Texas Techsan magazine (2025)

01/05/2025

Gangadhar Acharya, Ph.D. – Ph.D. ’17:
“Texas Tech University is a pioneer place of my student life. I had a really good experience at Texas Tech. As part of my PhD, I looked for my area of interest and wanted to specialize in math with a focus on math education. My career plan was to be an academician. My intention was to work in areas like teaching and learning. The ideas that I learned from Texas Tech really equipped me to go into that area. Professionally, I am now a college professor. Texas Tech gave me a higher level of education that provided me many ideas to succeed in my career.”

To help record the history of Texas Tech’s first 100 years, the Texas Tech Alumni Association collected stories from alumni for an oral history project titled "Matador Memories." More than 10,000 alumni contributed to this digital vault honoring our past.

“Every Red Raider has a story,” and Matador Memories exemplifies that. We will be sharing some of those stories here. Enjoy!

A limited number of published copies of Matador Memories is available for purchase, which includes a one-year membership in TTAA. Contact the TTAA at [email protected] for more info.

Texas Tech Alumni Association

24/04/2025

Kennet P. Thurman – BS ’19:
“I've had a lot of family members that have gone to Texas Tech and it was great for them. I'm from a small town in Texas, so I really enjoyed Lubbock and Texas Tech. That's the main reason I chose to go there. What really struck me was the electrical and computer engineering program. It was one of the best choices I've made in my entire life because the professors were so helpful and so nice. The advisers for electrical and computer engineering are so nice and helpful. They helped me through it all. On top of that, the students that were in that department were also really thoughtful and smart. The engineering program makes people study abroad and I went to Ireland and that experience had a big impact on me personally and professionally. That was my unique experience. Through Texas Tech, I got multiple internships and I set up my life career. It's helped me to get good job opportunities and made good connections not only with my peers but professionally.”

To help record the history of Texas Tech’s first 100 years, the Texas Tech Alumni Association collected stories from alumni for an oral history project titled "Matador Memories." More than 10,000 alumni contributed to this digital vault honoring our past.

“Every Red Raider has a story,” and Matador Memories exemplifies that. We will be sharing some of those stories here. Enjoy!

A limited number of published copies of Matador Memories is available for purchase, which includes a one-year membership in TTAA. Contact the TTAA at [email protected] for more info.

Texas Tech Alumni Association

17/04/2025

Cynthia Louise Miller (Allen) – BSE ’87; MED ’91; TEACH ‘98:
“Texas Tech has been very much a part of my family, so it was a natural fit for me once I graduated from high school to attend Tech. I am a first-generation graduate. Neither of my parents attended Texas Tech or any other college, but they were fans. It was a huge campus compared to being in a high school, so I got lost for a little bit. It took me a little while to figure out which direction I wanted to go, but once I majored in education, it became more of a family for me in that particular area. Texas Tech made a huge difference in my career. I was a business education teacher for 11 years, and then, I had an opportunity to become a career and technical administrator for 14 years. A professor in the Family and Consumer Sciences area gave me the opportunity to work with her for my doctorate. Now, I'm teaching at Texas Tech.”

To help record the history of Texas Tech’s first 100 years, the Texas Tech Alumni Association collected stories from alumni for an oral history project titled "Matador Memories." More than 10,000 alumni contributed to this digital vault honoring our past.

“Every Red Raider has a story,” and Matador Memories exemplifies that. We will be sharing some of those stories here. Enjoy!

A limited number of published copies of Matador Memories is available for purchase, which includes a one-year membership in TTAA. Contact the TTAA at [email protected] for more info.

