Chancellor's Awards
Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching and Research Awards
Established in 2001, the Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Teaching and Research Awards are given to individuals who exemplify teaching or research excellence throughout the year. These are the highest honors given by the Texas Tech University System to faculty members at its component institutions. Winners of these awards have significantly advanced teaching or research efforts and are noted as leaders among colleagues and in their respective fields.
The Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching Awards are designed to recognize faculty members for teaching excellence, as evidenced by their attainment of distinction both within and beyond the institution for outstanding teaching and outstanding contributions related to excellence in teaching. The Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Research Awards are designed to recognize outstanding research, scholarship, and creative activity of faculty members in the developmental stages of their careers.
A maximum of 17 awards are presented annually to university faculty members.
Each recipient receives:
- $5,000 award
- Medallion
Chancellor's Award of Excellence
The Chancellor’s Award of Excellence is awarded to an individual who demonstrates exemplary service and commitment to Texas Tech and the achievement of its goals through his or her actions throughout the year. This is the highest honor that a Texas Tech staff member can receive for his or her dedication to the Texas Tech community. This individual has improved their department by increasing productivity and/or efficiency. They have motivated co-workers to do their best and instilled pride in Texas Tech. They are service oriented and they display extraordinary creativity and innovation. This leader is reliable, dedicated and committed to Texas Tech’s goals, and they set and met their own goals. These qualities will serve as the foundation for determination of the recipient in this category.
A maximum of one (1) award is presented annually to university and/or system employees.
Each recipient receives:
- $1,500 award
- Lapel pin
- Award plaque
Chancellor's Colonel Rowan Award for Execution
The Chancellor’s Colonel Rowan Award for Execution is based on a piece of literature called, “A Message to Garcia,” published by the Acton Foundation. The story recalls President William McKinley’s need to get an urgent message to General Calixto Garcia, who was leading an insurgent force against Spanish troops in Cuba. However, no one was sure of Garcia’s exact location, other than the mountains of Cuba. So the President summoned Colonel Andrew Rowan, and gave him a sealed pouch and one simple command: “Get that message to Garcia.”
Four days later, Rowan reached shore in Cuba and three weeks later he emerged from the jungle, having successfully delivered the Message to Garcia. Colonel Rowan did not procrastinate or put together a committee to determine the best way to get the message to Garcia. He simply executed the task he was given.
All nominators and managers are encouraged to read “A Message to Garcia,” which is available on the Acton Foundation’s website (http://www.actonfoundation.org/pdf/messagetogarcia.pdf).
This award is given to those employees who best demonstrate the ability to execute and follow-up with important projects. A maximum of two (2) awards are presented annually to university and/or system employees.
Each recipient receives:
- $1,500 award
- Lapel pin
- Award plaque