Narissra Punyanunt-Carter • Lubbock, TX • Class of 1996 and 1997

Dr. David Roach was most impactful on my career and my life. He encouraged me to consider graduate school. He believed in me and encouraged me to apply for a Ph.D. program. I would have never ever considered doing that unless he told me that he thought I could do it. He spent countless hours helping me become a better scholar.

Michael Meza • Lubbock, TX • Class of 2007 and 2008

My affiliation with Texas Tech University began as a young boy, and it now spans 5 decades!

In the seventies, I listened to Texas Tech football games on the radio, because back then not too many football games were televised. I can still hear the Victory Bells ringing after a win! Later, in 1977 at the age of 14 I received a golden opportunity to work in the Chemistry department at Texas Tech. I was actually trained to run the mass spectrometer that analyzed unknown chemical solutions for the Chemistry students! This machine cost more than a $!00K, and I was supposed to work there part time during the school year. Unfortunately, the deal fell through, when the engineer who had trained me to operate the machine went on strike. Apparently, he had been doing the job of two people for months, and the only reason he didn't raise a fuss was because he didn't want me to lose my position. Imagine, a professional placing his life on hold for a 14 year old! I told him not to worry about me. Yes, it was a great opportunity for me, but I was a kid and he had a family to think about. Anyway, he went on strike the next day and I was reassigned to the Chemistry labs.

The new job was not as glamorous, but the experience with the engineer made a major impact in my life. I don't remember his name, but I owe him a debt of gratitude for raising my self esteem at such a young age and enlarging my future perspective!

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Meri (Beth) Miller • Corpus Christi, TX • Class of 2010

I attended Texas Tech for the Educational Leadership Program. Professor Fernando Valle was the leader of my cohort. He fostered such a great relationship and network between our cohort that we all became more than classmates but more like a little family. It has been 12 years since graduation and I will still always remember what an impact Dr. Valle made in my life. We learned together, laughed together, and even cried together as a cohort. He made as one.

Tami Lee-Spearman • Elmira, MI • Class of 1988

I began attending Texas Tech in the Fall of 1983, two years after I graduated from high school. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, so I took those two years to try and decide. All I decided in that time was that I did not want to live in the small town where I had gone to school and work as a secretary for the rest of my life. Not that that is a bad thing, I just knew it wasn't for me. My mom continually told me I needed to get a degree in accounting because it was a safe way to stay employed for the rest of my life. I knew that was not what I wanted, either.

My freshman year, I took my basic classes and one of those was in a monster class for English Literature. That class was taught by Dr. Mike Schoenecke. I liked his class so much that when it came time to register for the next semester, I made sure that I took another one of his classes. At the time, I had thought about being a journalism major and was taking a journalism class; as well as an advertising class. I knew that I liked reading and writing, but wasn't sure I could do something with that.

In the second semester English class with Dr. Schoenecke, we had several essays due (this was a smaller class with around 25 students). At the end of that semester, Dr. Schoenecke talked with me and said that I should consider English as my major because I had a talent for writing, and that I could do many things with an English degree. He then asked me to be one of his assistants for the following school year. I was one of his assistants for the last three years of my education at Tech, and I learned a lot from him not only about English; but, also about how to deal with other people, especially when those people are difficult.

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Fred Satterwhite • Lubbock, TX • Class of 1962

I have fond memories of a very kind mail delivery person named Dudley. While I was at Texas Tech, in 1954 and living in Sneed Hall, Dudley delivered mail to the dorms and around the offices on campus. I was surprised at his profound memory of (what it seemed like at the time) EVERYONE on campus! Out of the blue, he would see me around the Tech campus and call me by name! I know I wasn't the only one who remembers him and his kindness. Wreck 'Em!

Dorothy Davidson • Abilene, TX • Class of 1961

What a blessing that I enrolled at Texas Tech in September, 1957, attended classes, participated in campus activities and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics Education in May, 1961! The Faculty and Staff, as well as the carefully-planned and well-maintained facilities, provided superior, meaningful experiences for me. Dean Willa Vaughn Tinsley, Dr. Gene helden, Dr. Mina Lamb, Ethel Jane Beitler, Dr. Elmer Knowles, Clara McPherson and Gladys Holden, to name a few, served as role models who provided classroom experiences in a professional, knowledgeable, practical, forward-thinking manner. They were always available, approachable, caring and interested in the students. I am a proud, grateful graduate of Texas Tech University!

David Weindorf • Riverdale, MI • Class of 1995 and 1997

I came to Texas Tech University in the Fall of 1991 studying Range Management. In the Spring of 1992, I took PSS 2432 (Principles and Practices in Soil Science) under Prof. B.L. Allen. Though a challenging course, I quickly engaged and made my mark.

Dr. Allen asked if I would like to join the TTU Soils Judging Team; I gladly agreed and competed for three years in both regional and national competitions. Into my junior year, Dr. Allen asked if I would like to become a laboratory technician working in his lab. Again, I gladly agreed. All the while, I found myself captivated by soil science, to the point where I took every soil science course offered at TTU.

As I approached graduation, Dr. Allen asked if I would like to stay on an pursue an M.S. in Soil Science under his guidance - I was thrilled! I was fortunate enough to serve as a teaching assistant for the PSS 2432 course, assistant coach of the TTU Soils Judging Team, and travel to regional and national meetings with Dr. Allen. Of Dr. Allen, I will say that he taught me an enormous amount about soils, but also an equal amount about life and how to be a man.

