Lauren Lovelace Murray is the first woman to serve in the role and, as Texas Tech Day approaches, she reflects on how her alma mater prepared her to become a leader in agriculture.
Lauren Lovelace Murray has loved horses ever since she was a child.
She longed to learn how to ride but didn’t grow up in a rural setting – rather, Grapevine. Her father, a coach, had to find a way to connect his daughter with her passion.
“My dad had a student that was teaching at a riding school in Southlake, and so I ended up taking riding lessons from there,” Murray recalled. “That turned into me volunteering out there, getting a job out there, and then eventually getting my own horse to compete in barrel racing.”
Murray’s father, Leon Lovelace, and both of her uncles did pass along a family tradition that would further her interest in agriculture. All three played football at Texas Tech University in the 1960s and she grew up picturing herself on campus one day.
When it came time to enroll, Murray found a natural fit in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. She quickly recognized the opportunities the program offered and the direction it could provide for her future.
Over the next five years, Murray developed the skills and perspective that would prepare her to lead one of the most recognized livestock shows in the country. When she was named executive vice president of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (FWSSR) in April 2025, she became the first woman to serve in the role.
“It’s such an honor,” Murray said. “Having a new role gives you new challenges and opportunities to grow. I’m excited to continue learning.”
Murray leverages the gifts of curiosity and discernment in this position, traits that were revealed during her college education.
Building Confidence at Davis College
There was no doubt that Murray fit in with her peers and professors from day one on campus. She joined an ag sorority, Sigma Alpha, where she was able to make friends with similar interests and eventually earn the role of vice president.
“I really loved my time at Tech,” she shared. “It was the traditions, the relationships and a lot of great professors that really led me in a direction I might not have been familiar with because I wasn’t from a rural background.”
What Murray began to struggle with more than anything was her major of choice: animal science. She initially believed she would like to be a veterinarian, but chemistry turned out not to be her knack.
By her junior year, Murray had to send her horses back home as she juggled classes with her work at the Cotton Economics Research Institute, helping coordinate conventions and newsletters along with organizing speakers and meetings.
“Sometimes you just have to pick something to get through all of it for a while,” she said. “So, I had to let riding go to the back burner.”
Then the Texas Tech Equestrian Center came about, and Murray was once again drawn to horses – this time not the science behind them, but the marketing side. Her eyes were open to such opportunities with event planning and management, which she believed aligned more with her strengths.
After Murray graduated with her bachelor’s degree in animal science in 2003, she decided to pursue her master’s in animal science and agricultural communications.
She was guided through this path by Cindy Akers, the vice provost for administrative affairs who was an assistant professor in agricultural communications at the time.
“Leaders just kind of shine, and she was one of those students,” Akers said. “She was engaged and wanted to learn as much as she could.”
Akers noted that Murray’s lack of an ag upraising was actually a strength in her case.
“Students that grew up in an ag background normally aren’t going to ask the questions,” she said. “They think they know, but they probably need to hear the answer. So, it’s really refreshing to have someone that doesn't have that background because we get to come at things from the same perspective.”
This would not be the last time Murray bravely stepped into an arena she was unfamiliar with. After she earned her master’s in 2004, she worked in the media center of the FWSSR. In this role she made sure the reporters not only left their property with engaging stories but also knew the correct ag terminology in which Murray had worked so hard to become fluent herself.
This was the start of a more than 20-year career with the organization, moving up the ranks from assistant manager of the Horse Show Department to manager and then director.
“Texas Tech really gave me a good background with all the animal science classes about all the different breeds and different livestock,” she said. “That gave me a good transition into learning more and being able to walk in with confidence.”
Akers had the unique opportunity to work with Murray not just as a student but professionally. She was not surprised to learn the news last year that Murray had earned the historic promotion to executive vice president.
“That’s probably the best part of my job is seeing people shine,” she said. “It just warms my heart to see her flourish and excel and know that she can conquer anything she sets her mind to.”
Leading the Future of the Fort Worth Stock Show
The new role was undoubtedly an honor for Murray, but in the moment, she also felt the pressure that came with the extra responsibility. The FWSSR will turn 129 years old this year, and she wants to ensure her work continues that legacy.
So far Murray is focused on the overall FWSSR production, meeting with volunteers and assisting with critical construction projects to ensure buildings can meet the year-round needs of all livestock/equestrian shows and graduations, dog shows, banquets and a variety of other events.
“I think we have a bright future,” she said. “With our renovation projects that we’re doing, I think we can keep building and growing and doing bigger and better things each year. It’s fun to think about what that’s going to look like and how that’s going to develop.”
Murray intends to continue the rich traditions of the FWSSR while also not becoming complacent by bringing in new, exciting events that will continue to boost growth in years to come.
One of those events she helped bring about is the annual Texas Tech Day. Hosted Feb. 3 this year, anyone wearing Texas Tech logoed apparel will receive free grounds admission, and half-priced rodeo tickets will be available for anyone with a valid Texas Tech ID.
Coordinating the event with Davis College staff and faculty, then seeing red and black flood the arena, always fills Murray with nostalgia.
“It’s also been fun to see folks that are involved with the stock show be excited about having a Tech Day, and I might not even know they were Texas Tech alumni,” she said. “We’ve been able to bring in the Masked Rider and have Raider Red at a few events, so it’s been fun to see everybody gather here in Fort Worth and have that experience.”
Akers notes that Murray’s influence on Red Raiders extends far beyond one day a year, though.
“She’s somebody that I’ve reached out to and said, ‘Hey, I have a student interested in this, would you be willing to set up a call?’ And she does that,” Akers said. “She’s willing to be a mentor or even just provide a little advice to help out anyone.”
Murray knows what it was like being a kid in the middle of the city with a big dream to make a difference through her favorite animal. By ignoring the obstacles in her way, she saddled up and is riding high.
“I think it’s important that if you have a passion for something, that you put yourself in a position where you can get yourself surrounded with the right people,” she said. “Be willing to learn, too. Don’t expect it to just come to you – try things that may be out of your comfort zone. I think that if you do the work it’ll show up, no matter who you are.”
To learn more about how to make a difference through the Davis College, click here.