Texas Tech University Archives

TTU Women's History Timeline: 1920s -1940s, 1950s -1970s, and 1980s -2000s

Also available are the biographies of TTU distinguished women honored in the annual "Women Who Shaped Texas Tech" exhibit.

Tech Raiderettes's kickline.

1980

Established in September of 1980, the Tech Raiderettes were the first dance drill team in the Southwest Conference. They made their debut at the Texas Tech junior varsity's football game against New Mexico Military Institute' JV team. (The University Daily, September 23, 1980)

Homecoming Queen Sharon Moultrie, November 7, 1981.

1981

Joyce Davis Arterburn was named the Woman of the Year at Texas Tech in 1981.

Sharon Moultrie was the first female Tech athlete, as well the first African American, to be elected as Homecoming Queen by her peers.

Promotion shot for the 1982 production of "Dracula".

1982

The Southwest Conference sanctioned women's athletics in 1982, coinciding with the NCAA's offering a national championship in women's basketball. The first Women's Southwest Conference basketball tournament took place from January 28-31, 1983 in the Hofheinz Pavilion on the UH campus. Under Head Coach Donna Wick 13 female athletes competed. Carolyn Thompson was one of those athletes.

Four members of the Women's Swim Team received All-American honors, a first for that program. Honored were Kathy Dixon, Debbie Kaufmann, Dorinda Jung and Melanie Schmauch. (The University Daily, March 24, 1982)

Hired in 1981 as an assistant coach, Marsha Sharp was promoted to head coach of the Lady Raiders in 1982, a position she would hold until 2006. Under her coaching the Lady Raiders achieved national recognition as a powerhouse women's basketball team.

The first Women's Studies Colloquium was established.

First School of Nursing graduates.

1983

Mary M. Slater, Reva L. Baldwin, Rachelle J. Clark, Paula Ballew, and Meredith Winkler were the first graduates from the Texas Tech School of Nursing, June 1983.

Eleanor Woodson, professor of clothing and textiles, was the first woman to receive the Spencer A. Wells Creative Teaching Award in its 18-year history.

1984

The first All-University Conference on the Advancement of Women in Academia was held at Texas Tech.

1985

Women's Studies is formally accepted as a program of study in the Interdisciplinary Master's Program administered by the Graduate School.

1986

Dr. Janet Perez (Classical and Romance Languages) was promoted to the rank of Horn Professor.

The Texas Tech Association for the Advancement of Women in Higher Education (TTAAWHE) was formed.

1987

Amy Love became the third woman to serve as Texas Tech student body president.

Lisa Clark played volleyball from 1987-1990 and, in 1987, was named Southwest Conference Newcomer of the Year.

1988

Dr. Elizabeth G. Haley served as interim president from September 19, 1988 - June 30, 1989.

1989

Ginger Kerrick transferred to Texas Tech in the fall of 1989 after Physics Department Chair Walter Borst helped her secure financial aid. Kerrick wanted to be an astronaut and found the support she needed at Texas Tech to pursue her dream. In 1991 she secured a summer internship with NASA and by May of 1994 she was working full-time for the agency. (Women@Nasa)

Dr. Mary Jeanne van Appledorn (Music) was promoted to the rank of Horn Professor.

Kathy Plattor and Evelyne Egger were the first female industrial engineering students to receive the Texas Association of Professional Engineers awards.

Coach Marsha Sharp addressing the packed coliseum.

1993

The Lady Raiders won the national women's basketball championship, securing Texas Tech its first national championship title.

Also recognized this year was Jeannine McHaney, Associate Director of Athletics. Besides being named the 1993 Administrator of the Year by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, McHaney was also awarded the Outstanding Women in Education Award and the Golden Key Award from the Women in Communications organization.

1995

Michi Atkins, a member of the women's basketball team from 1993-1996, was named Southwest Conference Woman Athlete of the Year in 1995 and 1996.

As a coach and athletic director from 1966-1994, Jeannine McHaney was an early pioneer of women's athletics at Texas Tech and was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor in 1995. She was the first woman to be inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor.

1996

In 1996, Michi Atkins was named to the All-Time Lady Raiders SWC Team and holds the distinction of being all-time leading scorer in SWC women's basketball history.

1997

Christy Martinez-Garcia, a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, received a B.A. in Public Relations and Marketing from Texas Tech.

Carolyn Thompson was the first woman and first African American woman to be inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

In August of 1997, Cathy H. Allen began serving as Vice Chancellor for Multicultural and Community Affairs, making her, as of 2020, the highest ranking African American employee at Texas Tech University. After fulfilling this position for 9 years, Allen has served in a number of different roles at the university on both the main campus and Health Sciences Center campus.

1998

Sharon Moultrie-Bruner, a track athlete from 1979-1982, was the first Texas Tech female to earn All-American honors. She was also the second woman and second African American woman to be inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

2000

Lisa Love, a volleyball athlete from 1974-1977 who also went on to have a successful coaching career, was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

Dr. Elizabeth Haley.

