IN MEMORIAM: Carlos Plazas, Seabury-Western ‘70
The Rev. Dr. Carlos A. Plazas Sr., Seabury-Western passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Aug. 18, 2025, in Cumming, Georgia. Fr. Plazas devoted his life to faith, education and service. Throughout his career, he served in various roles including Episcopal minister, church rector, clinical psychologist, and college founder. He was a man of faith, an educator, a visionary and a servant leader.
Fr. Plazas was born in Colombia, South America, and was home-schooled alongside his seven siblings. He later studied secondary education in Bogotá. He received his divine calling and entered the Seminario Mayor de Bogotá and was ordained in the Bogotá Cathedral by Cardinal Crisanto Lucas in 1957. After obtaining his doctoral degree in philosophy and arts, instead of accepting a chaplain's position at a prestigious school, Fr. Plazas requested to be sent to Venezuela on a mission trip. There, he lived out his mission of service by working with the poor, building a church and helping create schools for children and vocational centers for adults. After a few years, he left for the United States to study psychology. He earned a master’s degree in counseling and a Ph.D. in psychology from Loyola University Chicago and then served as a school psychologist in Chicago public schools.
In the 1970s, Bishop James Montgomery, of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, welcomed Fr. Plazas into the Episcopal church. He was then officially authorized by Bishop Quintin Primo. His first Mass took place during the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe at the Church of the Atonement in Chicago. His time at the church marked the beginning of his journey towards increasing access to a quality education for Chicago’s Latino community. With support of the Episcopal Diocese, Fr. Plazas would soon become the founder of Chicago’s St. Augustine College.
His vision, what was once considered an impossible dream, became reality, and St. Augustine College would open its doors in 1980, becoming the first bilingual institution of higher education in the Midwest. Fr. Plazas served as the college's founding president, but he also taught ethics courses and provided pastoral counseling for students. The college has served thousands of students for 45 years. On May 16, 2025, Lewis University, which merged with St. Augustine College, conferred an honorary doctor of humanities degree upon him and his wife during the graduation ceremony.
Fr. Plazas's mission was to positively impact Chicago's Latino community by increasing access to a quality education. This important work began during a time when the retention rate for Hispanics in higher education was low, and many students received misinformation or no information about higher education despite their gifts and talents. St. Augustine College was inspired by Dr. Plazas's dream of creating a multicultural community that valued and celebrated its students' rich cultures, traditions, and languages. This supportive environment in which students did not feel disadvantaged, empowered students and helped form bilingual professionals. Fr. Plazas's pioneering efforts and steadfast dedication were motivated by his mission to support young Latinos play a key role in the global economy. After 20 years of service to St. Augustine College, Fr. Plazas served English and Spanish-speaking congregations as rector of St. Michael and All Angels Church in Berwyn, Illinois. In 2003, he was named an honorary canon of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.
Fr. Carlos Plazas's board service includes his work as a member of the Metropolitan Affairs Committee of the Diocese of Chicago, chairman of the National Commission of Hispanic Ministries, founder and first vicar of the Hispanic Mission Cristo Rey, and chairman and member of the Association of Episcopal Colleges. In 1992 he was awarded the Thomas and Eleanor Wright Award by the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations for more than 20 years of service that spanned education, health, social services, and religion.
He married his wife, Dr. Blanca Plazas (née de la Torre), on Aug. 26, 1970, and they built a life together and collaborated with each other professionally for nearly 55 years. In 1986, they established Forward, P.C. and with the help of therapists and counselors have assisted thousands of individuals overcome challenging life experiences and learn to live healthier, more productive lives. Fr. Plazas throughout his life was an avid runner and reader who loved spending time with his family. The Plazas moved to Cumming, Georgia, in 2023, after 51 years in Chicago and five years in Austin, Texas. Fr. Plazas is survived by his wife, Dr. Blanca Plazas; three children, U.S. Navy CDR (ret) Carlos Alberto Plazas Jr. (Ivanova Plazas) of Vienna, Va., Mr. David Eduardo Plazas, who recently moved from Nashville to metro Atlanta to work as AJC opinion editor (Darren Bradford), and Dr. Blanca Plazas Snyder (David Snyder) of Milton Georgia; and six grandchildren, Isabella and Sophia Plazas, and Mateo, Elena, Benjamin and Lucia Snyder. (This obituary was adapted from the Lewis University biography for the honorary doctorate ceremony).
