With some big cowboy boots to fill, state Senator Robert Duncan, R – Lubbock, has been named the fourth chancellor of Texas Tech.
In a press release on May 19, Tech announced Duncan as the sole finalist for the next chancellor of Tech. The Texas Tech Board of Regents is expected to vote on Duncan’s contract no sooner than June 9. Current chancellor, Kent Hance, will officially hand over the reigns on July 1. Hance will stay on at Tech as chancellor emeritus, a new position.
Current chancellor, Kent Hance, in his office at Texas Tech.
“I am delighted that the board of regents selected my friend, Bob Duncan, to be the next chancellor,” Hance said in a prepared statement. “He is an outstanding choice. Sen. Duncan has worked tirelessly for all of Texas and has always been willing to help the Texas Tech University System. He will do a great job.”
Duncan is currently the state Senator for District 28, which includes Lubbock. He has represented West Texas politically since the 1990s. Originally from Vernon, Texas, Duncan attended Tech, where he served as student body president as an undergraduate. He also received his law degree from the Texas Tech School of Law.
According to his official Senate web page, Duncan has worked to reform education, water rights, and healthcare affordability. Duncan has also worked on multiple finance committees.
The Board picked Duncan after months of a nation wide search to find the right chancellor for Tech, according the the official press release. Board members were contacted for comment, but did not reply. Other rumored potential candidates included U. S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R – Texas, and U.S. District Judge Robert Junnel.
Sen. Robert Duncan will be the fourth chancellor at Texas Tech.
Drew DeBerry, deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture, interned with Duncan while he was a student at Tech in 1999. DeBerry was the student body president at Tech at the time. With an interest in agriculture, DeBerry never considered a political track, but with encouragement from Duncan, he has found it to be his true passion.
“While I was there in his office, he made sure everyone knew I was there to work and learn,” DeBerry said. “It would never have happened if Sen. Duncan didn’t push for it.”
DeBerry went on to say that without Duncan’s guidance, he would not be working with public policy the way he is today.
DeBerry described Duncan as intellectual and compassionate, saying he weighs heavily the effects his decisions could have on people he does, or even does not, know.
“I think as the chancellor,” DeBerry said, “he will find a way to make sure students know what is going on, and make the best decisions possible for them.”
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