Langford: Recognizing Texas Tech's Distinguished Alumni

Curt Langford
·2 min read
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Langford

Since 1967, the Texas Tech Alumni Association has administered the university's Distinguished Alumni awards. Last weekend, we celebrated our 2022 recipients, representing the final four DAs in Texas Tech's first century.

This year, we recognized Richard Gaynor, M.D. ’71, president and chief of research and development for BioNTech U.S.; Alan Henry ’64 and ’65, president of Alan Henry Insurance Agency Inc. and former Lubbock mayor; Mac Thornberry ’80, retired U.S. Representative for the 13th District of Texas and Leslie Ward ’87, president of AT&T Texas, as the 2022 Distinguished Alumni honorees.

Gaynor graduated from Texas Tech in 1971 with a biology degree. He attended University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, graduating in 1975 and then holding an internship and residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. He followed that internship with a hematology-oncology fellowship at UCLA School of Medicine. He has spent his entire career as a teacher and researcher, focusing on virology and oncology.

Henry was a member of the Lubbock City Council from 1974 to 1986, serving as mayor from 1982 to 1986. He also has dedicated significant amounts of time and resources to Texas Tech and the Texas Tech Alumni Association, including serving as the TTAA National Board of Directors chair in 2006.

Thornberry is a fifth-generation Texan and during his tenure in Washington, D.C., he consistently advocated for Texans, his district and the Texas Tech System, specifically, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center campus in Amarillo. During his time in Congress, Thornberry was often lauded for his critical approach to many issues, and in 2020, the Almanac of American Politics called him “one of Congress’ brainiest and most thoughtful members on national and domestic security issues.”

In her role as president of AT&T Texas, Ward leads legislative, regulatory, governmental and external affairs activities in the state. Ward’s success as a lobbyist has been well documented and she has been recognized as one of the top corporate lobbyists in the state rankings by Capitol Inside.

Attending the dinner were former DA recipients Gen. CQ Brown '84; Bill Dean, Ed.D '61; Terry Fuller '77; Hon. Kent R. Hance '67; Carey Hobbs, '58; Maj. Gen. Walter B. Huffman '67; Hon. Phil Johnson; Robert Salem ’50; John '68 and Diane Scovell '68; Dale Swinburn '65 and Bobby Waddle '55.

Also attending were First Lady of Texas Cecelia Abbott and 99-year-old Horn Professor Henry Shine, Ph.D., with his wife Sellie. Shine was born in 1923, the year of the establishment of Texas Technological College.

It was a memorable evening celebrating these high-achieving Techsans. The Texas Tech Alumni Association exists to connect, inspire and love our Red Raider Family. We envision our members living their legacies of pride, loyalty and tradition. The association supports our university, builds relationships and fosters growth.

Congratulations to our 2022 Distinguished Alumni.

Curt Langford is President and CEO of the Texas Tech Alumni Association. Contact him at curt.langford@ttu.edu

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Langford: Recognizing Texas Tech's Distinguished Alumni