I. Browse Our History

• Established in 1983 as an extension of the teaching mission of Pan American University, the Press serves both the academic community and the community at large. Through publication of research and materials of particular interest to the Southwestern region, bilingual and bicultural studies, and Latin American business, economic, and cultural topics, the Press emphasizes research unique to the university's geographic, demographic, and cultural heritage.
• In addition to publishing full-length manuscripts, the Press serves as publisher/distributor to monographs, collections, and other materials chosen and edited with the various divisions of the University. At present, the Journals Division of the Press publishes and distributes RiverSedge, a semi-annual literary journal, and Rio Bravo, a semi-annual, bilingual publication of the Center for International Studies, which includes a consortium of universities from the United States and Mexico.
• Although research and studies on any general scholarly topic will be considered, preference is given to those works which define and affirm the areas of special expertise and interest at The University of Texas-Pan American. The Press also welcomes occasional fiction or collections of essays that have the characteristic flavor of the Southwest.
• The UT Press, a division of the Office of Academic Affairs, is administered by a General Editor-Director and is aided by the Press Advisory Board which meets as needed during the academic year. Manuscripts must have been reviewed by the Press’s director and editorial staff and by at least two experts before being submitted to the Press Advisory Board for approval.
• Recent Press titles include: Viva Max! by Jim Lehrer published 2008
• Préstamos de lenguas indígena en el español americano by Hugo Mejías published 2008.

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II. How to Approach UT-Pan American University Press

1. Submit a letter of inquiry including a description of your book and rationale.
2. Include the probable length of the typed double-spaced typescript, a resume of publications, biographical paragraph, table of contents, and sample chapter that illustrates your writing style. Please do not query unless your manuscript is complete.
3. Receipt of your inquiry will be promptly acknowledged and written response will be provided within three months (90 days) during the academic year.
4. If the response to the inquiry is positive, the author will be notified to submit the completed manuscript. Never send your original manuscript. A copy of your original manuscript may be submitted either in hard copy, CD or Zip Disk.

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III. Meet Our Press Advisory Board

• Dr. Robert P. Sale, Provost/Vice President for ACA/Provost for Academic Affairs, member of the board since 2006.  Student Services Building  (SSBL 5104) e-mail: VPRA@utpa.edu.
• Dr. Cynthia A. Brown, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, Office of Academic Affairs Graduate Studies, member of the board since 2007. ADMIN 116, e-mail: cjbrown@utpa.edu.
• Dr. Douglas LaPrade, Chair and Professor of English, member of the Board since 2006. Lamar Bldg., Room 9A e-mail:  bookworm@utpa.edu.
• Dr. Robert J. Edwards, Professor of Biology, member of the Board since 1994. SCNE 1316, e-mail: rewards@utpa.edu.
• Mr. George R. Gause, Jr., Librarian, member of the Board since 1989. LRC112, e-mail: Ggause@utpa.edu.
• Dr. Sandra M. Sánchez, Associate Professor of Nursing, member of the Board since 1987. HSE 2.190, e-mail: Sandy@utpa.edu.
• Dr. Martha Tevis, Professor of Education, member of the Board since 1987. EDUC 1.624, e-mail: MTevis@utpa.edu.
• Dr. Elvia Ardalani, Department of Modern Languages and Literature, member of the Board since 2006. CASB 315A, e-mail: eardalania@utpa.edu.

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IV. Meet Our Staff

• Dr. Douglas LaPrade, Director and General Editor of the Press since 2006.  He is a Professor in the Department of English, and has been teaching here since September 1, 1993.
• Mrs. Celia Treviño, Clerk II, has been performing secretarial duties for the Press since October 1, 1994.  She takes care of all office matters, answers the phone, fills orders, general organization, and anything else that comes up.
• Ms. Desirae Aguirre, has been with the Press since February 1, 2002.  She is currently Editor of RiverSedge.

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V. Browse Our Catalogue

Padre Miguel Hidalgo: Father of Mexican Independence. By Hubert J. Miller, Ph.D

Eleven chapters cover various aspects of Padre Hidalgo's life and contributions to Mexican independence. Includes an introduction on 18th Century Mexico, and chapters covering the famous "Grito de Dolores," Hidalgo as student and educator, as parish priest, commander of insurgents, and excommunicado, as well as information on his demotion, capture, trial, and execution. A portrait of Padre Hidalgo and two maps of the insurgent movements are also included. This lively book is ideally suited for supplementing school texts (from kindergarten to 12th grade), as a source for further research, or for anyone interested in gaining greater insights into this vital figure of Mexican and Texas history.
ISBN 0-938738-05-4
Illus. 78pp. 1986
Paper $5.00

Flour From Another Sack & other Proverbs, Folk Beliefs, Tales, Riddles, & Recipes. By Mark Glazer, Ph.D. ed.

