can be seen at many UHAA events supporting tailgates as well as other UH Alumni Associations. “UH means so much to both of us. That is one of the reasons why we are Life Members,” said Glynda. “When we were at the University, it was mostly a commuter school and did not have nearly the prestige it has now,” said Carl. “Now, thanks in large part to President Khator’s dream and vision for UH, having a degree from UH really means something.”

While Glynda enjoys attending many UH events, she also volunteers her time serving as the president of the LGBTQ Alumni Association. “In looking back I was determined to graduate college and know beyond the shadow of doubt, my UH degree gave me a competitive advantage among other applicants to get my foot in the door.”

“All three of our children graduated from UH, and we couldn’t be more proud.”