Dr. Joe Alcorta
Dr. Joe H. Alcorta, professor of Spanish and coordinator of
minority studies at HSU, grew up speaking Spanish. Born in Novice, Texas, Alcorta
moved with his parents to Monterrey, Mexico, as an infant. The family lived in
Mexico for seven years, where Alcorta attended first and second grades.
Upon returning to Texas, Alcorta graduated from Olton High
School and received his bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University. He obtained
his master’s degree from Howard Payne College (now University), and earned a Ph.D.
degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
Alcorta has taught Spanish in high school and at the
university level for more than 45 years. He has travelled to Taiwan and Spain,
and for many years has taken his Spanish students to Mexico.
He has taught Spanish classes for professionals, does translation
for business people, and serves as a court interpreter. Several newspapers have
published his book, Speak Spanish in 60
Days.
For many years, he has served a guest columnist for the Abilene Reporter-News in Abilene, Texas,
and has written many articles in a variety of fields.
He and his wife of 50 years, Liandra, have four children and
nine grandchildren. He has run five marathons and many 5Ks and 10Ks, and enjoys
reading, writing, and doing carpentry work.
Having served on many city boards, he was elected to the
Abilene City Council for two terms. He has taught Bible classes in his church for
more than 40 years and enjoys memorizing Scripture. Alcorta maintains active
memberships as a Rotarian and as a Gideon.
Degrees Earned
- Bachelor of Arts, Hardin-Simmons University, 1964
- Master of Arts, Howard Payne College (now University), 1968
- Doctor of Philosophy, Texas Tech University, 1980