Texas Tech University
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Texas Tech University |
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| Motto | From Here, It's Possible. (Unofficial) |
| Established | February 10, 1923 |
| Type | State university and Texas Tech University System Flagship[1] Institution with 12 colleges and schools |
| Endowment | $540 million[2] |
| President | Jon Whitmore |
| Faculty | 2,179 |
| Students | 28,001 [3] |
| Undergraduates | 23,002 |
| Postgraduates | 3,545 |
| Doctoral students | 1,454 |
| Location | Lubbock, Texas, USA |
| Campus | Urban, 1,839 acres (7 km²) |
| Colors | Scarlet and Black |
| Nickname | Red Raiders |
| Mascot | Raider Red / The Masked Rider |
| Affiliations | Big 12 Conference |
| Website | http://www.ttu.edu |
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Texas Tech University is a public, coeducational, doctoral/research university located in Lubbock, Texas (USA). Established February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the flagship institution of the Texas Tech University System. Although not currently a flagship university of the State of Texas (a distinction that belongs to Texas A&M University and the University of Texas), there is talk of adding Texas Tech as the third such institution[4].
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[edit] History
Though plans for opening a college in West Texas had been in the legislature for some time, it had long been thought that any such institution should be a branch of Texas A&M. In 1923, however, the legislature decided to create a new university system to best serve the needs of the region.
On February 10, 1923, Governor Pat Neff signed the legislation creating Texas Technological College and the site committee began searching for a location. Original plans called for the new college to be located in Abilene, but that city was already home to three private colleges.[5] In August, the first ballot resulted in the selection of Lubbock and construction began. Texas Technological College opened for classes in 1925 with an enrollment of 914 students.
In the 1960s, it was decided that the phrase "technological college" was insufficient to define the scope of the institution, which had expanded the curriculum to far more than just technical subjects. Numerous name changes were proposed, including Texas State University and Texas Tech University. The board of directors preferred the name Texas Tech University because of a desire to preserve the "Double T" emblem. The issue was so significant that students held rallies and marches to protest the renaming. One student stated in a letter to the University Daily, "Tech to me is a coined word and does not dignify this fine institution." Despite the students' objections, in 1969, the board voted unanimously in favor of the change.
[edit] Academics
Texas Tech University offers 150 Bachelor's, 104 Master's and 59 Doctoral degree programs. It is divided into 12 colleges and schools:
- College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
- College of Architecture
- College of Arts & Sciences
- Rawls College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- Graduate School
- Honors College
- College of Human Sciences
- School of Law
- College of Mass Communications
- College of Visual & Performing Arts
The 1,839-acre Lubbock campus is home to the main academic university, the law school, and the health sciences center. This arrangement makes it the only institution in Texas, and one of the few worldwide, to have all three units (university, law school, and medical school) on the same campus.[6]
[edit] Athletics
Texas Tech is a member of the Big 12 Conference and competes in Division I-A for athletics in all "major" sports. Men's teams are the Red Raiders, women's teams are the Lady Raiders.
The university was a dominant member of the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association from 1932 to 1956. Texas Tech became a member of the Southwest Athletic Conference in May of 1956 and remained so until the conference was disbanded in 1995.
Of the major sports, Texas Tech has had its greatest success in women's basketball. In 1993, the women's team won a national championship led by its star player Sheryl Swoopes and head coach Marsha Sharp. Additionally, the Red Raiders football team has made 30 bowl appearances (19th most), and the men's basketball team has made 14 appearances in the NCAA Men's Division I Tournament.
In addition to the "major" collegiate sports, the university offers other sports such as polo, rugby, lacrosse, fencing, and soccer through campus intramural sports organizations. Tech won the collegiate polo championship in 2006 [3]Tech Polo Club
The Masked Rider is the oldest of Texas Tech's mascots still in existence today. Originally called "Ghost Rider," it was an unofficial mascot starting around 1936 when an unknown student (or students) would circle the field on horseback at home football games, riding into the stadium and away. The Masked Rider became the official mascot with 1954's Gator Bowl and has led the team onto the field at nearly every football game since. The Masked Rider was the nation's first horse ridden mascot used in football games. The Florida State Seminoles and the USC Trojans are the most notable schools that use such a mascot today.
Tech's other current mascot, Raider Red, is more recent. Around the time of the 1971 football season, the Southwest Conference created a rule that forbade the bringing of live animal mascots to away games unless the host school permitted it. Since the Masked Rider's horse would fall under this rule an alternate mascot was created. Jim Gaspard, a member of the Saddle Tramps student spirit organization, created the original design for the Raider Red costume, basing it on a character created by Lubbock cartoonist and former mayor Dirk West. Though the Masked Rider's identity is public knowledge, it has always been tradition that Raider Red's student alter ego is kept secret until the end of his tenure. The student serving as Raider Red is a member of Saddle Tramps.
In two comedic segments called "Lesser Known College Mascots" on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Texas Tech's mascot was inaccurately depicted as being both a "Caveman on a Stripper Pole" and a "Binge Drinking Cobra."
