Alumni Profiles
SINCE TEXAS TECH'S FIRST GRADUATION in the spring of 1927, thousands of students have proudly completed undergraduate and graduate degrees and transitioned into positions of service and responsibility in the region, state, nation and world. Among these are former governors, astronauts, noted authors, Broadway stars, acclaimed teachers at all levels and highly successful entrepreneurs, agronomists, scientists, professional athletes, physicians, attorneys and other prominent professionals. Not all graduates achieve fame and fortune in equal measure, of course, but every one of them points with pride to the solid academic preparation they received and the personal connections they made as Red Raiders. From the very beginning, Texas Tech provided a foundation for success that is without parallel.
Betsy Watson
Police Chief; Psychology, 1971
She had heard this kind of thing before, but this time the comment stuck with her.
“Women can’t tell men what to do,” said Elizabeth "Betsy" Watson’s lieutenant when she expressed her intention to become a sergeant.
Suppressing the rebellion inside, Watson’s response was confident, cool and collected. “Things will change.”... more»
Brad Leland
Actor; Bachelor of Arts/Acting & Directing, 1980
When performers at Disneyland asked the audience for volunteers, a five-year-old Brad Leland was the first to jump up. He sang "Davy Crockett" and took a bow.
"I feel like I've been living in Disneyland ever since," he said.... more»
Garland Weeks
Sculptor; Bachelor of Science/Agricultural Economics, 1967
While watching some buddies mold clay into art, a young, freshly graduated Garland Weeks wanted to learn the difficult art of sculpture. He took multiple jabs of protest from his friends, but Weeks rolled up his sleeves and dug right into the challenge, making history ever since - out of clay.
"I developed a passion for sculpture overnight," said Weeks.... more»
Joshua Baca
Legislative Aide, Congresswoman Heather Wilson; Bachelor of Arts/Political Science, 2005
Every day when Joshua wakes up, he slips on his 2005 class ring from Texas Tech. "I still feel an enormous sense of pride in being a Red Raider," he says. "Of course, my role is different now that I am a graduate, but I vowed to myself always to represent the school to the best of my ability."... more»
Helen verDuin Palit
Founder of City Harvest, America Harvest, Angel Harvest, Aloha Harvest; Bachelor of Science/Sociology, 1978
There are angels in America, at least if you count Helen verDuin Palit, who pioneered the concept of harvesting good food from all components of the food industry to reduce the waste of good food while delivering this food directly to the local social service agencies feeding the hungry men, women and children for... more»
Wyman Meinzer
Wildlife Photographer; Bachelor of Science/Wildlife Management, 1974
From the endless horizons of Lubbock, Wyman Meinzer launched a career as a wildlife photographer after earning his bachelor's degree at Texas Tech. His photographs have appeared in Time, Newsweek, Field and Stream, National Geographic and many other national... more»
Dr. Wayne Isom
Chief Surgeon, Cornell Medical Center's Presbyterian-New York Hospital; Pre-Medicine, 1962
Dr. Wayne Isom grew up on a sheep farm in West Texas and says his father was a strong influence in inspiring him to attain an education. That's saying something for a man who has risen to the top of the fiercely competitive profession of cardiac surgery, performing bypass surgeries on celebrities like David Letterman, Larry King and Walter... more»
Pat Green
Three-time Grammy-nominated Singer/Songwriter; Bachelor of General Studies, 1997
Pat began his music career while attending Texas Tech where he practiced guitar with another notable alumnus, singer/songwriter Cory Morrow. While in Lubbock, he soon became a fixture in dancehalls and college bars, playing in local clubs and opening shows for other artists.... more»
Nicholas Johnson
Gates Scholar at Cambridge University, Ph.D. Program for Chemistry; Bachelor of Science/Electrical Engineering, 2005
After what Nicholas describes as "four wonderful years in Lubbock," he is now studying in the halls of Cambridge University, England. "My educational experience at Texas Tech was greatly shaped by the individual attention I received," says... more»
Lauro Cavazos
