Texas Tech University. Office of the President

The scrapbook was donated to the University Archive by David Edward Olsen, who played on the 1962 Picador basketball team for Texas Tech. Olsen was attending the Picador Reunion in February 2002 and brought along his scrapbook.

From the guide to the Texas Tech University, Office of the President, Records, U 147. 42., 1965-1966, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)

Terms in office for the various Texas Tech University administrations represented in this collection are: Dr. Robert Lawless (1989-1996), Dr. Donald Haragan (1996-2000), Dr. David Schmidly (2000-2002), and Dr. Jon Whitmore (2003-2008).

Dr. Robert W. Lawless served as the eleventh president of Texas Tech University from September 1989 until his resignation in April 1996. Dr. Lawless envisioned Texas Tech University as a research institution, emphasizing the research aspects of the university as well as fund-raising. Dr. Lawless resigned in 1996 to take over the presidency at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma.

Dr. Donald Haragan, twelfth president of Texas Tech University, came to Tech in 1969 as an associate professor in geosciences and served as assistant chair of that department. From 1985 to 1988 he served as vice president for academic affairs and research, and from 1988-1996 he worked as executive vice president and provost. He served as president of Texas Tech University from 1996 to 2000. During his presidency, Dr. Haragan worked to establish the Honors College, the University writing center, the staff senate, the University Press, as well as regional centers in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, and Houston. Dr. Haragan served as interim president at Tech in 2002 and as interim chancellor in 2006.

When Dr. Haragan stepped down in 2000, he was succeeded by Dr. David Schmidly, who became Tech's thirteenth president. Dr. Schmidly came to Tech in 1996 as graduate dean and also served as vice president for research and graduate studies. He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas Tech. As president, Dr. Schmidly initiated the University strategic plan and was instrumental in hiring Bob Knight as the men's basketball coach. Dr. Schmidly authored the book, Texas Natural History: A Century of Change. He resigned in 2002 to become president of Oklahoma State University.

From the guide to the President's Office Records, U 147. 45., 1984-2004 and undated, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)

Terms in office for the various Texas Tech University administrations represented in this collection are: Dr. Grover E. Murray (1966-1976), Dr. Cecil Mackey (1976-1979), Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos (1980-1988), Dr. Robert W. Lawless (1989-1996), and interim President Beth Haley (1988).

The collection begins with Dr. Grover E. Murray's service as President of Texas Tech University from 1966 until his retirement in 1976. A geologist and former vice-president of academic affairs for Louisiana State University, Dr. Murray was the eighth president of the university. During his presidency, Tech experienced its greatest period of expansion. The university received approval to establish a Law School and a Medical School in Lubbock with branches in Amarillo, E1 Paso, and Midland-Odessa. Tech also received approval for Schools of Allied Health Services, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine. In addition, the International Center for Arid and Semi-arid Land Studies (ICASALS), the Ranching Heritage Center, and the Center at Junction were developed during his presidency. Upon retiring as president of the university, Dr. Murray was named University Professor.

When Dr. Murray stepped down in August 1976, he was succeeded by Dr. Cecil Mackey, who became Tech's ninth president. He was instrumental in the formation of the Faculty Senate as a governing body on campus. Also, Dr. Mackey stressed long-range planning and initiated procedures for more efficient management and use of resources. Under his term, the Texas Tech School of Medicine received full accreditation. He resigned in 1979 to become president of Michigan State University.

Dr. Lauro Cavazos served as Texas Tech University's tenth president and served from 1980 until his resignation in 1988. He was the first Texas Tech graduate to become president of the university. Cavazos received his Bachelor of Arts in Zoology and his Master's degree in cytology from Texas Tech. Undergraduate admissions standards increased under Cavazos's tenure. In addition, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center experienced tremendous growth during this time.

Dr. Elizabeth G. Haley, dean of the College of Home Economics, later renamed the College of Human Sciences, served as interim president of the university between the tenth and eleventh presidencies. As Cavazos left office, Haley was appointed to serve as interim president while the university searched and interviewed candidates. She is the first woman to serve as President at Texas Tech. In September 1989, Dr. Robert W. Lawless was hired, at which time Haley's service ended.

Dr. Robert W. Lawless served as the eleventh president of Texas Tech University from September 1989 until his resignation in April 1996. Dr. Lawless envisioned Texas Tech University as a research institution, emphasizing the research aspects of the university as well as fund-raising. Dr. Lawless resigned in 1996 to take over the presidency at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma.

From the guide to the Texas Tech University, Office of the President, Records, U 147. 41., 1966-1996, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)

Terms in office for the various Texas Tech University administrations represented in this collection are: Dr. Robert Lawless (1989-1996), Dr. Donald Haragan (1996-2000), Dr. David Schmidly (2000-2002), and Dr. Jon Whitmore (2003-2008).

Dr. Robert W. Lawless served as the eleventh president of Texas Tech University from September 1989 until his resignation in April 1996. Dr. Lawless envisioned Texas Tech University as a research institution, emphasizing the research aspects of the university as well as fund-raising. Dr. Lawless resigned in 1996 to take over the presidency at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma.

