Longtime professor retires
A young Hispanic boy denied all odds and entered a high demand field of work at the fast-paced Jim Hogg County Enterprise Newspaper, which his grandfather ran in Hebbronville, Texas.
In each small hand he struggles to carry in long 40-pound blocks of lead known as “pigs.” He hauls the lead wearing his heat protective gloves to be melted down by the intense fire in the linotype printer.
From there at the mere age of 13 years old, Dr. Manuel C. Flores Jr. began fulfilling the role of a Sports Correspondent and found his first love – journalism.
The passion for journalism led Flores to an impressive 50-year career in the field, one that led him to a second passion.
Flores has taught at Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK) for more than 20 years as a Journalism Professor, a position in which he inspired students to pursue their own media dreams.
“Dr. Flores would teach us how to write a lead by likening it to elementary school gossip and how we would tell our friends what we may have seen. It was so simple, but it taught me the importance of concise, accurate writing that gets at the heart of journalism – which is to inform and educate,” Alumnus and Communication Specialist Fares Sabawi said.
Flores plans to move onto his next chapter by retiring in December and work on writing his next book as he settles into the retired life.
Although TAMUK may be the place where Flores hangs his hat, Del Mar College will always remember the name of Dr. Manuel C. Flores Jr. as well.
Robert Muilenburg, who was introduced to journalism and teaching by Flores, shared how impactful Flores was to his professional and personal life.
“When I started my college career, Manuel Flores was the person I needed to meet. I may not have realized it immediately but I grew to understand soon. He helped me establish confidence in myself and an appreciation for learning. I can directly connect important moments in my life to his influence…Manuel has been supportive when I needed it and I doubt I would have a job I love were it not for his influence. I owe him a lot and am deeply grateful to have met him almost 30 years ago,” Muilenburg said.
Muilenburg has grown very close to Flores throughout the years and had the honor to be the Best Man at Flores’ wedding when he married his loving wife Adriana Garza-Flores in 2012.
Dr. Flores says he receives the majority of his support from Garza-Flores.
“His career—both before and after he became a professor—is a testament to the power and importance of journalism and community. He leads with his heart and his sincere desire to advance South Texas and provide opportunity for our students. Simply put, he cares, and so many of us are better because of it,” Garza-Flores said.
While Flores may be known for his time as a TAMUK professor he was also a former chair for the TAMUK Art, Communication and Theatre Department.
Serving as the Corpus Christi Independent School District Board President for 16 years also gave Flores a strong perspective that he applied to his teaching.
“He is a wonderful resource; he’s got lots of enthusiasm and a lot of good ideas. It’s been wonderful having him around…he’s a talented, enthusiastic professor,” current Chair of Art, Communication and Theatre Department Todd Lucas said.
Flores has earned many titles throughout his lifetime, one of the most prestigious being presented as Captain Flores of the Texas Army National Guard.
Throughout his journey Flores has sought out many opportunities and found pride in being a Hispanic journalist, as he earned numerous awards for sports writing and education.
Flores impacted the sports realm when he was assigned “beats” for the Major League Baseball and National Football League.
At the height of his sport writing career, Flores had the opportunity to report for the Dallas Cowboys football team and covered their playoff season which happened to be a year they competed in the Super Bowl.
Flores had a natural talent for writing and proved this during his time covering the Houston Astros baseball team.
He was the Sports Editor of Irving Daily News for two years, was an outstanding reporter/ columnist for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, as well as a public relations assistant for Central Power and Light Company.
Despite the many years Flores has spent in the field, he has spent the majority of his life giving back to his community and South Texas.
“His passion for journalism and education has been the catalyst for his career and for his eagerness to mentor generations of students. In addition, Dr. Flores is a passionate advocate for South Texas, and has given much in service to the region—from coaching generations of little league and softball teams to being a respected historian of South Texas’ story,” Garza-Flores said.
The determination of this Hispanic Heritage Hero would then lead him to impact thousands of lives.
“I wouldn’t be a journalist today if it weren’t for Dr. Flores and I know there are a multitude of other journalists, especially with brown skin and humble South Texas roots like mine, who believe the same,” Alumnus and Editorial Board Deputy Editor for the San Antonio Express News, Nancy Preyor-Johnson said. “Dr. Flores has a passion for journalism. Over the years, he poured his experience, skills and heart into molding a new generation of journalists. I’ll be forever grateful to him for believing in me when I first wandered into his Del Mar College classroom more than 20 years ago. Ever since that day, he’s believed in me even when I didn’t. I consider him my first and most important mentor and I’ll always strive to make him proud.”
Flores may have an impressive resumé but what can’t be shown on paper is how influential his applied teaching methods were and how he influenced each student individually.
“I feel like he taught me everything about journalism period. He took something I enjoyed as a kid like watching sports and reading the sports pages, then showed me a hobby was a hidden talent I had. Sports media can be brutal and isn’t without its criticisms but learning under Flores made me ready and allowed me to succeed,” Alumnus and Consulting Staff Associate for KCS Public Relations Mark Molina said.
The passion Flores had as a former adviser and determination when developing student media will never be forgotten.