Texas Tech Alumni Association

10/04/2025

Robert "Shep" Harry Shepherd – BBA ’69:
“My dad wanted me to go to SMU and we lived in Dallas. My high school, Bryan Adams High School, was the largest high school in Texas at that point in time. We had a Future Mustang Club, Future Red Raiders, and Future Longhorns. I joined the Mustangs for dad and Future Red Raiders for myself. They convinced me to go to Tech. When I arrived at Tech, I'd been told by my high school counselor that I should be an engineer because the world needed engineers. That was in '65, and I was good at math and took science courses. I really wasn't that good at science. I took three years of mechanical, architectural, and engineering drawing and made straight A's. I won all the City of Dallas crafts fairs for my drawings. In my sophomore year at Tech, my grades could have been better, and my physics professor called me. He said, 'You're a good-looking young man with a brilliant future, but you're never going to be an engineer.' He gave me a C, maybe to get me out of his class. He asked, 'You just can't do physics, can you? I've already made a phone call to Dr. Dukes of the School of Finance. I've done an inventory of your talents. I think you'd be good with Dr. Dukes.' That was Dr. William Dukes, who retired several years ago. I went over to see Dr. Dukes; he was a Marine Lieutenant Colonel with a PhD. I think he joined the Marines when he was 18. He was a great guy, tough as nails, and he took me under his wing. I graduated in finance and ended up working 30 years with Wrangler Jeans as an account executive. My first account was Walmart, and my last one was Academy Sports and Outdoors. I had the opportunity to work with Sam Walton and Arthur Gochman, two of the best businessmen who ever lived. I will always thank my physics professor for changing the course of my life.”

To help record the history of Texas Tech’s first 100 years, the Texas Tech Alumni Association collected stories from alumni for an oral history project titled "Matador Memories." More than 10,000 alumni contributed to this digital vault honoring our past.

“Every Red Raider has a story,” and Matador Memories exemplifies that. We will be sharing some of those stories here. Enjoy!

A limited number of published copies of Matador Memories is available for purchase, which includes a one-year membership in TTAA. Contact the TTAA at [email protected] for more info.

Texas Tech Alumni Association

03/04/2025

Victoria "Tori" Ashley White (Crawford) – BS ’12; MS ‘13:
“I chose to attend Texas Tech because I have a pretty long family history of Texas Tech graduates. I had grown up attending baseball games, football games and coming for homecoming. In fact, I applied to lots of other schools and really wanted to look at all my options, but in the end, I ended up choosing Texas Tech because it literally felt like a second home to me. Fortuitously, I later learned it was the only school from my list that had the nutrition curriculum I felt called to pursue. Coming from a really small private school, having the opportunity to be part of the Honors College was a major deciding factor because I wanted to have really a small community within all the opportunities that a large university offers. Most memorable to me were the friends I made at Tech. There were so many wonderful, irreplaceable people I met and learned from through different organizations and groups. I was privileged to have had some really wonderful professors that took an interest in me. We still correspond on occasion about the fact that they truly equipped me for where I am now. I am so grateful for the way those educators invested in me. Currently, I am a registered dietitian in Austin, Texas, working in private practice with eating disorder clients. I began my career in Lubbock as a clinical dietitian at UMC for two years during my master's degree before moving to Austin. I think Texas Tech and being in Lubbock, in general, could not have been a better choice for me because I learned how to be on my own, how to truly invest in people, and how to communicate well. For potential students of Texas Tech, I would encourage them to get to know all the people they can, like their professors, friends and roommates. It's the people that will make their experience of getting a great education most memorable and meaningful!”

To help record the history of Texas Tech’s first 100 years, the Texas Tech Alumni Association collected stories from alumni for an oral history project titled "Matador Memories." More than 10,000 alumni contributed to this digital vault honoring our past.

“Every Red Raider has a story,” and Matador Memories exemplifies that. We will be sharing some of those stories here. Enjoy!

A limited number of published copies of Matador Memories is available for purchase, which includes a one-year membership in TTAA. Contact the TTAA at [email protected] for more info.

