A ceremony was held Oct.11 to honor Adolfo Barrera and Elvin Holt for the renaming of two streets that will now be known as Adolfo Barrera Drive and Elvin Holt Drive.
Barrera was a counselor, leader and administrator from 1983 to 2002, according to a release from the university. He played a major role in the development of multicultural programming; overseeing the recruitment of multicultural students; and expanding TRIO programs—student support programs—such as Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Talent Search and the Youth Opportunities Unlimited/Pre-College Summer Enrichment Program. He oversaw multiple programs within the university's network of campuses and outreach programs, and is credited with assisting the university in attaining its current status as a Hispanic-serving institution.
Holt was the first Black tenured professor in the university's department of English, and he served for 37 years, according to the announcement. He was one of the first 20 educators selected for the university's inaugural yearlong excellence in teaching and learning seminar. Named professor of the year by the Association of Black Students in 1989, Holt also received three fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
"Holt's research, publication and conference presentations focused on African literature, African American literature, cultural studies and folklore," the release states. "He was responsible for bringing the model used for the multicultural course transformation program to Texas State. He co-edited "Acting Up and Getting Down: Plays by African American Texans" and co-authored "Stages of Struggle and Celebration: A Production History of Black Theatre in Texas" with Sandra Mayo. Holt also served as an original board member and president of the Calaboose Museum, which serves as a home for African American history and culture in San Marcos and Hays County."
A task force to recognize the contributions of distinguished individuals from the Hispanic/Latinx and Black communities to the university was established in September 2020, according to the release, and more than 40 suggested names were produced. A final selection was made by Texas State President Denise M. Trauth and the presidential cabinet, the release states.
