Chapter 13: Four Outstanding Alumni 

One measure of the effectiveness of a college or university is the success of its graduates. Texas Southmost College has honored four graduates who have achieved notable recognition in their fields. The college trustees have designated each of the four as a Distinguished Alumnus.

The first two distinguished graduates are students from the depression era of the 1930s. It is possible that neither would have gone on to higher education had they not been able to attend Brownsville Junior College.

Reynaldo Garza

Reynaldo Garza graduated in 1935, then attended The University of Texas, completing his law degree. He recalls that during the depression his family was financially unable to send him away to college, and attendance at Brownsville Junior College opened the door to higher education. After World War II he practiced law in Brownsville, then in 1961 was appointed a Federal District Judge by President Kennedy. He was the first Hispanic ever appointed to the Federal bench. He went on to become Presiding Judge of the Southern District of Texas, after which he was appointed by President Carter to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has always maintained his home in Brownsville, and is recognized both in legal circles and in Brownsville for his distinguished career.

Americo Paredes

A 1936 graduate, Americo Paredes is an eminent folklorist and song writer. From a poor family, he did not expect to attend college. He credits J.W. Irvine, assistant dean of Brownsville Junior College in 1934, with helping him by arranging for a student job. After graduation from Brownsville Junior College he was financially unable to continue his education, so for years he served in the military and worked at various jobs. In 1950, at age 35, he enrolled at The University of Texas. In a 1995 interview Dr. Paredes said, “If I didn’t have those two years in junior college … I wouldn’t have had the guts to come back after the war at the age of 35 and start as an undergraduate at The University of Texas in Austin … I did very well and I got what I wanted out of life – an education.”

After graduation he joined the faculty at the university, and began a career as a teacher, author and song writer. His work has helped preserve the Hispanic cultural legacy. He is a Professor Emeritus of English and Anthropology at The University of Texas in Austin.

During the student days of Garza and Paredes in the 1930s, few Hispanics pursued higher education in Brownsville. Garza’s 1935 class had 33 graduates, of which three were Hispanics. In 1936, when Paredes graduated, the 28 graduates included five Hispanic names.

Norma Cantu

In 1971, Norma Cantu enrolled as a freshman student at Texas Southmost College. An honor graduate of Brownsville High School, she completed the normal four-year course of study at TSC and Pan American University in two years. She graduated summa cum laude in 1973 at age 18, fourth in a class of 400. Four years later, she graduated from Harvard Law School at the age of 22.

Cantu worked 14 years as an attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Her work included high profile education-related lawsuits aimed at improving educational opportunities for Hispanics in South Texas.

In 1993 President Clinton nominated Cantu to lead the Office of Civil Rights for the Department of Education. She was confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights and took office in May 1993.

In 1994 she delivered the commencement address for The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, at which time she was named a Distinguished Alumnus.

Bruce Aiken

Bruce Aiken graduated from Brownsville High School in 1939, entered Brownsville Junior College that fall, and graduated in the spring of 1941.

In a 1995 interview, Aiken says that during his high school days he felt he was almost a part of the college. The high school and college were in the same building, sharing the same teachers. Social life of the college was intermingled with that of the high school.

Aiken has very positive memories about the education he received. He recalls qualified teachers, small classes and an abundance of individual attention. Aiken says that if a student had a good academic record at Brownsville Junior College he or she would have no trouble academically at a university. He took several science courses, recalling the well equipped laboratories.

According to Aiken, most high school graduates attended the junior college for at least one year to help get the feel of college life. And many stayed for the second year.

Aiken remembers that many students held part time jobs, with funding by a Federal program, the National Youth Administration. College students worked at the school, grading papers, helping with high school classes, physical education classes and the like.

Aiken’s professional life was spent as a teacher, principal and administrator in the Brownsville public schools. He also served on the adjunct faculty of TSC and PAU-B.

Aiken developed a love and appreciation for the history of the Brownsville area, becoming an expert on the subject. After his retirement from the school district, his knowledge of history led to employment as Executive Director of the Historic Brownsville Museum. This was followed by appointment as a member of the Texas Historical Commission. He is the foremost expert on the history of Fort Brown, and is sought out frequently by researchers and authors for his expertise.

In 1996, Texas Southmost College recognized Aiken as a Distinguished Alumnus, and invited him to give the commencement address. The college recognized Aiken for his perseverance, dedication to his home town of Brownsville and to his pursuit of life time learning.

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