The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities established the HACU Hall of Champions to honor those who embody the mission of the Association through exemplary efforts “To Champion Hispanic Success in Higher Education.” HACU’s first executive director, Antonio Rigual Ph.D., became the Hall of Champions’ inaugural inductee on October 31, 2011, during the Association’s Silver Anniversary Gala in San Antonio, Texas.
Antonio Rigual demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing Hispanic higher education throughout his career as a professor of Spanish, university administrator, and national pioneer in Hispanic higher education.
Rigual began teaching at Our Lady of the Lake University in 1971 as a professor of Spanish and served in several senior administrative roles, including provost, vice president for institutional advancement, and vice president for university relations. He also served on numerous university councils and committees.
In 1986, Rigual led the efforts that resulted in the establishment of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and became its founding president, serving during the Association’s start-up period from 1986 to 1991. He developed OLLU’s weekend colleges in San Antonio and Houston, was instrumental in developing OLLU’s Mexican-American Studies program, and oversaw three successful university capital campaigns.
He served on numerous national and San Antonio commissions and received a variety of honors, including being named OLLU’s first Moody Professor, the Fleming Award for Exemplary Faculty Service at OLLU, and San Antonio’s Ford Salute to Education Award in the Education Category. He was also a member of the American Association of University Professors.
Rigual earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida, a master’s degree from Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge, and a doctorate from Louisiana State University.
