Two candidates are vying to be student body president for the 2015-2016 school year. If history repeats itself, whoever wins this election may be destined for greatness after their time at Texas Tech University.
Here is a look at a few former Texas Tech Student Government Association presidents who have a few more credentials besides student body president.
Term: 1926-1927
Ratliff was the second student body president at Texas Tech and was part of the first graduating class. He was an English major who worked for The Toreador newspaper and the La Ventana yearbook, and was involved in multiple clubs. His wife, Marge, was a fellow Texas Tech student.
C.W. Ratliff and Mary Hope Westbrook were part of the first graduating class. Picture from the 1927 La Ventana, courtsey of the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library website.
After graduation, Ratliff worked for what was then the Lubbock Avalanche newspaper, which combined with the Lubbock Journal a year later to become The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. He was the political and city hall reporter. Ratliff went on to be the first news director for KCBD Radio and Television. Because of his longtime service to the community, Lubbock named a city park after Ratliff.
Ratliff passed away in 1972.
Term: 1937-1938
Maxine Fry McCullough lighting the homecoming bonfire in 1937. Picture from 1938 La Ventana, from the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library website.
This is possibly my favorite Texas Tech story ever. Maxine Fry McCullough was the first female student body president, nearly 40 years before any other Texas university. Very progressive at the time, McCullough was a journalism major. In an interview with Texas Tech Today in 2011, McCullough said the most important aspect of her term was not about gender equality but the other changes they made. McCulloughs’ cabinet reformed the homecoming bonfire into what we know it as today.
After her term, McCullough married the vice president of her cabinet, Hugh. Later in life, Hugh became a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent. The couple traveled to all 50 states, and both enjoyed history. Hugh passed away in 1991 after 50 years of marriage.
Term: 1960-1961
Bill Dean has always been an overachiever. Picture from La Ventana in the Southwest Collection/Special Collections website.
Does Bill Dean even need an introduction? Dean has bled scarlet and black since coming to Texas Tech in 1956. As a student, Dean was a member of Phi Delta Theta and was on the varsity baseball team.
Dean loved Texas Tech so much, he decided to never leave. He has been a faculty member of the College of Media & Communication since 1972. Dean was voted best teacher at Texas Tech from 1997 through 2003. He is also the executive vice president of the Texas Tech Alumni Association.
Robert Duncan
Term: 1975-1976
Robert Duncan had a very successful term as student body president. The agriculture economics major was able to help establish “The Word,” a student magazine that includes coupons and other helpful information. Duncan and his cabinet were also able to have a stoplight installed at Main Street and University Ave. In sit-down interview last semester, Duncan said he was proud of what his group accomplished.
Duncan is now the chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. In his position, Duncan helps to promote Texas Tech in every way.
Term: 2001-2002
Picture courtesy of La Ventana at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library.
Steinmetz is another student body president who had a successful term. A finance major, Steinmetz was also a member of Phi Delta Theta. During his term, Steinmetz helped create many Texas Tech traditions we still celebrate today, including RaiderGate and the Student Red Raider Club. Talk about a successful year!
Steinmetz is now the president of Vista Bank in Lubbock. He has served on the Texas Tech Board of Regents since 2011, where he is the chairman of the finance and administration committee.
Term: 2008-2009
Picture courtesy of La Ventana in the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library.
Bobbitt is just one of many female student body presidents who have gone on to be successful. As a student, she was a baton twirler in the Goin’ Band from Raiderland and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. As a member of the student senate, Bobbitt helped to establish the Red Raider Relief Fund.
Bobbitt certainly put her political science degree to good use. She worked with Congressman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, for four years. Bobbitt is now attending law school at George Washington University.
Luke Cotton
Term: 2013-2014
Picture courtesy of Luke Cotton.
One president most students will remember is Cotton. The 2014 graduate is best remembered for getting turf fields at the Robert H. Ewalt Student Recreation Center. He also helped establish a working relationship between SGA and The HUb@TTU.
Cotton said his biggest legacy is an atmosphere of hard work, integrity, and teamwork throughout SGA.
“My biggest regret was not having a vast prior knowledge of how the university worked as in the way facilities and faculty are funded,” Cotton said.
Cotton is currently working for Lockheed Martin as a subcontract administrative associate for military airplanes in Dallas.
What will the new president accomplish during his term and beyond? We will just have to wait and see!
The Hub@TTU will stream a live candidate debate forum on Feb. 24. Voting will be open March 4 and 5.
About Sarah Self-Walbrick
