ALPINE – Dr. Avinash Rangra pursued – and realized – his American dream. Even in retirement, he intends to be active in helping others achieve theirs.
Rangra, professor of Chemistry at Sul Ross State University, will retire in August 2013 after 46 years. He will remain active as a business owner, through involvement in numerous service organizations and at present, as Mayor of Alpine.
“I have had opportunities come my way courtesy of lot of good folks like Dr. Barton Warnock,” he said. “I had considered teaching a few more years, but I think there are lot of exciting challenges out there in public service that I need to explore.”
A native of Hariana, Panjab, India, Rangra earned a B.Sc (Hon’s) in 1959 and M.Sc. (Hon’s) in 1960 in Chemistry from Panjab University. He spent two years at Hindu National College, Hariana, as a lecturer in Chemistry. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1962 to attend Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. He received his Ph.D. in May 1967 and joined the Sul Ross faculty in September.
In addition to teaching chemistry, he once taught remedial mathematics and a course in electricity for Industrial Technology Department. He developed a two-semester Forensic Chemistry program for Criminal Justice students in the 1970s. He also developed the analytical technique to test drugs such as marijuana etc at the microscopic level.
He once accepted a challenge to participate in Faculty-Student Rodeo. It is another story that his ride only lasted eight-tenths of one second. “It was fun, a little scary though,” he laughed. Rangra worked with NBC in the eighties on the Marfa Lights episode of the “Unsolved Mysteries” TV series.
Rangra’s research interests focused on studying the inner characteristics of organ-specific hair as a diagnostic tool.
Dr. Avinash Rangra
He served as International Student Adviser and Radiation Safety Officer for a number of years and was active in the Permian Basin Section of the American Chemical Society, twice serving as chair. Rangra has served as a Chair of the Faculty Senate in the mid seventies, has Chaired quite a few University Councils and Committees. Rangra served as a Chair of the Faculty affairs Council for a number of years.
During his tenure, Rangra has served under six presidents: Norman McNeil, Hugh Meredith, C.R. Richardson, Jack Humphries, R. Vic Morgan and Ricardo Maestas.
“As a professor, I have enjoyed all 46 years at Sul Ross,” he said. “Every semester has been an exciting and a new experience. It is important to treat every single student at the individual level to optimize their potential to the fullest extent. It is also important to continue learning with the students we teach.”
He is proud of the university, faculty and students.
“I believe we have been successful as a university: we have seen countless students graduate who went on to have highly successful professional careers in virtually every field. We, each and every one of us who have come to teach at Sul Ross, are here not because we could not find employment elsewhere, but because we saw opportunities here. Each one of us at Sul Ross has the potential to shape the future as do our counterparts elsewhere at so called ‘elite’ institutions of higher learning.
“Sul Ross serves a very important role in higher education and is vital to this area,” he said. “Sul Ross is a window to the future, the great unknown which otherwise would remain unexplored by our kids in this vast West Texas expanse, and along the border. I will continue to work to keep Sul Ross relevant for generations to come.”
In addition to his university service, Rangra has been active in a number of community organizations, including the Alpine Lions, Masonic Lodge, Jaycees and Chamber of Commerce. He served three terms as a city council member and was elected Mayor in 2012. He served as District Governor of Lions International, 2T-3, and was presented with the Outstanding District Governor award by Lions International President, Dr. Jean Behar.
Rangra, his wife, Anju, and son, Amit, are also active in the Alpine business community. The family has owned and operated Rangra Theatres and Anju’s Fine Jewelry for over 30 years. They have been avid supporters of both Alpine High and Sul Ross, funding a field house at Buck Stadium and establishing a chemistry scholarship endowment at Sul Ross.
He called his community involvement “a way of saying thanks” for the opportunities he was afforded.
“When you are part of a community, it is important to build, not destroy; and when problems arise, fix them. Don’t whine.”