José Garza

Dr. José Garza (d. 2021) was an artist, Spanish instructor, and educator from San Antonio, Texas who graduated with a B.A in Art and Spanish from Trinity in August of 1974. He was one of the founding members of what would become known as Con Safo, and was active in the organization from 1968 to 1973. 

Garza attended Fox Tech High School in San Antonio before being conscripted into the army from 1965-68. Like many other Chicano students during this time, Garza obtained an Associates degree in Fine Art from San Antonio College before attending Trinity University. After his time at Trinity University Garza relocated to Michigan to pursue a graduate program in art. It is uncertain whether or not he finished this degree. Eventually obtained a MA in Spanish from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a PhD in Hispanic American Literature from Indiana State University. 

Garza served as an instructor and professor at a variety of institutions across the country and served as a Spanish instructor at Louisiana State University from 1997-2015 until his retirement. In 2021, Garza passed away after a short battle with cancer.