Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
May 15, 2008

CORPUS CHRISTI ––The Texas Historical Commission (THC) recently selected Texas State University-San Marcos student Marta Salazar and Texas A&M University student Ervin James, III, to participate in the 2008 Preservation Fellows Program. The announcement was made at the THC’s Annual Historic Preservation Conference held May 1–3 in Corpus Christi.

Salazar is pursuing her master’s degree in cultural anthropology at Texas State. She has previously worked at the Witte Museum in San Antonio and has conducted research on Mexican American cemeteries in Central Texas. Salazar will be working with the THC’s History Programs Division this summer focusing on the Historic Texas Cemetery Program and the Museum Services Program.

James is completing his doctorate in history at Texas A&M University in College Station. He previously had an internship with the National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training and conducted research at the Boston African American National Historic Site in 2005. This summer he will be working with the THC’s Community Heritage Development Division.

“These two students represent the future of preservation in Texas,” said THC Executive Director Larry Oaks. “We hope their dedication will encourage other students to pursue a Preservation Fellows award that will potentially ignite a career in historic preservation.”

The THC’s Preservation Fellows Program, now in its second year, was created to build interest in and awareness of historic preservation among college students from underrepresented ethnic groups. The program targets talented undergraduate and graduate students to encourage their interest in pursuing fields of study in history, preservation, architecture, archeology, landscape architecture, downtown revitalization and heritage tourism. Fellows work with THC staff for eight weeks during the summer.

To learn more about the THC’s Preservation Fellows Program contact THC Development Officer Toni Turner at (512) 936-2241 or visit www.thc.state.tx.us.

The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. The agency administers a variety of programs to preserve the archeological, historical and cultural resources of Texas.