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Portrait of Fidel Tafolla

The original handwritten manuscript was written in Spanish by the Reverend Santiago Tafolla at the age of 71. Tafolla was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico under Mexican rule; traveled widely in the US; and served in the Texas Indian Wars and the Confederate Army during the Civil War. The memoir offers a rare look at 19th century Texas from the Tejano perspective and is the only known memoir of a Mexican American who served in the Civil War. Tafolla's great-granddaughters Carmen and Laura Tafolla transcribed, translated, and edited the memoir, which was ultimately published as A Life Crossing Borders: Memoir of a Mexican-American Civil War Soldier, by Arté Público Press in 2009.

Jerome Cates discusses his career as an educator and his time working for Texas State. He begins by describing his adolescence in Robstown, Texas, and recalling his high school, dating, working, and early teaching experiences in Beeville. Mr. Cates discusses how things have changed since he first came to the university, including San Marcos and the campus's growth. He tells of his work as the university's Chief Financial Officer, Head of Business Affairs, and briefly as an accounting professor. He also outlines the college's relationship with San Marcos, from the 1950s through now, and touches on topics such as integration, LBJ, and changing student attitudes. He shares his opinions on the work of Presidents John G. Flowers, James McCrocklin, Billy Mac Jones, and Lee Smith. Mr. Cates talks about his experience serving as interim president after Billy Mac Jones's resignation, during which he encountered challenges such as the streaking phenomenon that took hold of campus.

Meeting minutes from the Texas State University System Board of Regents.