Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., was named one of 15 finalists for the Dallas Morning News 2022 Texan of the Year award. Mitchell was recognized for his efforts to help establish the TTU School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo - the state's first veterinary school in over a century - and the TTUHSC El Paso Hunt School of Dental Medicine, the state's first new dental school in 50 years.
Fourteen esteemed faculty from across the Texas Tech University System were awarded 2023 Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Teaching and Research Awards, which recognize academic excellence among faculty at each institution. The awards are funded by gifts to the Chancellor’s Council, a giving society that supports the chancellor’s priorities across the TTU System. Since the honors were established in 2001, a total of 233 faculty have received awards totaling nearly $1.4 million.
Three TTU System institutions were recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education as Great Colleges to Work For®. Texas Tech University, Angelo State University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center were the only public four-year universities in Texas to make the list and each received the prestigious Honor Roll status.
The TTU System and component institutions achieved several significant milestones during the 88th Texas Legislature. These accomplishments wouldn’t have been possible without the support and dedication of elected officials across the state, along with the West Texas legislative delegation, who are champions for higher education and the communities they serve.
Numerous legislative priorities were secured, along with the approval of the Texas University Fund (TUF). Voters passed the TUF during the statewide election on Nov. 7. The constitutional amendment authorizes the state to create a new $3.9 billion endowment to support emerging research universities across the state.
As a part of the TUF, TTU's anticipated allotment is $44 million for fiscal year 2024, with the funds allocated to support the university’s research activities. TUF dollars will allow TTU to hire and support faculty, prepare students for the workforce through increased graduate and undergraduate research opportunities, and create new technological innovations that will benefit the citizens of Texas. TUF funds will enhance TTU's research impact across fields in which the university already excels. Traditional research strengths like agriculture, energy, climate science and national security will be elevated, as will the new One Health collaboration with their colleagues at TTUHSC. The One Health initiative will study the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health in our region.
Stacia "Stacy" Haynie, Ph.D., was appointed the 13th president of Midwestern State University on July 11. Haynie returned to her alma mater following a 33-year tenure at Louisiana State University, where she was instrumental in countless academic endeavors and achievements that led to national recognition.
“This is an exciting day for MSU Texas and the Mustang family as we welcome the next great leader of our proud institution. Dr. Haynie has an incredible story that will resonate with stakeholders across our system. On a journey that began as an inspiring scholar from Clay County, she embarked upon a career in higher education that has been filled with excellence, accolades and meaningful growth and innovation as a professor and leading administrator.” — Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D.
This is ASU's fourth team national championship, and first for its baseball program. ASU's other national championships came in women's outdoor track and field (2010), softball (2004) and football (NAIA - 1978). ASU also claimed the 1957 men's basketball national title when the institution was a junior college.
On Sept. 19, TTUHSC announced the establishment of the Institute of Telehealth and Digital Innovation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. TTUHSC President Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D., said the new institute is a part of the university’s continued commitment to providing health care access through innovation.
The TTU System Office of Investments and Chief Investment Officer Tim Barrett received additional recognition later in the year on Dec. 5, when Barrett was named the winner of the 2023 Industry Innovation Award in the Endowments category by Chief Investment Officer magazine at the 13th annual awards dinner in New York City.
The TTU System set a new enrollment record with 63,612 students enrolled for the 2023-24 academic year across the system’s five component universities. The previous record of 63,498 students was recorded during the 2021-22 academic year, which marked the system’s first year with five component institutions following the addition of MSU Texas on Sept. 1, 2021.