Page 12 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2023 - Online Magazine

Tech was a natural transition for both Sandy and Alan
after high school. Sandy’s father finished his degree
in Biology at TTU, and her mother attended Tech, but
Sandy was the first in her family to attend Tech for all
four years. She has fond memories of Kappa Alpha
Theta, Mortar Board, the Homecoming floats, dances,
and live mums. She paved the way for her younger
brother and sister to be Red Raiders—and they both
married Red Raiders. Alan was the first Red Raider in
his family but influenced his brother to follow him and
also get a Texas Tech degree. To date, Alan and Sandy
have ten Red Raider relatives, not including extended
cousins. One of their biggest joys is that all three of their
children (Ryan Henry, Lee Henry, and Lauren Sandhu)
are Tech graduates, and they are hopeful that their five
grandchildren will also graduate as Red Raiders. In
2021, Alan and Sandy even invited their three oldest
granddaughters (Meryn, Harper, and Hollyn Sandhu)
to join them at Legacy University, an overnight camp
put on by the Texas Tech Alumni Association, to
engage grandparents and their aspiring Red Raider
grandchildren. They spent three days/two nights on the
Tech campus doing hands-on academic activities and
celebrating the traditions that make Texas Tech unique.
for education in our community.” This past February, Alan and Sandy first met at the Baptist Student Union
the museum celebrated 34 years—years of providing at Tech and married in 1966. Texas Tech has always
education and outreach to Lubbock families, as well as been a part of their story. They have both served
families all over West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.
on the National Board of the Texas Tech Alumni
Sandy and Alan have both always been proud Red Association, where Alan also served as chairman in
Raiders. Much of their time spent pioneering new 2006. In addition, Alan is director emeritus of the Texas
resources for Lubbock was done with fellow Red Tech Foundation Board. In 2022, Alan was honored
Raiders who were interested in championing the same as a Distinguished Alumnus for his dedication to
causes. Sandy hires a lot of Red Raiders and considers the university and to the city of Lubbock. Sandy was
the museum’s relationship with Texas Tech a great honored as a Distinguished Alumna of the College of
partnership. Alan, owner of Alan Henry Insurance, not Arts and Sciences.
only works with mostly Red Raider graduates but also The Henrys’ family all agree that Sandy and Alan are
offices directly across from the south side of campus. pioneers and go-getters with tons of energy. They are
And just like Texas Tech, the personal lines office visionaries who possess the patience and willingness to
building of Alan Henry Insurance is also 100 years old go through all the steps and channels to see change and
this year!
growth happen.
Alan and Sandy Henry are dedicated Red Raiders, some They are especially proud and thankful for Texas
of the most loyal in Lubbock. On any given weekend, Thyroid Testing legislation for newborns. They
they can be seen cheering at a Tech sporting event, suggested the bill to Senator Kent Hance, who carried
attending a Tech reception or program, or celebrating it to the Legislature. It was signed on the steps of
the accomplishments of a Texas Tech alumnus. There the Texas Tech Health Science Center by Gov. Dolph
is always room in their schedule for their alma mater. Briscoe, with the Henrys in attendance. Tech was the
Alan grew up in Lubbock, attending Dupre Elementary, first statewide screening location under the guidance
O.L. Slaton Junior High, and Lubbock High School (at of renowned pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Surendra
the same time as two more of Lubbock’s favorite sons, Varma.
Buddy Holly and Mac Davis.) Sandy attended school
in California, El Paso, and Guam before finishing high Besides all their civic accomplishments, the family
school at Monterey. Her father was a pilot in the Air really appreciates “Gmom” and “Gpa.” “We love their
Force and was transferred to Reese right before her get-up-and-go! They have a small cabin outside of Taos
senior year.

12 Lubbock Senior Link