About Us
The American Turkish Association of San Antonio (ATA San Antonio) is a non-profit entity that extends a warm invitation to individuals of all backgrounds. Our common bond is our shared interest in the cultural and historical richness of Türkiye. We extend a warm welcome to those who come from Türkiye, those who have developed an affection for the country after visiting, those who have worked or served in Türkiye and cherish their experiences, and those who are curious to learn more about Türkiye.
We do not have any political aspirations, and as a non-profit organization, we refrain from engaging in political, religious, or legislative activities. Our goals are centered around promoting cross-cultural understanding, education, and social engagement.
OUR ACTIVITIES
Aligned with our non-profit, intercultural, educational, and social goals, we actively participate in numerous regional festivals and cultural events to showcase Türkiye, while also fostering a sense of community among Turkish-Americans by organizing various social gatherings to celebrate major Turkish occasions.
OUR HISTORY
In the early 1960s, a young Turkish professor arrived in San Antonio to establish the first Engineering Department at St. Mary's University. At that time, the number of Turkish natives in the area was quite small. In subsequent years, Professor Turgut M. Ozan not only founded a successful Engineering Department at the university but also began connecting with the growing Turkish-American community in the late 1960s and 1970s alongside his wife, Sevin. They organized informal gatherings and dinners to bring Turkish Americans together, which eventually led to the establishment of the Turkish American Association of San Antonio (TAASA) as a non-profit Texas organization in 1986, with Professor Ozan serving as the first elected President.
In a similar vein to Professor Turgut M. Ozan's experience, a young Turkish student arrived in San Antonio in 1992 to pursue an MBA in Management and a PhD in International Education and Entrepreneurship. Professor Murat Tas went on to establish and oversee the International Affairs Department of UIW in San Antonio. In 2008, he founded the American Turkish Association of San Antonio (ATA San Antonio).
Since its establishment, ATA San Antonio has been dedicated to serving Turkish-Americans and individuals who are fond of Turkish culture in the greater San Antonio area, with the objective of fostering understanding and relationships between Turkey and the United States, heightening public awareness and knowledge of Turkish history and culture, and arranging social and intercultural activities to observe special occasions.
In 2012, TAASA and ATA San Antonio amalgamated under the auspices of ATA San Antonio.