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Eva Camuñez Tucker
1998 Distinguished Alumnus |
Eva Camuñez Tucker, ASU's first honorary degree recipient, was told by her
brother to use money wisely and do the most for the most people. She has humbly and faithfully followed his commitment. Born to a pioneer West Texas family in 1911 on Sixth Street in San Angelo, Mrs. Tucker has influenced lives for generations.
Eva Tucker attended San Angelo High School and was the first Mexican-American graduate in May of 1930. She attended San Angelo Business College and San Angelo College, the forerunner of Angelo State University, where she received a teaching certificate. She was a teacher in Mertzon and a teacher and principal in Ballinger, serving the then segregated Mexican-American school communities. Far more than a teacher, Mrs. Tucker encouraged young Hispanic students to continue their education, mentoring many who went on to become professional educators. She left the reaching profession for service to her country during World War II, serving as a translator for the U.S. State Department in Washington, D. C. She was married to Art Tucker, a successful West Texas oilman, in 1948. Mrs. Tucker worked closely with her husband, running the office side of the business for nearly three decades.
The West Texas area has benefited from Mrs. Tucker's great generosity and vision. She endowed ASU's pioneering "Up and Coming" Scholars Program. Begun in 1994, the "Up and Coming" Scholars Program identifies promising San Angelo school district junior high students from tanmilies with moderate in-comes and encourages them to complete the Texas Scholars curriculum through high school and promote the goal of attaining a college degree. The program guarantees scholarships for tuition and fees at ASU for "Up and Coming" Scholars who satisfactorily complete the Texas Scholars curriculum and graduate from high school.
Her vision for education also includes major contributions to the library at Fort Concho Elementary, as well as numerous scholarships for underprivileged children. She has also provided numerous charitable gifts to area churches, social agencies, and educational groups. The San Angelo community extended its sincere appreciation for Mrs. Tucker's greatness and generosity by recognizing her as the 1995 Citizen of the Year.
Eva Camuñez Tucker embodies the true ASU alumni spirit - wisdom, compassion, and benevolence.
As profiled in the 1998 Fall Alumni Magazine.
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