José Natividad Macías

José Natividad Macías Castorena (September 8, 1857 – October 19, 1948)[1] studied at the Seminary of León and the National Preparatory School.

A teacher at the School of Jurisprudence in Guanajuato, he moved to Mexico City in the early 20th century to practice law at the invitation of President Porfirio Díaz after defeating him in a civil case while defending Don Manuel Urquiza, a landowner from Querétaro.

He joined the constitutionalist movement, becoming the first Rector of the National University (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; UNAM).

During his first term as Rector of the UNAM, he reviewed the institution's budget and concluded on March 5, 1916, that higher education in faculties and schools should be tuition-free, with students paying five pesos per month.

In 1920, he accompanied President Carranza in his flight towards Veracruz, parting ways with him in the community of Aljibes, where the Carrancista convoy was attacked by Obregonista forces.