Cavazos, Lauro, 1927-2022

A sixth generation Texan, Lauro Fred Cavazos was born on January 4, 1927 on the vast King Ranch in South Texas, where his father was the foreman of the showcase Santa Gertrudis Division. He earned his B.A. and M.A. in zoology at Texas Tech University and a doctoral degree in physiology from Iowa State University. In addition, he received honorary degrees from several universities and colleges. He married the former Peggy Murdock, and together they had ten children.

Dr. Cavazos served in various professional and administrative positions. He taught at the Medical College of Virginia and at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, where he was also Dean from 1975 to 1980. He returned to Texas Tech University in 1980 to become its tenth president, and the first Hispanic and first graduate of the school to hold the office.

A recognized expert in both the field of medicine and the field of education, Cavazos was a consultant to national and international health organizations, including the World Health Organization and a variety of inter-American health groups. He authored or co-authored approximately 75 publications in the areas of physiology and reproduction, fine structure of cells and tissues, and medical education. Cavazos also received a number of awards recognizing his efforts in education. In 1984 President Ronald Reagan presented him with an award for Outstanding Leadership in the Field of Education. In 1985 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal from the Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences, and in 1987 he accepted an award designed in his honor from the Texas Tech University Ex- Student Association. The next year he received the National Hispanic Leadership Award in the field of education from the League of United Latin American Citizens.

On August 9, 1988 President Reagan nominated Cavazos for Secretary of Education, and on September 20, 1988 he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. President George Bush asked him to continue as Secretary following the November 1988 election. He remained in the position until resigning in December 1990. As Secretary, Cavazos concentrated on reforming American Education through raising the expectations of students, teachers, and parents. He also targeted federal resources to improve opportunities for those most in need, and initiated special programs to combat drug and alcohol use. As a strong advocate of parental involvement in education, he provided leadership to encourage parental and community participation in education reform.