Who is Reverend Jose Palos?
Navigating Discrimination and Acculturation as a Hispanic Student in the 1960s.
Reverend Jose Palos' journey at Southwestern University in the early 1960s was marked by perseverance and resilience. As one of only six Hispanic students on campus, he faced financial hardship, racial discrimination, and the challenges of acculturation. His experience sheds light on the struggles of minority students in Predominantly White Institutions during that era.
Jose Palos entered Southwestern University in 1959 with the intention of focusing on his education, despite knowing he wouldn’t easily fit into the social landscape. Originally from Harlingen, Texas, and born in Mexico, Palos became a naturalized citizen and pursued a degree in Religion with minors in Philosophy and History. He graduated cum laude in just three and a half years, often taking 17 to 19 credit hours per semester.
Despite his academic success, Palos faced significant discrimination on campus, particularly from fraternities. While some Anglo students befriended him, many were indifferent or close-minded. He experienced racial slurs while working in the kitchen at the men’s cafeteria in Mood Hall, and found it nearly impossible to secure a job in Georgetown. His first-semester roommate, also Mexican American, was not a good match, leading to a room reassignment. Initially given one of the worst rooms in Mood Hall, his Mexican American roommate was subjected to cruel pranks, such as students stealing his bed and pouring cold water on him while he slept. Later, Palos chose to room with Japanese and Anglo students, forming better relationships.
Socially, Palos found comfort in the International Club, which served as a gathering place for foreign and ethnic students who didn’t fit into the broader Georgetown community. While he did not join a fraternity due to both financial constraints and discrimination, he became president of Kappa Chi, a Christian service organization. Among the fraternities, he noted that when he was a a student, Kappa Sigma and Kappa Alpha were the least inclusive, while some members of Phi Delta Theta and Pi Kappa Alpha were more accepting.
Financial struggles compounded Palos' difficulties. His parents could only send him $5 a month for support, and at one point, he had to drop out temporarily when a $75 scholarship check did not arrive on time. The economic disparity on campus was stark, making it difficult for students from working-class backgrounds to keep up with wealthier peers.
Beyond social barriers, Palos also encountered bias from faculty members. A Government and History professor was known for his conservative stance and refusal to engage with students who challenged his political philosophy—especially Hispanic students. An English professor subtly favored British literature over “foreign” works, reinforcing a Eurocentric curriculum. In contrast, Palos praised a German history professor for fostering open discussions among students with differing views.
The broader Southwestern culture at the time encouraged acculturation. Many Hispanic students distanced themselves from their heritage, believing that adopting Anglo-American cultural norms was necessary for success at Southwestern and beyond. While Palos never fully assimilated, he recognized the sacrifices he made to fit into the university environment. His election as a Student Senator in his senior year marked a significant achievement, reflecting the support he gained from his Anglo peers.
Looking back, Palos realized that his education lacked representation of Mexican American history and culture. Southwestern did not address minority concerns at the time, leaving students like him to navigate their identities independently. His experience exemplifies the struggles and resilience of minority students in higher education during the civil rights era.
Reverend Jose Palos went on to become a Methodist minister in the Rio Grande Conference, where he has dedicated his life to establishing and revitalizing churches. In the early 1990s, Palos received a Citation of Achievement from Southwestern University, recognizing his contributions to both his faith and community.
Note: This entry is indebted to research originally conducted in 1991 by Rebecca L. Borjas, an intern at the Mood Heritage Museum, as part of a project documenting the history of Hispanic students at Southwestern University.
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