Professor of Public Health & Family Medicine/Tufts University School of Medicine; Former U.S. Secretary of Education; Former Texas Tech President; Bachelor of Science/Zoology, 1949; Masters of Science/Zoology, 1951
Dr. Lauro Cavazos, a sixth-generation Texan, was born near the historic town of Kingsville Texas, on the famed King Ranch. A descendent of the distinguished line of Kineños, or King’s people, who have worked on Texas’ most famous ranch since its founding in 1853, he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Zoology at Texas... more»
Scott Dadich
Creative Director, Texas Monthly; Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1999
If a picture is worth a thousand words, there's not enough room on this page to describe the success of Scott Dadich. At 24, he landed the job of Associate Art Director for Texas Monthly. By 2005 he was nominated for a National Magazine Award, named "Designer of the Year" by the City and Regional Magazine Association and named to Print magazine's "20 under 30"... more»
Suni Edson
Supervisory DNA Analyst, Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory; Bachelor of Science/Biology, 1992
Suni Edson is a Supervisory DNA Analyst for the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, which identifies the remains of service members still considered "missing in action" as a result of conflicts from Vietnam to the Civil War. Suni began her career as the daughter of a Texas Tech faculty member, and says Texas Tech "played a large part in my ... more»
David Gaschen
Recording Artist and Broadway Performer; Bachelor of Arts/Vocal Performance, 1993
David Gaschen sang his way from Lubbock to Broadway. When he graduated from Texas Tech University in 1993, he had already sung the title roles in Pirates of Penzance, Brigadoon, L’ Elisir d’Amore and many other... more»
Beth Harris
Marketing Director, The Academy Awards; Bachelor of Arts/Journalism, 1986
And the winner is... Beth Harris, a communications major and current Marketing Director for the Academy Awards. Beth credits her success to Texas Tech’s “hands-on communications degree.” About her time at Texas Tech, Beth says, “I gained practical understanding of news writing, public relations, journalism and advertising—all elements that I use every day in some fashion or... more»
Mary Jane Johnson
International Opera Diva; Bachelor of Arts/Music Education, 1972
Mary Jane Johnson was just a schoolgirl with a pretty voice when Texas Tech came into her life. She was recruited straight out of high school by the Texas Tech’s choir director and has now performed with Luciano Pavarotti, and in productions all over the world from Australia to Buenos Aires during her 35 years on the opera... more»
David Kneupper
Composer and Sound Designer; Masters of Music/Music, 1982; Ph.D./Fine Arts, Vocal Performance, 1988
The theme music to David Kneupper’s life began with “Fight, Raiders, Fight!” Today, David is an award-winning composer of original music for museums, theme parks, film and the stage.... more»
Pete Laney
Former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives; Bachelor of Science/Agriculture, 1965
When Pete Laney came to Texas Tech he was a farm boy from Hale Center, Texas who knew in his heart that he would always be a farmer. Little did he know that he would go on to be the five-term speaker of the Texas House of... more»
Terry Rolan
Director of Applied Technology, The Solae Company; Bachelor of Science/Animal Science, 1983; Masters of Science/Meat Sciences, 1985
"Even though I didn't know anyone, the immediate feeling I had when I first walked onto the Texas Tech campus was 'I belong here,' " says Terry Rolan. Right out of college, Terry served as the lead technical member of the Lunchable development team at Oscar Mayer. Today, Terry is the director of Applied Technology for The Solae Company, which produces quality soy protein products for a myriad of food applications including beverages and performance... more»
Preston Smith
Governor of the State of Texas, 1968⿿1972; Bachelor of Business Arts, 1934
When Preston Smith came to Texas Tech as a freshman in 1930, he already knew he would one day be Governor of Texas. Born in 1912, Preston was one of 13 children of a poor tenant farmer, but had already announced his intention to hold the highest office in the state by the age of nine. Preston held office as State Representative, State Senator and Lieutenant Governor before winning the race for Texas Governor in... more»