TTUHSC Family Remembers Past President Lauro F. Cavazos Jr.

• By Britton Drown
• March 18, 2022
• Campus Life

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center mourns the passing of Lauro F. Cavazos Jr., who died Tuesday, March 15. Cavazos was appointed as the 10th president of Texas Tech University on April 1, 1980, and served concurrently as the third president of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. 

A champion of higher education with a passion for health care, Cavazos served as president for eight years. During his decorated tenure, Cavazos spearheaded several milestones initiatives at TTUHSC, including the formation of the School of Nursing and the School of Health Professions (formerly the School of Allied Health Sciences). 

“Our TTUHSC family extends the deepest condolences to the family of Lauro Cavazos Jr.,” said Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center President Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D. “Dr. Cavazos’ contributions to advance academic opportunities helped lay a strong foundation for our university, which has been instrumental in TTUHSC’s development into a leading health-research institution. His professional success, from very humble beginnings, served as a model for so many others who dreamed of opportunities afforded through higher education.

In addition to his service to the Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences communities, Cavazos was the U.S. Secretary of Education, serving under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He was the first Hispanic to be appointed to a U.S. Cabinet position.