Grad may lead gov't of Mexico

The University's Regional Science Department may be on its way out the door, but its alumni are moving on up. Luis Donaldo Colosio, who received a master's degree in regional development from the University in 1977, was selected by Mexico's ruling party as its presidential candidate for the 1994 election. The ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, known by its Spanish initials PRI, has not lost an election since 1929, and the selection of Colosio virtually assures his election. Colosio, as president of Mexico, would be responsible for putting the North American Free Trade Agreement into action. Regional Science professor Thomas Reiner, who had Colosio in his class, said his former student had been heading toward a Ph.D. when he "got caught up in more responsible positions in the Mexican political scene." Colosio is currently Mexico's Social Development Secretary, and acts to enforce the country's environmental anti-pollution laws. Reiner said the presidential hopeful was "sort of a lively young man." "He was completely bilingual, and very effective," Reiner said. "We had no idea where he was heading, but I guess one rarely does. "He was a well-qualified and solid student," he added. Colosio's classmate Ed Horn, who currently works in the University's Social Science Data Center, said Colosio was "a pretty nice guy." Horn shared a carrel with Colosio during their time in the Regional Science Department. Horn said Colosio had a good sense of humor and, while he didn't study all the time, seemed to do all right in his classes. "I have to send him a note or something," Horn said. "I haven't seen him for a while. Maybe he's changed, but probably not that much." After his time at the University, Reiner said Colosio went to a research institute in Austria and completed a draft of what Colosio hoped would be a doctoral dissertation. But it was not meant to be, as Colosio pursued his political career in Mexico. Regional Studies Department Chairperson Stephen Gale said while he did not know Colosio personally, he is proud of his department's alumnus. "We are very pleased for him," Gale said. "He was a very popular man in our program, and a really smart guy." Gale said Colosio's selection could have meant great things for the University's Regional Science Department. "It would be nice if we could set up a program between Mexico and the University to study the impacts of NAFTA," he said. "I don't think that will be possible any longer." Gale said the happy news of Colosio's appointment comes at an unusual time, in light of School of Arts and Sciences Dean Rosemary Stevens' recent decision to get rid of the department. "It's sort of paradoxical," he said. "They cancel a department that is responsible for producing, among many other well-known figures, the new president of Mexico. "Paradox is hardly the word," he added with a note of bitterness. "Sinful is more appropriate." Reiner joked that Colosio will be the fourth president to come from the University's Regional Science Department – the other three being presidents of universities in Geneva, Malaysia and India. "Here's an indication of the kind of people who are being educated in the program, and it's being shut down," Reiner said.

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