Texas Tech University Archives

TTU History Pages

Passed on February 10, 1923, Senate Bill No. 103 is commonly referred to as the school charter. Lubbock, Texas, was officially selected as the site of a new college on August 8, 1923 by the Locating Board. In the fall of 1925, Texas Technological College opened. Then, from 1959-1969, debates grew over renaming the college. The Board of Directors officially approved changing the school's name to Texas Tech University effective September 1, 1969.

Texas Tech University General Timeline - "From here, it's possible"

Below is a timeline of some of the highlights from Texas Tech history. This page is updated often.

Also available are timelines for the History of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Texas Tech Women's Timeline, a A Timeline of Underrepresented Groups at Texas Tech, and the Texas Tech Academic Timeline.

Prior to 1923

The Texas Tech Staff Senate Land Acknowledgement statement recognizes the Indigenous peoples and history of the land upon which Texas Technological College would be founded.

1923

February 10, 1923 - Senate Bill No. 103 (commonly referred to as the school charter) was signed by Governor Pat Neff, creating a new college in West Texas to be named Texas Technological College.
February 19, 1923 - The Board of Directors for Texas Technological College were named. (photograph of the first board)
March 2, 1923 - The first meeting of the Board of Directors was held in Sweetwater, Texas. (minutes of the first board meeting)
July 14-August 7, 1923 - Over a 25-day span, the Locating Board committee traveled by train and automobile to visit the 37 towns and cities which submitted proposals for the new college. (Proposals for Texas Tech)
August 8, 1923 - The Locating Board selected Lubbock as the site for the new West Texas college.
August 28, 1923 - A celebration was held in Lubbock marking its selection for the new college.
November 22, 1923 - Dr. Paul Whitfield Horn was named the first president of Texas Technological College.
December 6, 1923 - Dr. Horn arrived in Lubbock.

1924

The laying of the Administration Building cornerstone took place on November 11, 1924, before a crowd of 20,000 people. Governor Pat Neff, standing on a cotton bale, addressed the crowd. Other speakers included Amon G. Carter, Reverend E. E. Robinson, Colonel E. O. Thompson, and Representative R. M. Chitwood.

1925

Texas Technological College opened with four separate colleges - the School of Liberal Arts, the School of Household Economics [later called Home Economics], the School of Agriculture, and the School of Engineering. All were four-year course programs. Liberal Arts offered a B.A. degree option, while the other three schools offered a B.S. degree option.
Beginning in 1925, Texas Tech offered coursework to students who sought to get into a school of business administration, a medical school, or a law school.
Beginning in 1925, Texas Tech offered instruction in music in the areas of theory, Glee Club, Choral Club, College Orchestra, and the College Band.
The Texas Legislative appropriated $100,000 for equipment to start the Textile Engineering program at Texas Tech. That amount was closely matched by donation from machinery manufacturers.
September 22, 1925 - Paul Whitfield Horn, first president of Texas Tech, and his wife hold a reception at their residence for the new faculty.
September 28-29, 1925 - Entrance exams were held for students wishing to enroll in the new college.
The first student to register for classes in 1925 was Irwin Coleman.
September 29-30, 1925 - Registration for new classes was held.
September 30, 1925 - Formal opening exercises for the college were held in front of the Administration Building at 4 p.m.
October 1, 1925 - The first convocation was held at 10 a.m. and the college hymn, "O College Mother, Beautiful," was sung for the first time. The first classes began at 8 am. The first year of classes held at Texas Tech were comprised of freshman and sophomore level students. Of the 925 students, 738 were first time college enrollees while 187 students were transfers from other colleges. The first pep meeting was also held on the south lawn of the Administration Building.
October 3, 1925 - The first football game took place at 4 p.m. at Fair Park. Texas Tech, as the Matadors, squared off against McMurry College. The final score was a tie - Texas Tech 0, McMurry College 0. The twenty piece Tech Band made its first public appearance at the football game.
October 3, 1925 - President Paul Whitfield Horn and his wife hosted a reception for students and faculty to meet one another.
October 3, 1925 - The first issue of The Toreador, the college's new student newspaper, was published.
October 4, 1925 - Reverend R. Thomsen gave the opening sermon to the students and a union from all the Lubbock churches in the Livestock Judging Pavilion.
October 9, 1925 - The Matadors played their second football game, this time against Austin College. The final score was another tie - Texas Tech 3, Austin College 3.
October 13, 1925 - Lubbock churches held receptions for students of their respective denominations.
October 22, 1925 - The first Fish (Freshman) meeting was held.
October 27, 1925 - The first play was presented the Dramatic Club.
November 1925 - The Faculty Club was organized.
November 25, 1925 - The first bonfire at a "pep meeting" takes place.

1926

The second year of classes held at Texas Technological College were comprised of freshman through junior level students.
Texas Tech received accreditation by the Association of Texas Colleges and the Texas Education Agency (formerly State Department of Educations).
January 7, 1926 - Coach E. Y. Freeland presented the first letterman's sweaters during convocation in the Livestock Pavilion. The sweaters were scarlet with two black outlined T's. (Lucile Ford's 1925-1926 Scrapbook and The Toreador, January 9, 1926).
January 12, 1926 - The first Fish Caps, also known as Freshman Beanies or Slime Caps, arrived and were given to freshman student.
January 15, 1926 - The 1000th student enrolled at Texas Tech.
March 1, 1926 - The first dairy cattle arrived at the College.
March 15, 1926 - Students adopted scarlet and black as the official college colors and The Matadors as the college name.
April 15, 1926 - The first annual Freshman Recognition Day was held.
April 17, 1926 - the first All-College Dance was held on the rooftop garden of Cheri Casa Home for Boys. Programs of some of the Cheri Casa events can be viewed here.
May 1926 - Texas Tech was admitted to senior classification in the Association of Texas Colleges.
June 1, 1926 - The first Pageant was held.
June 4, 1926 - The first issue of La Ventana, the college's yearbook, is produced.
June 16, 1926 - The first summer school classes were held at Texas Tech.
November 24, 1926 - Coat-style senior sweaters were worn for the first time. The sweaters had a black "T" on them with a scarlet "Tech" and the numerals "'2" and "7" on either side. The design for a senior class ring was still under discussion. (The Toreador, November 26, 1926).