Dr. Donald Haragan, twelfth president of Texas Tech University, came to Tech in 1969 as an associate professor in geosciences and served as assistant chair of that department. From 1985 to 1988 he served as vice president for academic affairs and research, and from 1988-1996 he worked as executive vice president and provost. He served as president of Texas Tech University from 1996 to 2000. During his presidency, Dr. Haragan worked to establish the Honors College, the University Writing Center, the Staff Senate, the University Press, as well as regional centers in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, and Houston. Dr. Haragan served as interim president at Tech in 2002 and as interim chancellor in 2006.

When Dr. Haragan stepped down in 2000, he was succeeded by Dr. David Schmidly, who became Tech's thirteenth president. Dr. Schmidly came to Tech in 1996 as graduate dean and also served as vice president for research and graduate studies. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Tech. As president, Dr. Schmidly initiated the university strategic plan and was instrumental in hiring Bob Knight as the men’s basketball coach. Dr. Schmidly also authored the book, Texas Natural History: A Century of Change. He resigned in 2002 to become president of Oklahoma State University.

As fourteenth president, Dr. Jon Whitmore worked to increase the number of faculty members and also promoted a new building for the Rawls College of Business. Dr. Whitmore resigned as president in 2008.

From the guide to the Office of the President Records, U 147. 44., 1993-2004, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)

Terms in office for the various Texas Tech University administrations represented in this collection are: Dr. Paul Whitfield Horn (1925-1932), Clifford Bartlett Jones (1938-1944), Dr. Edward N. Jones (1952-1959), and Dr. Grover E. Murray (1966-1976).

As first president of Texas Technological College, Paul Whitfield Horn was called the "Architect of Texas Tech." Horn graduated from Central College, held three honorary doctor of law degrees, and was formerly superintendent of schools in Sherman and Houston. He passed away suddenly in 1932.

Born in Rico, Colorado on April 9, 1885, Clifford Bartlett Jones graduated from Central High School and attended Yale. In 1911, Jones moved to Spur and became the assistant manager of the Swenson Ranch. In 1913 he became manager of the ranch as well as a banker in Spur. From the beginning of Texas Technological College, Jones was a member of Board of Directors, serving as chairman from 1927-1938. He became the College's third president in 1938, despite not having a college degree, and was referred to as "West Texas' Number One Citizen." He left a lasting physical legacy in the form of the Clifford B. and Audrey Jones Stadium, which to this day is still used for the Red Raiders football games.

After serving as Tech's first vice-president, Edward N. Jones became the college's sixth president from 1952-1959. He held a doctoral degree in botany, was president of the Texas Academy of Sciences, and taught at various places such as Baylor University and Dallas Baptist College. The college's entrance into the Southwest Conference occurred during Jones's tenure.

Dr. Grover E. Murray served as the eighth president of Texas Tech University from 1966 until his retirement in 1976. A geologist and former vice-president of academic affairs for Louisiana State University, Dr. Murray was the eighth president of the university. During his presidency, Tech experienced its greatest period of expansion. The university received approval to establish a Law School and a Medical School in Lubbock with branches in Amarillo, El Paso, and Midland-Odessa. Tech also received approval for Schools of Allied Health Services, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine. In addition, the International Center for Arid and Semi-arid Land Studies (ICASALS), the Ranching Heritage Center, and the Center at Junction were developed during his presidency. Upon retiring as president of the university, Dr. Murray was named University Professor.

From the guide to the Texas Tech University, Office of the President, Records, U 147. 5., 1916-1968 and undated, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)

Terms in office for the various Texas Tech University Administrations represented in this collection are Dr. Bradford Knapp (1932-1938) and Clifford Bartlett Jones (1938-1944).

Dr. Bradford Knapp attended Iowa Agricultural College (now Iowa State University) and the University of Michigan. He served as president of Oklahoma A & M College (now Oklahoma State University), president of Alabama Polytechnic Institute at Auburn, and vice-president of the Southern Agricultural Workers. He became the second president of Texas Technological College in 1932 and held that position until he died suddenly from a heart attack on June 11, 1938.

Clifford B. Jones attended Yale, became the assistant manager of the Swenson Ranch, and a was banker in Spur, Texas. Initially, Jones served on the Board of Directors for Texas Technological College, and was chairman of that entity from 1927-1938. He became the college’s third president in 1938, despite not having a college degree. Jones lasting legacy is the Clifford B. and Audrey Jones Memorial Stadium, which to this day is utilized for Red Raider football games.

From the guide to the President’s Office Records, U 147. 17., 1923-1948, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)

Terms in office for the various Texas Tech University administrations represented in this collection are: Dr. Lauro Fred Cavazos (1980-1988) and Dr. Robert Lawless (1989-1996).

In 1980 Lauro Fred Cavazos became Texas Tech’s tenth president, as well as the first Hispanic and the first Tech graduate to hold that office. Cavazos earned his B.A. and M.A. in zoology at Texas Tech University and a doctoral degree in physiology from Iowa State University. Before returning to Tech in 1980, he taught at the Medical College of Virginia and at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, where he was also Dean from 1975 to 1980. On August 9, 1988 President Reagan nominated Cavazos for Secretary of Education, and on September 20, 1988 he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. He remained in the position until resigning in December 1990.

Dr. Robert W. Lawless served as the eleventh president of Texas Tech University from September 1989 until his resignation in April 1996. Dr. Lawless envisioned Texas Tech University as a research institution, emphasizing the research aspects of the university as well as fund-raising. Dr. Lawless resigned in 1996 to take over the presidency at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma.

From the guide to the President's Office Records, U 147. 43., 1984-1994, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)