Is The Hancellor Leaving Texas Tech?

Picture from the Texas Tech website“From here, it’s possible.” This Texas Tech University official tagline is meant to communicate to audiences that Tech has a culture where anything is possible. Now it is possible that Tech may soon be searching for a new chancellor.

After almost seven years since starting in his job, Kent Hance, who turns 71 in November, may step down. In a Thursday online article, the Texas Tribune quoted several anonymous sources that the system’s third chancellor plans to retire from his position by the end of the year. After the Tribune article was published, several local news sources reported late Thursday that Hance would announce his retirement today but would not step down until next year. The Tribune later issued an update, stating that Hance would step down in the summer of 2014.

As early as this summer, Hance told a number of people he was contemplating stepping down at the end of the year. And, several of his long-time top aides have moved out of his office in recent months, including his chief fundraiser, his chief of staff and his chief spokesman.

On Thursday, KCBD reported sources said Hance wants to retire while he is still in good health. He had a stent put in due to heart issues earlier this year. Hance has unfinished work he wants to complete before he leaves, such as hiring  a president for the Tech Health Sciences Center in El Paso, KCBD reported.

In an April 2012 article, The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported Hance said he would remain chancellor at least until he met his goal to raise $1 billion for Tech, which was part of Hance’s overall goal of Tech becoming a tier one research university.

Hance saw the completion of his fundraising efforts in February. In addition, Tech also appears to be on its way to 40,000 students by 2020, another major goal Hance has pursued since he was named chancellor in December 2006.

This year, Hance also saw the end of the bitter three-year Mike Leach legal battle, with Texas Tech prevailing and not paying Leach any money.
In the summer of 2012, the Kent R. Hance Chapel opened on the campus.
Hance, a former Texas state Senator, U. S. Congressman and Texas Railroad Commissioner, has been on a leave of absence from his Austin law firm since assuming the reins at Texas Tech.
Two names already being mentioned as a possible replacement are U. S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer and state Senator Robert Duncan.
The Tech Board of Regents is meeting today, and a press conference has been scheduled for 2 p.m.
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