2001

Elizabeth Haley was appointed interim Deputy Chancellor for the Texas Tech System following the departure of Mike Moses.

Janice Hudson was the first Texas Tech volleyball coach at the intercollegiate level and in the Southwest Conference. A coach from 1975-1985, she was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor.

2002

The Women's Leadership Program began under the guidance of the Women's & Gender Studies Program and the Center for Campus Life. It ended in 2006.

2003

A professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation for more than three decades, Joyce Davis Arterburn was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor in 2003.

Loretta Bradley (Education) was promoted to the rank of Horn Professor.

Marsha Sharp was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

Sheryl Swoopes and Krista Kirkland-Gerlich were inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame. Both were members of 1993 national NCAA championship Lady Raiders basketball team. Kirkland-Gerlich was also named the 1993 NCAA Woman of the Year.

2004

Amanda Banks, a track athlete from 1986-1989 who was also selected as Southwest Conference outdoor champion in 1988 and 1989, was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2004.

Additionally, Sheryl Swoopes, a basketball athlete from 1992-1993, was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor. Swoopes was a a member of 1993 national NCAA championship team and is considered to be one of the more prominent athletes in the university's history. She is a 3-time Olympic gold medalist and went on to led the Houston Comets to three WNBA titles.

2005

Drs. Vivian Allen (Plant and Soil Science), Susan Hendrick (Psychology), Sunanda Mitra (Electrical Engineering), and Marilyn Phelan (Law) were promoted to the rank of Horn Professor.

The High Riders spirit organization entered into a partnership with the Saddle Tramps and the Campus for Campus Life to coordinate the appearance schedules and financial support for Raider Red. The mascot would now be portrayed by multiple students chosen from the ranks of the Saddle Tramps and the High Riders. Kari Rodgers would the be first woman chosen from the High Riders to take on one of the secret identity of Raider Red.

When she announced her resignation as head coach of the Lady Raiders basketball team at the end of the 2005-2006 season, Marsha Sharp was cited as having the longest tenure as an athletic coach in Texas Tech history. (link to Texas Tech Today Monthly, March 2006 edition)

A volleyball athlete from 1984-1987, Becky Boxwell (McIlraith) was the first Red Raider volleyball player to be all-region in 1987. She was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor in 2005.

Also inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2005 was Noel Johnson. As a member of the Lady Raiders from 1991-1995, Johnson was a part of the 1993 national NCAA championship team, voted MVP by her teammates, and was awarded the inaugural Jeannine McHaney Award.

International opera singer and a 1972 graduate of the Texas Tech, Mary Jane Johnson was the August 6, 2005 TTU fall commencement speaker.

Ginger Kerrick became the first Hispanic female Flight Director at NASA. ( Ginger Kerrick Monitors Action Aboard the International Space Station)

2006

Latino Lubbock Magazine was created by Christy Martinez-Garcia, who both owns and publishes the magazine, to address and promote the educational and community needs of the growing Latino community in Lubbock.

Michi Atkins, a basketball player from 1993-1996, and Tracy Thompson-Free, a women's golf athlete from 1993-1996, were inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor in 2006.

Leigh Daniel was a member of the track team from 1998-2001. In 2006 she was named to the Big 12 10th Anniversary Team.

Jeannine McHaney was awarded posthumously as a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient by the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators.

2007

Jill Burness played volleyball from 1995-1996 and was the only volleyball athlete, up to this point, to have her team number retired. She was inducted in the Texas Tech Hall of Honor in 2007.

Kari Rodgers, a member of the High Riders spirit organization, was revealed to be the first woman to portray Raider Red. She shared the role for two years with Tyler Bridge, a member of the Saddle Tramps spirit organization. (link to the KCBD News Channel 11, April 15, 2007, Raider Red's True Identity Revealed)

Dr. Eileen Johnson (Museum of Texas Tech / Director of the Lubbock Lake Landmark) was promoted to the rank of Horn Professor.

2008

Dr. Susan Saab-Fortney (Law) was promoted to the rank of Horn Professor.

Alicia Thompson, a basketball athlete from 1995-1998, was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

2009

Angie Braziel, a basketball athlete from 1997-1999 who was also selected as MVP of the Big 12 Post-season tournament, was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor in 2009.

The first Gender & Gender Identity Colloquium was held.

2010

Lisa Clark, a volleyball athlete from 1987-1990, was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

Drs. Linda Allen (Mathematics and Statistics), Sindee Simon (Chemical Engineering) and Vickie Sutton (Law) were promoted to the rank of Horn Professor.

Feminist Forums were first offered starting in the Spring and Fall of 2010.

Dr. aretha Marbley (Education) was the first African American female faculty member to be promoted to full rank.

2011

Sandy Butler, a softball athlete from 1998-2011, was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

Women's Equality Day Forum was first hosted on campus starting in 2011.

The Inaugural Women In Leadership Symposium was hosted by The Division of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Community Engagement in partnership with the Texas Diversity Council.

The Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA) was re-established on campus as a registered student organization.