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Jon Skavlan • Dallas, TX • Class of 1982

My senior year, a friend of mine won a small departmental scholarship. The coat and tie awards banquet was held in the Ag Pavilion. Dinner was bbq served cafeteria style on paper plates, and we sat on folding chairs on the dirt arena floor. This event would not stand out in my memory if, while we were eating, Dr. Cavazos, then President of the university, hadn't walked up with a plate and asked if we minded if he sat with us. I don't remember the conversation, but I do remember how casual his presence felt, as though he was a parent celebrating his son's success, rather than the university president watching a student he didn't know get a check that barely covered the cost of that semester's books.

Martin Farach • Conroe, TX • Class of 1987

I actually have two stories to share. I became second generation in my family when I attended TTU. My dad, Wadi Farach (1954), attended TTU and graduated from the Department of Architecture. I actually started majoring in Electrical Engineering and had met several of his past college friends who where working in TTU. One was Mr. Dudley Thompson who was a professor in architecture, and another friend was Dr. Lauro Cavazos who was the President of TTU at the time I attended between 1982 and 1987. After one year of attending Tech, I started to doubt if Elec. Eng. was the right career for me. My GPA was 3.87 at the end of my first year, and I chose EE because of an aptitude test I took which indicated I had strong interest in EE or Computer Science. Computer Science was a new curriculum in those years. I opted to change majors because I couldn't picture myself how or what specifically I was going to contribute to this world in the future. I changed to Architecture since I was more familiar with this career and I enjoyed working for my dad when I was in high school. The change in major led to my two Tech stories

For my first story, in one of the classes I had to take was Architectural History with Dr. Elizabeth Sasser. Dr. Sasser was the first and only person I have met that had a PhD degree in architecture. She was a dear and wonderful lady in her 60s. One day in class, when our first Architectural History exam was returned, she wrote on the front page of the exam in addition to the grade, "Are you related to my former student Wadi Farach?". Oh my God, this is unbelievable I thought to myself. I did go to talk to her after the class ended as well as call my dad in the evening to share the news in which he could not believe.

For my second story, timing is everything. When I changed my majors, TTU had a Department of Architecture which was under the College of Engineering. As I went thru my third year at TTU, I learned that the Department of Architecture was seeking to establish its own College of Architecture but had to obtain approvals from the State as well as from the accreditation board. The targeted date for when this was going to happen it was unknown. Luckily enough, the College of Architecture became a reality in my fifth year (architecture was a five year degree at TTU) and Mr. Dudley Thompson was named the interim dean for the new minted College. When I graduated in 1987, I was blessed to receive my diploma signed by two of my dad's college friends, which makes my stay at TTU and my diploma more meaningful.

Macy Hering, Houston, Texas, Class of 2021

My time at Tech was filled with creativity, friendship, and learning. When I first enrolled, I had a plan to be a Med Student. I soon realized that path wasn't for me and decided to change my major to nursing. My sophomore year I learned that this wasn't the right path either. I found myself in a slump, not knowing which direction to go in.

I decided to check out the career center where several amazing people truly helped me. I spoke with career counselors about my interests, goals, and talents. After pondering the possibilities for a while, I landed on Nutrition and Dietetics.

Within this major, I found my true passion; a love for health and helping others. During this journey, my amazing professors guided me every step of the way. The Human Sciences professors teach class material exceptionally, but also truly care about the success and futures of their students.

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Molly Tucker, Lubbock, Texas, Class of 2003

When I think about Texas Tech, my heart is flooded with some of the best times of my life!

As a Communication Studies student, the first thing I think of, is my all-time favorite professor, Bill Dean. He had the best stories and was the most relatable and funny professor I ever had. The classes where he shared past students' hilarious comments about him and his class, was worth the 10 minute mad-dash I had to make from the BA to the Mass Com building. He expected you to show up, engage and be ready! Everyday! He taught me how to be passionate for whatever I do and be willing to outwork your competition. He is the exact definition of Red Raider.

My daughter will be a college Freshman in the Fall of 2023 and my biggest hope is that she chooses Texas Tech and loves it as much as I did - and still do. Texas Tech is different than any other school. We have to fight, work, and hustle for everything we get. It's not always easy, and I think that's what makes it so special. It's truly a family.

The culture is infectious, emotional, and loyal! It makes every single win worth it! Going through an airport with your Red Raider shirt on and having random strangers give you the “guns up” motion, is a true term of endearment! Walking to your car after beating a team that nobody thought you could compete with, and listening to the victory bells ring out, is indescribable. Over 20 years of football games and I still get chills watching the Masked Rider take off across the football field to start the game! I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything! Everyday I'm a Red Raider!

Laura Romero, Lubbock, Texas, Class of 2009

In my Senior year, I was preparing for graduation and had started applying for an assortment of jobs in the area. However, I was struggling with my resume. One of my co-workers suggested I visit the career center for help. I had the pleasure of working with Ms. Toni Burse who helped me craft my resume for the jobs I was applying for, and I was invited to a few interviews. However, none of them felt like a fit for me. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do or what my degree in Economics even qualified me for. I was really struggling. Toni called me to follow up and see how the interviews went. I told her that they went well but that they just weren't for me. She suggested I come back into the center and complete some career aptitude assessments and discuss my future and my options. After completing the assessments, the number 1 recommended career field was “sales”. I had never considered that before, but it sounded interesting. Toni got me signed up on Raider Jobs and helped me identify some jobs that aligned well. I proceeded to apply and interview for a Sales Manager position at a local student living apartment community. I received an offer (and accepted!) on the day of my last final and started the Monday after graduation!

Fast forward 13 years, I am still in sales and working my dream job as an Account Executive at Salesforce. So, I can honestly say, I would not be where I am today without the guidance and support I received from TTU and Toni Burse. Toni passed away in 2014 so I am sad to not have the opportunity to thank her personally for the impact she has had on my life. I feel so grateful and proud every day to call myself a Red Raider.