Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday promised three things when he announces new Texas Tech regents.
The terms of office for Chairman Tim Lancaster, John Esparza, and former Chairman L. Frederick “Rick” Francis expired on January 31.
Asked if he was reappointing these members or appointing new people, the governor said he was not ready to announce specific names just yet. Those names are expected later this month.
But Abbott said any new regents must be the graduate of a campus of Texas Tech. At least one regent must be from the greater Lubbock area, and new regents must represent greater diversity including “gender diversity as well as other types of diversity.”
“I have heard from people who have a vested interest in Texas Tech,” Abbott said. “There are multiple goals we are looking to achieve all while ensuring we do all we can to elevate the Texas Tech University System.”
Concerns were raised after the regents pressured Chancellor Robert Duncan into retiring suddenly in August. Duncan signed an agreement to retire almost immediately in exchange for keeping his salary for the next full year. Tedd Mitchell was later named as the next Chancellor.
Both confidential sources and publicly named sources said Duncan was pressured to leave because he supported proposals for a Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. Texas A&M was not happy with the idea of Texas Tech having a vet school. State Senator Charles Perry was among those who said A&M’s displeasure was the underlying cause of Duncan’s removal.
Former Amarillo Mayor Jerry Hodge was among those who were not happy about the way Duncan was treated. Hodge withdrew a $10 million donation to Texas Tech and demanded Rick Francis be removed as Chairman. Francis later did step down as the chair, and Hodge later agreed to re-offer the $10 million donation earmarked for a vet school.
The regents repeatedly pledged their public support for a vet school. Political and economic leaders of both Lubbock and Amarillo recently stated their support for a vet school and publicly called for the legislature to provide funding.
Abbott’s full interview with KAMC’s Bryan Mudd can be seen on Talking Points which airs Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 11:35 p.m.
