Texas State’s de la Teja honored as Regents’ Professor

By Kristina Kenney
University News Service
September 30, 2011

Texas State University-San Marcos Department of History professor Frank de la Teja has been recognized as a recipient of the 2011 Regents’ Professor Award by the Texas State University System (TSUS) Board of Regents.

The TSUS recognizes an individual within the system as a recipient of the Regents’ Professor for showing an exemplary performance and contribution in the areas of teaching, research and publication.

All of the Regents’ Professor Awards include a $5,000 award and commemorative medallion. Selected professors will also maintain the title of TSUS Regents’ Professor for the duration of their service. To be considered for the distinction of the Regents’ Professor Award, nominees must be full-time faculty members for no less than five consecutive years at a TSUS campus and demonstrate:

  • A record of distinguished teaching as well as accomplishments in research and other scholarly activities
  • An outstanding record of service at the local, state, and national levels
  • A record of commitment to the college or university

In 2007, de la Teja was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to serve the first-ever two-year term as the state historian of Texas. In this job, de la Teja enhanced Texans’ knowledge about the state’s history and heritage; encouraged the teaching of Texas history in public schools; and consulted with top government officials on the promotion of Texas history.

Since 1991, de la Teja has taught various history courses at Texas State, including critical issues in Texas history, Spanish borderlands, history of Mexico to 1848 and introduction to American Indian history.

While de la Teja was born in Cuba and raised in New Jersey, he has become one of the foremost experts on Latino history in Texas. He earned both his bachelor’s degree in political science and his master’s degree in Latin American history from Seton Hall University in New Jersey. He ventured to Texas to earn his doctorate in colonial Latin American history from the University of Texas.

He has also written numerous books, journal and reference articles, reviews and scripts. He has also contributed five chapters of a college textbook, Texas Crossroads of North America.

The Texas State University System is the oldest multi-campus system in Texas and plays a critical role in the educational and economic development of this state. It is governed by a nine-member Board of Regents appointed by the Governor. In addition, a nonvoting student regent is appointed annually to the Board.

TSUS’s eight component institutions are committed to serving the people of Texas through education. The Texas State University System institutions include: Lamar Institute of Technology; Lamar State College-Orange; Lamar State College-Port Arthur; Lamar University; Sam Houston State University; Sul Ross State University; Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College; and Texas State University-San Marcos.

For more information on TSUS, visit www.tsus.edu.