On May 30, 2017, the Texas Tech Alumni Association (TTAA) will celebrate its 90th anniversary. The organization was established in 1927 by the first graduates of Texas Technological College. From its original 26 members, the organization has continued to expand and currently boasts more than 30,500 active members.
The original goal of the association was for alumni to remain in touch with one another and to stay informed about happenings on campus. The founders also wanted to provide input to the school and financial support. To this day, the mission of the alumni association remains the same–to establish a lifelong connection with Red Raiders while continuing to support Texas Tech University and its faculty, staff and students.
In 2016, the TTAA awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to 523 students from the Texas Tech Alumni Association Endowment Trust. The TTAA also gives back to the university through various grants and awards each year. The TTAA awarded two $10,000 grants to the TTU Department of Physics and the TTU Innovation Hub at Research Park in 2016 as part of the Excellence Grant program that supports campus academic and research projects. Other annual awards include the Top Techsan awards for TTU staff, New Faculty awards, and Distinguished Alumni and service awards.
Dr. Bill Dean, TTAA president and CEO, has been with the organization since 1978 and has seen firsthand the benefits of the organization for the university and the continued support from alumni over the years.
“Former chancellors John Montford and Kent Hance both told me they believed Texas Tech would never have been as successful in the two major capital fund campaigns if we had not had an active and engaged alumni association through the years,” Dean said. “I think that speaks volumes about the role our association has played in the growth of our university.”
The TTAA maintains its lifelong connection with alumni through its 75 regional and national chapters around the country and overseas. Last year, TTAA introduced the Military Veterans National Alumni Chapter (MVC) that provides a community for military and veteran graduates of Texas Tech and their families. Chapters provide unique opportunities for alumni to come together and help one another.
“The TTAA has had a presence in most major communities in the US,” said Jim Douglass, TTAA associate vice president, Chapter Development. “This allows many Red Raiders the chance to meet and network with other alumni and raise much needed scholarships for local students. We feel this support will continue to grow for the next 90 years, resulting in an even stronger Texas Tech University and alumni association.”
TTAA memberships also support memorable traditions for current students such as the Official Texas Tech Class Ring Program and ceremonies, the Student Leadership Reception, and the Senior Decal Drive-Thru. In a partnership with the Texas Tech University Office of the President, each graduate of Texas Tech receives a free one-year membership to the TTAA as a chance to keep them engaged with the university and fellow alumni.
In an effort to maintain that lifelong connection with Red Raiders, the TTAA launched the Texas Tech Legacy Program in 2009 that encourages children and grandchildren of alumni to become Red Raiders for life and keeps them engaged with the university. The program boasts nearly 6,000 legacies and potential Red Raiders.
To celebrate the 90th anniversary, the TTAA is hosting various chapter events across the country, as well as an anniversary reception for TTAA members on June 2 at the McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center in Lubbock. Ninety years later, the TTAA is larger than ever, and our alumni continue to be loud and proud supporters of Texas Tech.
To find out more about TTAA 90th Anniversary events and the history of the TTAA, visit www.texastechalumni.org/90years.
For more information, contact Kristina Butler, communications director, Texas Tech Alumni Association, (806) 834-1218 or kristina.w.butler@ttu.edu.
(News release from the Texas Tech Alumni Association)