1927

The third year of classes held at Texas Technological College were comprised of freshman through senior level students.
May 26, 1927 - As part of the 1st commencement exercises, the College Choral Club, assisted by soloists that included W. P. Clement, presented a Thursday evening program of Sir Frederic Cowen's "Rose Maiden" held at 8 p.m. in the College Gymnasium.
May 28, 1927 - As part of the 1st commencement exercises, students, under the direction of instructors Ruth Pirtle, Johnnye Gilkerson and Band Director Harry LeMaire, put on a Saturday night pageant titled "Light in the Lone Star." The pageant, which began at 8:30 p.m., was held in before the Cloisters of the Administration Building.
May 29, 1927 - As part of the 1st commencement exercises, a Sunday morning Baccalaureate Sermon was held at 11 a.m. in the College Gymnasium. Dr. J. C. Granberry provided the invocation, the College Choral Club sang the anthem, and Reverend O. F. Powers gave the sermon. A signing of the College hymn, "O College Mother Beautiful" followed.
May 30, 1927 - Texas Tech's first commencement ceremony took place on Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the College Gymnasium. Mary Dale Buckner became the first Texas Tech student to receive a diploma after winning the drawing for which student would get the honor to walk first.
May 30, 1927 - The Alumni Association was organized following the commencement ceremonies by the first 26 graduates.
July 1, 1927 - Extension Service (continuing education) was authorized.
Texas Tech held its first homecoming.
November 1927 - The first Engineers' Banquet was held.

1928

May 19, 1928 - The annual pageant titled "Within the Reach of the Plains People" was held on Saturday evening at 8 p.m. at the College Athletic Field.
May 25, 1928 - The All-College Operetta titled "Aboard the Good Ship Barnacle" was held on Friday evening at 8:15 p.m. in the College Gymnasium.
May 27, 1928 - The Sunday morning Baccalaureate Sermon was held in the College Gymnasium at 11 a.m.
May 28, 1928 - Texas Tech's second commencement ceremony took place on Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the College Gymnasium. Former Texas Governor Pat M. Neff gives the Baccalaureate address. The first master's degrees were awarded to three Tech students.
Texas Tech received accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
November 1928 - The first Annual Aggie Pig Roast was held.

1929

January 22-23, 1929 - The first annual Farm Course was held.
January 29-30, 1929 - The first Farmers Short Course was held.
March 27, 1929 - The Plains Museum Society was organized.
April 20, 1929 - The first annual Engineers' Show was held.
May 3, 1929 - The first (and last) annual Aggie Fair was held in the Livestock Judging Pavilion. This event is the origins of the Aggie Rodeo.
May 17, 1929 - Directed by Ruth Pirtle, the "Fourth Annual Festivity An Elizabethan Fair" was presented by student on the lawn before the Cloisters (south side) of the Administration Building at 8:30 p.m.
May 25, 1929 - On the south lawn of the Administration Building, a ceremony was held at 7:00 p.m. for the presentation of a class gift and investiture of the junior class. Horace Grady Moore presented the class gift of a portrait of Texas Tech President Paul Whitfield Horn and the Texas Tech Band provided the music.
May 26, 1929 - The Sunday morning Baccalaureate Sermon was held in the College Gymnasium at 11 a.m.
May 27, 1929 - Texas Tech's third commencement ceremony takes place on Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the College Gymnasium. This was first class to graduate who completed all four years of coursework at Texas Tech. President Edgar Odell Lovett, of Rice Institute, gave the Baccalaureate address.
The West Texas Museum was established in the basement area of what would later be known as Holden Hall.

1930

January 28, 1930 - The appointment of Peter Willis Cawthon as head football coach and director of athletics was approved by the Board of Directors.
May 12, 1930 - An original operetta, "Naughty Prince Grasshopper," by W. R. Waghorne was given by the Public School Music Class in room 202 of the Administration Building.
May 24, 1930 - On the south lawn of the Administration Building, a ceremony was held at 7:00 p.m. for the presentation of a class gift and investiture of the junior class. Warren Huff, the student who presented the gift to President Horn, was cited in the May 22nd issue of The Toreador as "the individual who initiated the student union movement."
October 9-10, 1930 - The fist Aggie Rodeo (also known as the Annual Rodeo) was held in a makeshift arena building south of the Dairy Barn. A downtown parade and crowning of rodeo queen Virginia Wester were part of the rodeo's celebration.
November, 1930 - The Matador band made its first appearance in new uniforms described as suits of black serge trimmed with gold braid, with red satin leg inserts reminiscent of a bull fighter, and black flat-topped Spanish hats (TTC press release 11/6/30).
November 7-8, 1930 - The First Annual Tech Aggie Rodeo was held under the sponsorship of the Block and Bridle Clube. Kathleen Harmon was the first Rodeo Queen.
R.C. Marshall, edtor of the campus yearbook, won the song writing contest sponsored by The Toreador newspaper. The Matador Song was quickly embraced as the school's new alma mater.

1931

The senior class of 1931 gifted a large Double T Bench, designed by architectural engineering student B. A. Brady, to the college. The bench was still resides in its original location on the south side of the Administration Building.
August 3-15, 1931 - Football Coach Pete Cawthon sponsored the first Coaching School at Texas Tech. Wallace Wade of Duke University and Jimmy Phelan of Washington University were hired to head up the two-week program. An estimated three hundred coaches attended.
Matador Band Director Harry LeMaire wrote the music composition for The Matador Song to accompany Marshall's song lyrics.

