Texas Tech President Announces His Return to Faculty

Every “excellence” initiative Whitmore set out in his inauguration speech has been accomplished or is well underway.

Texas Tech University President Jon Whitmore announced today (Feb.1) that he is stepping down as president, effective Jan. 31, 2009, or when a new permanent president takes office, whichever is earlier.  He plans to return to the faculty as a professor.

Whitmore said, “When hired in 2003 as Tech’s 14th President, I made a commitment to serve Texas Tech for five years.  My inaugural address reflected the Regent’s goal of achieving academic excellence.  Every ‘excellence’ initiative set out in that speech has now been accomplished, or is underway with substantial progress made.  Now that the agenda has been set to grow to 40,000 students, I believe new presidential leadership is needed to carry out that goal.

“My wife Jennifer and I are passionate Red Raiders and we appreciate the superior support and friendship that faculty, staff, students and alumni have provided us.  We pledge our best efforts to continue to work towards Tech’s unremitting improvement into the future,” said Whitmore.

Should a new president take office prior to Jan. 31, 2009, Whitmore has agreed to assist the Chancellor in making a smooth and effective transition for the 15th Texas Tech President.

“Texas Tech is grateful for Jon’s many contributions to the university and we wish him the best in the years to come,” said Texas Tech University System Chancellor Kent Hance.  “We will begin a presidential search immediately, but remain on task with the goals of the university.”

Chancellor Hance also announced an executive presidential search committee consisting of Regent Bob Stafford, Regent Mark Griffin, Kay Cash, Bill Dean and Dean Pamela Eibeck. An advisory committee will also be named.

Whitmore has served as president of Texas Tech University since September 2003.  He came to Tech from the University of Iowa where he served as provost for seven years.