Texas Sen. Robert Duncan was approved as chancellor in a special called meeting on June 12, 2014 by the Board of Regents of the Texas Tech University System. He will begin his duties as the system’s fourth chancellor July 7, 2014.
Duncan, 60, is a lifelong West Texan. Before calling Lubbock home, he was raised in Vernon, Texas. He is the only son of five children born to Frank L. Duncan and Robena Formby Duncan.
While completing his undergraduate degree at Texas Tech University, he served as student body president. Duncan went on to receive his law degree from the Texas Tech University School of Law.
He was elected to District 84 in the Texas House of Representatives in 1992. In 1996, he won a special election to the Texas Senate. During his more than two decades in the Texas Legislature, Duncan crafted major legislation impacting water rights; health care transparency and affordability; the integrity of public investment funds; public and higher education; eminent domain; and the efficiency and effectiveness of our civil justice system.
Duncan served on the Senate Finance Committee during each legislative session since 1999. He also served on the budget conference committee, which develops the final appropriations bill.
Duncan has served as chairman of the State Affairs Committee since 2004. He was elected and served as president pro tempore of the Texas Senate during the 81st Legislative Session.
Duncan also has been a member of the Natural Resources Committee, the Committee on Higher Education and the Education Committee.
Duncan’s efforts in the Texas Senate have been highlighted by honors based on his work ethic, legislative accomplishments and leadership. Texas Monthly frequently has named him among the state’s 10 best legislators. It also has listed him as a “Texas Super Lawyer” for his professional reputation in the private sector as a partner at Crenshaw, Dupree and Milam in Lubbock.
Duncan is married to the former Terri Patterson. He has two children, Lindsey Pike, a public school teacher and counselor, and Matthew, a recent graduate of Texas Tech University. Mrs. Duncan also has two children, Justin Patterson of Austin and Clayton Patterson, a recent graduate of Texas Tech University. All of their children are Texas Tech University graduates.
Duncan succeeds Kent R. Hance, who has served as chancellor since December 2006 and has agreed to continue to serve the TTU System as chancellor emeritus.
