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Texas Tech University is a nationally recognized doctoral/research university located in Lubbock, Texas (USA) established in 1923 originally as Texas Technological College. It is the flagship institution of the Texas Tech University System.

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. However, in 1923 the decision was made to create a new college system entirely so as to serve the unique 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. 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, having 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, due to a desire to preserve the university's "Double T" emblem. The name change was such a big issue that students held rallies and marched against the name Texas Tech University. 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 a few rallies and student-led ballot initiatives, in 1969 the board voted unanimously in favor of the change to Texas Tech University.

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

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 Special Collections and the Viet Nam Archive, one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of information on the Viet Nam War in the world.

The university also maintains the KTXT-FM 88.1 student radio station focusing on Alternative, Indy Rock, Industrial and Hip Hop, as well as the National Public Radio station KOHM 89.1 which focuses on Classical music FM (radio). In addition, the university owns and operates Public Broadcasting Service station KTXT-TV (television).

The 1,839 acre Lubbock campus, valued at over 1 billion dollars , is home to Texas Tech's main academic university, law school and school of medicine, and is one of the few institutions to have all three units (university, law school, and medical school) on the same campus.

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.

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.

In addition to the "major" collegiate sports, the university offers other sports such as rugby, lacrosse, and soccer through campus intramural sports organizations.

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.

Legendary coach Bobby Knight has served as men's basketball coach since 2001. In early 2006, Marsha Sharp announced her resignation.

Traditions

Carol Of Lights

To celebrate the holiday season Texas Tech holds an annual event called the Carol of Lights. The event starts off with the Texas Tech University Combined Choirs performing selections of classic holiday songs at the Science Quadrangle. When the lighting ceremony commences, Students as well as those who came for the show stand in awe as over 25,000 red, white, and orange lights illuminate the 13 buildings surrounding memorial circle.

This tradition started in 1959 when Harold Hinn came up with the idea and provided the funds to cover 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 created the Christmas Sing, which is now known as the Carol of Lights. Today, the Carol of Lights is one of Texas Tech's favorite traditions.

Masked Rider

The Masked Rider is the oldest and most popular mascot of Texas Tech University that still exists today. Originally the Masked Rider started as a dare in 1936 and was then called the ghost rider, because no one knew the rider's identity. These ghost riders circled the field at home football games and then disappeared.

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, wearing Levi's, red shirt, a black cape and mounted on a black horse awed the crowd as the team made one of the most sensational entrances ever.

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 is one of the most visible figures at Tech.

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.

Will Rogers and Soapsuds

One of the most well known landmarks on campus is the statue of Will Rogers and his horse Soapsuds. This memorial was dedicated on February 16, 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 9'11" tall and weighs 3,200 pounds; its estimated cost was $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). To solve this problem, the statue was turned 23 degrees to the northwest, so Soapsuds' rear would face southeast (in the general direction of Texas A&M, one of the school's 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.

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.

Facilities

• Dan Law Field - Baseball
• Jones AT&T Stadium - Football
• United Spirit Arena - Basketball, Volleyball

Research Centers

• Wind Science and Engineering Research Center
• Center for Pulse Power and Power Electronics
• The Institute of Environmental and Human Health

Student publications and media

• KTXT-FM
• The Daily Toreador (TTU Newspaper, Formerly: The University Daily, renamed in 2005)
• The Perversity Weekly (TTU Satire Newspaper)
• La Ventana (TTU Yearbook)
• Student Media Site

Notable faculty and alumni

Notable organizations

• The Goin' Band from Raiderland, Texas Tech's marching band
• Sabre Flight Drill Team
• Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, founded at Texas Tech
• The Vietnam Project
• Saddle Tramps spirit organization
• High Riders spirit organization
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program

References

• "Texas Tech University Colleges and Schools". Retrieved Dec. 23, 2005.
• "Vietnam Center and Archive Now Available Online". Retrieved January 16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

Notes

• Template:Fnb Source: "Total Enrollment - Fall 2005".

External links

• Texas Tech University Official Site
• Texas Tech Athletics Official Site
• Texas Tech Alumni Association
• The Vietnam Project at the Vietnam Archive
• RaiderPower.com Athletics Discussion Site

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