1932

January 14, 1932 - Texas Technological College was accepted into the Border Conference and became eligible for playing in the conference starting September 1, 1932.
May 6, 1938 - Mrs. F. N. Drane, Board of Directors member, was appointed temporary acting President following the untimely passing of Dr. Paul Whitfield Horn for the purpose of signing diplomas for the spring graduates.
May 16, 1932 - The First Women's Recognition Ceremony was held on the south lawn of the Administration Building.
The first Homecoming Parade was held.
Summer 1932 - The second sucessful Coaching School was held. Various coaches headed up the program until 1935, the last year the program was held at Texas Tech.
October 14, 1932 - The Matadors football team made its debut in the Border States Conference against the University of Arizona. The Matadors won their first match.

1933

June 5, 1933 - The Board of Directors voted to rename the various Schools within Texas Tech to Divisions.
June 13, 1933 - Students met to organize the first law class. The names of the first students and how the class was set up can be found in the June 15th issue of The Toreador under the headline "Tech Lawyers Form First Law Class on Campus; Members to Prepare For Bar Examinations."
September 1933 - The semester system was superseded by the term system.

1934

Band Master Wiley directing the Matador Band during their visit to Los Angles, and the Varstiy Bookstore.

W. B. "Dub" Rushing, a Texas Tech graduate, opened the Varsity Bookstore at 1305 College Avenue.
An expediton to research the Yaqui people of northern Mexico was undertaken by a Texas Tech contingency.
May 1934 - The first expedition sponsored by Dr. William Curry Holden and the Department of Archaeological Research to Yaqui county took place.
October 1, 1934 - The first men's dormitory No. 1 (West Hall) and the first women's dormitory (Doak Hall) opened.
October 18-19, 1934 - 800 band tags were soldat 25 cents each to raise funds for the Tech Band to accompany the football team to Los Angeles, California for the October 26th match against Loyola University. While there, the Matador Band gave a public performance outside Grauman’s Theater.
October 22, 1934 - KFYO began broadcasting a hourly program on Monday evenings called "Tech Jamboree" featuring material provided by Texas Tech students and faculty. Ruth Pirtle, head of the Speech Department, was expected to submit one-act plays written and performed by Tech students for the program.
November 1934 - The first County Clinic for impaired speech, directed by Miss Ruth Pirtle, opened in the Lubbock Sanitarium.

1935

A Division of Graduate Studies was established.
Canon Clements was the first Texas Tech student to receive a Rhodes Scholarship.
November 11, 1935 - The College celebrated its tenth anniversary. 2,423 students were enrolled.
La Remuda, replacing the Annual Rodeo, was held at Matador Field (the football stadium) and featured a play.

1936

January 21, 1936 - The senior ROTC Unit was authorized by the War Department, making it the second unit in the State.
The Board of Regents approved President Knapp’s suggestion that a Division of Graduate Study be created, with the Chairman of the Graduate Committee designated as the Chairman of Graduate Study. No dean would be appointed. (BOR 1-28-36)
June 8, 1936 - The Victory Bells, presented to the College by the 1936 graduating class, were run for the first time, for fifteen minutes preceding the spring commencement ceremonies.
September 23, 1936 - Groundbreaking ceremony for the first unit of the Museum.
The Saddle Tramps spirit organization was founded by head cheerleader Arch Lamb.

1937

June 9, 1937 - The Victory Bells rang for thirty minutes to celebrate the following achievements: 1) The successful appropriation of $275,000 for the first freestanding library to be built on the Texas Tech campus; 2) The graduate program expands to become the Division of Graduate Studies, a separate unit headed by its own dean and council. Dr. William A. Jackson was named its first dean; 3) The Journalism Department was established; and 4) Restoration of faculty salaries to approximately pre-depression level.
The Journalism Department was established.
The West Texas Museum, later renamed the Museum of Texas Tech University, officially opened with William Curry Holden as its first director.
The Red Raiders football team won its first Border Conference championship title.

1938

January 1, 1938 - The Red Raiders football team made its first bowl game appearance at the 1938 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, against the West Virginia Mountaineers.
March 2, 1938 - The first Arbor Day celebration was held on the campus of Texas Technological College. The lack of trees and shrubbery caused President Bradford Knapp to proclaim that one day each spring would be dedicated to beautifying the campus. 20,000 trees and shrubs were planted around campus on the first Arbor Day by students, faculty, and campus organizations. Classes were dismissed at noon on this particular day to enable people to participate in the plantings. A chuckwagon served as the refreshment stand, offering doughnuts and coffee.
May, 1938 - Construction of the neon Double T sign, senior class gift to the college, took place at the end of May. The 22 foot tall sign was the second largest after the one on the Radio Corporation of American building.
July 16, 1938 - Mrs. John A. Haley, Board of Directors member, was appointed temporary acting President following the untimely passing of Dr. Bradford Knapp for the purpose of signing diplomas for the August graduates.

1939

March 17, 1939 - The Texas Tech Blarney Stone was unveiled in front of the Electrical Engineering Building. President Clifford B. Jones dismissed engineering students from classes at 9 am to attend the dedication ceremony so the students could being the tradition of kissing the stone to receive the power of eloquent speech. "Only seniors will be allowed to kiss the Blarney stone, but underclassmen are supposed to give it the respect it was due." (The Toreador, March 22, 1939)
May 29, 1939 - The Board of Directors authorized the creation of the Tech Foundation.
Explorations of the Lubbock Lake Landmark site, a state and national archaeological preserve), was first conducted in 1939 by staff of the West Texas Museum.

1940

May 8, 1940 - The first annual "Texas Tech Day" was observed by chapters of the Ex-Students Association.
October 18, 1940 - Texas Tech celebrated its first official All-Western Day which include the Aggie Rodeo. This replaced La Remuda, which was not as popular.

