Page 81 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2023 - Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS
A CENTURY

TO CELEBRATE

by Curt Langford

uch has been made of Texas Tech’s fellow Techsans living nearby. It's always
100th anniversary. It’s been a enlightening to listen to our oldest grads. To
Mprivilege to sit on the Centennial hear his story about his time at Tech helped me Inspiration
Committee, helping to support the university’s to better understand our campus community
historic celebration. The TTAA has been and culture before my time. Bill proudly wore
driving the alumni volunteerism campaign his Double T cap and spoke fondly of his past.
and has engaged alumni chapters throughout What a treasure to have met and visited with
the state to participate in the centennial mobile him. He and I may never cross paths again, but
tour. Aside from the more prominent events as fellow Techsans, we exchanged a handshake
in Austin, Houston, and upcoming in Dallas, as I told him he was forever One of Us. I'm
it's been a blast to meet so many alumni in grateful for such conversations with those who
flyover towns in Texas along the tour route. helped shape who we are today.
There’s immense pride among our people
during this celebratory year. I recall one stop What a privilege it is to be alive in 2023,
on a Sunday afternoon in Belton where Red celebrating Texas Tech's turn of a century. I
Raider families gathered for an afternoon think of all who have come before - our faculty,
picnic. It was the beginning of our newly students, and alumni - who collectively
established Bell County chapter, where more represent our DNA. From a remote region of
than eight decades of grads were present. It nothingness to a stellar institution on the verge
was there I met Bill Reynolds, who graduated of Top 50 status, it’s been a remarkable century.
in ‘58, now enjoying the opportunity to meet Much is said about achieving more with less,
and those involved in our past have set the
standard for higher ed on the high plains,
making the most with the resources they had.
As we celebrate our humble beginnings, we
forge ahead as a university increasingly valued
and recognized across the state, the nation,
and the globe.

Perhaps you’re part of our story? Whether
you've attended, taught or even just cheered
for Tech, you have reason to celebrate. After
all, our university collectively represents those
who have built it to what it is and those who
will make it what it will become. Let’s make
Texas Tech even better, together.

As we embark upon our second century, we must elevate our thinking from
big to bold. We must work tirelessly to open our doors to those seeking
knowledge and life-changing opportunities. We must be courageous in our
endeavors to find creative and unique solutions to worldwide problems, while
standing at the forefront of discovery and innovation. We must look beyond
Curt Langford, Ŧ ’90, ’97 the horizon, always in pursuit of making the impossible, possible.
President and CEO
Texas Tech Alumni Association -TTU President Lawrence Schovanec

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