From the Cotton Fields to a College Professor: My Life's Experience

Dr. Joe H. Alcorta grew up speaking Spanish. He was born in Novice, Texas, and at the age of two months, his parents took him to Monterrey, Mexico. For seven years, he lived in Mexico. Upon his return, he graduated from Olton High School, and then he received his bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University. He obtained his master’s degree from Howard Payne University and earned his PhD degree from Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.

He has taught Spanish in high school and at the university level for over forty five years. At the present time, he works as a professor of Spanish at Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas.

Dr. Alcorta has traveled to Mexico, Taiwan, and Spain. He has taught many Spanish classes for professional people. Several newspapers have published his book, Speak Spanish in 60 Days.

For many years, Professor Alcorta has served as a guest columnist for the Abilene Reporter-News in Abilene, Texas. He has written many articles in different fields.

Dr. Alcorta and his wife of forty-nine years, Liandra, have four children and nine grandchildren. Dr. Alcorta has run five marathons, and many 5Ks and 10Ks. He enjoys reading and writing. He has served on many city boards, and he was elected to The Abilene City Council for two terms. In church, he has taught Bible classes for over forty years, and he enjoys memorizing Scripture. He maintains active membership as a Rotarian and as a Gideon.