1941

The all-male era of the Texas Technological band ended in the fall of 1941 when a few females wanted to be majorettes. However, a campus rule was invoked against women participating as majorettes until after World War II. (TTU Press Release 6-6-23-69)

1942

The School of Business Administration was inaugurated.
June 4, 1942 - Ruth Stangel, Official Faculty baby of 1925, registered at Tech. She graduated on August 28, 1946.

1946

April 12-13, 1946 - The inaugural All-Western Days featured a sunrise chuckwagon breakfast, a street dance, a parade, and a rodeo sponsored by the Block and Bridle Club. Participants were required to wear western dress.
November 1946 - Texas Tech was accepted on list approved by the American Association of Universities.

1947

February 1947 - The first Willson Lecture was delivered by Dr. Roy L. Smith, pastor of the First Methodist Church of Los Angels, CA.
The Chemistry Department received accreditation by the American Chemical Society.
President Whyburn officially proclaimed April 11th-12th as the Second Annual All-Western Days on the Tech campus. (The Toreador, April 11, 1947)
Texas Tech received approval by the American Association of Universities, a prerequisite to joining the American Association of University Womeon (AAUW), then submitted an application to AAUW in early 1947. A committee at the school was formed in May of 1946 to begin compiling the necessary information for AAUW membership.(The Toreador, June 24, 1949)
A sorghum demonstration and testing nursery was established in the Plant Industry Department.(The Toreador, June 24, 1949)
November 29, 1947 - Dedication of the Clifford B. and Audrey Jones Stadium took place during the half-time of the Texas Tech vs Hardin-Simmons football game. (A copy of the dedication ceremony script of speeches resides in Clifford Jones' Papers Box 26 folder 9)

1948

The Department of Petroleum Engineering was formed.

1949

January 19, 1949 - The Block and Bridle Club held the first Annual Little International Livestock Fitting and Showing Contest in the Aggie Judging Pavilion.
The Graduate Council expressed concern that Tech was "making a very poor showing as to the number of our graduate students" and recommends three recommendations, including offering a Doctor's degree (BOD 1/15/49)
The Board of Directors approved conferring of degrees for emergency purposes at the conclusion of each fall semester (BOD 12/10/49 #357).
April 1-2, 1949 - The 4th annual Western Days activities, coinciding with the rodeo, included a meal in Aggie Grove, a dance the College Gym, and a parade.
April 2, 1949 - The 4th Annual Tech Rodeo was held in Jones Stadium, marking "the first time that the roping and riding tussle has ever been held on campus and in the stadium." Another first was having a Texas Tech president (Dossie M. Wiggins) on horseback led the parade processional. This year, the rodeo was co-sponsored by the Block and Bridle Club and the Tech Rodeo Association. The Block and Bridle Club sponsored the previous rodeos.
June 1949 - Texas Tech was approved for membership in the American Association of University Women.June 24, 1949)
June 21-22, 1949 - The first Institute on Partent-Teacher Leadership of the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers was held at Texas Tech.
September 19, 1949 - The Recreation Hall opened on the spot where years later the University Center/Music Building complex would be build.
November 5, 1949 - Lubbock Air Force Base, once known as the Lubbock Army Flying School and then Lubbock Army Airfield, was renamed Reese Air Force Base in honor of 1st Lt. Augustus F. Reese Jr., a 1939 Texas Tech civil engineer graduate who was killed during active service in 1943. (Texas Tech Ex-Student News, November 1949)
Texas Tech acquired the 17,000 acre Pan-Tex ordnance plant, valued at $23 million and including 433 buildings, located near Amarillo (Texas Tech Ex-Student News, December 1949)

1950

The first PhD programs were offered beginning in the 1950-1951 academic year.
February 16, 1950 - The Will Rogers Statue was dedicated in Memorial Circle. The sculpture, created by Texas artist Electra Waggoner Biggs, was a gift to the university from the Amon G. Carter Foundation.
April 15, 1950 - The Toreador issued the first foreign language edition in Spanish to celebrate Pan-American Day.
Tech students hailed from 38 states, District of Columbia, Hawaii, and 17 foreign countries - Belgian Congo, Brazil, Burma, Canal Zone, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Honduras, India, Iran, Lebanon, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Philippines, and Venezuela. (Texas Techsan, May 1950)
May 1, 1950 - Gabriel Gonzalez Videla, president of the Republic of Chile, visited with Texas Tech people, dignitaries and Lubbock citizens in Jones Stadium. (Texas Techsan, May 1950)
The neon Double-T sign, donated by the class of 1938, was relocated to the west end of Jones Stadium. The lighting dedication ceremony for the sign was held on September 22, 1950. (The Toreador, September 20, 1950)
October 19, 1950 - The formal dedication of the Texas Tech Museum with former president Clifford B. Jones giving the dedication and Carl Coke Rister as the guest speaker kicked off Tech's Silver Anniversary celebrations. (The Toreador, October 18, 1950)
The Silver Anniversary Symposium on October 20th included a luncheon for delegates from colleges and university in Drane Hall, a Symposium in the Senior High School Auditorium, and a dinner in Drane Hall.
November 11, 1950 - Texas Senator Lyndon B. Johnson was guest speaker at the dedication ceremony for Texas Tech's $4,000,000 building program. A large silver punch bowl was also presented during the half-time game on behalf of the Ex-Students Association in honor of the college's silver anniversary. (The Toreador, November 15, 1950)

1951

The Department of Music received accreditation by the Texas Association of Music Schools.
January 1951 - The Texas Tech Air Force ROTC was dedicated as the Lewis C. Ellis Unit.
February 3, 1951 - Dr. Carl Coke Rister was appointed to the first distinguished professorship at Texas Tech.

