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Major Hispanics-At-Texas A&M Exhibit Opens At Cushing
Monday, May 01, 2006 
 
Hispanics have been part of Texas A&M almost since its opening in 1876, as documented in an extensive new exhibit that was three years in the making.

"¡Siempre! Hispanics at Texas A&M, Celebrating 130 Years" was formally opened at the state's first public institution of higher learning before an appreciative crowd of approximately 300, including the descendants of Jóse Angel Ortiz, Class of 1891, who is believed to be the first Hispanic graduate of Texas A&M. He was from Laredo and earned his degree in civil engineering.

Irma G. Alvarado, who attended the opening of the exhibit Friday evening, is the earliest known Hispanic woman to graduate from Texas A&M. She is a member of Texas A&M's Class of 1970, earning her degree in secondary education.

The exhibits also highlight Héctor Gutiérrez, Jr., a member of the Class of '69 who served as the first Hispanic cadet colonel of the Corps of Cadets, the top student position in the nation's largest uniformed body outside of the service academies. 

Hispanic enrollment has continued to grow over the years-and last fall included more than 1,000 Hispanic students in the freshman class.

The exhibit features sections devoted to student life, including participation in the corps and athletics; workers in food service and other campus functions; and Hispanics who are serving-or have served-on the faculty and staff, in key administrative positions, on The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents and in public and professional service.

The section on athletics reveals that the first Aggie touchdown was scored by a Hispanic student, N. Valdez, during the second football game ever played by the Aggies-a 14-0 victory over a Galveston team on Thanksgiving Day in 1897.

Pete L. Rodríguez of Bryan is featured as one of the longest-serving Texas A&M employees-52 years. At the time of his retirement, he was purchasing agent for the Chemistry Department. Two other Hispanic men, Daniel Ruíz and Emilio Salazar, had 43 and 42 years of service, respectively, and Berta C. DeJesús had 31, all in the Food Services Department.

The exhibit was compiled by the staff of the Cushing Memorial Library & Archives, with key roles played by Cushing Director Steven E. Smith; Miguel Juárez, Hispanic Studies curator/librarian; and University Archivist David Chapman.

Norma A. Arizpe, senior lecturer in the Hispanic Studies Department, served as chair of the Exhibit Advisory Department.  

Texas A&M President Robert M. Gates, Vice Provost Bill Perry and Dean of University Libraries Colleen Cook spoke at the ceremonies formally opening the exhibit, along with all of the key participants in its preparation. They were joined by Patty Puig Mueller and Richard Ochoa, representing the family of Texas A&M's first Hispanic graduate; Sandy Edwards, who presented a congratulatory letter on behalf of Sen. John Cornyn; Viola E. Flórez, who was the first Hispanic woman to rise to the level of full professor and later held several key administrative positions; Daniel R. Hernández, a 1973 graduate who also held several key positions at the university and system levels before going into private law practice; Roxanne Longoria, a senior representing the Hispanic Presidents' Council, and Col. Leonardo G. Hernández, a 1973 graduate who serves as chairman of the Texas Hispanic Network.

The exhibit on the second floor of Cushing Memorial Library is open to the public through through August 2007. Library hours are 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday.  




Christopher L. Morrow
Curator for Outreach
Cushing Memorial Library and Archives
Texas A&M University
5000 TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843-5000
Phone: (979) 845-1951
Fax: (979) 845-1441
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