A bilingual collection of folklore from the Rio Grande border area. Drawn from over 20,000 items of English and Spanish folklore in the Rio Grande Folklore Archives at the University of Texas-Pan American, this bilingual collection is representative of the folklore of the bicultural Texas-Mexico border region. Collected with demographic and sociological data, the book provides models of folklore systematics. Excellent for use in folklore classes because of its treatment of several genres of folklore, it is also of great interest to students of Mexican-American culture and other folklorists. The authentic recipes for delicious border fare are a unique bonus.
ISBN 0-938738-08-9
Illus. 226pp. 1982, 1984, rev.ed. 1994, rev.ed 2006
Paper $12.95

Weedee Peepo : A Collection of Essays/Una colección de ensayos. By José Antonio Burciaga

This bilingual collection of essays represents what Luis Valdéz, Director of the popular film La Bamba, has called a true reflection of the sometimes poignant, oftentimes absurd, life of the Chicano in America. Covering a wide range of topics, from the personal childhood memories in “May I Introduce Myself?” and “School Daze,” the whimsical self-examination of “E.T. and Me,” the social criticism in “To Mexico With Love,” and “The Great Hustle,” Burciaga cuts through pretense and hypocrisy with the sharp yet compassionate probe of his often satirical sense of humor. Recommended for classes in English, Spanish, and especially Chicano culture.
ISBN 0938738-06-2
Illus. 208pp. 1988, 1992
Paper $10.95

Hispanic Elderly : A Cultural Signature. By Marta Sotomayor & Herman Curiel, eds.

A collection of ten scholarly articles based on a research study conducted by the National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCoA). Data were collected from Mexican-American and Puerto Rican elderly residing in the rural areas of Northern New Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, and from the urban areas of San Antonio, Texas, and Hartford, Connecticut. The authors discuss acculturation levels, psychological strengths, life satisfaction, coping styles, religiosity, caregiving issues, traditional assumptions about extended familism, health status, economic supports as well as methodological issues regarding scales measuring self-esteem, life satisfaction and mastery, health and economic status, and future directions. The authors represent the disciplines of sociology, psychology, political science, and social work. A must for all students and scholars of the Hispanic elderly.
ISBN 0-938738-07-0
278pp. 1988
Paper $18.95

Fort Ringgold : A Brief Tour. By Thomas E. Simmons, Ph.D.

The author, a native of Rio Grande City where Fort Ringgold is situated, and former professor of Education at The University of Texas-Pan American, presents a highly readable and informative photographic tour of this army barracks. The guide includes a portrait of Major Samuel Ringgold (1880-1846), who gave his name to the fort which, throughout the years, has been known as the Camp at Davis' Landing, then Camp Ringgold, then Ringgold Barracks, and finally, in December 1878, officially renamed Fort Ringgold. A map, drawn by the author, provides a reference to the original locations of all the buildings mentioned, most of which are accompanied by photos either taken by the author or obtained through the courtesy of the Hidalgo County Historical Museum.
ISBN 0-938738-09-7
Illus. 42 pp. 1991
Paper $6.00

Honor, Violence, and Upward Mobility : A Case Study of Chicago Gangs During the 1970s and 1980s. By Michael J. Olivero, Ph.D.

The chronological case study explores the evolution of Chicago street gangs, from the alienated ethnic youth of yesterday, to their present-day expansion into the worlds of organized crime, religion, politics, legitimate business, and international terrorism. Olivero, a consultant on gangs for the Attucks Community Board in Southern Illinois and the Police Department of Mission, Texas, creates a vivid picture of gang subculture and provides a valuable historical perspective on the future of gangs. Topics include gangs in the Illinois Prison System, gangs and religions, gang involvement in terrorism and crime, motorcycle gangs, ethnic gangs, the spreading influence of gangs, and gang versus law enforcement and citizen groups. A readable and recommended resource for lay readers, students, and professionals in the field of political science, sociology, and criminal justice
ISBN 0-938738-10-0
Illus. 186 pp. 1991
Paper $12.95

Guide to Grasses of the Lower Río Grande Valley, Texas By Robert I. Lonard, Ph.D.

