Alumni News 2022

Making it Wright

It all started with a simple request from an elderly neighbor: please help me fix my porch. This was all the nudge Doc Wright (Geosciences '08) needed to go from someone with hardly any experience in woodworking to the owner and founder of The Wright Edge – a high end, custom artisanal woodworking shop specializing in functional art – just a few years later.

It wasn't exactly the route Doc thought his professional career would go or the way he'd envisioned he'd use his geosciences degree from Texas Tech, but now, his Dallas-based company creates custom woodwork furniture for the likes of The Ritz-Carlton, Omni, Mizzen+Main, American Airlines and even professional athletes and celebrities.

Making Moves

Kelly McFarland (Physical Education '92) found herself enjoying her teaching career after graduating from Texas Tech, but still yearning for more. It was this, along with her passion for helping people get better, that caused her to pursue a new career path in physical therapy. Hear Kelly's story of how a strong entrepreneurial spirit and drive led her to opening her own business, Premier Rehab, which has now expanded to nine locations across the DFW metroplex.

A Lasting Legacy

Dr. John and Dr. Elizabeth Hall Burns spent decades serving Texas Tech as lifelong educators. Their years of service included time in the roles of professor, department chair, vice provost and dean at the university.The Burns both made a major impact to during their time as educators and now, by setting up a planned gift, they will continue to leave a legacy here at Texas Tech. Their gift will ensure that they continue to cultivate young minds through scholarships awarded on their behalf.

Learn how you can follow in their footsteps to ensure the future of the College of Arts & Sciences and TTU by visiting ttusystem.myplannedgift.org.

Arur and Coyne Lead Communication Workshop for Scientists

Rob Coyne and Kavitha Arur, TTU physics alumni

TTU physics alumni Rob Coyne (left) and Kavitha Arur (right).

Kavitha Arur (Ph.D., Physics, 2020) and Rob Coyne (Postdoc, Physics, 2015-2017) joined forces to lead a professional development workshop for astrophysicists at the 240th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, held June 12-16 in Pasadena, Calif. Their workshop, “How to Give Great Presentations: A Scientist's Guide to Effective Communication,” was designed to help astronomers from all career stages develop and hone their communication skills, which are essential for all professional scientists. “The workshop was well attended,” said Sung-Won Lee, professor and chair of the Department of Physics & Astronomy. “We love to see our physicists continue to collaborate after they leave Texas Tech.”

TTU Among Top Universities Forming Hispanic Opportunity Alliance

TTU Holden Hall

Texas Tech University is one of 20 top research universities that have formed the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). The alliance was announced June 9, 2022, and represents the 20 United States universities that have achieved both Carnegie Tier One status (R1, very high research activity) and designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. The HSRU Alliance aims to achieve two key goals by 2030:

- double the number of Hispanic doctoral students enrolled at Alliance universities, and
- increase by 20% the number of Hispanic professors in Alliance universities.

“At Texas Tech University, we work every day to produce exceptional research and scholarship while advancing intercultural relations and global competency,” said Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec. “The HSRU Alliance will allow us to make a more significant impact by providing better support for Hispanic students, ultimately benefitting all students. We are proud to be among this group of distinguished institutions.” For a detailed account, follow this link.

Ronnie Green Shares 'A Fishing Story'

Ronnie Green ('91 Physical Education) has earned many titles throughout his life—All-American sprinter, Marine Corps officer, corporate executive, and world-renowned professional fisherman, to name a few. But to Green, there's one title synonymous with each chapter of his life: storyteller. Today, Green integrates his knack for storytelling with his passion for fishing as the charismatic TV host of the award-winning A Fishing Story, where he shares the unique life experiences of his guests and encourages viewers to celebrate and pursue their passions.

Jim Messemer Partners With Fast-Growing Companies

Jim Messemer has witnessed the 'industrial revolution of our age.' As a 1981 graduate from the College of Arts & Sciences with a degree in history, he currently serves as the CEO of NJTX LLC, a Silicon Valley investment vehicle that partners with some of the fastest-growing companies in the world.