Dr. Rubén Martinez Recognized for Leadership Roles at Retirement Reception

October 20, 2022 - Ashley Zhou

After 14 years, Dr. Rubén Martinez stepped down as director of the Julian Samora Research Institute at Michigan State University in 2021 and retired in October as a sociology professor.

At the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, friends, family and colleagues gathered to recognize Dr. Martinez’s leadership and service at his retirement reception on Oct. 21.

Several attendees spoke to the full room and highlighted Dr. Martinez’s work, including his nationally known research on neoliberalism and Latinos, education and ethno-racial minorities and more. 

Dr. Martinez is the editor of the Latino in the United States book series and has published several books including a special issue titled Diálogo on Latina/os in the Midwest and co-edited a volume of Occupational Health Disparities among Racial and Ethnic Minorities: Formulating Research Needs and Directions. He has co-authored several other books including “A Brief History of Cristo Rey Church in Lansing, MI,” “Chicanos and Higher Education” and “Diversity Leadership in Higher Education.”

In remembrance of his wife, P. Lea Martinez (1955-2014), Dr. Martinez and his family established the P. Lea Martinez Engaged Scholar Endowment Fund to support graduate students conducting research on health issues among Latinos. 

“It has been my honor to have worked with each and every one of you,” Dr. Martinez said. “I’ve always said that someone needs to speak up, and if others didn’t I would, and I’m proud of that. Change doesn't come by being nice all the time. It comes when you wake people up to the fact and reality that change needs to occur when they don’t even see what’s going on before.”