Legendary coach Bob Knight has served as men's basketball coach since 2001. He has since become the all time winningest coach in mens division 1A basketball.
In early 2006, Marsha Sharp announced her resignation from the head coaching position of the Lady Raiders basketball team. Purdue's Kristy Curry was later named new head coach of the Lady Raiders.
[edit] Libraries & Museums
Texas Tech maintains a number of libraries, both general-purpose and specific (such as the Architecture and Law libraries,) the most notable of which are the Southwest Collection/ Special Collections Library and the Vietnam Archive, one of the world's largest and most comprehensive collections of information on the Vietnam War. [4]
The Museum of Texas Tech University [5] is the primary historical museum of the university. Originally founded in 1929, the museum is now home to over three million objects and specimens. The museum houses art galleries, a sculpture court, a planetarium, and a natural science research laboratory. [7]
[edit] Student Life
There are over 390 student clubs and organizations at the university. [8] The groups vary between service, academic, professional and religious groups. Greek Life plays a very prominent role in the university social scene. [9]
The Student Union, located centrally on campus, is the hub of day to day student activity. Within the Union students find numerous opportunities to relax, study, and enjoy a meal. The Student Union also houses the Student Government Association (SGA), and provides space for many of the student organizations on campus to operate.
Housed with a partition directly adjacent to the Student Union is the School of Music, home of the Texas Tech Goin' Band from Raiderland. The Goin’ Band is composed of 450 university students and performs at all home football games.
The university also maintains the KTXT-FM 88.1 student radio station focusing on alternative, indie rock, industrial and hip hop, as well as the National Public Radio station KOHM 89.1 which focuses on classical music. In addition, the university owns and operates Public Broadcasting Service station KTXT-TV (television). The Daily Toreador [6] is Texas Tech's student-run newspaper. It was named The University Daily until 2005. The Perversity Weekly is a satire newspaper that is published by students independent of the university. La Ventana is the title of Texas Tech's yearbook.
[edit] Traditions
[edit] Carol Of Lights
To celebrate the Christmas season, Texas Tech holds an annual event called the Carol of Lights. The event commences with the Texas Tech University Combined Choirs performing selections of classic holiday songs at the Science Quadrangle. When the lights are fully lit, over 25,000 red, white, and orange lights illuminate the 13 buildings surrounding Memorial Circle.
This tradition started in 1959 when Harold Hinn provided the funds and the idea of covering the science quadrangle and the administration building with lights. Unfortunately, students were away on Christmas break and did not see the display. The next year, the Residence Hall Association sponsored the Christmas Sing, incorporating Harold Hinn's original idea. The Carol of Lights, as it is now called, is one of Texas Tech's most well-known traditions.
[edit] Masked Rider
The Masked Rider is the oldest and most popular mascot of Texas Tech University. The Masked Rider started as a dare in 1936 and, at the time, was called "the ghost rider," since no one knew the rider's identity. These ghost riders circled the field at home football games and then rode off.
The Masked Rider did not become an official mascot until 1954, when Joe Kirk Fulton led the team out onto the field at the Gator Bowl. Fulton, mounted on a black horse, wore Levi's jeans, a red shirt, and a black cape. The sensational entrance awed the crowd.
Today the Masked Rider, with his or her guns up, leads the team out onto the field for all of the home games. The Masked Rider, adorned in a distinctive gaucho hat like the ones worn by members of the marching band, is one of the most visible figures at Tech.
Amy Bell, an Animal & Food Sciences junior from Kermit, Texas, is the 2006-07 Masked Rider.[7]
[edit] Victory Bells
In 1936 victory bells were given to Texas Tech as a class gift. The bells rang for the first time at the 1936 class's graduation. It is said that after the win over TCU, the following year, the bells rang through out the night. The bells kept Lubbock residents up all night. Thereafter, the bell ringing was limited to 30 minutes. After Texas Tech victories and special occasions the bells are rang by the Saddle Tramps. The Victory Bells - one large and one small, which combine to weigh 1,200 pounds - hang in the east tower of the Administration Building.
[edit] Will Rogers and Soapsuds
One of the best-known landmarks on campus is the statue of Will Rogers and his horse Soapsuds. This memorial was dedicated on 16 February 1950 by longtime friend of Rogers, Amon G. Carter. Carter believed Texas Tech was the perfect setting for the statue and that it would fit into the traditions and scenery of West Texas.
The statue stands at 9 feet 11 inches (3 m) tall and weighs 3,200 pounds (1,450 kg); its estimated cost was US$25,000. On the base of the statue, the inscription reads "Lovable Old Will Rogers on his favorite horse, 'Soapsuds,' riding into the Western sunset."
