Texas leaders are sharing praise for Texas Tech System Chancellor Dr. Tedd Mitchell after he announced his pending retirement in the coming year.
Leaders praised Mitchell’s dedication to the system, its students and his exemplary leadership, which led the system to see growth.
Here’s what people are saying as Mitchell departs from the system in the next year, after 15 years of combined leadership as chancellor and former president of Texas Tech Health Sciences Center.
U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington
U.S. Rep. Arrington, R-Texas, is a Texas Tech alumnus. However, prior to serving the West Texas region as its representative in Congress, Arrington had a history working in the system.
During his tenure at TTUS, Arrington served as chief of staff to TTU System Chancellor Emeritus Kent Hance before being appointed as Vice Chancellor for Research and Commercialization in 2011.
He also helped spearhead the TTU System’s strategic plan and its enrollment task force called “Leading the Way: Vision 2020.”
In regard to Mitchell’s impending farewell from the university, the congressman released the following statement:
“I am honored to have worked with Chancellor Mitchell over the years, proud to call him and Janet dear friends, and wish them the very best. I want to congratulate Chancellor Mitchell for his outstanding service and successfully leading the Texas Tech University System to new levels of growth, discovery, and educational excellence. The Governor appointed a great team of regents chaired by the very capable Cody Campbell, who absolutely loves Texas Tech, and I’m confident they’ll find the right leader to build upon Chancellor Mitchell’s many achievements.”
Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows
Texas Speaker of the House Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, is also a Texas Tech alumnus and has been a key figure in helping the Tech System secure the vet school and over $1 billion for the university’s endowment through the Texas University Fund.
Burrows took to social media to post his statement to thank Mitchell for his leadership in the system.
“Chancellor Tedd Mitchell has been a great leader for the Texas Tech University System and a tireless advocate for our students, faculty, and West Texas communities. His leadership helped usher in historic legislative wins, growth across all five institutions, and a legacy rooted in service and excellence.”
“Thank you, Chancellor Mitchell, for the years you’ve dedicated to advancing Texas Tech. You’ve left big boots to fill, and West Texas is better because of your leadership. Wishing you and your family the very best in this next chapter.”
Former Texas Tech Chancellor, Texas House Speaker Chief of Staff Robert Duncan
The Texas Speaker of the House’s chief of staff is also a former chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. Robert Duncan, who served as the 4th chancellor of the system from 2014 to 2018, and is Mitchell’s predecessor.
Duncan released the following statement to the Avalanche-Journal:
“Texas Tech and all of West Texas are profoundly grateful to Chancellor Mitchell for his steadfast service and dedication to promoting educational excellence for this community. His vision for the Texas Tech System helped advance its mission and commitment to each of its universities, students, faculty and staff, guiding the university into its next chapter of research and scholarship.”
“I have had the privilege of working with Ted for many years, through both challenges and achievements, as well as with his wife, Janet, who was a great first lady and served this community with enthusiasm and warmth. We are all proud of Ted and Janet’s many accomplishments and wish them well in retirement.”
Texas State Sen. Charles Perry
Perry, also a Texas Tech alumnus, represents the hometown of the university — Lubbock — in the Texas Senate and has also been a key advocate for Texas Tech in the state legislature.
In a statement on social media, Perry said the following:
“Texas Tech University System Chancellor Dr. Ted Mitchell’s retirement announcement was inevitable—but it still marks the end of an extraordinary chapter.”
“His contributions to the Texas Tech University System—and to Texas, the region, and the nation—are nothing short of generational. Dr. Mitchell helped transform a culture focused solely on academics into one centered on results that truly serve the people. Whether producing primary care doctors for rural Texas or pushing Texas Tech beyond what many thought possible, he led with humility and purpose.”
“Chancellor Mitchell is a servant leader in every sense. He engaged at every level, doing whatever was necessary to ensure success. He was the kind of leader people wanted to follow—and he will be deeply missed. His legacy will be etched into the paths of those who came before and those still to come.”
According to Mitchell’s announcement, he will remain in his position as chancellor until the Board of Regents of the system appoints his successor within the next year.
Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Former Texas Tech System Chancellor, lawmakers remark on Mitchell’s retirement
Reporting by Mateo Rosiles, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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