We’re proud to share outstanding news about our Texas State Poet Laureate, Octavio Quintanilla. He has been awarded the prestigious Burdine C. Johnson Award for Best Book of Poetry from the Texas Institute of Letters for his powerful collection Las Horas Imposibles / The Impossible Hours. This distinguished honor is among the highest literary recognitions in Texas and reflects exceptional achievement in both creative and scholarly work.
Adding to this remarkable accomplishment, Dr. Quintanilla has also been named a finalist for the 2026 Kingsley & Kate Tufts Poetry Award—one of the most prestigious poetry awards in the United States. This national spotlight elevates not only his work but also the visibility and reputation of our institution.
These accolades present a compelling opportunity to highlight faculty excellence across media, alumni engagement, and admissions storytelling. Dr. Quintanilla’s success exemplifies the impact of our academic community and reinforces our commitment to creativity, leadership, and cultural contribution.
Congratulations, Dr. Quintanilla, on this extraordinary achievement!