Texas Tech University

Main Campus

TTU Lubbock

Introduction to Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University is a major public institution in the U.S. state of Texas. Its beautiful Lubbock campus hosts nearly 39,000 students. The University offers over 150 majors and is home to a diverse group of students representing all 50 U.S. states and more than 100 countries.

Ranked among institutions with the highest level of research activity (known in the United States as "Carnegie I" or "research 1" universities), Texas Tech is home to more than 50 research centers and institutes. Expert faculty members administer millions of dollars in grants annually.

In addition to its fame as a research institution, Texas Tech is known in the United States as a member of the exclusive Big 12 athletic conference. Athletes compete as "Red Raiders," and the Red Raider mascots "Raider Red" and "the Masked Rider" are recognized by sports fans throughout the United States.

Texas Tech History and Traditions

Texas Tech University was established by the Texas state legislature in 1923. The University is also the only campus in Texas that is a research university and also includes a law school and a medical school.

Originally named Texas Technological College, the institution opened its doors in 1925. At that time, it had six buildings and 914 students. The first graduate programs launched in 1927 in the School of Liberal Arts (now known as the College of Arts and Sciences). A Division of Graduate Studies began operations in 1935. It is known today as the Graduate School.

In 1969, the legislature formally changed the institution's name from Texas Technological College to Texas Tech University.

Texas Tech is home to a wide range of traditions and images, from the "guns up" greeting (with index fingers pointed up like pistols) to the well-known "Double T" logo, which originated in the 1920s. Spirit organizations in Lubbock still practice longstanding customs (and carry out old-fashioned pranks) to help students feel part of their university. Lubbock's Red Raiders look forward to the Carol of Lights to mark end-of-year holidays, and they know that before every home football game, the large statue of Will Rogers on his horse Soapsuds will be wrapped in red crepe paper.