With the departure of Dr. Tedd Mitchell and the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents narrowing in on a replacement who is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with strong political ties to Austin, Red Raider Nation is left with many reasons to be concerned.
The future of Texas Tech has never appeared brighter.
However, the sentiment that followed the ousting of former Chancellor Robert Duncan is still very real amongst the Texas Tech faithful.
In August of 2018, Duncan, who was a zealous advocate for Texas Tech University, was forced out of office after an effort led by Board of Regents Chairman Richard Francis.
Duncan had fought for a Texas Tech Vet School in Amarillo which was staunchly opposed by Texas A&M and their Chancellor John Sharp, so forces in Austin decided Duncan had to go.
In the months that followed Tech Alumni showed just how serious they were, campaigns were launched, and major donations were withdrawn.
The late Jay Leeson and late Jerry Hodge, a former mayor of Amarillo, were among some of the staunchest critics of the Duncan ouster.
Before the year was out, Francis was no longer Chairman of the Board of Regents and today the Texas Tech Vet School, which bears Hodge’s name, is alive and well.
Senator Brandon will take the reins with this controversy still in the minds of many on the prairie.
He no doubt deserves a chance to prove himself to Texas Tech and hopefully follow in the footsteps of Chancellor Duncan and advocate for the University. Although, it will take time for him to earn the complete trust and support of Red Raiders. – Jason Jones is a resident of Alvin, Texas near Houston and a 2019 Texas Tech graduate.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Letter to the editor: Creighton has much to prove as Texas Tech System Chancellor
Reporting by By Jason Jones, special for the Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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