1952

January 1, 1952 - Participating in the Sun Bowl under the first season leadership of Head Coach DeWitt Weaver, the Red Raiders won their first bowl game. The team had also achieved winning their fourth Border Conference title in five season.
June 21, 1952 - Greek-letter fraternity and sororities were officially allowed at Texas Tech.
August 27, 1952 - Estus C. Polk, a graduate student in English, was awarded the first doctoral degree from Texas Technological College.
October 31, 1952 - The laying of the cornerstone and dedication ceremony was held for the Student Union Building.
February 9, 1952 - The Board of Directors officially designated The Matador Song as the school song following the recommendation of the Student Association.
The Toreador newspaper reported in February that the University of Arizona threatened to stop participating in Texas Tech athletic games unless Texas Tech changed its policy of banning African American athletes from participating in home games. Texas Tech athletic teams had played against other teams that had African American members but only at away games. (The Toreador, February 12, 1952) In a December editorial, Associate Editor Ann Bryan praised the Board of Directors decision to allow African American to participate in intercollegiate athletics and authorize the use of Jones Stadium for an all-star African American game. (The Toreador, December 12, 1952)

1953

April 24-25, 1953 - The first instrumental laboratory in Texas, situated in the Chemical Engineering Department, was one of the features highlighted during the annual Engineering Show. The School of Home Economics' Open House, also held on the same dates, featured tours of their fully equipped, modern textiles laboratory. (The Toreador, April 17, 1953)

1954

January 1, 1954 - Making his debut as the first official Masked Rider, Joe Kirk Fulton rode a horse onto the football field during the Gator Bowl game between Texas Tech versus Auburn University. Coach DeWitt Weaver was credited with the idea of having a new Texas Tech mascot make his debut during the Gator Bowl game. (Link to article)
Among the May 30, 1954 sketches of the Jack Benny radio program was a brief sketch (shortly after the 22 minute mark) mentioning extension courses at Texas Technological College and how soldiers overseas can take extension courses from various U.S. schools.
The first photo ID cards were issued to students for the fall semester by the Student Council. Four copies of each ID were issued - one for the student, one for the Registrar's Office, one for the Dean of Student Life, and one for the dean of the student's division. (The Toreador, September 23, 1954)
November 18, 1954 - Dedication ceremony for the South Plains Mural in the Museum Rotunda. Artists Peter Hurd, Mrs. Hurd, John Meigs and Manuel Acosta were in attendance. KDUB-TV televised a 30 minute live television show of the event and Dr. Gene Hemmle directed the Texas Tech Choir for the song "Ye Shall Have a Song." (Museum News, January 1955)
December 11, 1954 - The Board of Directors approved the hiring of Ruth Horn, daughter of the first TTC president, to write a book on the history of Texas Technological College with the understanding that copyright to the book and any royalties would be property of the college.

1955

An Oxford style debate was held in February centering on the question of whether Texas Tech should open its doors to African American students. This type of debate allowed for audience participation. J. W. Davis and Donnie Dean were tasked with presenting the affirmative argument while Glenn Rainer and Warlick Carr represented the negative argument.
The Dairy Industry Department placed 16 milk and ice cream vending machines in campus dormitories. The machines were serviced daily by Dairy Industry students with profits going toward better dormitory facilities. The Board of Directors approved the purchase. Products offered were three types of ice cream and white or chocolate milk. (Texas Techsan, September 1955)
The Southwest Collection was established as a department separate from the Library and officially opened its doors on September 1, 1955. Dr. Seymour V. Connor was its first archivist.
The Board of Regents approved the changing of the name of the five undergraduate academic units from "Division" to "School" effective September 1, 1956. (BOR meeting minutes, November 5, 1955)

1956

February 22, 1956 - George E. Benson was appointed to represent the Board of Directors at the ground breaking ceremony for the Army Reserve Training Center, which would be located at the northwest corner of the City Auditorium-Coliseum. The land was leased to the Texas National Guard Armory Board.
May 12, 1956 - Texas Tech was accepted into the Southwest Conference. At 10:32 am KFYO sportscaster Jack Dale made the radio announcement from Fayetteville yelling "Texas Tech is in the Southwest Conference!" The Victory Bells on the Tech campus began ringing and people gathered along College Avenue to loudly celebrate in pep rally No. 1 (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, May 13, 1956)
August 26, 1956 - The Texas Tech Dads Association was formed from the tradition of Dads Day which was established by the Association of Women Students.

1957

January 15, 1957 - The Texas Tech "Big Red Band," under the direction of Dewey O. Wiley, took part in the gubernatorial inauguration parade for Governor-elect Price Daniels, marking the band's first appearance in a Texas inauguration ceremony. (The Toreador, January 8, 1957)

1958

April 25, 1958 - The American Association of University Professors membership cast a unanimous vote of censure against Texas Technological College the dismissals of three Tech faculty members. The blacklist would remain in place for almost almost a decade.
December, 1958 - Music professor Gene Hemmle and Mrs. Dorothy Garner (Housing) joined a small group of students to Memorial Circle to sing Christmas carols, then retired to the Student Union Building for hot apple cider and donuts.

