Three guests visiting Texas A&M University- Kingsville bring with them their expertise on a variety of subjects as they speak for Hispanic Heritage Month. In addition, all three are authors and will have book signings in conjunction with their presentations.

Dan Arellano, author and researcher, will speak at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the Alumni Room of Honor in the Memorial Student Union Building (MSUB). He will talk about Tejano Roots: The Real Republic of Texas and the First and Seventh Flag over Texas. Following his presentation, there will be a book signing at 3 p.m. in the University Bookstore. He will repeat his presentation at 7 p.m. in room 301 of the Jernigan Library.

His book, Tejano Roots, tells about the family legend passed down through five generations of the first Texas Republic and the Battle of Medina. According to Arellano, the Battle of Medina was the biggest and bloodiest battle ever fought in the state. Over 1,000 Tejanos sacrificed their lives for freedom that to this day remain unknown and unrecognized for their sacrifice.

Arellano was born in San Antonio and raised in Austin. He is a Tejano historian and a real estate broker in Central Texas. He serves as vice president of the Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin and treasurer of the statewide Genealogy and History Society. He is vice president of LULAC Council 4882, past commander of Tejanos in Action and former president of the Southwest Austin Optimist Club.

Author Edna Campos Gravenhorst will have a book reading and signing at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, in the University Bookstore. She will read from her book, Te de Canela/Cinnamon Tea. Gravehorst was born and raised in Edna and her book tells stories from her childhood.

She has written several other books including Ay, Mija! Why Do You Want to Be an Engineer and Ay, Mijo! Why Do You Want to Be an Engineer which offer 12 stories each of successful Latina and Latino engineers;

Southwest Garden and Benton Park West, which provide information for walking tours for the two neighborhoods in St. Louis; and Historical Home Research in the City of Saint Louis, a step-by-step workbook on researching your home’s history.

The final speaker for Hispanic Heritage Month is Dr. Jerry Thompson, Regents professor of history at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). He will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, in room 301 of the Jernigan Library. His book signing will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the University Bookstore. Thompson will talk about Tejanos in the Blue and Grey: The U.S. Civil War in South Texas.

Thompson started as a classroom teacher in Albuquerque before moving to Laredo Junior College where he served in several positions, including chair of the division of behavioral and social sciences and director of the honors program before going to work at TAMIU. At TAMIU, Thompson was associate professor in the Division of Arts and Sciences when the university was called Laredo State University. He was later promoted to professor and eventually became dean of the College of Arts and Humanities.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Western New Mexico University, his master’s degree from University of New Mexico and his doctorate from Carnegie-Mellon University. All his degrees are in history.

For more information on these or other Hispanic Heritage events, call 593- 2760.