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Scholar Gilberto Cárdenas, Mexican American Studies Founder, Dies at 79

8/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Gilberto Cárdenas died in Austin on Sunday at age 79.
He taught immigration sociology for nearly 25 years and founded the University of Texas at Austin’s Mexican American Studies program.
He served as assistant provost at the University of Notre Dame and created its Institute for Latino Studies.
He and his wife donated about half of their 20,000-piece Latino art collection to the Blanton Museum in 2023.

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Story summary

Gilberto Cárdenas died in Austin on Sunday at age 79.
He taught immigration sociology for nearly 25 years and founded the University of Texas at Austin’s Mexican American Studies program.
He served as assistant provost at the University of Notre Dame and created its Institute for Latino Studies.
He and his wife donated about half of their 20,000-piece Latino art collection to the Blanton Museum in 2023.