Dr. Jose Luis Cortez ’60, ’61 spent his career – and still to this day – dedicated to physics. Most notably, he worked as a theoretical physicist at Los Alamos where they conducted nuclear underground testing. Cortez spent 18 years working for the U.S. Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission where he served as a technical advisor focused on alternative technologies including solar cell development. After earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Texas College of Arts & Industries in physics he went on to obtain a master’s in physics from University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from there as well.

 

After his service to the government, Cortez worked for the New Mexico Technology Institute as Director of Energetic Materials and Technology Center. Shortly thereafter he returned to his home in the Rio Grande Valley where he taught physics and became Department Head at Pan American University of the Physics and Geology Department. Today, even into his 80’s, Cortez can be found teaching physics to the next generation at South Texas College. There he instructs courses on astronomy and physics where his courses are often booked solid.

 

Click on the names below of the honorees to read their respective bio:

 

Carmen Lomas Garza '72

David Allex '58

Donna Shaver '84

Angelica Barrera '00, '01

Robert Montoya '70

 

Robert Ray Molina, Jr. '17