1959

The Honors Program was initiated.
Chemical Engineering was separated from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering to be its own department.
Between December 16-20, 1959 - Over 5,000 red, yellow and white colorful holiday lights were arranged on 4 buildings (Chemistry, Science, the original Library [now Mathematics], and Administration) to brighten up the holiday season. Board of Regents member Harold Hinn, who was President of Harvest Queen Mills in Plainview, was inspired by a light display he had seen in a Kansas City shopping complex and wanted to bring that Texas Tech. Hinn also provided the funding for the lighting and hoped that this would become an annual tradition. (The Toreador, January 7, 1960)

1960

Texas Tech received accreditation by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
April 1960 - A chapter of Sigma Xi was installed at Texas Tech.
The Atchiston, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway donated a locomotive bell to the Saddle Tramps which was called Saddle Tramp Spirit Bell No. 1. The bell would be used primarily at football games. (Tex Talks, May 1960)
October 15, 1960 - Re-dedication of the newly enlarged Clifford B. and Audrey Jones Stadium took place during the half-time of the Texas Tech versus Baylor football game. The home game was the first in Tech's first full year as a member of the Southwest Athletic Conference. A crowd of 35,000 was projected to fill the stadium's new capacity of 41,500 seats.
Lubbock Mayor David C. Casey proclaimed December 19, 1960, "E. J. Holub Day" in honor of Holub's many athletic achievements that fall, including being named "the nation's No. 1 lineman" and Texas Tech's first all-American.
December, 1960 - The first "All College Christmas Sing" was held.

1961

The Century Club was formed with 130 charter members.
January 2, 1961 - Tech received the Southwest Conference Sportsmanship Award for its first full year participating in the Conference.
January 1961 - Male members of the Tech Singers and the Tech Choir, as the Men's Glee Club of Texas Tech, were selected to make a record for Prentice-Hall Publishing Company. They were among 5 university and college groups selected to make music recordings in conjunction with five music book being published by Prentice for public school use.
February 24, 1961 - The men's basketball team won the Southwest Conference title, beating out TCU at 101-75.
March 1961 - Tech faculty members who were Phi Beta Kappa members formed Lychnos in a bid to obtain a Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Texas Tech.
In the summer of 1961, Mrs. Lucille Sugar Graves became the first African American student to enroll at Texas Tech.
The Carol of Lights tradition officially begins with student body president Bill Dean flipping on the light switch in December of 1961.
The Dads Association founded the Texas Tech Athletic Hall of Honor to recognize major contributions to the university's athletic program. Football coach Pete Cawthon and W. L. Stangel, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and the first Athletics Council Chairman, were the first inductees.
Multi-sport athletes Elmer Tarbox, Walter Schlinkman and Ransom Walker were the first three athletes inducted into the Texas Tech Athletic Hall of Fame.
December, 1961 - The "All College Christmas Sing" was renamed "Carol of Lights".

1962

The traditional green color of the freshmen beanie with red lettering, often referred to as the "Slime Cap" or "Fish Cap," was changed to alternating red and black with a black bill. (Tex Talks, October 1962)
March 19, 1962 - The west wing addition of the Tech Union opened.
October 16, 1962 - KTXT-TV broadcast its first programs as Texas Tech’s non-commercial television station.

1964

Approval was received for establishing a new Law School at Texas Tech.
The new University Theater opened in April of 1964 with a performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
The English Department established programs in Comparative Literature, Linguistics, and Folklor.

1965

In the first year of Peace Corps training at Texas Tech, 56 volunteers underwent an 8-week intensive training program covered by a $80.000 grant. The volunteers were assigned to work in Ecuador.
October 2, 1965 - The fortieth anniversary of Texas Tech's opening was celebrated all day, with hospitality registration held in the Student Union Building. It was arranged in conjunction with the Texas Tech versus A&M evening football game. The theme for the celebration was recognizing and honor individuals instrumental in establishing the school. The School of Engineering also hosted an open house.
For the first time since joining the Southwest Conferece in 1960, Texas Tech was selected as a upper division SWC contender.

1966

In the second year of Peace Corps training on the Tech campus, 55 volunteers arrived the week of August 31, 1966, for an 11-week intensive training program covered by a $144,000 grant. The program was directed by professor George O. Elle and the volunteers were assigned to work in Costa Rica.
Fall 1966 - Four Texas Tech professors nicknamed "The Flying Professors" began the first distance learning program at Texas Tech by flying weekly to the cities of Pampa, Borger, Midland and Odessa to teach classes towards a Master in Engineering degree. Amarillo was added in 1967 and the faculty members involved expanded to five - Richard Dudek, H. R. Heichelheim, Donald Helmers, James Lawrence and A. G. Oberg.
The International Center for Arid and Semi-arid Land Studies (ICASALS) was created.
The Forum Chapter of Mortar Board, in collaboration with the Southwest Collection, organized the "Pictures for Posterity" campaign to collect and preserve a pictorial history of the college covering the Texas Tech's forty years of operation.

1967

The Texas Tech School of Law was inaugurated.
The first Ph.D. degree in Business Administration and Chemical Engineering was offered.
March 6, 1967 - first day of a campus bus route was free. Afterwards, the fare was 10 cents.
April 8, 1967 - the Board of Directors approved the student body flag design, selected in an election held on February 24th, as the "official flag" for Texas Technological College. It was designed by Jimmy Hogg, a senior engineering student.
The Board of Directors approved asking the Texas Legislature to create a research park facility in Lubbock (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, April 9, 1967).
April 28, 1967 - the American Association of University Professors membership unanimously voted to finally remove Texas Technological College from its censure list.
May 6, 1967 – Protesting inaction on the name-change movement, approximately 500 Tech students and faculty participated in a “funeral procession” from the Administration Building to the Southwest Conference Circle. It was the fourth consecutive demonstration march in four days that was sparked by the statement “Texas Technological College is dead.” made by student Curtis Swinson. (The Toreador, May 9, 1967)
June 29, 1967 - the groundbreaking for the new Biology Building was held at 10:30 a.m.
Amarillo was added in 1967 to "The Flying Professors" rotation and the number of faculty members involved expanded to five - Richard Dudek, H. R. Heichelheim, Donald Helmers, James Lawrence and A. G. Oberg. The passing of HB692 established the Western Information Network (WIN), which involved the use of closed circuit television among 18 educational West Texas institutions with the Coordinating Board's oversight and administrative offices located at Texas Tech.

1968

October 25, 1968 - the groundbreaking ceremony for the $5.5 million addition to the Chemistry building was held. The new structure comprised of 125,600 square feet and included an auditorium that seated 300.

