Forgotten Texas Hero Topic of Discussion at A&M International's A.R. Sanchez Lecture

The memories of a forgotten Texas hero will come to life during the fifth lecture of the 2000-2001 A.R. Sanchez Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series Monday, March 5 at 7 p.m. in the Great Room of Texas A&M International University's Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library (319).

In his lecture titled, "Juan N. Seguin: Hero of the Texas Revolution," Dr. Jesus F. De La Teja, associate professor of history at Southwest Texas State University (SWT), will provide an insight into the life of Juan N. Seguin, a forgotten hero who believed it was possible to be both a proud Mexicano and a loyal Tejano.

During the lecture, hosted by the University's College of Arts and Humanities, Dr. De La Teja will provide an insight into the life of a hero who, unbeknownst to many, served as the first mayor of San Antonio after the Texas Revolution.

A noted Texas scholar, De La Teja holds his Ph.D. in colonial Latin American history from the University of Texas. He earned both his M.A. in Latin American history and B.A. in political science from Seton Hall University.

De La Teja has held his present position at SWT since 1991. His major teaching areas in history have been in Texas, the Spanish Borderlands, Mexico, Mexican American, public history practicum, survey courses in United States history and an honors course in Texas imagery in film.

Prior to joining the SWT faculty, he served as director of archives and records for the Texas General Land Office. His primary responsibilities included supervising the agency's archival records management programs, administrative and budgetary duties and conducting research on Texas land history.

He has contributed articles for books including New Views of Borderlands History (1998); Myths, Misdeeds, and Misunderstandings: The Roots of Conflict in United States-Mexico Relations (1997); and Tejano Journey, 1770-1860 (1996).

In addition, he has published journal articles in Journal of the Early Republic (Spring 1998), the Gulf Coast Historical Review (Fall 1991), and Locus: An Historical Journal of Regional Perspectives (Fall 1990).

He is the author of numerous reference articles, television scripts, and scholarly reviews.

The sixth and last lecturer of the 2000-2001 A.R. Sanchez Distinguished Lecture Series will feature Dr. Michael Lienesch, professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Monday, April 2 at 7 p.m. in the Great Room. Dr. Lienesch's his lecture is titled, "The Scopes Trial: Science, Religion, and American Politics."

For further information, please call the College of Arts and Humanities at 326-2460. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu