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Contact: Jason Marton
jason.marton@tamuk.edu or 361-593-4143

Bilingual education doctoral program celebrates 30 year anniversary

KINGSVILLE (December 19, 2005) — In 1975, then-Texas A&I University started its first doctoral program, in bilingual education. The program was more than just the first one on campus. The bilingual education doctoral program was the first of its kind in the nation.

Thirty years later, the program continues on stronger than ever, with a broader scope than when it first started. Although the program was primarily designed for Spanish-English bilingual education, other language groups such as Farsi, Indonesian and Taiwanese have been represented among the alumni.

“ The success of this program has gone far beyond what the original founders anticipated,” said Dr. Rumaldo Z. Juarez, president of Texas A&M-Kingsville. “Since its start-up in 1975, this program has produced 157 doctoral graduates that are now in practice in different parts of the world like South Korea, Taiwan, Mexico, China, and throughout the United States.”

Juarez noted, “While it was originally designed for addressing the needs of a Spanish-English culture, its theories and methods are now being transferred to other languages in other parts of the world. The success of this program is a tribute to our outstanding faculty who transformed this program into a world-class program.”

“The 30 th anniversary of the bilingual education program is quite a milestone,” said Dr. Mike Daniel, professor and dean of the College of Education. “To have graduated 157 students to become leaders, worldwide, in bilingual education also is a reason to celebrate.”  Dr. Mario Benitez, provost at the time of the program’s inception, worked diligently in the design, approval and implementation of the doctoral program. The first director was Dr. Manuel Pacheco. At that time, the unit that housed the program was initially called the Bilingual Education Center. Since then, it evolved into a department with six full-time faculty members.

These and other founders, alumni and supporters of the program gathered at Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday, Dec. 3, for an invitation-only luncheon to commemorate the program’s anniversary. Also, the event served as a platform to underscore the impact that the program has had on bilingual education, bilingual teacher training and bilingual student services.

Others recognized at the luncheon for their dedication and support include Dr. Stanley Bittinger, who began with the program and, though retired, still serves on doctoral committees; Dr. Rumaldo Z. Juarez, current president of Texas A&M University-Kingsville; and former Dean of the Texas Senate and House member Carlos F. Truan, who is known by many as “the father of bilingual education” and continues to serve as an advocate for it throughout the state.

Daniel noted that the program’s anniversary comes at a period of change.

“This 30 th year comes at a special time, as two of the leaders of the program are retiring at this time as well,” said Daniel.  “Dr. Gustavo Gonzalez, who has been with the program for 23 years and has been for several years the program director, is leaving.  Dr. Lupita Thompson, who has been with the department and program for 13 years, is also retiring.  Obviously, this marks a transitional period for the doctoral program.  We have to uphold a tradition – there is too much life in this program not to be true to the tradition.  But on the other hand, new people, new times, new horizons will bring about changes in the program.”

“It is an exciting time in the life of the bilingual education doctoral program, and it is our mission to see that it continues to succeed as one of the premier programs of its kind in the nation,” said Daniel.

This page last updated 17 January, 2006