Texas Tech University

Alvin G. and Barbara A. Davis Rodeo Scholarship

Alvin and Barbara Davis

The Alvin G. and Barbara A. Davis Rodeo Scholarship was established by Donnell Echols and Alvin Davis in 1991. The scholarship is awarded to undergraduate and graduate Texas Tech University students who have an interest in and participate in the Texas Tech University Rodeo Association activities.

Mr. Alvin Davis received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Production (Husbandry) from Texas Tech University in 1952. His wife, Barbara, received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education from Texas Tech University in 1953.

While at Texas Tech, he was president of the Tech 4-H Club and Tech Rodeo Association. His final 4-H project, in 1948, was the first of the numerous cowboy projects Alvin would be involved in. Alvin produced the World's Original All-Junior Rodeo. He formed the American Junior Rodeo Association (AJRA), one of the first youth rodeo organizations in the nation. He served as administrator from 1952 to 1958. The AJRA celebrated its 61st year in 2013. Alvin received the Outstanding Animal Husbandry Alumni Award, and Distinguished Alumni Award from the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Distinguished Alumni in 2001. A bronze bust of Alvin at main entrance of the Animal and Food Sciences Building was dedicated in September 2011. Alvin was also the first inductee to the Texas Tech Rodeo Hall of Fame. He served on the Masked Rider Committee for 21 years and was named the first honorary Masked Rider on its 50th anniversary in 2004. He also was Executive Vice-President and General Manager of the National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech from 1981 until his retirement in 1993.

Alvin is the Chairman of the American Cowboy Culture Association. He also serves on the Corporate Board for the National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration. In 2010, he was named to the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Over the years, he worked as Executive Vice President and a Director at two national banks in the region and later operated a mail-order western awards business and owned several western retail stores. Eventually he returned to Lubbock to serve as executive vice president and general manager of the National Ranching Heritage Center. During that time, he founded National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration. He made many appearances as a cowboy poet, writing a poetry book and a children's book ("A Day in the Life of a Cowboy"). Other honors include the Alvin G. Davis Room at the Garza County Historical Museum in Post, Texas. Alvin and Barbara have three children: Bob, Debbie Garland, and Todd. He and Barbara have four grandchildren. The Davises reside in Lubbock, TX.

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Contact

Alex Yack
Alex.Yack@ttu.edu
Senior Director of Development
806.742.2802

Matt Williams
matt.williams@ttu.edu
Director of Development
806.742.2802

Shelbey Havens
shelbey.havens@ttu.edu
Assistant Director of Development
806.834.1108