Schovanec Named Sole Finalist for Texas Tech University President
Lawrence Schovanec, Ph.D.
Lawrence Schovanec has served Texas Tech University for more than three decades and has a proven record of success and achievement in higher education.
June 16, 2016 | Written by Dailey Fuller
Officials at the have named , Ph.D., sole finalist for the presidency of .
Schovanec is currently the provost and senior vice president at Texas Tech University and has served the university for more than three decades in multiple roles, beginning as a member of the faculty in 1982.
鈥淚t is truly an honor to be selected as the sole finalist for the president position at Texas Tech University,鈥� Schovanec said. 鈥淚 came to Texas Tech more than 30 years ago and have witnessed this university grow tremendously over the years thanks to the achievements and continued dedication of our students, faculty, staff and supporters. We have much to be proud of and an even greater future ahead. I am truly humbled and thank Chancellor Duncan and the Board of Regents for this opportunity.鈥�
The and Chancellor announced Schovanec for the position at the MINI传媒 System鈥檚 flagship institution at a special called board meeting today (June 16). Under state law, at least 21 days must pass before final action can be taken by a university governing body for the official appointment of a president.
鈥淭he search process resulted in several highly qualified candidates for the Board of Regents to consider,鈥� Chairman said. 鈥淎fter careful review and upon recommendation from Chancellor Duncan, the board deemed Dr. Schovanec as the most qualified candidate to be the next president of Texas Tech University.鈥�
A was conducted to recruit and identify a pool of experienced leaders for the position. The board voted to select Schovanec as sole finalist after conducting interviews with candidates and considering recommendations from Duncan and the . The search committee reviewed nominations and applications and presented top candidates for the chancellor and board鈥檚 consideration.
鈥淚t is with great pleasure that we announce Dr. Schovanec as the sole finalist to be the next president of Texas Tech University,鈥� Duncan said. 鈥淒r. Schovanec has a proven record of success as a leader in higher education and has a long history of accomplishment with Texas Tech University. We share the same bold vision for elevating Texas Tech University to new heights, and I am confident he will build on the current momentum we鈥檝e achieved over the past several years to create an even brighter future.鈥�
During his time as provost, Schovanec has helped strengthen Texas Tech University鈥檚 position as a leading national research university. In 2016, Texas Tech University was . The university also was recently .
鈥淭he search committee conducted a deliberate and thorough national search that yielded a very strong pool of candidates which included sitting presidents and provosts of major universities, as well as non-traditional candidates with strong leadership skills and ties to higher education,鈥� said , member of the Board of Regents and chairman of the presidential search committee. 鈥淚 thank my fellow members of the search committee for their commitment during this process and for helping to identify the best candidate to lead Texas Tech University.鈥�
Prior to his appointment as provost, Schovanec served as interim in the position before officially taking over the role in January 2014. He also has served Texas Tech University as interim president, dean and interim dean of the and as chairman of the . Schovanec has received the President鈥檚 Excellence in Teaching Award and is a member of the Texas Tech Teaching Academy.
Schovanec earned his doctorate in mathematics from Indiana University, his master鈥檚 degree from Texas A&M University and his Bachelor of Science from Phillips University. He has been published widely in academic journals and has spoken at numerous professional conferences. His research interests are in the fields of biomechanical and physiological control systems and solid mechanics.
About the MINI传媒
The is one of the top public university systems in Texas and the nation, consisting of
four component institutions 鈥� , , and 鈥� and operating at more than a dozen academic sites and centers. Headquartered in
Lubbock, Texas, the MINI传媒 System has an annual operating budget of nearly $2 billion
and approximately 19,000 employees focused on advancing higher education, health care,
research and outreach.
In 2015, the MINI传媒 System鈥檚 endowment exceeded $1.1 billion, total research expenditures were more than $215 million and total enrollment was approximately 50,000 students. Whether it鈥檚 contributing billions of dollars annually in economic impact or being the only system in Texas to house an academic institution, law school and health-related institution at the same location, the MINI传媒 System continues to prove that anything is possible.