Release below from TTAA. If your rep is an aggie or longhorn...or someone who may not have any affiliation one way or the other, this is a great chance to go meet them and show them how many Red Raiders live in their district. We need people from every district in the state showing up to flood their offices! This might be one of the most important legislative sessions in our history as far as securing the funding to take the next step as a university and as a system.
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The day provides a chance for Red Raiders to lobby legislators for support of the university.
Nov. 7, 2022
Andrea Watson
When Red Raiders rally, they can be quite a persuasive force. That persuasion will be crucial as Texas Tech celebrates its centennial in 2023 and pushes for significant funding from the Texas Legislature.
On March 1, Texas Tech alumni from across the state will be asked to rally in Austin for Texas Tech Day at the Capitol to ask state representatives to support the school we love so dearly.
“Our alumni and the Texas Tech Alumni Association make Texas Tech Day possible,” said Kristina Butts, vice chancellor for governmental relations for the Texas Tech University System. “Texas lawmakers want to hear from people living in the areas they represent. Texas Tech alumni are an incredibly effective resource to share Texas Tech’s legislative priorities and requests.”
The priority for Texas Tech leadership will be to maintain the $50 million in institutional enhancement funds the legislature provided the University in the third special session. This funding is important to support student success, academic excellence and research for Texas Tech.
“There has been much discussion in the Legislature about the lack of equality in state funding for all institutions of higher education,” said Morris Wilkes, a TTAA National Board member and chair of the board’s legislative affairs committee. “The 2023 Legislative Session will be important for Texas Tech and other higher education institutions to accomplish this goal.”
University leaders will also focus legislative attention on a joint initiative between Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center called the Institute for One-Health Innovation, which encompasses human and animal health and their shared ecosystem health. Texas Tech and the Health Sciences Center are each requesting $4.96M from the legislature to support the development of the Institute between the expertise at both universities.
Texas Tech Day at the Capitol has been vital in supporting Texas Tech’s efforts to secure significant funding during legislative sessions. In the past, alumni and the TTAA National Board have been helpful in securing funding for the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, support funding for the higher education formulas, research, and financial aid for students.
“The support of our state legislators has been critical to the advancement of a small, regional institution, Texas Technological College, into a world-class university that has become a potent force for learning and discovery,” said Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec. “We invite our alumni, friends and supporters to join us in Austin to thank the Legislature for their continued support as we look forward to Texas Tech’s next century of service to our state and nation.”
The events will begin with Capitol Tech: A Centennial Celebration starting at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at Coppertank Event Center, 504 Trinity Street. Tickets will be required for the event and are on sale now.
On March 1, the schedule will begin at 8 a.m. with an opening assembly of the TTAA National Board and alumni volunteers in the Texas State Supreme Court Building on the Capitol grounds. At 10 a.m., the Texas House will formally recognize Texas Tech, followed by recognition in the Senate at 11 a.m. At 1 p.m., there will be a group photo, and at 1:30 p.m., the work begins with meetings with legislators and their staff members.
“This is a great chance to remind Texas legislators just how many Texas Tech alumni there are in the state,” said Jim Douglass, TTAA vice president for development. “The lawmakers need to know how impactful Texas Tech is throughout the state, how many Red Raiders — alumni, students, parents — live in their districts, and why it’s important they support the university’s legislative priorities.”
Alumni are asked to RSVP for the March 1 Texas Tech Day at the Capitol. You may RSVP here. For more information or questions, visit 100.ttu.edu/austin or 100.ttu.edu/ttuday, or contact Jim Douglass at jim.douglass@ttu.edu.
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The day provides a chance for Red Raiders to lobby legislators for support of the university.
Nov. 7, 2022
Andrea Watson
When Red Raiders rally, they can be quite a persuasive force. That persuasion will be crucial as Texas Tech celebrates its centennial in 2023 and pushes for significant funding from the Texas Legislature.
On March 1, Texas Tech alumni from across the state will be asked to rally in Austin for Texas Tech Day at the Capitol to ask state representatives to support the school we love so dearly.
“Our alumni and the Texas Tech Alumni Association make Texas Tech Day possible,” said Kristina Butts, vice chancellor for governmental relations for the Texas Tech University System. “Texas lawmakers want to hear from people living in the areas they represent. Texas Tech alumni are an incredibly effective resource to share Texas Tech’s legislative priorities and requests.”
The priority for Texas Tech leadership will be to maintain the $50 million in institutional enhancement funds the legislature provided the University in the third special session. This funding is important to support student success, academic excellence and research for Texas Tech.
“There has been much discussion in the Legislature about the lack of equality in state funding for all institutions of higher education,” said Morris Wilkes, a TTAA National Board member and chair of the board’s legislative affairs committee. “The 2023 Legislative Session will be important for Texas Tech and other higher education institutions to accomplish this goal.”
University leaders will also focus legislative attention on a joint initiative between Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center called the Institute for One-Health Innovation, which encompasses human and animal health and their shared ecosystem health. Texas Tech and the Health Sciences Center are each requesting $4.96M from the legislature to support the development of the Institute between the expertise at both universities.
Texas Tech Day at the Capitol has been vital in supporting Texas Tech’s efforts to secure significant funding during legislative sessions. In the past, alumni and the TTAA National Board have been helpful in securing funding for the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, support funding for the higher education formulas, research, and financial aid for students.
“The support of our state legislators has been critical to the advancement of a small, regional institution, Texas Technological College, into a world-class university that has become a potent force for learning and discovery,” said Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec. “We invite our alumni, friends and supporters to join us in Austin to thank the Legislature for their continued support as we look forward to Texas Tech’s next century of service to our state and nation.”
The events will begin with Capitol Tech: A Centennial Celebration starting at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at Coppertank Event Center, 504 Trinity Street. Tickets will be required for the event and are on sale now.
On March 1, the schedule will begin at 8 a.m. with an opening assembly of the TTAA National Board and alumni volunteers in the Texas State Supreme Court Building on the Capitol grounds. At 10 a.m., the Texas House will formally recognize Texas Tech, followed by recognition in the Senate at 11 a.m. At 1 p.m., there will be a group photo, and at 1:30 p.m., the work begins with meetings with legislators and their staff members.
“This is a great chance to remind Texas legislators just how many Texas Tech alumni there are in the state,” said Jim Douglass, TTAA vice president for development. “The lawmakers need to know how impactful Texas Tech is throughout the state, how many Red Raiders — alumni, students, parents — live in their districts, and why it’s important they support the university’s legislative priorities.”
Alumni are asked to RSVP for the March 1 Texas Tech Day at the Capitol. You may RSVP here. For more information or questions, visit 100.ttu.edu/austin or 100.ttu.edu/ttuday, or contact Jim Douglass at jim.douglass@ttu.edu.
