Manuel Ayau

Manuel Francisco Ayau Cordón (December 27, 1925 – August 4, 2010) was the founder of the Universidad Francisco Marroquín in Guatemala. He was born in Guatemala City, on December 27, 1925. After diverse studies, he obtained a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Louisiana State University in 1950, an L.H.D. from Hillsdale College in 1973, and an honorary degree in law (Legum Doctor) from Northwood University in 1994. Scholarly and laboral contributions Ayau is CEO of Samboro, S.A., a company dedicated to the production of ceramic tiles, and directed a group of Guatemalan industrialists for over forty years in the production of industrial gases and hydro-electric energy. Ayau has also served on the board of directors of several different companies, including IBM in Latin America and the Guatemalan local stock and debt exchange, of which he was founding president. In 1959 Ayau founded the Center for Economic and Social Studies in Guatemala, to analyze the fundaments and philosophy of free society. In 1972 he was instrumental in founding the Francisco Marroquín University, of which he was the first president, serving until 1988. A member of the Mont Pelerin Society since 1964, Ayau was its president from 1978 to 1980. He was on the board of directors of the Liberty Fund in Indianapolis and he was also a trustee of the Foundation for Economic Education in New York. He was also a member of the Philadelphia Society.