LUBBOCK – The Texas Tech Alumni Association (TTAA) National Board of Directors Search Committee has selected Curt Langford as the new president and CEO of the organization, effective Oct. 1, 2018. Langford will replace current TTAA President and CEO Bill Dean, who announced his retirement from the TTAA in March 2018.
Langford graduated from Texas Tech University in 1990, with a Bachelor of Arts in public relations, and in 1997, he received a Master of Arts in interdisciplinary studies with emphasis in higher education/mass communications. He has a long history with the Alumni Association, serving 11 years on staff from 1989-2000, where he held various positions including assistant editor of the Texas Techsan magazine, director of membership and marketing and ultimately, associate vice president.
“I first hired Curt to assist with our magazine and later named him as our first vice president for marketing because of the initiative and creativity he exhibited,” Dean said. “He started our ring program and was promptly hired by Milestone Traditions (which later merged with Balfour). He is extremely well-thought-of by alumni directors around the country, and I think he is an outstanding choice to lead our alumni association.”
For the past 18 years, Langford worked with the American Achievement Corporation (Balfour), where he served as vice president for collegiate market development. The position, which focused on grad products and programs, including the college ring business, provided Langford an opportunity to work closely with campus professionals while strengthening his grasp of the alumni relations field. Through his position at Balfour, Langford has remained connected to the alumni network, presenting at various national conferences for alumni professionals, Big 12 Alumni, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), among others.
“I am humbled and honored to have been selected to lead the TTAA,” Langford said. “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime at the right time in my life. Through Bill Dean’s longtime leadership and many talented team members through the years, our organization is one of the most successful and respected alumni associations nationally. I am eager to take the reins to build on our past success to better serve Texas Tech and our alumni. My passion for this university is genuine and genetic. I am thrilled to return to campus to serve in this role.”
During his tenure at the TTAA, Langford was integral in establishing the Official Texas Tech Ring Program and ceremony, which continues to grow as a Texas Tech tradition each year. He also served as an adviser for the Student Alumni Board and was named Outstanding Adviser by CASE Association of Student Advancement Programs. Langford’s dedication to Texas Tech also stretches to the university, where he served eight years as an instructor of public relations in the College of Media and Communication and was recognized as Outstanding University Employee by former TTU President Robert W. Lawless.
“Texas Tech University has enjoyed a long and prosperous partnership with the Alumni Association under Bill Dean’s leadership, and I look forward to continuing that relationship with Curt Langford,” TTU President Lawrence Schovanec said. “Curt is a proud Red Raider and a wonderful choice to carry on Bill’s legacy.”
Langford was selected by a search committee, comprised of members from the TTAA National Board of Directors, as well as Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University System representatives. The nationwide search began in April, following the announcement of Dean’s retirement.
“The committee conducted a search for a little over three months and received more than 20 excellent applications from both graduates of Texas Tech and of other institutions,” John Redmon, TTAA National Board chair, said. “At the end of the day, we felt it best to stay with a TTU graduate and Curt fit the bill. His familiarity with our association, his working knowledge of more than 100 alumni associations throughout the country and his enthusiasm for the position helped us make the decision.”
Dean, who has led the organization for 40 years, will retire Dec. 31, 2018, but will continue teaching as an associate professor in the College of Media & Communication, as he has for the past 51 years.
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