Alumni News 2021

Lindy Cook Severns Paints an Iconic Event

Arts & Sciences alumna and Southwest landscape artist Lindy Cook Severns shares her approach to art while painting her impression of a beloved Red Raider tradition: the annual Carol of Lights event.

Paula Blackmon Sits on the Dallas City Council

The College of Arts & Sciences at Texas Tech offered Paula Blackmon the confidence to chase her dream of working in state politics. After graduating in 1992 with a degree in international trade, Blackmon launched her career, eventually working as Chief of Staff for two Dallas mayors. Today, she serves as a Council Member representing District 9 in the City of Dallas.

Jay Johnson is 'Mr. Pampa'

Jay Johnson has been referred to as 'Mr. Pampa.' The retired dentist spent more than 30 years practicing in his beloved hometown. Today, he continues to give back as a member of the Texas State Board of Education advocating for students across the Panhandle.

John Sellers Funds $1 Million Scholarship Endowment

Arts & Sciences alumnus John Sellers has established a legacy of remarkable business savvy. As co-founder of Double Eagle Holdings, he built it into one of the most successful oil and gas exploration and development companies in the world. The company's subsidiaries, Double Eagle and DoublePoint, have sold to industry partners for a combined $9.2 billion since 2017 under the management of Sellers and his business partner and co-founder Cody Campbell, currently a Texas Tech University System regent. Today, Sellers is growing something with a uniquely different impact. A legacy at the school that he believes in deeply and a scholarship fund named in honor of the economics professor, Rashid B. Al-Hmoud, who has served as a mentor and adviser along the way. “It's something that I want to grow,” Sellers said of his initial endowment. “It's just something that I think will be impactful to young men and women who need the money, and it will be something that will allow Rashid and me to stay in contact forever. And it will be very fulfilling.” Read the complete story at this link. 

Aaron Krejci Joins Texas Railroad Commission

Alumnus Aaron Krejci (Political Science, TTU) has joined the Texas Railroad Commission as director of public affairs. The announcement came from Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright on Aug. 12, 2021. “I'm excited to have Aaron join my team,” said Commissioner Wright. “His experience in Congress and the Executive Branch to reform and streamline regulations will be an asset to my office and the Commission.” Prior to joining Commissioner Wright's office, Krejci served in the Trump Administration where he worked to promote the Administration's regulatory reform agenda at the federal and state level, most recently as the Southwest Regional Representative for the U.S. Department of Labor. A native of Plano, Texas, Krejci is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Political Science. 

Toni Sauncy Honored as a Piper Professor

Alumna Toni Sauncy (Ph.D., Applied Physics, Texas Tech University) has been named a 2021 Minnie Stevens Piper Professor. Sauncy is professor and chair of the Physics Department at Texas Lutheran University (TLU) and one of only 10 college professors in Texas recognized this year for her superior teaching—22 years and counting—and for having a profound influence on students at the university level. A first-generation college student, Sauncy was also the first in her family to graduate high school. She is a Red Raider through and through, having earned all her degrees—a Ph.D. in Applied Physics, an M.S. in Physics, and a B.S. (magna cum laude) in Mathematics—from Texas Tech. Read the complete article about Toni Sauncy at this link.

Innovation on the Permian Basin

Deep within the Permian Basin rest thousands of years of rich history and powerful geological data. Watch the video to learn how Texas Tech University's College of Arts & Sciences and Premier Oilfield Group forged a partnership to preserve, market, and research core samples collected from this storied region of West Texas. Read the full account here.

Arcilia Acosta Named to TTUS Board of Regents

Arts & Sciences alumna Arcilia Acosta (Political Science 1989, TTU) of Dallas, is one of three new members appointed April 13, 2021, by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents. Their terms are set to expire on Jan. 31, 2027. Acosta is the president and CEO of CARCON Industries and Construction and the founder and CEO of Southwestern Testing Laboratories (STL) Engineers, a geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing firm. A native Texan, Acosta currently serves on the board of directors of Vistra Corporation, Magnolia Oil & Gas and Veritex Holdings, Inc. She is a member of the National Women Energy Directors Network, the International Women's Forum and a sustainer member of the Junior League of Dallas. She is a director of the Communities Foundation of Texas and director and chairwoman-elect of the Dallas Citizens Council. Previously, Acosta was appointed by Gov. Abbott for a three-year term on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) in 2016-19, which is the state's authority on public higher education. Acosta is a former director of the Texas Tech Alumni Association's National Board of Directors. In addition, she was the featured speaker for TTU's 2015 Commencement Ceremonies. She also has two sons and three siblings who have received degrees from TTU.

Monica Marquez: Beyond Barriers

Alumna Monica Marquez made her mark at some of the world's largest organizations. Now, she's helping women do the same as the co-founder and chief innovation officer at Beyond Barriers.

Jordan Woy: Agent of Innovation

Alumnus Jordan Woy earned his bachelor's in political science and went on to found Willis & Woy Sports Group, one of the nation's largest and most influential sports representation firms.

Nelson Balido: On a Scarlet & Black Mission

 

The Honorable Nelson Balido, a child of Cuban immigrants, built his father's music business into a Hispanic 500 Company, founded Balido & Associates, and serves as chair and CEO of the Border Commerce & Security Council—in addition to his tireless work as a proponent for Texas Tech University.

Stepping to the wooden podium to address the crowd of 15,000 bustling people inside the United Spirit Arena, Nelson Balido hesitated. The smooth, confident, and captivating international marketing consultant suddenly found himself wrapped up by the weight of the moment. Weeks earlier, he was crisscrossing the southwestern United States, rallying the Hispanic community as an official representative of the 2004 George W. Bush presidential re-election campaign. Now, Balido had been called back to the Texas Tech University campus by administration officials to give this address. That morning, he saw the stage as an invitation to reflect upon the genesis of his own story, one even he himself will quickly say has been quite unpredictable. Continue reading at this link.