Dr. Wendy Tolson Ross (Law School) was the second African American female faculty member to be promoted to full rank.

2012

Leigh Daniel, a track and field athlete from 1998-2001, and Amanda Renfro, a softball athlete from 1998-2001, were inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

2013

Christy Martinez-Garcia and her husband, Frank Garcia, were honored as one of the winners for the 2013 Texas Tech Parents of the Year Award.

Lisa Hilgers-Brueggemeier, a volleyball athlete from 1995-1998, was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

2014

Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech, was named as one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world for her work in the field of environmental science and advocacy for action on climate change.

Dr. Jingyu Lin (Electrical and Computer Engineering) was promoted to the rank of Horn Professor.

Michi Atkins, Amanda Banks, and Krista Kirkland-Gerlich were among the 11 former Red Raiders inducted in 2014 into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame. (Link to TexasTech.com article)

Stacey (Kolb) Totman, a woman's golf athlete from 1993-1995, was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

2015

In January, Dr. Jean Scott (Human Development and Family Studies) was selected to serve as the first appointed Faculty Ombudsman.

In the fall of 2015, the TTU Women Faculty Writing Program (WFWP) was established to encourage and support writing efforts by the female faculty at the university. The program, the second of its kind in the nation, was sponsored by The President's Gender Equity Council, the Women's & Gender Studies Program and the University Writing Center. (Link to article)

Arcilia C. Acosta, a 1989 political science graduate, delivered an eloquent commencement speech during the May commencement ceremonies emphasizing the importance of investing in people rather than material gain.

2016

In March, Arcilia C. Acosta, President and CEO of CARON Industries, was appointed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board by Governor Abbott.

Former Lady Raider Sheryl Swoopes was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 9, 2016.

Jia Perkins, a basketball athlete from 2000-2004, was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

Jennie Bailey was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor.

Ginger Kerrick, representing the area of STEM, was selected by the Texas Governor’s Commission for Women to be inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame for 2016. The induction ceremony was held at Texas Woman’s University in Denton on October 21st, 2016.

On October 3rd, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Associate Professor in Political Science and Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech, participated in a televised discussion with President Barack Obama and actor Leonardo DiCaprio on climate change as part of the White House South by South Lawn event.

2017

On June 10th, Sheryl Swoopes was one of six inductees into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

Marsha Sharp was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor.

Connie Robinson, a basketball athlete from 1993-1995, and Shereefa Lloyd, a track and field athlete from 2004-2005, were inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

2018

Jane Gilmore, a student of the TTUHSC School of Medicine, was appointed by Governor Abbott to serve as the TTU System Student Regent effective June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019.

The third annual regional Texas Women in Higher Education meeting was held in the Student Union Building on March 5th.

Carol A. Sumner was appointed Vice President of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on June 18, 2018.

Erin Grant, a basketball athlete from 2002-2006, was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

Jaclyn Cañas-Carrell, Department of Environmental Toxicology, was promoted to the rank of professor.

2019

Ginger Kerrick was appointed by the Governor Abbott as one of three incoming Board of Regents members to serve from May 2019-January 2025.

Fall, 2019 - Dr. Tara Stevens, professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership, was selected to serve as the second appointed Faculty Ombudsman.

Sally Kipyego, a track and field athlete from 2006-2009, and Kristy Frantz,a soccer athlete from 1996-1999, were inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame.

2020

Lori Rice-Spearman was appointed ninth president of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center on June 5th, making her the first female president in TTUHSC’s 51-year history, as well as the first female president in the entire TTU four university system. She has held multiple appointments in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center since her initial appointment in 1987.

Earnstein Dukes began her appointment as Dean of the TTU Libraries on August 1st, making her the first African American at the university to hold the position of dean.

Aliza Wong, Associate Dean of the Honors College and a professor in the History Department, was promoted to Interim Dean of the Honors College beginning on September 1st. Dr. Wong was the first Asian female to serve as a dean at the university.

2021

In January, the LISD Board of Trustees approved naming the new North Lubbock elementary school, located at 2010 Cesar E. Chavez Drive, in honor of Anita Carmona-Harrison, the first Hispanic female entirely educated in Lubbock to graduate from Texas Tech (1967). She taught bilingual education at LISD for almost 30 years.

Arcilia Accosta was named one of three new appointees to the TTU Board of Regents.

Katharine Hayhoe (Political Science and Co-Director of the Climate Center at Texas Tech) and Naïma Moustaïd-Moussa (Nutritional Sciences and Director of the Texas Tech Obesity Research Cluster) were promoted to the rank of Horn Professor.

2022

Mindy Brashears (Animal and Food Sciences) was promoted to the rank of Horn Professor.

Aliza Wong (Honors College) was appointed director of the American Academy in Rome, Italy, making her the first female of color to serve as director in the Academy's 128 year history.

2023

On January 25th, a stretch of Avenue L from the Marsha Sharp Freeway to 9th Street was named Suzanne Aker Avenue in honor of Suzanne Aker, Texas Tech professor of dance and founder of Ballet Lubbock.