An original illustrated guide designed for the identification of the approximately 200 species of native and introduced grasses occurring in Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy Counties, Texas. The diagnostic keys, descriptions and illustrations also apply to adjacent areas of Northern Mexico and the South Texas Plains. The Introduction contains information on Lower Rio Grande Valley plant communities and morphological descriptions of grass plants. Includes generic descriptions, keys to species, species descriptions, illustrations, glossary of technical terms, and index. Contains 103 professionally prepared scratch board illustrations that characterize the major species. Recommended for academic and public school libraries in the Southwest and as an identification guide for both professional and lay readers.
ISBN 0-938738-08-9
Illus. 400pp. 1992
Paper $18.95

The Charles and Dorothy Clark Collection Catalogue. By Sandra Swenson, Assistant Curator, ed. The University of Texas-Pan American Art Collection.

This catalogue illustrates an important selection of art works donated to the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg since 1991 by Charles and Dorothy Clark, of McAllen, Texas. Included are 20 color illustrations, 28 large and 54 smaller black and white photographs. Also included is a complete list of original works not shown in the catalogue and an index of the works selected for inclusion in the catalogue. Ms. Swenson's essay, The Art of Collecting, Art provides an introduction to the collection and background on the Clark's life-long interest in art.
ISBN 0-938738-11-9
Illus. 36pp. 1992 Paper $11.00
Size 8X10 inches

Sueños/Dreams. By Sabine R. Ulibarrí.

Dr. Sabine R. Ulibarrí needs no introduction to the aficionados of good literature, for his bilingual short stories have been favorites for many years in classrooms around the nation. His first collection of stories, Tierra Amarilla, published in 1971, introduced Professor Ulibarrí's characteristic style, reminiscent of oral tradition with a Southwestern flavor, and established him as one of the most popular voices of New Mexico's Hispanic culture and traditions. His celebration of New Mexico's legends, folklore, cultural heritage, and traditional way of life has continued throughout the years with the ever popular Mi abuela fumaba puros/My Grandma Smoked Cigars (1978), Primeros encuentros/First Encounters (1982), and El gobernador Glu Glu/Governor Glu Glu (1988).
ISBN 0-938738-12-7
Illus. Wilbert R. Martin. 105pp. 1994
Paper $10.95

Siete del Valle/Seven Valley Stories. By Esperanza Ochoa.

In this collection of short stories by a native of the Río Grande Valley, Esperanza Ochoa demonstrates, in a distinctive and finely descriptive prose, a deep understanding of and intimate acquaintance with the Southwestern region bordering the Río Grande and the people who live in this arid land. Her characters are as tough, uncomplaining, and enduring as the river itself, and these stories explore the lives and deaths of a cross section of inhabitants living along the Río Grande. This collection is ideal for class adoption or for those readers interested in the Hispanic culture enduring in the Southwestern regions of the United States.
ISBN 0-938738-14-3
Ills. Rigo González. 209pp. 1995
Intro. Carmen Tafolla.
Paper $15.95

The Legacy of John H. Shary : Promotion and Land Development in Hidalgo County, South Texas 1912-1930. By S. Zulema Silva-Bewley.

John H. Shary visited the Valley in 1912 and saw the potential for large-scale citrus production. After buying land in the Mission area, he launched the commercial industry. Under his leadership, Mission became the leading citrus producing city in Texas. However, before his citrus business flourished, Shary developed and sold land in Hidalgo County. He actively promoted the area and sponsored train excursions that brought in hundreds of Midwesterners looking for a good investment or better life. This book discusses the promotion of the Rio Grande Valley, and details of Shary’s life and land development.
ISBN 0-938738-15-1
Ills. The University of Tx-Pan American Library, Special Collections.
120pp. 2001.
Paper $15.95

Préstamos de lenguas indígenas en el español americano By Hugo A. Mejías

Este libro es una contribución a la investigación sobre la influencia que las principales lenguas aborígenes ejercieron en el español de América en el siglo XVII. En esta época, los indigenismos léxicos ya no se usaban como novedad, formaban, más bien, parte del habla normal. Además, esta obra tiene como propósito ampliar las fuentes de la influencia indígena del siglo XVI, tomando como base estudios anteriores como los de Zamora (1971) y Grace (1976).
ISBN 0-938738-18-6
166pp. 2007
Paper $20.00

Viva Max! By Jim Lehrer

This Story involves a platoon of Mexican soldiers under the command of General Maximilian Rodriguez de Santos marching up Texas highway 81 into the San Antonio freeways in an attempt to retake The Alamo. Their struggles of getting to the check point and the problems they encounter in the four days it took them to get to San Antonio is very comical and at times very detailed. This includes involving every law enforcement available including U.S. Military, police, Texas Ranger, and more. It also involves love.
ISBN 978-0-938738-20-6
240pp. 2008
Paper $20.00

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