As Chancellor Robert Duncan plans to celebrate his fourth anniversary at the helm of the Texas Tech University System on July 7, he reflects on the past and already looks ahead to the future. 

Duncan said there have been many wonderful memories, along with tough situations. 

Shooting on Tech Campus

For instance, he reflected on the tragic shooting of a Texas Tech police officer in October 2017, in which a student was charged with the crime. 

“We feel like we are pretty safe here on campus. That was a really anomalous situation,” Duncan said. “You don’t really anticipate that happening.”

When asked if they have made any changes to policy or procedure, the chancellor said he could not “get specific” about the external investigation done by DPS, but that “certainly, there are things that have now been done a little differently.”

“Frat Chat” Controversy

He also said he agreed with President Lawrence Schovanec’s recent decision to not proceed with any disciplinary action, but to verbally disavow the statements made in a recent “Frat Chat” regarding immigration and minorities.

Related Story: TTU President acknowledges those who want immediate action on frat chat 

Future Growth 

On a lighter note, Duncan said his favorite part of the job was attending graduation ceremonies. 

“It’s an accomplishment. You see all the parents, and of course the students come across, and we shake every hand,” Duncan said. “4,000 hands is a lot of hands to shake.”

The chancellor has more handshakes in his future, as the system grows. 

Duncan said an expansion for the system will happen in El Paso, with the opening of a dental school. 

“Ensuring fundamental healthcare for children, and for the elderly, and for all of us,” he said. “The shortage of dentists is very significant in that area.”

He said they have collaborated with the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center to begin the Texas Tech Mental Health Institute, especially at a time where mental health and school safety are a large part of the national conversation. 

Plans for Vet School 

Texas Tech has stepped up to meet the needs of the state, Duncan said, with the proposed veterinary school in Amarillo. 

“Students in Texas are having to go out of state,” Duncan said, “and we are still not meeting the needs of the agriculture communities and the livestock industry that is so important to our state.”

Duncan explained they envision a “purposeful program” placed in an agricultural epicenter.

However, Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp wrote an editorial featured in the Dallas Morning News in recent weeks titled “Texas doesn’t need another veterinarian school.”

“If there is some kind of rivalry between Tech and A&M, somebody forgot to tell us,” Sharp wrote, in opposition to Texas Tech’s proposals. “We have done everything the Coordinating Board asked of us, to the letter. So if Tech has an ‘innovative’ plan, then take it to the Coordinating Board, and let it vote.”

When asked about a response, Duncan replied he hadn’t read the article, but doesn’t see any sort of rivalry with the Texas A&M system. 

“In fact we reached out to Texas A&M in the beginning to see if they wanted to partner, and they chose not to do that,” Duncan said. “We felt like their solution was not going to be adequate, and so we started looking at opportunities to provide something that would be effective.”

“There’s certainly room in a state of 28 million people for two vet schools,” he added.

The chancellor said they have “made their case,” so some of his biggest hopes for the coming year include success with the legislature and their continued partnerships with donors and alumni to make each of these plans a reality.  

Athletic Success

But, a winning athletic season wouldn’t hurt, either. 

“Any time you are in the Sweet 16, the Elite 8, that sheds a positive light on your university,” Duncan said. “The quality of our athletes, just as persons and as competitors, it really does say a lot about the brand of your institution.”

Duncan laughed, “I’m always proud to look up …especially to the basketball players … look way up to shake their hands when they graduate.”