Texas Tech Alumni Association

27/03/2025

COL Gomer C. Cordell Custer, USAF (Ret.) – BS ’57:
“I had some lifelong friends. I was in intramurals, but I wasn't big enough to play football. I tried out for the swimming and diving teams. Aside from that, I wanted to be an engineer and I wanted to be in the oil business side. Back in those days, the draft was still on, and I went through ROTC and was commissioned. I knew I was going to have two years in the Air Force, and I wanted to fly airplanes. I was looking forward to that, but I did go to work for an engineering firm out of Midland and Odessa for six months until I went on active duty. I went through flight training down near McAllen and then near Big Spring. I was going to get out, and I only had a two-year commitment, so I went off flying status. They offered me a job where they wanted me to take my wife, but she wasn't too keen on it, but I was, so I did. I stayed on and the next thing I knew it was 30 years later and they were kicking me out. I never did go back on flying status, but I did enjoy it. I went to work for an engineering firm and a manufacturing firm out of Orange County, California. Then I moved to Cincinnati with my wife. I used to travel all the time. We manufactured components for aircraft and jet engines and the fuel system, and then I went into it. Finally I went into another job, which I've been in and still am, even at my advanced age, in aerial refueling. I'm the secretary of a NATO and DOD group that has all the packs, standards, operating procedures, and clearances for receivers and tankers and all that. It's mostly engineers from the Navy and the Air Force. I am still working, and I help run about five meetings a year, which are big ones. That'd be 200 or 300 people, and we'll work the documents and things, usually a couple of meetings in Europe and the rest of them here in the States."

To help record the history of Texas Tech’s first 100 years, the Texas Tech Alumni Association collected stories from alumni for an oral history project titled "Matador Memories." More than 10,000 alumni contributed to this digital vault honoring our past.

“Every Red Raider has a story,” and Matador Memories exemplifies that. We will be sharing some of those stories here. Enjoy!

A limited number of published copies of Matador Memories are available for purchase, which includes a one-year membership in TTAA. Contact the TTAA at [email protected] for more info.

Texas Tech Alumni Association

25/03/2025

Spring is here and so is the newest issue of the Texas Techsan magazine! This issue is like a giant Easter egg, full of goodness and fun. If you're not receiving the magazine, it's because you're not a member, but we'd love to have you join and become .Guns Up!
www.texastechalumni.org

20/03/2025

Leon "Dean" Lewellen – BS ’57:
“I graduated with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1957. My time at Tech shaped my life forever. While at Texas Tech, I learned engineering skills and developed lifelong friendships and strong core values that have served me well throughout my life. After Tech, I spent 40 years at the Boeing Company in several engineering design assignments and positions. My four years at Texas Tech molded and prepared me for my life's work and still serves me well in retirement. Go Red Raiders!”

To help record the history of Texas Tech’s first 100 years, the Texas Tech Alumni Association collected stories from alumni for an oral history project titled "Matador Memories." More than 10,000 alumni contributed to this digital vault honoring our past.

“Every Red Raider has a story,” and Matador Memories exemplifies that. We will be sharing some of those stories here. Enjoy!

A limited number of published copies of Matador Memories is available for purchase, which includes a one-year membership in TTAA. Contact the TTAA at [email protected] for more info.

Texas Tech Alumni Association

13/03/2025

Katherine "Kay" Sharon Storseth (Fenelon) – BBA ’64:
“During my junior year at Texas Tech, I met my future husband. The story of how we met is fun to me. We had a mutual friend, and she tricked us both into a blind date on Friday. Jerry, my future date, decided he was going to test me out on a date first to see if he really wanted to go to that dance on Friday night. We went on a date on Wednesday night, and it was just magic. From that day on, we saw each other every day. We didn't date anybody else except one date we already had planned another party with somebody else. We married the following August after we met in September. It was love at first sight. He graduated in January of my senior year because he was ahead of me. Then he moved to Dallas to work, and he came to see me at Tech every weekend. We were married almost 50 years until he passed away a few years ago. Texas Tech was the start of a wonderful life. I always thought I lived a fairytale life.”

To help record the history of Texas Tech’s first 100 years, the Texas Tech Alumni Association collected stories from alumni for an oral history project titled "Matador Memories." More than 10,000 alumni contributed to this digital vault honoring our past.

“Every Red Raider has a story,” and Matador Memories exemplifies that. We will be sharing some of those stories here. Enjoy!

A limited number of published copies of Matador Memories is available for purchase, which includes a one-year membership in TTAA. Contact the TTAA at [email protected] for more info.

