Lance Nicholas, a senior agricultural education major from Katy, Texas, has been named to the “Tech 10,” a cohort of graduating seniors at Texas Tech recognized for academic achievement, leadership and service.
'To me, it serves as a reminder that with authentic mentorship and leadership, the impact we hope to make is right at our fingertips.'
The honor was announced Thursday (April 30) during a ceremony at the Frazier Alumni Pavilion, where university leaders gathered to celebrate a group described as exemplifying the institution’s highest ideals.
"I’m honored and humbled to have been selected as a recipient for this award,” Nicholas said. “To me, it serves as a reminder that with authentic mentorship and leadership, the impact we hope to make is right at our fingertips."
Established in 2023, the Tech 10 recognizes students who embody four pillars of Red Raider spirit: academic excellence, campus leadership, service and a commitment to honor. This year’s honorees, drawn from six colleges across campus, share a cumulative grade-point average of 3.89 and represent a wide range of disciplines, from theatre arts to biochemistry.
“Davis College is committed to excellence in education, and we strive to provide opportunities for our students to grow as outstanding future leaders,” said Darren Hudson, associate dean for strategic initiatives and assessment in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. “Lance is a prime example of someone who makes the most of those opportunities. We are very proud of him in winning this distinction.”
Selection to the Tech 10 follows a competitive, multi-stage process. Applicants submitted materials earlier in the semester, after which finalists were invited to participate in 20-minute interviews before a panel of judges who made the final decisions.
“Each year, the Tech 10 recognizes students who truly embody the Red Raider spirit, those who excel academically, lead with purpose and serve others with integrity,” said Ron Hendrick, provost and senior vice president in a Texas Tech press release.
Nicholas has been an active presence within the Davis College community. He has been a member of the Agricultural Educators of Tomorrow, the Honors College and the Texas Tech Leadership Institute. He also served from 2023 to 2025 as an Agri-Techsan, a select group of undergraduates who assist with recruiting and outreach efforts for the college.
Academically, Nicholas contributed to a research team that earned first-place honors for Outstanding Manuscript at the 2025 American Association for Agricultural Education Western Region Conference. The project, titled “A Phenomenological Study of Administrators’ Perceptions of the Impacts of Teacher Turnover in Texas Secondary Agricultural Education Programs,” examined the challenges facing agricultural education across the state.
He completed his student teaching assignment on April 30 at Royal High School in Brookshire, Texas, some 45 miles west of Houston. Following his expected graduation this month, Nicholas plans to begin a master’s degree in agricultural education at Texas Tech.
“I have always had a heart to help others succeed because nothing feels better than helping someone achieve their goals,” Nicholas said.
CONTACT: Scott Burris, Chair, Department of Agricultural Education & Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-8689 or scott.burris@ttu.edu
0501NM26