TITLE: In memory of Dr. Elvin Holt of San Marcos.

SUMMARY: In memory of Dr. Elvin Holt of San Marcos.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Texas State University community is mourning the loss of Dr. Elvin Holt, professor emeritus of English, who passed away on September 18, 2023, at the age of 77; and WHEREAS, The son of Naomi Holt Stredic and Aaron Stredic Sr., Elvin Holt was born in Bay City on September 25, 1945; he earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude from Prairie View A&M University, a master's degree from Texas State, and a doctoral degree from the University of Kentucky; after joining the Texas State faculty in 1983, he became the first tenured Black professor in the Department of English; his research and writing focused on African and African American literature, cultural studies, and folklore; while instilling appreciation for once-undervalued works, he both challenged and nurtured his students, winning multiple teaching awards; he received three fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and he was named the 1989 Professor of the Year by the Association of Black Students; and WHEREAS, Dr. Holt was coeditor of Acting Up and Getting Down: Plays by African American Texans and coauthor of Stages of Struggle and Celebration: A Production History of Black Theatre in Texas;during his 37-year career, he developed and taught Honors College courses and served the university on numerous committees; he also shared his vast knowledge of San Marcos's Black community as a member of such local organizations as the Heritage Association of San Marcos, the San Marcos Historic Preservation Commission, the Hays County Historical Commission, and the LBJ MLK Crossroads Memorial committee; he was a founding member and the longest-serving president of the Calaboose African American History Museum; following his retirement from academia in 2020, he remained active as an archivist; both a museum scholarship and a street on the TXST Round Rock campus were named in his honor; and WHEREAS, A trailblazing educator and inspiring mentor, Elvin Holt will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Elvin Holt and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his sisters, Flora Jackson, Nelda Stredic Jackson, and Vivian Stredic; to his brother, Errol Stredic; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Elvin Holt. Zwiener Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 29 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on November 17, 2023. Chief Clerk of the House