Texas Tech Alumni Association

06/03/2025

Amanda "Mandy" Good (Gundlach) – BS ’02; JD ‘06:
“After receiving my JD from Texas Tech's School of Law, I started practicing law. Texas Tech had a significant impact on my career for several reasons. In undergrad, the livestock, meats, and horse judging I engaged in helped with articulating arguments, thinking on my feet and talking in front of people, and my mock trial work at TTU Law solidified the evidentiary basis I needed for my legal practice. That time in a mock courtroom finding your personal approach and techniques is something that I think really stands out when compared to other law schools. Thinking of my time at Texas Tech still makes me happy years later, and my time there resulted in a strong foundation for both my personal and professional dealings. When I think of Texas Tech, I think of fun, I think of all the wonderful, lifelong friends and relationships, and I immediately feel centered with a little boost of confidence because I know that I have what I need to do whatever I want in life.”

To help record the history of Texas Tech’s first 100 years, the Texas Tech Alumni Association collected stories from alumni for an oral history project titled "Matador Memories." More than 10,000 alumni contributed to this digital vault honoring our past.

“Every Red Raider has a story,” and Matador Memories exemplifies that. We will be sharing some of those stories here. Enjoy!

A limited number of published copies of Matador Memories is available for purchase, which includes a one-year membership in TTAA. Contact the TTAA at [email protected] for more info.

Texas Tech Alumni Association

27/02/2025

George Edward Bennett – BBA ’71:
“Looking back to my childhood, it was a dream of mine to be able to go to Tech. The university has helped me launch into my business career. It is a school that has the scope and size to deliver anything that anybody could want in an education. It is located in an area that is conservative and very friendly. There are a couple of people that I have recommended attending Tech, and several have been very successful. The education that I received and the experiences at Tech helped launch me into a business career that has lasted more than 48 years, and I would recommend attending this outstanding university to anyone.”

To help record the history of Texas Tech’s first 100 years, the Texas Tech Alumni Association collected stories from alumni for an oral history project titled "Matador Memories." More than 10,000 alumni contributed to this digital vault honoring our past.

“Every Red Raider has a story,” and Matador Memories exemplifies that. We will be sharing some of those stories here. Enjoy!

A limited number of published copies of Matador Memories is available for purchase, which includes a one-year membership in TTAA. Contact the TTAA at [email protected] for more info.

Texas Tech Alumni Association

20/02/2025

Phillis Inez Bruchmiller – BS ’71:
“The classes I liked the most were some of my child development classes and working in the child development lab that we had there. We were required to do that, but I didn't mind. It was a joy to do it. My nutrition and culinary classes led to being what I really went into quite a bit. I ended up being a culinary teacher in high school and teaching other kids to get ready to work in restaurants. I ended up doing that my first year right before I went into regular teaching. The job I wanted was not available in the South. They had one where it was a preschool, and they said, 'We have this right now and then next year we can get you into the high school.' I took that, and I was glad I had taken that. I had all that child development and live experience because it came in quite handy doing that. Even though it was just one semester of me doing that, it helped a whole lot. I was able to get jobs that I wanted fairly easy and without a lot of work. I worked in five different districts in the 36 years that I taught.”

To help record the history of Texas Tech’s first 100 years, the Texas Tech Alumni Association collected stories from alumni for an oral history project titled "Matador Memories." More than 10,000 alumni contributed to this digital vault honoring our past.

“Every Red Raider has a story,” and Matador Memories exemplifies that. We will be sharing some of those stories here. Enjoy!

A limited number of published copies of Matador Memories is available for purchase, which includes a one-year membership in TTAA. Contact the TTAA at [email protected] for more info.

Texas Tech Alumni Association

19/02/2025

Former Masked Rider Mackenzie White '16, '18 left the city for the quiet of Far West Texas. Here's a sneak peek of her story, "Into the Great Wide Open." For the full feature, pick up a copy of our Winter 2025 issue!

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Texas Techsan magazine

01/05/2025

24/04/2025

17/04/2025

10/04/2025

03/04/2025

27/03/2025

25/03/2025

20/03/2025

13/03/2025

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