Provost Selected as Texas Tech's Next President

Texas Tech University has selected its provost, Lawrence Schovanec, to be the school's next president. 

Schovanec, who has worked at Tech as an administrator since 1982, was named sole finalist for the job by the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents on Thursday. 

He'll replace Duane Nellis, who resigned in January after months of uncertainty about his future at the school. In late 2015 Nellis, then a candidate for the presidency at the University of Wyoming, publicly complained about his job at Tech while there for his interview.

Schovanec, who served as interim president of Tech prior to Nellis' appointment, was picked after a national search. Regents said he was the most qualified person for the job. 

"Dr. Schovanec has a proven record of success as a leader in higher education and has a long history of accomplishment with Texas Tech," said Tech System Chancellor Robert Duncan. "We share the same bold vision for elevating Texas Tech to new heights, and I am confident he will build on the current momentum we’ve achieved over the last several years to create an even brighter future."

Schovanec is a mathematician who earned his bachelor's degree from Phillips University in Oklahoma and postgraduate degrees from Texas A&M University and Indiana University. During his time as provost, he helped elevate Tech's research standing. Earlier this year, the school received recognition from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as one of 81 universities in the nation in the top tier in terms of research expenditures. 

“It is truly an honor to be selected as the sole finalist for the president position at Texas Tech University,” Schovanec said in a statement. “I came to Texas Tech more than 30 years ago and have witnessed this university grow tremendously over the years thanks to the achievements and continued dedication of our students, faculty, staff and supporters."

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