Texas Tech University interim president Lawrence Schovanec and the Office of the President hosted the faculty and staff appreciation picnic, Tuesday afternoon. It was Schovanec’s last event as president of Texas Tech University.
Hundreds of Texas Tech faculty members were in attendance to enjoy some chopped brisket sandwiches, baked beans, chili dogs, banana pudding and fresh lemonade with coworkers.
Lawrence Schovanec, Ph.D., has served as interim president of Texas Tech University since former President Guy Bailey resigned from the position in August 2012.
“It was bittersweet to step down as president,” Schovanec said, “but I am looking forward to being more engaged with the faculty in the provost office.”
Schovanec starts in the provost office June 16 as interim vice President and provost.
Jada Rankin, marketing coordinator for the University Press, says that in the five years she has worked for Tech, she has witnessed positive growth university wide, and looks forward to bigger and brighter things.
“We are publishing more books even with a reduced staff,” Rankin said. “We are committed to this University, and hope to add to its success.”
Sam Jackson, Ph.D., associate professor at Animal Sciences, says it is outstanding to see how many people who work at Tech are dedicated to making this university successful.
On March 1, Chancellor Kent Hance named M. Duane Nellis, Ph.D., as the sole finalist for president of Texas Tech. He is currently the president of the University of Idaho, and will begin his duties as president at Texas Tech on June 15.
He served as president for the University of Idaho for four years, while securing record student enrollments, building the university’s research profile and supporting the university’s largest fundraising campaign.