AcademiCast at Texas Tech University

University scientists are investigating West Texas’ declining quail population; Texas Tech is named a wise investment for its graduates, landing on the list of “Affordable Colleges with High Returns”; and the National Wind Institute was ranked among the 10 Most Awesome College Labs in the U.S. by Popular Science. Also, we spotlight Student of Integrated Scholarship Graysen Ortega.

University leaders are expanding on-campus student housing; researchers from the Department of Natural Resources Management and the Institute of Environmental and Human Health are investigating Texas’ quail population; and the Department of Human Development and Family Studies has introduced a graduate minor in cross-cultural studies. Also, we spotlight Student of Integrated Scholarship DeMera Ollinger.

Texas Tech is well on its way to finalizing the new core curriculum; the dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has received a lifetime achievement award; and TTU is earning recognition for its minority graduates. Also, we spotlight Student of Integrated Scholarship Chinwe Obi.

Texas Tech is leading the way in wind research through its commissioning of the Scaled Wind Farm Technology facility; faculty and alumni from Texas Tech have been named to the Fulbright Program’s prestigious group of scholars; and Texas Tech is being evaluated for its treatment of animals in research and teaching. Also, we spotlight Student of Integrated Scholarship Sean Mitchell.

Texas Tech recently welcomed President Duane Nellis as he began his tenure; TTU placed sixth among the 25 most underrated colleges in the nation; the deadline is fast approaching to enter the university's Proposal Stimulus Program; and the National Ranching Heritage Center has named a new director. Also, we spotlight Student of Integrated Scholarship Danica King.

Texas Tech is studying one of the region's most abundant commodities to improve oil spill cleanup; the university is rolling out a safety evaluation; and TTU is intensifying its focus on research. Also, we spotlight Student of Integrated Scholarship Lindsay Huffhines.

Microwave technology developed by Texas Tech is yielding advances in pathogenic defense; law professor Jennifer Bard is elected to a fellowship program examining public health policies; 32 students in the Honors College are awarded Terry Scholarships; and author Peter Rose tells us about his book, "The Reckoning," published by TTU Press. Also, we spotlight Student of Integrated Scholarship Marta Hoes.

Texas Tech University Press recently highlighted its top titles at its annual Literary Lubbock benefit, and we sat down with one of its featured authors, Dean Smith, whose life served as inspiration for the book “Cowboy Stuntman”; TTU is strengthening its wind education and research offerings; a new dean is picking up the reins at the College of Media and Communication; and Texas Tech's influence continues to reach around the globe as university administrators meet with delegates of Ethiopian universities. Also, we spotlight Student of Integrated Scholarship Juan De Loera.

The Free Market Institute is among the newest additions to Texas Tech; Texas Tech is gaining acclaim as a high-value education destination; TTU is extending its global reach; and AcademiCast congratulates the faculty and students who were recognized at this year's Faculty Honors Convocation. Also, we spotlight Student of Integrated Scholarship Angela Bourne.

The Office of the Provost recently launched its fifth volume of the academic journal All Things Texas Tech; TTU will house the state's first school of accounting; the National Institutes of Health has awarded a $1.6 million grant to a biology professor; and two faculty members are recognized for their longtime commitment to the university. Also, Provost Bob Smith spotlights Student of Integrated Scholarship Andrew Alleman.

Texas Tech introduces Duane Nellis as its president; the university welcomes a third National Academy member to its faculty; a TTU professor is appointed to a national committee on food safety; and a doctoral student earns a Stegner Fellowship. Also, Provost Bob Smith spotlights Integrated Faculty Scholar Bruce Clarke.

Texas Tech has named Duane Nellis as sole finalist for president; the university is expanding its research footprint; and TTU faculty and staff are the happiest in higher education. Also, Provost Bob Smith spotlights Integrated Faculty Scholar Trent Seltzer.

Community, Family, and Addiction Services is the newest department within the College of Human Sciences; commitment to community outreach and engagement has earned Texas Tech and Lubbock Independent School District a $24 million grant; and Red Raiders convened at the State Capitol for Texas Tech Day. Also, Provost Bob Smith spotlights Integrated Faculty Scholar Anna Ribeiro.

Texas Tech celebrates completion of the $1 billion Vision and Tradition Campaign; history professor joins an advisory committee assembled by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund; and art history professor's book on ancient Olmec civilization earns award from the American Library Association's Choice Magazine. Also, Provost Bob Smith spotlights Integrated Faculty Scholar Christian Pongratz.

Texas Tech celebrated the grand opening of an English language learning center, is extending its educational reach to the Middle East and earned national acclaim for its online programs. Also, Provost Bob Smith spotlights Integrated Faculty Scholar William Pasewark.

Classes are back in session for the spring semester at Texas Tech—the Libraries has upgraded its digital archive system; the Board of Regents has approved two proposed degree programs; the university is reforming its chemical inventory procedures. Also, Provost Bob Smith spotlights Integrated Faculty Scholar Zenaida Aguirre-Muñoz.

Red Raiders have been celebrating their academic accomplishments as more than 2,600 students graduated this semester; the university is aiming to attract more top-tier graduate students, thanks to a $12 million gift from the Talkington Foundation; and the National Science Foundation is rolling out changes to its funding process. Also, Provost Bob Smith spotlights Integrated Faculty Scholar Audra Morse.

The Office of the Vice President for Research has launched the fall edition of its magazine, Texas Tech Discoveries; the College of Human Sciences has established Community, Family and Addiction Services as a standalone department; and the Chancellor's Council presented its Distinguished Teaching and Research Awards. Also, Provost Bob Smith spotlights Integrated Faculty Scholar Guy Loneragan.

The director of Texas Tech University Press has some words of wisdom for transforming a doctoral dissertation into a book manuscript; the Rawls College of Business showed improved rankings for its undergraduate and master's accounting programs; the Whitacre College of Engineering has tapped a $2 million donation for its Petroleum Engineering Research Building. Also, Provost Bob Smith spotlights Integrated Faculty Scholar Genevieve Durham DeCesaro.

Texas Tech has relaunched its iTunes U site; the Rawls College of Business is offering a course that aims to engage enterprising minds; the Center for Undergraduate Research has chosen its first recipients of the Dr. Sarah Kulkofsky Scholarship; and a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist is the newest inductee to the College of Media and Communication's hall of fame. Also, Provost Bob Smith spotlights Integrated Faculty Scholar Dominick Casadonte, Jr.