Itzi Meztli

Itzi Meztli, an associate professor in the English Department at Slippery Rock University and former borough councilman, has died.

Meztli, born Enrique Lopez Jr. in 1951 in Texas, died on May 1 while on his way to that state. He changed his name to honor his family's Mayan ancestry.

“He returned to his roots with that name,” said Mark O'Connor, an associate professor and assistant chairman of the English department at Slippery Rock University.

Meztli and O'Connor were hired at SRU in 2003 and both hailed from the Lone Star State.

O'Connor said because his late father was a laborer in Texas, Meztli had a passion for and connection with “first generation” college students.

“Itzi identified with students who were the first in their families to go to college,” O'Connor said.

He also enjoyed the diverse ideas Meztli shared at English department meetings.

Importing a pan flute player from Peru and bringing UFO experts to the campus were Meztli's ideas.

“He was always bringing the funk,” O'Connor said.

Meztli, whose chosen name means “God of the moon,” was also fascinated with Latino indigenous peoples and made that subject the focus of much of his research.

“I think that was really a part of who he was in his personal identity and academic interest,” said O'Connor, who said he will miss Meztli's booming voice, political passion and frequent laughter.

Amir Mohammadi, senior vice president for administration, global engagement and economic development at SRU, recalled a time when he suffered discrimination and received support from Meztli.

“There is a time in a person's life when you need to stand up and be counted,” Mohammadi said. “Dr. Meztli did exactly that.

“He had no dog in the fight, but he could not stand by and see discrimination occur,” he said.

Mohammadi recalled Meztli as a proud Mexican-American who fought injustices of all kinds without the benefit of any personal gain.

Mohammadi recalled his last dinner together with his friend, which was held in the hospital shortly after Meztli was diagnosed with the undisclosed illness that would take his life.

He said his friend had not eaten in almost two days, so Mohammadi called to ask what he wanted him to bring to the hospital for dinner.

“His last dinner with me in the hospital was a Mexican dinner, and he ate just about all of it,” Mohammadi said. “It was a proud moment of my life.”

He will miss everything about his larger-than-life friend.

“I just knew him as a great human being,” Mohammadi said.

Jeff Smith, who is an SRU trustee and Butler City councilman, has known Meztli for eight years.

“The key word for Itzi was passion,” Smith said. “Whether it was political or dealing with issues at SRU, whether you agreed or disagreed with him, you always felt like he really believed in what he was advocating.”

Meztli is survived by a sister and brother.

Visitation and burial were Friday in McAllen, Texas, according to an obituary published in the Austin American-Statesman.