In a heartfelt tribute to one of Laredo’s most revered theatrical figures, Laredo College, the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation (GLMF) and Joe Arciniega proudly rededicated the Stanley A. Keilson Stage at the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center Theater this weekend in honor of the late Laredo icon. The celebration took place on June 28, 2025, exactly 100 years after Stanley Keilson’s birth.
The event marked a significant moment in Laredo College’s history honoring the enduring legacy of Keilson, an LC retiree, educator, actor, mentor and community icon who joined the faculty of then-Laredo Junior College (LJC) in 1952.
At LJC, Keilson served as Theater Director and Chairman of the Department of Speech and Drama. Although he officially retired in 1985, he continued teaching part-time until 1992, dedicating 40 years of service to the institution.
Over the decades, Keilson inspired generations of students through his passion for the performing arts and his belief in the transformative power of speech and drama education. His influence extended beyond the classroom as he co-revived the Laredo Little Theatre and directed landmark productions such as “My Fair Lady,” “Death of a Salesman” and “The Fantasticks.”
“Stanley Keilson was a visionary whose impact on Laredo College and our community is immeasurable,” Laredo College President Dr. Minita Ramírez said. “Through his dedication to the arts and education, he helped shape the identity of our institution and inspired countless students to find their voice. This rededication is a celebration of his life’s work and a reminder of the transformative role the arts play in higher education.”
The ceremony featured a moving program of performances and reflections including tributes from former students, colleagues, friends and community leaders. The event also unveiled a newly commissioned plaque and portrait installation in the theater, an effort supported by GLMF whose longstanding partnership with Laredo College made the tribute possible.
“This rededication is not just about honoring a name on a stage,” Joe Arciniega, Keilson’s dear friend and mentee who spearheaded the tribute, said. “It’s about recognizing a man who shaped the cultural and educational fabric of our city. Stanley Keilson made the performing arts feel vital and personal to so many of us. His legacy deserves to be seen and remembered.”
The rededication was attended by members of the Keilson-Hurwitz family, Laredo College leadership and representatives from GLMF. It served as both a celebration and a call to continue nurturing the arts and education in Laredo–values that Keilson championed throughout his life.
Keilson passed away in 2018 at the age of 93 but his legacy continues to resonate. As a World War II veteran, a Columbia University graduate and a beloved mentor, his life story is a testament to the power of dedication and service.
In conjunction with the rededication, the event also highlighted the establishment of the Stanley A. Keilson Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund created through the Laredo Area Community Foundation. The fund, initiated by Arciniega and his wife Teena, will support students pursuing studies in education and the arts at Laredo College. The scholarship is now active and accepting contributions from the public.
For more information regarding the Stanley A. Keilson Memorial Scholarship or to contribute, contact the Laredo Area Community Foundation at admina@laredofoundation.org or by calling (956) 326-2845.
