Dr. Hoyos was born is Cali, Colombia. He had a stable childhood, even in the political and social unrest of Colombia. He attended Universidad de Caldas in Manizales, Colombia. While he was attending the university, he taught high school Spanish literature and English. After graduating, he continued teaching, until he was offered a scholarship to attend University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He moved to the Massachusetts in 1975. After graduating with an MA in Latin American Literature, he returned to Colombia to continue teaching for a few more years. He returned to the US to get his Ph.D. at University of Nebraska, Lincoln. After graduating, he was looking for an American university to teach at and choose then Augusta College in 1995.
Dr. Hoyos spoke of the many changes in Augusta since he came, including how few Colombians there were then compared to now. He spoke of how Augusta’s Hispanic community is impacted by the AU MCG, Fort Gordon, and other places of work. This has led to a large growth in the Hispanic population from a diverse set of countries. He talks about the Panamanian groups and his time as president of ACHA.
Dr. Hoyos closes with a discussion of education, both in Colombia and the United States. He talks about the need for the American education system to embrace the importance of multilingualism and give more funding to foreign language education.
After the official interview, Dr. Hoyos gave detailed descriptions of the historical importance of the artifacts he brought.
Pre-Columbian artifact - face - lid for a jar
Pre-Columbian seated figured called a "sedente." The seated figure represents royalty.
Pre-Columbian similar figure to the "sedente," except he is standing up, indicating a working class man
Pre-Columbian example of "rostros" (faces). These artifacts had faces, male and female, on one side, and a crucible (crisol) on the other. They were used to grind gold and copper. Style of the eyes is known as "pepa de café" because they resemble coffee beans.
Back of rostro
Another view of rostro
Another rostro
Rostro without the "cristol." The design and the headwear denotes a person with high status.
Pre-Columbian musical instrument called an "ocarina." Men in groups would play together.
Another view of ocarina
Another view of ocarina
Part of a Pre-Columbian contraption called a "volante." It was used to spin cloth. Each bead had a unique design.
Volante closeup
Volante part
Another volante part
Volante part
Book published in 1603. Bound in animal skin. First wave of books to the New World were religious books.
Spine of 1603 book
Title page of 1603 book
Fore edge of 1603 book
Book published in 1651. Bound in animal skin. The second wave of books to the New World were about European philosophy.
Book published in 1768. The third wave of books were about European history and literature.
Book published in 1778. Bound in animal skin. Bilingual Greek/Spanish edition.
