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Photo Credit: Mercer Marketing and Communications[/caption]
The Georgia Asian Times has published a list of the ‘Top 25 Most Influential Asian-Americans in Georgia.’ The list includes Farooq Mughal, Sharon Lim Harle, and Bryan Ramos, each Mercer University alumni.
Mughal said he was “humbled and honored for receiving the award.” Both Ramos and Harle expressed similar attitudes towards their awards.
“Honored, very honored. Really did not know I was considered,” said Harle. Each of the three Mercer Alumni was very active since they graduated from Mercer University.
Since his graduation in 2000, Mughal has become a managing partner of MS Global Partners. His expertise mainly lies in government relations, political affairs, international trade, negotiation, and global public affairs.
In May of 2013, Mughal met with Vice President Joe Biden to speak with him about immigration reform. According to him, about 40 leaders from the Asian-American community received an invitation to the meeting.
“I give all the credit to my university; I give all the credit to my professors,” said Mughal. Mughal also wanted give a special thanks to Dr. Leona Kanter, his advisor whom he credits for pushing him to work so hard get this far.
Harle said she originally came to Mercer as an international student, and that she is “glad to be part of the community.” Since she graduated from Mercer’s Atlanta campus with a BBA in 1996 and an MBA in 2000 from the Stetson School of Business and Economics, she has worked with Mercer Alumni services University Special Events, including Commencements, alumni reunions, and various academic Boards and ceremonies. She also continues her work with international students on campus, and stays in contact with international alumni.
Apart from her work with Mercer University, Harle has also done extensive work outside of Mercer. She helped set up Atlanta Asian Film Festival, which premiered in 2000.
She was also involved with the Atlanta Centennial Olympics in 1996 by hosting the Malaysian contingent as well as the Malaysian Royal family. In 2007, the annual Who’s Who In Asian American Communities honored Harle.
Ramos graduated from Mercer’s Law School in 1999, and this is actually his third time winning this award. He mainly works as a worker compensation lawyer.
After his graduation, he worked as a clerk for a law firm in Atlanta for several years before founding the Ramos Law Firm in 2005, of which he is the current President. “If I’m going to work this hard, I’m going to work for myself,” said Ramos, referring to his decision to found his own law firm.
Apart from his work with his, law firm, Ramos is also very active in the Asian community and the Democratic Party. He attended both inaugurations of President Obama, and he spoke at the White House earlier in the year about fiscal policy.
Each of the alumni seemed to be proud of their time at Mercer and happy that they were part of its community. “It gave me a good feeling, that out of 25, you had 3 that went to Mercer,” said Ramos.
The awards were humbling to all of them, and they are dedicated to continuing their work. “Nice to be recognized, but it’s not what it’s all about,” said Ramos.
