McMurry University, a Hispanic-serving Institution, will kick off Hispanic Heritage on Friday, Sept. 15, by opening a special historical exhibit on the McMurry University campus. The exhibition will showcase a native Tejano pioneer, Jose Policarpio “Polly” Rodriguez, educating students and the community by sharing the true stories of their lives and the legacies of individuals who contributed to the early history of Texas. The Texas State Historical Association defines a Tejano as a Texan of Mexican descent.
Who: McMurry University in collaboration with TexasTejano.com
What: Opening of “A Tejano Son of Texas” Exhibit at McMurry University Kicking Off Hispanic Heritage Month Festivities
When: Friday, September 15, 2023
9:30 am - Opening Presentation/Ribbon Cutting
Comments from Rudi R. Rodriguez, President, TexasTejano.com Recognition of Sara Graham, Exhibit Sponsor
Refreshments
Informal Tours of Exhibit
10 am - Presentation to McMurry Students & Community
Noon - Celebration in Quad
Kickoff of Hispanic Heritage Month
Where: McMurry University in Amy Graves Ryan Fine Arts Gallery & Ryan Recital Hall Ryan Fine Arts Building (corner of Sayles and Hunt Street)
TexasTejano.com, a San Antonio-based company dedicated to creating awareness and education about early Native Tejano pioneers by sharing the true stories of their lives and legacies, announces a collaboration with McMurry University in Abilene, for National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The celebration officially begins on Friday, September 15th and will run through Sunday, October 15th, coinciding with the dates of the national celebration. Planned activities for Tejano Heritage Month include numerous campus events, including a Tejano exhibit and collection, formal presentation and reception, student contests and educational programs for students of all ages.
The center of attention will be the “A Tejano Son of Texas,” an exhibit set to be displayed in the Amy Graves Ryan Fine Arts Gallery. The exhibit will be introduced to students and the community on its opening day with a presentation and reception. The collection includes an engaging timeline of the life of Jose Policarpio “Polly” Rodriguez, who served the state as a scout, Methodist minister and Texas Ranger, achievements later acknowledged as key to the growth of our state.
Other items on display during the month include portraits of Native Tejano heroes of the Texas Revolution, including Lorenzo De Zavala and José Antonio Navarro, and leather saddles from the 1800s. The exhibit has, in previous years, traveled to numerous Texas venues, including the Texas State Capitol, the Texas Historical Commission and the Heritage Society Museum in Houston. It has been enjoyed since 2004 by over two million people.
Funded by McMurry alumnus Ms. Sara Graham, Class of 1967, the exhibit and activities will be featured during the university’s 2023 centennial year celebration.
“McMurry has a long and rich history in Texas, and it is our pleasure to co-host this exhibit to celebrate the diverse storyline of our state,” says Dr. Sandra Harper, President of McMurry University.
Rudi R. Rodriguez, President, TexasTejano.com, descendant of Polly Rodriguez and researcher behind the exhibit is honored to have an opportunity to showcase the exhibit to thousands of students and visitors on the McMurry campus.
“We believe knowledge about Texas history and certainly American Southwestern history will be expounded through our partnership with McMurry,” he says. “Because of the generosity of our underwriter, Ms. Graham, our young people will have access to unique details of everyday life and milestones of our Native Tejano ancestors.”
In addition to the exhibit, TexasTejano.com will support numerous departments, faculty and staff at the university to facilitate auxiliary programs during Tejano Heritage Month to include an essay contest, art contest, and website design contest open to McMurry students.
“Our partnership will enable real collaboration for our students, business leaders and community during this celebration,” says Harper.
Supplemental activities like the art contest and essay competition will include prizes for the three outstanding submissions in each category.
For a complete list of activities for Tejano Heritage Month at McMurry University, please visit TexasTejano.com or mcm.edu.
ABOUT TEXASTEJANO.COM
For over 21 years, Texas Tejano has produced and shared meaningful documentaries, plays, scripts, publications and exhibits that highlight the Native Tejano experience in early American history. We seek to celebrate the extraordinary stories, many untold, of men, women and families who helped shaped our great country so our next generations will know of the vital contributions of their ancestors. Viva Tejas!
*Native Tejanos are descendants of the first Spanish, Mexican and Indigenous families on the Texas frontier starting in 1690. Since the early 1700s, expeditions to build roads, forts and missions, Spanish soldier/settlers brought their families to Texas and became the first Tejanos. In 1731, the first Texas civil-government was formed at San Antonio by the Canary Islanders and the soldier/settlers.
