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Paul Ortiz (historian) facts for kids

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Paul Ortiz
Born 1964 (age 60–61)
Alma mater Duke University
Evergreen State College
Olympic Community College
Scientific career
Fields African American History, Latinx Studies, Comparative Race and Ethnicity, Social Movement Theory, Southern History, Labor History, Oral History
Institutions Cornell University

Paul Ortiz (born 1964) is an American historian. He is a professor at Cornell University, where he teaches about labor history. Labor history is the study of how working people have shaped society. He also used to lead the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program at the University of Florida. This program collects and shares stories from people's lives.

About Paul Ortiz

Early Life and Military Service

Paul Ortiz was born in 1964. He comes from a family with a history of military service. He was also the first person in his family to graduate from college.

From 1982 to 1986, Paul Ortiz served in the United States Army. He was a paratrooper, meaning he jumped out of airplanes. He also worked as a radio operator. He reached the rank of sergeant.

Helping Others in the Army

During his time in the Army, he was part of the 82nd Airborne Division. He also served with the 7th Special Forces Group in Central America. In November 1985, a volcano called Nevado del Ruiz erupted in Colombia. Paul Ortiz helped people affected by this natural disaster. For his brave actions, he received the US Armed Forces Humanitarian Service Medal.

Education and Teaching Career

Paul Ortiz studied at several colleges. He attended Olympic Community College, Evergreen State College, and Duke University. These experiences helped him become a historian.

Today, he is a professor at Cornell University. He teaches students about important topics like African American history and the history of social movements. He helps people understand how different groups have worked together for change.

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