Publisher's Synopsis
University President Emeritus Miguel A. Nevarez holds the distinction of being the longest-seated Hispanic president in any college or university in the United States. During Dr. Nevarez's tenure, he awarded more than 30,000 diplomas and presided over 100 commencement ceremonies. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan honored Nevarez at the White House Rose Garden for his educational leadership. In 2013, the U.S. Congress did the same by naming a federal building after him. His contributions have, in fact, been recognized with many other honors. However, the honor that he holds most dear is having been recognized by the Wall Street Journal for contributing to the growth of a South Texas Hispanic middle class. As an educational leader, Nevarez was an important Hispanic figure whose contributions to higher education opportunities of students of South Texas were substantial and lasting. His actions may serve as a model for other educational leaders to emulate. Instead of accepting the realities of his environment, he pushed for change. In fact, years before the term "social justice" was commonly used, as vice president and president, he made solid strides by reducing a variety of inequalities.
