Lauro Cavazos

Lauro F. Cavazos, Jr.
4th United States Secretary of Education
In office August 1988 – December 1990
President	Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	William Bennett
Succeeded by	Lamar Alexander
Personal details
Born	(1927-01-04) January 4, 1927 Kingsville, Texas
Spouse	Peggy Ann Cavazos (née Murdock)
Profession	Educator

Lauro Fred Cavazos Jr. (b. January 4 1927, Kingsville, Texas) is a U.S. educator. He served as Secretary of Education from August, 1988 to December, 1990 during the Reagan and George H. W. Bush administrations, and was the first Hispanic to serve in the United States Cabinet.

He was born on the King Ranch, Kingsville, Texas, where his father served as foreman of the showcase Santa Gertrudis Division. He was the son of Lauro F. Cavazos Sr. and Tomasa Quintanilla Cavazos. Through his maternal ancestry, he is a descendant of Texas Revolution heroine Francisca Alvarez, the "Angel of Goliad".

He earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in zoology from Texas Tech University, and a Ph.D. in physiology from Iowa State University. While in college, he was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi. Following a stint on the faculties of Tufts University and the Medical College of Virginia. From 1975 to 1980, he served as Dean of the Tufts University School of Medicine. From 1980 to 1988, he served as President of Texas Tech University. He was both the first alumnus and the first Hispanic to serve as Texas Tech President.

He was forced to resign as Education Secretary, amid an investigation into improper use of frequent flyer miles. Following his resignation, he returned to the faculty of Tufts University where he is currently Professor of Public Health and Family Medicine. He is married to Peggy Ann Cavazos (née Murdock). They have ten children, and currently reside in Boston, Massachusetts. He is the brother of U.S. Army General Richard E. Cavazos.

References

• Lauro F. Cavazos papers (Texas Tech Archives)
• "Cancel Our Reservations" - Time Magazine article regarding use of frequent flier miles