Schovanec named sole finalist to be Texas Tech President

Texas Tech Chancellor Robert Duncan says the university’s current provost and senior vice president, Dr. Lawrence Schovanec, is the sole finalist to be the next president of Texas Tech University.

In a letter to staff and supporters this morning Duncan said the Board of Regents voted to select Schovanec. He will replace Duane Nellis, who stepped down in January.

Duncan's letter:

Dear Colleagues and Supporters:

This morning during a special called meeting, the Board of Regents of the Texas Tech University System met to discuss the president search at Texas Tech University and voted to select a sole finalist for our flagship institution’s top position.

It is with great pleasure that the Board of Regents and I announce Dr. Lawrence Schovanec, the university’s current provost and senior vice president, as the sole finalist to be the next president of Texas Tech University.

Dr. Schovanec has served Texas Tech University for more than three decades and has a proven record of success and achievement in higher education. His extensive leadership as provost, interim president, dean and department chairman has been instrumental in enhancing the university’s academic profile and in strengthening our position as a national research university. 

However, it is Dr. Schovanec’s vision for the university’s future that set him apart as the most qualified and best candidate for the position. 

Today’s decision comes after conducting a thorough and exhaustive national search, aided by a search firm and search committee comprised of students, faculty, deans, regents, alumni and other supporters, that helped yield a strong and diverse pool of experienced candidates for consideration. I thank the members of the search committee for their hard work and commitment during this process and appreciate their service to Texas Tech University.  

Now that Dr. Schovanec has been named the sole finalist for the president position, state law requires that 21 days must pass before final action can be taken by the Board of Regents on his formal appointment. After that time, I look forward to introducing Dr. Schovanec as the 17th president of Texas Tech University.

Texas Tech University has made tremendous progress over the last several years, and I am confident that Dr. Schovanec will continue to build on our positive momentum to create an even greater future.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Schovanec on his selection as sole finalist and in celebrating this exciting announcement for Texas Tech University. 

Thank you again for your support of Texas Tech University and its continued success.

Background provided by Tech Communications:

Prior to his appointment as provost, Schovanec served as interim in the position before officially taking over the role in January 2014. He has also served Texas Tech University as interim president, dean and interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and as chairman of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics. Schovanec has received the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award and is a member of the Texas Tech Teaching Academy.
 
Schovanec earned his doctorate in mathematics from Indiana University, his master’s degree from Texas A&M University and his Bachelor of Science from Phillips University. He has been published widely in academic journals and has spoken at numerous professional conferences. His research interests are in the fields of biomechanical and physiological control systems and solid mechanics.