The Texas Tech University System Board of Regents announced Oct. 25 that it had unanimously voted to name Dr. Tedd L. Mitchell the fifth chancellor of the TTU System in a special-called meeting of the board.
Mitchell, who arrived in Lubbock in 2010 as president of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), will serve a dual role as chancellor of the system while remaining president of TTUHSC, the regents said in a news release.
“To become the chancellor of a university system of this caliber is the honor of a lifetime,” Mitchell said in the announcement. “The Texas Tech University System is a special place with significant responsibility and opportunity, and I am grateful for the support of the Board of Regents, my fellow presidents and our entire Red Raider and Ram families.”
He said serving as the chancellor while continuing as TTUHSC president provides a critical link in remaining directly connected to our faculty and students.
The Board of Regents named Mitchell the sole finalist for the position of chancellor on Oct. 4 during his tenure as interim chancellor, which began Sept. 1.
“Throughout the past few months, Dr. Mitchell has been invaluable in maintaining the momentum of the Texas Tech University System during a time of transition,” said Chairman of the Board of Regents Tim Lancaster.
Mitchell will serve as the chancellor and chief executive officer for the TTU System, which includes four universities: Texas Tech University, TTUHSC, Angelo State University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. The TTU System was established in 1996 and currently operates on 17 campuses statewide and internationally.
Mitchell became president of TTUHSC on May 17, 2010, and is the university’s longest-tenured president.
Prior to coming to TTUHSC, Mitchell served as president and CEO of the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, an internationally-recognized center of excellence in preventive and sports medicine.
Mitchell is an Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Texas Medical Branch, where he received his doctor of medicine degree in 1987. After graduation he pursued training in internal medicine.
In 2012, Mitchell was honored as a distinguished alumnus of the Department of Internal Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Sports Medicine. From 1988 to 1996, he served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves (Medical Corps).
Mitchell is married to Dr. Janet Tornelli-Mitchell. They met while in medical school and practiced together for nearly two decades. The Mitchells have three children, Katherine, an assistant district attorney in Dallas, Charlie, a petroleum engineer in Dallas and a Texas Tech University alumnus, and Chris, a Texas Tech University alumnus, living in Philadelphia pursuing a master’s degree at Villanova University.
“I’ve known Tedd Mitchell for 30 years and believe he is an excellent choice to lead the Texas Tech University System at a time when our institutions are growing and excelling more than ever before. He has the depth of leadership and breadth of experience necessary to lead a system of this stature,” said Kent Hance, chancellor of the system from 2006 to 2014. “Tedd understands the needs and visions of the presidents, and I am confident he will ensure our institutions thrive. He and Janet will represent us proudly and be great partners for the system and our communities.”
Established in 1996, the Texas Tech University System is a $2 billion enterprise focused on advancing higher education, health care, research and outreach with approximately 20,000 employees, over 54,000 students, more than 340,000 alumni and an endowment over $1.2 billion.
– FWBP Staff