Page 17 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2021- Online Magazine

LOCAL HISTORY

Lubbock businessmen created In the 1980s, Gerald and Louise
the “100 Club,” to re-establish the Merket gave the lead gift for the first
association. Each one gave $100 and expansion of the Merket Alumni
enlisted ten people to do the same. Center. It boasted a new ballroom
and alumni lounge.
Texas Techsan magazine appeared
in 1950. The earlier campus Then, in the 2000s, the facility
publication, Texas Tech Magazine, was enlarged. The Rex and Nancy
ceased publication in the 1940s. Still Johnson Isom Family of Idalou,
published today, the Texas Techsan Texas, gave a gift to help construct
was designed to focus on alumni, the Peggy and Bill Dean Grand
association news and campus events. Reception Hall. The lead gift from
Mickey and Barbara Esslinger
The association’s first offices were McKenzie of Sulphur Springs, Texas,
in the Administration Building. The made the expanded McKenzie-
organization’s fortune changed in Merket Alumni Center a reality – the
1969, when it relocated to the former newly redone facility opened in 2011
President’s Home at 17th Street
and University Avenue. The two- On Oct. 25, 1997, the association
story structure provided room for broke ground on another spectacular Texas State Historical Subject Marker honoring
receptions and meetings. campus structure, the Frazier Alumni the Texas Tech Alumni Accociation
(Photo by Hope Huneke)

THE RAIDER RED COMMIT TEE

Celebrating 50 Years of Raider Red

Fall 2021

Lubbock Senior Link 17