IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2-17-06 CONTACT: Public Information Office
SILVER CITY--Professor Patricia Morales Cano, Western New Mexico University Chicano Studies professor and Silver City native, was awarded the Hispano Round Table of New Mexico “Walking the Talk,” award at its 14th Annual Tribute to Hispano Legislators Banquet held on Feb. 7 at Santa Fe.
Professor Cano was one of five women from across the state recognized by the Hispano Round Table. The “Walking the Talk,” award was presented to individuals who have served their communities by standing up for what they believe is right. Professor Cano was presented the award by the Hispano Round Table Chair Evangeline Sandoval Trujillo, the first female leader of the organization. The keynote speaker was Dolores Huerta, famed activist who worked alongside César Chávez to organize the United Farm Workers.
“I guess one of the reasons I received the award is because I am involved in a lot of things to help students out and to keep them here on campus. I also support the blue collar workers who are attempting to organize,” said Cano.
“The reason I received the award was not
necessarily for agreeing with the university on things,” said Cano. “This is just the beginning. There is still a lot more to do here at
Western to truly make it an Hispanic-serving institution. I felt like this award was just the beginning
of something that will motivate me to keep on voicing my opinion and serving as an advocate,” said Cano.
In addition to serving as an advocate for students and employees, Cano also
works closely with the Office of Multicultural Affairs/Student Activities Office. In the past she has baked cookies for the students to start off the semester and helped make waffles for them at the end of the semester. She frequently invites students to her home for dinner, and attends their plays, recitals and sporting events.
Professor Cano earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Business from WNMU and a Master of Arts degree in Spanish from NMSU. She is presently in the process of finishing her dissertation for a doctorate degree in Hispanic Linguistics from UNM. She has taught Spanish and Chicano Studies classes at WNMU for 16 years. She has taught just about every Spanish course there is at Western over the years and has even developed courses to prepare teachers for the bilingual education exam.
“Her main love is
teaching new teachers to be great Spanish teachers, and I cannot even begin to
count the number of people who stop me wherever I go in order to tell me what a
difference she has made in their lives,” said Lupe Cano, daughter of Professor
Cano.
Professor Cano has
served on numerous committees at WNMU and she was the vice-president of the
faculty for two terms. She was also the chair of the Humanities Department from
1996-99. She is currently one of the
Co-Chairs of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Action Project and is an
active member of the Chicano/Chicana Faculty Caucus.
She has been
married to her husband, Héctor, for 28 years and they have two daughters,
Guadalupe and María de los Angeles.
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