A successful entrepreneur, businessman and graduate from New Mexico State University’s College of Engineering will share his resilient story of beating the odds with the NMSU community during this year’s author talk event at the NMSU Zuhl Library.

Richard Leza, author of “Leza’s Memoirs: Beating the Odds,” will give an author talk at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, on the third floor of Zuhl Library. Leza will be sharing his memoirs and signing books that will be available for purchase. All proceeds will go to the library.

“Richard Leza has an amazing personal story of success and a lifelong connection to NMSU,” said Kevin Comerford, NMSU Library dean. “We are so proud that he is coming to the library to talk about his new book.”

The book highlights Leza’s journey from poverty to success and his life-death experience at 22-years-old. It shares his challenges, accomplishments and passion for pursuing education as a minority with the goal of influencing other minorities to take those same risks.

Leza hopes to leave students with a positive outlook on education.

“Education is the way to get ahead,” Leza said. “If I can beat the odds of success, so can you.”

Leza is a Hatch, New Mexico, native. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, following a two-year battle with cancer. He earned his master’s degree in business administration from Stanford University. Leza is one of the nation’s top Hispanic venture capitalists and startup entrepreneurs.

Through the years, Leza has been a long-time scholarship provider to minority students at NMSU. He has established his commitment to the university in efforts to help students pursue their education despite any financial obstacles.

For more information and to purchase the book, visit https://a.co/d/gmOaSKz.