Taking a walk through the Smithsonian Institute for a resident of South Texas used to require a lengthy plane ride to the nation’s capital. That was the case until March 1, the day Our Journeys/Our Stories: Portraits of Latino Achievement opened at the Student Center Rotunda.
Students and any member of the university community are now able to experience a Smithsonian exhibit and not even have travel all that much.
Our Journeys/Our Stories is on a national 13 city tour, the university is it’s second stop.
The exhibition features the stories and portraits of Latino success stories across the country.
“The presence of this exhibit is a testament of achievement,” said university President Ray M. Keck III.
Among the featured stories and portraits is that of the Garza family of Peñitas, a small South Texas rural community.
The Garza family story is about a commitment to higher education. Jose Maria and Eva C. Garza encouraged all of their nine children to obtain a higher education despite never finishing high school; both had to withdraw from school to help support their families.
By making college education a priority and family tradition, three generations of Garza’s have obtained over 30 degrees.
“My father taught us to always to be proud of what we do and to work hard,” says Telca Garza Porras, “our parents legacy (of embracing higher education) now continues with our children.”
“This exhibit is proof that success can be achieved…don’t give up, education is the key,” says Garza Porras.
Other individuals featured at the exhibit include Nobel Prize-winning chemist Mario Molina, astronaut Ellen Ochoa, New Mexico Governor and 2008 Presidential candidate Bill Richardson, and other Hispanics that have contributed to Latino achievement.
The Our Journeys/Our Stories: Portraits of Latino Achievement exhibit is currently on its second national tour after being featured at the National Museum of American History. The exhibit has been on tour since 2004.
“TAMIU hosting the exhibit is a landmark (event) for this community and it gives this generation the opportunity to benefit from reading these stories,” said Evelyn Figueroa, project director for the exhibit.
“Due to the success of the exhibit and the Ford Motor Company, we have the opportunity to expand our tour until 2008,” added Figueroa.
The Ford Motor Company sponsors the exhibit.
“If you look around at the stories you will find that they exemplify the core values of Ford Motor Company. We are committed to help build stronger communities,” says Jaqueline Orozco, Ford Motor Company Fund.
“We are bringing the world to Laredo (with this exhibit). The exhibit is proof that race and nationality do not have to do with what you can do and where you go…it is a testament that everyone can achieve and live the American dream,” says Candy Hein, vice-president of the university’s office of Institutional Advancement.
The exhibit is open through May 1 at the Student Center Rotunda.