1969

September 1, 1969 - The Texas State Legislature formally approved the TTU Board of Regents name change request. Texas Technological College officially became Texas Tech University.
October 6, 1969 - Dedication ceremonies for the new $4.5 million Business Administration facility, located at 15th and Flint, was held in the auditorium. A symposium and open house event were also held as part of the building dedication.
December 1969 - 15 students finished their coursework early to become the first graduating class of the Law School.

1970

April 4, 1970 - The First Annual Law School Golf Classic was held at the Pinehills Country Club. 4 professors and 47 students were signed up as participants.

1971

June 21, 1971 - The Lubbock Lake Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for Lubbock County, Texas.
The Department of Mass Communications was formed, combining the Journalism Department and courses in telecommunications from the Speech Department, and advertising courses from the School of Business.
The Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism was founded by Charles S. Hardwick and Kenneth L. Ketner during the 1971-1972 school term.
September 10, 1971 - Mascot Raider Red, created and portrayed by Saddle Tramp member Jim Gaspard, made his official debut at the Friday night pep rally before the season opener football match against Tulane.
Lubbock Mayor Dr. Jim Granberry proclaimed October 18-22, 1971, as Texas Tech-Lubbock Week.
A School of Veterinary and Zoological Medicine was authorized on November 19, 1971, as part of the TTU School of Medicine.

1972

The Board of Regents supported an administrative ruling prohibiting the use of Memorial Circle and adjoining quadrangles for the Carol of Lights program. This was in response to a series of US Federal Appellate Court decisions on the use of designated areas for specific uses (For Your Information newsletter, vol. 3 no. 11 and 12, Dec. 6, 1972).
The School of Medicine officially opened its doors on August 21, 1972, at which time Bill Collins, Chairman of the Board of Regents, introduced the 36 freshmen and 25 junior students and keynote speaker Dr. Paul J. Sanazaro addressed the audienc.
The Residence Halls Association was organized through a merger of the Men's Residence Council and the Women's Residence Council.

1973

February 2, 1973 - A groundbreaking ceremony for the $4.8 million Library addition was held. This was the first time in Tech's history two groundbreaking ceremonies, the School of Medicine's being the other one, would be held on the same day with Board of Regents members in attendance. Former Governor Preston Smith headed up the groundbreaking ceremony for the the $35 million Phase I of the School of Medicine
February 10, 1973 - First observance of Charter Day at Texas Tech, as part of the university's Semi-centennial.
May 11, 1973 - The Board of Regents approved the establishment of an Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition as an interdisciplinary free standing institute of TTU and TTUSM.

1976

The Red Raiders football team scored its first Southwest Conference championship title, sharing SWC co-champion status with the University of Houston.

1975

The official women's basketball team was formed following the enactment of Title IX with Suzie Lynch as the team's first coach.
February 27, 1975 - The newly appointed Women's Athletic Council held its first meeting.
March, 1975 - Dr. Bill Dean, assistant professor of Journalism and student publications director, was chosen as Tech Man of the Year by staff of the La Ventana.

1976

The Ranching Heritage Center was dedicated.

1978

During the November 25th Texas Tech vs. University of Houston game, the Red Raiders football team wore black jerseys for the first time since the 1940s. (The Austin American-Statesman, November 26, 1978)

1981

December 18, 1981 - the first December graduation ceremony was held, offering summer and fall graduates the opportunity to participate in a separate fall graduation ceremony rather than having to wait until the following May. (The Toreador, September 22, 1981)

1982

In December, the Goin' Band was named the Best Dressed Band in the Nation and was the regional winner for 1982. The new uniforms were purchased in the fall and replaced uniforms purchased 23 years prior. "Judges called the Spanish Matador style uniform, worn by the band's 400 members, 'striking.'" (TTU press release #30-12-3-82)

1985

The Dairy Barn was chosen by the Texas Historical Commission as a historical landmark.

1986

October 3, 1986 - Plaque dedication ceremony for the first presidents of Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (2 separate ceremonies). The plaques were for Robert Cabiness Goodwin, Paul Whitfield Horn, Clifford Barlett Jones, Edward Newlon Jones, Bradford Knapp, Maurice Cecil Mackey, Grover Elmer Murray, William Marvin Whyburn, and Dossie Marion Wiggins.

1988

The School of Mass Communications was formed.

1989

The Vietnam Center was founded.
The Meat Judging Team won its first national championship competition.

1992

April 2, 1992 - The National Park Service approved the Dairy Barn's application for registry into the National Register of Historic places.
December, 1992 - The 34th Carol of Lights ceremony, accompanied by 20,000 red, yellow and white lights, was dedicated in the memory of music professor Gene Hemmle, who passed away at the age of 78 on August 11th. .

1993

The Lady Raiders won the national women's basketball championship.
Texas Senate Bill No. 254 was unanimously approved to provide for the position of Student Regent on a university's board of regents.

1994

Chad Greenfield was appointed by Governor Rick Perry as the first Student Regent to the Texas Tech Board of Regents.

1995

Jeannine McHaney, first director of the Women's Athletic Program, became the first woman to be inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor.

1996

May 10, 1996 - The Texas Technological College Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for Lubbock County, Texas. (Link to the application (PDF)
The Texas Tech University System, comprised of both Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, was established.
August, 1996 - John T. Montford was chosen to serve as the university's first chancellor. He would serve in this capacity for five years (resigning in September of 2001) and oversaw a very successful capital campaign fundraising program.

1999

February 1, 1999 - President Donald Haragan issued a proclamation marking the 61st year of the Arbor Day at Texas Tech, to be held on April 30th, and honoring a renewal of the campus tradition.
The Official Texas Tech Ring Ceremony was created in 1999.