Today Texas Tech tradition and legend surrounds the statue. According to one legend, the initial plan to face Will Rogers due west (so that he could be riding off into the sunset) was rejected as it would cause Soapsuds' posterior to be facing due east (toward downtown Lubbock; this was perceived as an insult to the Lubbock business community which has been highly supportive of the university). It would also have placed the horse's rear facing the main entrance to the university. To solve this problem, the statue was turned 23 degrees to the northwest, so Soapsuds' rear would face southeast (in the general direction of College Station, Texas, home of Texas A&M University, one of the school's biggest rivals). Before every home football game the Saddle Tramps wrap the statue with red crepe paper. Will Rogers and Soapsuds have also been wrapped in black crepe paper to mourn national tragedies.
[edit] Alma Mater
"The Matador Song" dates from 1931. The lyrics were written by Tech student R.C. Marshall and the music was composed by Tech Band Director Harry LeMaire. The words and melody have remained unchanged through time.
When performed by the Texas Tech Marching Band outdoors the song is preceded by a dazzling preparatory fanfare, a musical signal for students and alumni to stand and sing the Alma Mater.
Fight Matadors, for Tech.
Songs of love we'll sing to thee.
Bear our banners far and wide,
Ever to be our pride.
Fearless champions ever be,
Stand on heights of victory.
Strive for honor, evermore,
Long live the Matadors!
[edit] Fight Song
In 1936 Tech Band members Carroll McMath and James Nevins co-wrote the fight song as it exists today. The previous fight song referred to the Matadors (renamed the Red Raiders by sports journalists in the mid-1930s).
Fight, Raiders, fight.
Fight, Raiders, fight.
Fight for the school you love so dearly.
We'll hit 'em high. We'll hit 'em low.
We'll push the ball across the goal.
Tech! Fight! Fight!
We'll praise your name, boost you to fame.
Fight for the Scarlet and the Black!
We will hit 'em! We will wreck 'em!
Hit 'em! Wreck 'em, Texas Tech,
and the victory bells will ring out!
[edit] Facilities
- Dan Law Field - Baseball
- Jones AT&T Stadium - Football
- Texas Technological College Dairy Barn (National Register of Historic Places)
- Texas Technological College Historic District (National Register of Historic Places)
- United Spirit Arena - Basketball, Volleyball
[edit] Research centers
- Lubbock Lake Landmark
- National Ranching Heritage Center
- Wind Science and Engineering Research Center
[edit] Notable people
[edit] Notable organizations
- Alpha Phi Omega Chapter (Co-ed Service Fraternity)
- Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter (International Business Honor Society)
- Phi Beta Kappa Chapter (Liberal Arts & Sciences Honor Society)
- Tau Beta Sigma Chapter (National Honorary Band Sorority)
- Goin' Band from Raiderland, Texas Tech's marching band
- Sabre Flight Drill Team
- The Vietnam Center and Archive
- Saddle Tramps spirit organization
- High Riders spirit organization
- Texas Tech Forensic Union, a nationally competitive team in parliamentary debate and individual speaking events.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program
- Red Raider Bar Association of Texas Tech University School of Law
[edit] References and notes
- "Texas Tech University Colleges and Schools". Retrieved December 23, 2005.
- Vietnam Center and Archive Now Available Online. Retrieved on January 16, 2006.
- ^ http://www.ttu.edu/stratplan/assessment/5.php
- ^ "2006 NACUBO Endowment Study". National Association of College and University Business Officers.
- ^ Source: "Total Enrollment - Fall 2005". [1]
- ^ http://media.www.dailytoreador.com/media/storage/paper870/news/2007/02/01/News/Senator.To.Create.Study.To.Establish.New.Flagship.School.In.Texas-2689759.shtml
- ^ [2]
- ^ The University of Texas System has four medical schools, but none are located in Austin, the site of its main campus and only law school. Neither the Texas A&M University System nor University of North Texas System has a law school, and the University of Houston System has no medical school. Baylor University only has a law school in Waco. Baylor College of Medicine, which is in Houston, has not been part of Baylor University since 1969. Baylor also operates the Baylor University Medical Center, which is a hospital system.
- ^ Template:Cite web http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/about.html
- ^ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters url and title must be specified. Texas Tech University Center for Student Life (2007). Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ Template:Cite web http://www.depts.ttu.edu/centerforcampuslife/GreekLife/default.aspxtitle=Student Organizations
[edit] External links
- Texas Tech University Official Site
- Texas Tech Alumni Association
- Texas Tech Athletics Official Site
- RaiderPower.com - Texas Tech Athletics News Site
- The Vietnam Center and Archive
- Archive of Turkish Oral Narrative at Texas Tech
- Tech Polo Club at Texas Tech
Texas Tech University: Abilene • Amarillo • Fredericksburg • Highland Lakes • Junction • Lubbock • Quedlinburg, Germany • Seville, Spain
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center: Amarillo • El Paso • Lubbock • Permian Basin
| Big 12 Conference |
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| North Division: Colorado Buffaloes • Iowa State Cyclones • Kansas Jayhawks • Kansas State Wildcats • Missouri Tigers • Nebraska Cornhuskers South Division: Baylor Bears • Oklahoma Sooners • Oklahoma State Cowboys • Texas Longhorns • Texas A&M Aggies • Texas Tech Red Raiders |
