As Texas Tech University celebrates its centennial year in 2023, the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business will highlight impactful individuals from years past. While each person be it as a student, alumni, friend, faculty or staff member may have impacted the college or their industry differently, one thing will always be constant: they are all part of the Rawls College legacy.

Kent Hance earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Texas Tech University in 1965. After earning his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1968, Hance returned to Lubbock to practice law and teach business law at Texas Tech.

Hance began his career in politics in 1974, winning a seat in the Texas State Senate. He then would go on to be elected to the 19th Congressional District in 1978. While a member of Congress, Hance served on the Ways and Means Committee, the Agriculture Committee and the Science and Technology Committee. Hance also authored President Reagan's tax bill, which won passage in 1981.