Special Collections

Laredo Morning Times | lmtonline.com | Sunday, February 16, 2020 | E5 50 Anniversary Discover TAMIU Homecoming & Tailgate Presidential Lecutre Series The Big Event TAMIU athletics BBQ Party & Car Show TAMIU Alumni Golden Celebration Celebration of Life TAMIU Planetarium 15th anniversary 25th annual University Life Awards Ring Ceremony Feb. 29 Feb. 2020* March 25 March 28 March 28 March 28 April 7 April 2020 April 23 April 29 Upcoming Schedule A group photo of the 2018 Abrazo Children and past Abrazo Children Attendees overlook photo albums during the 2018 Abrazo Children council meet-up CreatingOpportunities high school graduates looked for higher education. It also states that the statewide average was 27%. Leonides and Joaquin Cigarroa, along with 25 representatives of Laredo gathered inAustin, asked the board to amend the plan. They high- lighted the negligence of a higher education institution in South Texas and presented 8,000 signatures to be added in the case for a university. Leonides also sent a letter to protest the decision to ignore Lar- edo stating how it would be a mis- take. It states that there was no in- stitution of higher education within 125 miles of Laredo and how many parents had many children, but they would not have an academic oppor- tunity in their future. The signatures, the letter and the persistence were enough to change the minds of the board, and it led to the Laredo State University and then TAMIU. The exhibit also showcases a chronological tour of the plans and construction of the first buildings. According to Hatcher, the Sue & Radcliffe Killam Library was the first building to be built, and before hiring a TAMIU president or direc- tor, a librarian was the first employ- ee hired. “The Special Collection and Archives at TAMIU is one of our most cherished features because it celebrates our shared stories. Our designation as the official regional historical resource depository for Webb County means that those sto- ries are preserved and will be shared for generations to come,” TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz said. “I think this designation has helped to encourage others to donate their historic materials and help preserve their remarkable history in the uni- versity’s Special Collections and Archives. It’s a source of great pride.” The Special Collections and Ar- chives are open to the public, and individual assets can be checked out to see and read after receiving permission from the collection staff. Donations can be made and be eval- uated by Hatcher. Over the years, the archives have been visited by students from all over Laredo for an in-depth look at history. Events have been held at the archives as well, like the Abra- zo Children introductions of 2019. Whether a student, resident or Lar- edo visitor, the Special Collections and Archives are open to the public. It currently houses a Bob Bull- ock series which includes over 15 books, tens of thousands of cases from the mid-1800s to the 1930s, and the massive volumes of the Saint John’s bible. Hatcher said that the collection looks for first edition books due to them being the source and to avoid the changes made to the author’s original writ- ing after reprinting. According to the Khan Academy, as humans discover more ways to keep track of time, they also develop more accurate ways of keeping records and recording histo- ry. Using her careful parameters, Hatcher is the regions record keeper who will un- doubtedly shape the future with each new piece of history she collects at TAMIU.