2001

September 2001 - Dr. David R. Smith was named Interim Chancellor.
Summer 2001 - Red Raider Camp was held for the first time in Junction, Texas, with 335 campers in attendance.
Texas Tech's 2000 Arbor Day Celebration was chosen as a winner of a Celebration Award by the Arbor Day Foundation, citing "On April 28, 2000, more than 500 volunteers helped plant over 24,000 trees, shrubs, and flowers on the southern Texas campus... One of the event's themes, 'Arbor Day 2000 - Plant a Tradition' echoed Texas Tech's first Arbor Day celebration and large-scale planting project, held on March 2, 1938."

2002

May 2002 - Dr. David R. Smith was officially appointed Chancellor of the TTU System. He would serve in this capacity until his resignation in February of 2006.

2004

The College of Mass Communications, formerly the School of Mass Communications, was formed as a separate and independent unit.

2005

Starting in the fall 2005, female students began serving in the role of Raider Red. Due to high demand and class schedules, multiple students were selected to portrayed the mascot. The women were selected from the membership of the High Riders and the men from the membership of the Saddle Tramps.

2006

December 2006 - Kent R. Hance was appointed Chancellor of the TTU System. He would serve in this capacity until his retirement in July of 2014.

2007

San Angelo State University joined the Texas Tech University System.
The Graduate School established a new master's degree in forensic science in conjunction with the Health Sciences Center.
The Institute for Modern Conflict, Diplomacy and Reconciliation was established.
A doctoral degree in wind science and engineering was established.

2009

From 2009-2013, Red Raider Camp was combined with New Student Orientation to become Red Raider Orientation.

2012

January 2012 - The new, state of the art Rawls College of Business Building officially opened for classes.

2014

June 15 and 17, 2014 - Under Coach Tim Tadlock, the men's baseball team made its first appearance in Omaha for the College World Series. In game 3 Tech lost 3-2 to TCU and in game 7 Tech lost 2-1 to Ole Miss.
July 7, 2014 - Robert Duncan was appointed Chancellor of the TTU System. He would serve in this capacity until resigning effective August 31, 2018.

2015

January 6, 2015 - Texas Tech University and Collin College (McKinney, Texas) signed a partnership agreement allowing students in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to be able to receive Bachelor degrees.

2016

April 1, 2016 - Texas Tech University and Hill College (Cleburne, Texas) signed a partnership agreement allowing students who have earned an associate's degree to transfer to Texas Tech to complete a bachelor's degree.
May 19, 2016 - The first annual Lavender Graduation ceremony at Texas Tech, hosted by the RISE Office, celebrates the success of soon-to-be graduating LGBTQIA students with their families and invited guests in attendance.

2017

March 6, 2017 - 50th anniversary of Citibus (originally the Lubbock Transit Corp.) running a scheduled route on TTU campus.
September 25, 2017 - Undergraduate enrollment for full-time equivalent (FTE) Hispanic students reached 27.8% in the fall semester, qualifying Texas Tech to meet the minimum student enrollment requirement for status as an Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). This status opened new funding opportunities for the university, its faculty, researchers and students.

2018

2,105 official class rings were sold in 2018, with 80 percent of the students receiving the rings in attendance at the annual ring ceremonies event hosted by the Alumni Association.
March 23, 2018 - For the first time in the men's basketball team's history, the Red Raiders advance to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA tournament.
May 10, 2018 - Ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Costa Rica Campus in San Jose.
November 30, 2018 - During the 60th anniversary of Carol of Lights event, Bill Dean, outgoing president and CEO of the Texas Tech Alumni and associate professor in the College of Media and Communication, helped turned on the lights, a function he participated in during the first official Carol of Lights ceremony in the capacity of being Student Government President.

2019

Texas Tech was fully designated as a Hispanic Serving Instituion (HSI).
March 30, 2019 - For the first time in the men's basketball team's history, the Red Raiders advance to the Final Four round, beating out Michigan State 61-51.
April 8, 2019 - The men's basketball team lost its first NCAA national championship game 77-85 against the Virginia Cavaliers. Despite the loss, the heavy media coverage of the team's strong season resulted in the university receiving so much positive media coverage that applications for admittance to the university spikes.
April 22, 2019 - The official ring ceremony was expanded upon to include a processional of the rings from the McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center to the east Bell Tower of the Administration Building. The Victory Bells were rung by members of the Saddle Tramps to mark the occassion. 648 students received rings during the spring 2019 semester.
May 2019 - The Texas Legislature approved funding for a new School of Veterinary Medicine.
June 7, 2019 - The men's track team and field won the national NCAA outdoor track and field championship in Austin, Texas. The achievement marked the first time a Texas Tech men's athletic team won a national championship, and only the second time any Texas Tech athletic team has won a national championship since the university's opening in 1925.

2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas Tech held its May 23rd graduation ceremonies virtually, a first in the university’s history. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback who attended Texas Tech and played football from 2014-2016, served as the guest speaker for the ceremonies.
December 11-19, 2020 - Like fall semester classes, December graduation ceremonies were held both in person and virtual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In person ceremonies were held December 11th-12th. The virtual ceremony was held on December 19th.

2021

May 7, 2021 - Special commencement ceremony for alumni who graduated in May and August of 2020 and were not able to attend an in-person ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 2021 - the new School of Veterinary Medicine welcomed its inaugural student class.
September 1, 2021 - Midwestern State University joins the Texas Tech University System.
September 13-17, 2021 - The inaugural Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Week was held at TTU as part of the Hispanic/LatinX Heritage Month celebratory activities.

2022

January 19, 2022 - The Davis family donated the largest philanthropic donation in the university's history, gifting $44 million to the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources which was then renamed the Gordon W. Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Davis was a Texas Tech professor in animal science.
June 9, 2022 - Texas Tech was one of twenty top U.S. research universities to form the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU) to increase opportunities for underserved Hispanics in higher education.

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