Here’s what to know about the Texas Tech University System in Lubbock
Tasked to oversee tens of thousands of students, faculty, and staff at five public universities, here’s what you need to know about the Texas Tech System.
- Creighton recently spoke at a Turning Point USA event, emphasizing his commitment to free speech on campus.
- His appearance at the conservative group’s event has drawn public and campus attention.
- A spokesperson confirmed Creighton is committed to engaging with all student groups to foster open discussion.
LUBBOCK, Texas — The new chancellor-elect for the Texas Tech University System has set a tone for how higher education leaders from the system and politics interact.
The Board of Regents appointed Brandon Creighton as the 6th chancellor of the Texas Tech System, effective later in November, but he comes with a background of having served in both the Texas House and Senate.
Creighton is among several politicians appointed to serve as chancellor of a Texas university system in recent months, with former Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar being appointed to the Texas A&M University System and former state Rep. John Zerwas to the University of Texas System.
Creighton is emphasizing what he calls a need to ensure free speech as he takes the lead at the university.
Earlier in October, Creighton spoke at an event hosted by the Texas Tech Chapter of Turning Point USA at Cooks Garage. It was an event that also featured Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is now running for the U.S. Senate.
This drew the eyes of the public and the campus community, as Turning Point USA is a conservative political activism group.
During the event, other local media quoted Crieghton saying “it’s incredible to see West Texas vales, and the Red Raider family as well, speaking out in full force, working toward what Turning Point USA stands for.”
“And all of the other organizations and universities that are represented together in this event, on this particular night, to have a united message that free speech is paramount — that free exchanges and civil discourse of ideas of what this nation was founded upon,” Creighton said.
Creighton further said his door “is open to every viewpoint on campus and to every opinion that would make our campus, our state and our nation better.”
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reached out to Creighton’s spokesperson Erin Daly Wilson, who described the gathering not as a campaign event, but rather a student organization event Creighton and Paxton were invited to separately.
“Chancellor-Elect Creighton is committed to engaging with student organizations that foster open discussion, civil discourse, and the free exchange of ideas,” she said. “His remarks to the Texas Tech Chapter of Turning Point USA centered on the first amendment and open dialogue.”
She also confirmed that Texas Tech System resources were used, with the Texas Tech Police Department providing transportation and security for the chancellor-elect for the event.
“Engaging with students and student led organizations across campus is a key part of his mission at the Texas Tech University System,” Wilson said. “In recent weeks, Creighton has spoken at the Rawls College of Business to MBA students, the Red Raider Club, the Tech PAC Luncheon, and will soon visit with the 1923 Society. As he said in his recent remarks, he looks forward to continuing to meet with student and alumni groups throughout the Texas Tech System.”
Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: [email protected].
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