Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

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Changing of the President The surprise announcement Novem- ber 12 by Dr. Grover E. Murray thai he would resign the presidency of Texas Tech University sparked a year of searching for a new president and reflection on Murray ' s performance m the office. At a specially called faculty meeting. Murray announced that, if approved, his resignation would take effect Aug. 31. 1976. ten yean after he assumed the pott m 1966 Speculation immediately arose that Murray had been pressured into re- signing. But Murray denied that there had been any preamre and claimed that the decision was a personal of the presidency of a major university are numerous and (hey require virtually all of one ' s time, Murray said in hit letter of resig- nation. Because they are so consuming in nature I have neglected, to a con- siderable degree, my family as well as my personal and profcMioail welfare, inter- ests and acthnt bers agreed that Murray had not been pressured into quitting Moat of them did acknowledge the fact that Murray had had conflict with certain board mtm ben. Vice Chairman Jud- son Williams said that the issue of Tiring Murray came up at every meeting but that it was dismissed every time. Pressured or not. the decision tig- nailed an end to the most progressive administration in Tech ' s history. Murray ' s greatest accomplishment was clearly the transformation of Tech from a regional college into a major multi-purpose university. Murray set out his goals in hit inaugural address He said that Tech could become a major university through an inter- national program, improved academic and research programs, increased funding, improvements in facilities and an outstanding athletic program. Today, Tech has an international program (ICASALS). A broadened academic program is evidenced in the change from a technical school to a multi-purpose university. As to more think the thing I ' m proud- est of is the coming of age of Texas Tech as a major multi- purpose state university. Now it ' s up to the next president to ensure that we achieve the degree of greatness which I think is possible. This is not a one-man job it ' s a team ef- fort. MURRAY ' S ACCOMPLISHMENTS establishment of the School of Law establishment of the School of Medicine development of ICASALS (In- ternational Center for And and Semi-Arid Land Studies) formation of the College of Education construction of over $130 million m new facilities groundwork for veterinary and pharmacy schools Ranching Heritage Center funding. Tech ' s budget of $85 mil- lion in the coming fiscal year makes it the largest ever. Improved facilities are the result of $130 million in new construction during Murray ' s tenure. Tech ' s athletic program consistently produces quality teams and a budget in the black. With an eye to continuing this era of progress, students and faculty mem- ber immediately began pulling to- gether recommendations for a selection process and criteria lo be used in se- lecting a new president. At its December meeting the board formed a screening committee of 12 faculty members, six students and one ex-student. But the board carefully emphasued us position that the com- mittee existed for the sole purpose of providing input to the Regents and that the final decision rested with them. Regents also refused to limit themselves to can- didates recommended by the screening committee, saying thai the board should have a free hand in making its decision. The workings of the com- mittee stayed shrouded in secrecy for the most pan. Rumors flew as lo whether the new president would come from on campus or off. The board and commit- tee refused comment, but speculation on campus cen- tered on Dr. Glenn E. Bar- nett. executive vice presi- dent, and Dr. John R Bradford, dean of the College of Engineering By May the screening committee had processed most of the applications and the board had held several meet- ings on the subject of presidential selection. But no decision had been reached by finals, leaving the question open as to who would be at the helm of Tech ' s next administration and whether he would be able to match the record of his predecessor. T

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Homecoming bonfire Air Force Thunderbirds Leonard 1975-76: The Year on File Leonard Thomas ALPHA KAPPA PSI MLTA SIGMA PI TECH PRELAW SOCIETY PHI GAMMA NU Thomas MARKETING

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Students Fiddle While Tech Burns Campus fires, student apathy, more fee increases and a national president- ial election gave students plenty of things to read about in the newspapers in an unusally eventful and active year. President Gerald R. Ford made a campaign stop in Lub- bock April 30 in his quest for a victory in the Texas primary. The visit was the first ever made to Lubbock by a presi- dent while still in office. In an address before a full house at the coli- seum, Ford discussed his agricultural and defense policies and fielded ques- tions from the audience. The President also met with some 25 student leaders after his speech at the Hilton Inn. Ford ' s stumping ap- parently didn ' t help him much, for he lost Tj n d e n handily to Republican Challenger Ronald Rea- gan in Texas ' first presidential pri- mary. The win marked a turning point in Reagan ' s sagging campaign and threw the race into a neck-and-neck contest. On the Democratic side, front-run- ner Jimmy Carter carried Texas by a wide margin over favorite son Lloyd Bentsen. Ironically, the primary had originally been established as a means of advancing Bentsen ' s campaign, which had already ended by May 1. Only three of the original 12 Demo- cratic candidates remained in the race after Texas, and Carter looked like a good bet to sweep on to his party ' s nomination. National economic recovery, like the earlier recession, appeared to have little effect on Tech students. The de- creasing job market for college grad- uates, however, did begin to cause more students to think about their majors and chosen career fields in a new light: getting a job after school. Fees, predictably, went up. On campus, voting turned out to be the major issue of the year for the Student Association as it mounted ! a great show of Texas hospitality ' and respet l for the Presi- dent. 5.000 people got up and left during his speech. The incident was probably due to bad timing more than anything else; by 1:30. students had to gel back to classes and businessmen back to work after extended lunch hours. an intensive drive to register students to vote in Lubbock. After a slow start, the drive picked up and succeeded in getting several thousand students registered. Unfortunately, student voter turnout remained about the same President Gerald R. Ford drew a good crowd for the first visit to Lubbock by a President in office. Here the President mingles with a group of well wishers at a meeting with campaign workers at the Hilton (left I. Below. Ford attacks his opponent, Ronald Reagan, and affirms his support oj farmers. Weymouth Hall sponsored a car bash that resulted in the sledgehammering death of a couple of old autos. Mur- dough-Stangel kept up its reputation as the most active dorm complex by holding such diverse events as West- world and a Pig and Pepper Day. The UC topped it all at Homecoming with such age-old contests as goldfish swal- lowing and phone booth stuffing. But the year was not without contro- versies and frustrations. The proposal for alcohol on campus went before the Board again in September and went out just as quickly. Regent Don Work- man proposed setting up a screening committee for campus speakers after a controversial speech by feminist Florence Kennedy. Some of the local as in previous years: sparse. Lubbock firefighters had two op- portunities to practice their trade on campus. In October fire broke out in a sixth floor room of Wall Hall (LIFE, p.24). On May 12, when most students had finished finals and head- ed home, fire trucks returned to battle a blaze on the third floor of the Ad- ministration Building. The fire had apparently been burning for some time before its discovery and destroyed some 240,000 fee records. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from either inci- dent. In addition to the usual events, a few oddities dotted the Tech calendar. Leonard c itizenry began calling for censorship after the UD published a story on sex. Students were again denied the use of Memorial Circle for Little 500 and the Carol of Lights while administrators made plans for a cattle drive around it as a Bicentennial event. The Bicentennial itself produced few new activities, though it had its name attached to quite a few old ones. Still, with all the other things happen- ing in an active year, students will doubtlessly remember 1975-76 as a great time to be at Texas Tech. T 8-La Ventana