TIL Gives Top Award to TAMIU’s Thompson

The Texas Institute of Letters announced the winners of its annual awards this month and among the winners was Dr. Jerry Thompson, Regents Professor of History at Texas A&M International University for his book “Cortina: Defending the Mexican Name in Texas” published in 2007 by the University Press.

Dr. Thompson won the $2,500 Texas Institute of Letters award for best scholarly book.

Earlier this month, Thompson was one of the speakers for the 2007/2008 A.R. Sánchez Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series, discussing the life of Cortina.

Thompson previously received the Tejano Award for best book on Hispanic history of Texas.

Thompson is author of more than 20 books and considered one of the country’s top scholars on the Southwest Campaign of the American Civil War and Border History.

The Texas Institute of Letters previously awarded him its Best Scholarly Book Published in 2006 award for his “Civil War to the Bloody End: The Life and Times of Major General Samuel P. Heintzelman.”

Thompson has received numerous awards from the Texas Historical Commission, Western Writers of America, Texas State Historical Association, Historical Society of New Mexico and the Arizona Historical Society.

Thompson, a past president of the Texas State Historical Association, holds a doctorate from Carnegie-Mellon University.

The Texas Institute of Letters, founded in 1936 is a non-profit organization whose objective is to inspire an interest in Texas letters, to acknowledge distinctive literary achievements and promote the fellowship among those interested in the cultural development of the state.

Every year, the Texas Institute of Letters gives awards for published works and, with the University of Texas at Austin, supports the Paisano Fellowships for writers.

For further information, please contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326-2180, e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.

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