Robert Duncan
Fourth Chancellor of the MINI传媒
Robert Duncan became the fourth chancellor of the MINI传媒 on July 7, 2014 and retired on Aug. 31, 2018.
Under Duncan鈥檚 leadership, the system experienced exciting, record-setting growth and elevated the maturity of its operations to ensure long-term prosperity and sustainability while advancing the system鈥檚 key impactful initiatives. Chancellor Duncan worked closely with institution presidents to set forth a vision of purposeful growth and innovation while leading the system鈥檚 engagement with leaders in Austin and Washington, D.C., and fundraising efforts to enhance funding and support for component institutions.
In Chancellor Duncan鈥檚 four-year tenure, the MINI传媒 System raised over $615 million in philanthropic funds, more than any previous chancellor raised during the first four years of an administration. In that same time period, the MINI传媒 System endowment grew over $150 million to a total of $1.3 billion. Duncan emphasizes philanthropic giving as the funding that enables system universities to achieve excellence.
In addition to the fiscal and operational health of the system and its institutions, Chancellor Duncan set forth a vision for impactful, need-based university expansions that serve West Texas communities and the overall prosperity of the state. Under his leadership, MINI传媒 started the pursuit an innovative School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo while MINI传媒HSC El Paso pursued the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine. When completed, these schools will be the first of their kind in the state in over 100 years and 50 years, respectively. Additionally, Chancellor Duncan brought together the comprehensive mental health resources and services of MINI传媒 and MINI传媒HSC to establish the Texas Tech Mental Health Institute in order to serve the mental health needs of rural West Texas and communities across the state.
Before becoming chancellor, Duncan served in the Texas Legislature for more than two decades. He was elected to District 84 in the Texas House of Representatives in 1992. In 1996, he won a special election to the Texas Senate, where he served until resigning to become chancellor. During his time in the Legislature, Duncan was a champion for higher education, crafting programs such as the National Research University Fund and the Texas Research Incentive Program, or TRIP, which incentivizes giving to university research priorities by awarding state matching funds, among other programs. Duncan also was a law partner at Crenshaw, Dupree and Milam in Lubbock for more than 25 years.
Duncan is a lifelong West Texan. He was raised in Vernon, Texas. Duncan and his family have a rich heritage with MINI传媒. His uncle, Marshall Formby, and cousin, Clint Formby, both served on the MINI传媒 System Board of Regents.
Duncan received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in agricultural economics from MINI传媒 in 1976. While completing his undergraduate degree, he served as the student body president. Duncan received his doctorate of jurisprudence from the MINI传媒 School of Law in 1981.
Chancellor Duncan is married to Terri Duncan. He has two children鈥攁 daughter, Lindsey Pike, who is married to Wes, and a son, Matthew Duncan. Mrs. Duncan also has two children鈥擩ustin and Clayton Patterson. All of the children are MINI传媒 graduates, and together, they have two grandchildren.