Assistant Professor José Riojas joined the University of Illinois at Chicago faculty in August of 2013 and served as director of bands for seven years. He was an accomplished musician, a gifted teacher, and a highly respected colleague. He was dedicated to his students; and he made the UIC band program an academic home away from home for many. He aimed to change the world through music. One of the ways he did this was by changing the lives of the students he taught at UIC.
Professor Riojas’ family has organized a service in Texas at the end of the month. A college support fund has been set up on behalf of Professor Riojas’ daughter, Nadia. In lieu of flowers, college fund contributions can be sent to a GoFundMe page: gf.me/u/yg9696
