Texas State to rename buildings, streets to honor distinguished Latinx, Black individuals

Inside TXST

Jayme Blaschke | May 25, 2021

composite of two buildings

The Texas State University System Board of Regents has approved Texas State University's renaming of two residence halls on the San Marcos Campus and two streets on the Round Rock Campus to honor distinguished Latinx and Black individuals with connections to the university.

With the approval, Angelina Hall will be renamed First Five Freedom Hall and San Gabriel Hall will be renamed Elena Zamora O'Shea Hall on the San Marcos Campus. Texas State will also name streets on the Round Rock Campus Adolfo Barrera Drive and Elvin Holt Drive. Naming events will be held in early fall.   

The board approved the name changes during its quarterly meeting May 21 at Texas State University.

The Naming Task Force was established in September 2020 to recognize the contributions of distinguished individuals from the Hispanic/Latinx and Black communities to the university. The task force solicited more than 40 naming suggestions from Texas State students, faculty, staff and alumni, then forwarded recommendations to the Council for Inclusive Excellence for review and feedback. A final list of names was presented to Texas State President Denise M. Trauth and the Presidential Cabinet for final selection.

Visit the Naming Task Force Announcement webpage for information about the honorees and their contributions to Texas State University

The task force was co-chaired by Scott Bowman, associate professor in the School of Criminal Justice and special assistant to the Provost for inclusion and diversity, and Gloria Martinez, professor in the Department of Sociology, director of the Center for Diversity and Gender Studies, and director of the Latina/o Studies Minor. 

For more information, contact University Communications:

Jayme Blaschke, 512-245-2555

Sandy Pantlik, 512-245-2922