A&M, A&M International Launch New Book Series on Borderlands Friday

The special identity and experience of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands will be the focus of a new series of books published by the Texas A&M University Press and Texas A&M International University.

"Fronteras," the name of the new book publication series, will be launched on Friday at 11:30 a.m. with a special signing ceremony scheduled in the lobby of A&M International's Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade during the "Borderlands in Transition Conference" hosted by the University and the Texas State Historical Association.

Primary emphases for the series will be history, the social sciences and policy studies of the region. It may also include natural resources, the environment or related topics.

Dr. Ray Keck, University president, said the Series provides an important peer-reviewed series for academic study on the borderlands.

"This will be a vibrant series that matches the unique cross-cultural elements that are a fundamental part of U.S.-Mexico borderlands life. We are excited about this opportunity for our faculty members and others to celebrate our cultures through this new series," Dr. Keck said.

Retired A&M International faculty member and local historian Dr. José Roberto Juárez has been appointed general editor for the Series. Publisher of the Series is the Texas A&M University Press, under the direction of Dr. Charles Backus.

The Fronteras Series will publish two works per fiscal year. The first in the series is Tejano Proud: Tex-Mex Music in the 20th Century, by Guadalupe San Miguel Jr., an associate professor of history at the University of Houston.

The book provides a history of música tejana, its rise in popularity and its importance to Mexican Texas culture in the context of Anglo-Mexican relations. It also focuses on recent developments in which women are taking larger roles in an industry long dominated by men.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326.2180 or email to prmis@tamiu.edu

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

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