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Texas Tech Then & Now

In the past decade, the Texas Tech campus has seen unprecedented growth. The improvements have affected every facet of life at the university. From new academic buildings to new and improved athletic facilities to new and renovated residence halls, current Red Raiders have the opportunity to take advantage of the best this campus has ever had to offer.

The English/Philosophy/Education complex, located north of the Hulen/Clement residence halls, was completed in 2002. The complex features two U-shaped buildings that enclose a courtyard, which is graced by Larry Kirkland's "Headwaters" fountain and six sculptures.

The English/Philosophy/Education complex is the largest and most expensive academic complex built to date in the state of Texas.

The new Texas Tech Federal Credit Union building, located west of Indiana Avenue, opened in 2001. This facility replaced the Credit Union's old location, which was in the Administration Building. The new credit union building was built in the Spanish Renaissance style that is found throughout the Texas Tech campus.

Almost immediately after the opening of Texas Tech, the library started collecting manuscripts. As the potential of the collection became obvious, it was separated into an entity of its own. Its first official location was the basement of what was then the West Texas Museum (now Holden Hall). Over the years the collection grew in size and reputation. In 1963, the collection was moved from its home of eight years and was placed in the basement of the library (now the math building). Once again the collection outgrew its location. In 1997 the Southwest Collection was moved to the new Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library building (left).

The library (right) was originally housed in the Administration Building and then later in its own facility, which is now the Mathematics Building.

A new library building was constructed from 1960 to 1962 which is now the front part of the current site. In the fall of 1975, the west wing of the current library was completed and opened.

In 2003, interior renovations to the library were completed. More work space was added to the ground floor and the number of computers for student use was dramatically increased. Improvements also were made in the stacks.

In the fall of 2003, Jones SBC Stadium's west stadium building opened. The complex contains 47 suites, club seats, and a press level. A stained glass Texas Tech logo marks the entrance and tile murals of university history adorn the lobby and stairwells. The west facade of the facility now complements the Spanish Renaissance style that is prevalent on campus.

The new mezzanine simplifies access to the upper bowl, which made it possible to increase the main concourse width. Concession areas and restrooms have also been upgraded.

The football program also has a new facility that includes coach's offices, training facilities, and a new locker room.

The United Spirit Arena, which opened in 1999, is considered by many to be the finest college basketball and volleyball facility in the nation. The arena seats 15,020 people and was built at a total cost of $62 million.

In addition to the game floor, the facility houses 19 offices, including the men's and women's basketball offices and the volleyball offices. There also is a practice gym for all of the teams to use.

Top concert performers now include Lubbock on their tour schedules because of the ability to play in the state-of-the-art arena.

Texas Tech commencement ceremonies are also held in the arena three times each year.

As Texas Tech's enrollment climbs to and past the 30,000 mark, the Flint Avenue Parking Facility (left) provides parking relief for students, faculty, and staff. Students have already dubbed the structure the "Garage Mahal" for its impressive appearance.

Texas Tech students arrive on campus from all corners of the world. The International Cultural Center (right) is an inviting home away from home for students of all cultures as well as visitors from throughout the world.

For many future Red Raiders, the first impression they have of the Texas Tech campus is the Visitor's Center. With that in mind, university officials moved the Visitor's Center from the Administration Building to a new facility in West Hall.

Now prospective students have a luxurious place to begin their visit to the Lubbock campus. The Visitor's Center houses all of the staff and material needed to become acquainted with Texas Tech.

The Carpenter/Wells residence complex is the newest addition to the wide array of housing selections available to Red Raiders. Carpenter/Wells offers apartment-style living with fully furnished apartments, including refrigerators, stove tops, and microwaves. These apartments range from singles to four-bedroom layouts.

The Robert H. Ewalt Student Recreation Center (right) opened its doors for the first time in the spring of 1980 and is one of the largest campus recreation facilities in the nation. The new century brought renovations and a large addition to the facility.

The Rec Center offers students, faculty, and staff of Texas Tech an outstanding opportunity to participate in almost any indoor recreational activity imaginable. There are 242,000 square feet of activity space, including eight multipurpose courts; a 6,530-square-foot free weight room; 12 handball/racquetball courts; an elevated jogging track; and a carpeted locker room with shower facilities and saunas.


Gov. Pat Neff signs Senate Bill 103 creating Texas Technological College on February 10, 1923.

The cornerstone of the Administration Building was laid November 11, 1924, marking the beginning of construction.

Texas Tech�s first convocation took place in October 1925 and marked the first gathering of the university�s staff and students.

The Matadors score their first-ever touchdown in a 30-0 Tech win against Montezuma in 1925

A look at the Administration Building and the early campus from the Engineering Key

The Texas Tech football team first played games at the Lubbock Fair Grounds, but then moved to their own stadium (above) in 1926.

The President�s Home was one of the five original buildings on campus. In 1969, the Alumni Association moved in. The house is now part of the Merket Alumni Center.

West Hall and the Engineering Key in the background

Texas Tech�s first campus bookstore

The Dairy Barn and the adjacent silo still stand in their original locations on campus.

Texas Tech ROTC students march across the street toward what is today the Chemistry Building.

Overhead view of the campus from the southwest

After being admitted into the Southwest Conference, Jones Stadium was expanded in 1959 to seat 30,000 people. Each of the seven east-side sections had to be rolled 226 feet on rails in order to accommodate the increased seating.

The 12-story Chitwood, Coleman, and Weymouth high-rise dorms were built on the southwest corner of campus in the 1960s.

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