AUSTIN, Texas — Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, author and a professor at The University of Texas at Austin, has been chosen to receive the University of Illinois Alumni Achievement Award, the highest award given by the institution’s alumni association.
The award, which is to be presented at the University of Illinois commencement ceremony on May 17, represents Hinojosa-Smith’s achievements in many areas through the years.
Hinojosa-Smith is the Ellen Clayton Garwood Professor in Creative Writing in the department of English at UT Austin. Originally from Mercedes, Texas, on the Texas-Mexico border, he earned his bachelor’s degree from UT Austin in 1953 and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1969. Hinojosa has taught at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas A&I University in Kingsville and the University of Minnesota. He has been with UT Austin’s department of English since 1981 and served as director for the Texas Center for Writers from 1984 to 1993.
Hinojosa-Smith has lectured in the United States, Mexico, Cuba and Europe. His publications encompassing critical works, fiction, poetry and translations are extensive. Perhaps his best-known work is Klail City series, 13 novels based on or around a mythical city in South Texas.
