2010 Outstanding Alumni
The College of Media & Communication Outstanding Alumni Awards were instituted in
1981 to recognize alumni of Texas Tech University who have made outstanding contributions
to the field of media and communication.
Any person, organization, media group or company may make nominations for the annual
recognition. A selection committee representing the students, faculty, alumni and
advisory committee is appointed by the dean of the College of Media & Communication.
Outstanding Alumni are recognized at a breakfast on Saturday morning prior to a home
football game in the fall.
A medallion is given to each honoree, and plaques are retained for display in the
Media & Communication building.
Linda Francis Lee
A resident of New York City, Linda Francis Lee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in
advertising from Texas Tech University in 1981. Lee is the author of 19 novels that
are published in 16 countries around the world in languages as diverse as Japanese
and Russian. Her books have been nominated for the prestigious RITA award and have
made the Best Book of the Year lists by booksellers and readers.
Kelly Overley
is vice chancellor of Institutional Advancement and chief operation officer of the
Texas Tech Foundation. She is responsible for all fundraising initiatives of the Texas
Tech University System, which has an endowment of $750 million. Under her leadership,
the Texas Tech University System improved its 2008 ranking in the Chronicle of Philanthropy's
program, Philanthropy 400, from number 303 to number 137. At Texas Tech, she has started
an ambitious $1 billion fundraising campaign.
Telea Johnson Stafford
An executive member of the Texas Tech Alumni Board of Directors and chair of the
Membership/Marketing/Diversity committee, Telea Stafford earned her Bachelor of Science
degree in advertising from Texas Tech University in 1994 and her Master of Business
Administration degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, in 2003.
Rick Walker
A resident of Seattle, Wash., Rick Walker earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public
relations from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration degree
in international management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He is
director of strategic alliances for Microsoft in its telecommunications and media-focused
partner team based in Redmond, Wash.
Holly Williams
A resident of Brooklyn, New York, Holly Williams earned a Bachelor of Arts degree
in telecommunications in 1984 and a Master of Arts in mass communications in 1985,
both from Texas Tech University. She is a sales and marketing professional with experience
and accomplishments in direct selling, sales and marketing management, new product
development, and high-level corporate consulting.
Clay Wright
A resident of Albuquerque, N.M., Clay Wright earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in
journalism in 1981 from Texas Tech University. Currently, Wright is the executive
producer and owner of Desert Gem Productions Inc., a growing production company, with
diverse projects covering news, broadcast, film and corporate accounts.
Previous Outstanding Alumni
College of Media & Communication
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Address
Texas Tech University, Box 43082, Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
806.742.6500