15 Famous Alumni From Texas Tech University

When you get your acceptance letter from Texas Tech University, a lot of people like to tell you about how their brother, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, etc. attended there. But what about all of the famous people that attended? Could you potentially be added to list of famous alumni from Texas Tech University? Here are just 15 of them:

1. Barry Corbin

Barry Corbin graduated from Texas Tech in 1964 with a degree in theatre arts. He is most well known for his roles in Urban Cowboy, Lonesome Dove, and the famous TV series One Tree Hill as Coach Whitey Durham. He still returns to Texas Tech for various events throughout the year!

2. George Eads

George Eads, known better as “Nick Stokes” from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, is not only a movie star but Texas Tech graduate of 1989. He received a degree in marketing and before beginning his acting career he worked as a salesman! He is also a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

3. Rick Husband

Rick Husband, an undergraduate alumni for a bachelor of science in Mechanical Engineering graduated in 1980. He continued on to earn a masters at Fresno State University, and then went on to be a colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Husband made his country proud by logging over 3,800 hours of flight time within the U.S. Air Force and then moving on to a career in NASA. Husband took 2 missions into space, logging 25 days, 17 hours, and 33 minutes. Unfortunately, on his last mission, he died over the great state of Texas upon reentry to earth.

4. Brad Leland

Ever watched Friday Night Lights TV series or movie? Yep, another famous Texas Tech Alumni. Brad Leland played Buddy Garrity throughout the series and played as a football booster John Aubrey in the film version of Friday Night Lights. Leland graduated from his alma mater in 1980 with a degree in acting and directing. He has also starred in The Patriot, Hancock, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and many more.

5. Josh Abbott

If you’ve ever been around Lubbock in September, then I am sure you know who Josh Abbott is. This famous Texas Tech alumni is known for JAB fest, a festival where country artists come in and play for a night full of country dancing, good beer, and good music. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta, where his brothers helped found the band in 2006. As a Texas Tech alumni, he stayed true to his roots and will often do an encore, in Lubbock, of “Victory Bells.”

6. Pat Green

Pat Green is another amazing country artist straight out of Lubbock Texas. A member of Farmhouse Fraternity (they actually have a few pictures of him around the lodge to commemorate this famous alum), Green graduated in 1997 and went on to record many famous songs, including: Wave on Wave, George’s Bar, Carry On, and many more.

7. Wes Welker

Welker is a Red Raider Football alumni who made us proud to call him “The Natural.” He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2004. Since then, he has played for the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and St. Louis Rams. While at Texas Tech, he won the Mosi Tatupu Award and the Sports Illustrated All-Decade Team.

8. Blake Buchanan

Alumni of 1990 – He created Bahama Bucks. I think that shows just how great of a person he is, if we’re being honest.

9. Tyler Willis

Tyler Willis isn’t just a girl with beauty, but she also has the brains. Willis graduated from Texas Tech with her bachelor’s degree in 2002 and then her master’s degree in 2004. She then went on to win Miss Texas USA in 2005. She also competed in Miss USA and placed in the top 15.

10. John Hinckley, Jr.

Less of a “famous” alumni and more of an INFAMOUS alumni – John Hinckley Jr. tried to assassinate U.S. President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981. While he never officially graduated from Texas Tech, he did attend, but dropped out in 1980. Hinckley’s assassination attempt ended with multiple injuries, no deaths, no flee, and an arrest on the scene.

11. Wade Bowen

Wade Bowen, a graduate of Texas Tech and former member of Sigma Chi, is most known for his Texas Country sound and hometown feel. One of his more popular songs is “A Song about Trucks.”

12. Kliff Kingsbury

Not only is he the hottest football coach in the NCAA, but he is also a Texas Tech graduate. He graduated in 2001 with a degree in management. He won multiple awards throughout his time playing for Texas Tech and now gets to continue his football career by coaching in Raiderland. And ladies, he is still a bachelor.

13. Sheryl Swoopes

This woman is not a name many know, but it is a name we should know. Sheryl Swoopes truly makes her alma mater proud. She graduated from Tech in 1993 and then went on to be the first player to be signed in the WNBA and continued to win multiple awards. Not only did she manage this, but she has also won three Olympic gold medals. Today, you will never see another number 22 play for Texas Tech, as her number was retired after her final, championship winning, season.

14. Scott Pelley

This journalism major alum now is a face you might be able to recognize from the evening news. Pelley is known for his appearances on 60 minutes and the CBS Evening News, where he has served multiple roles and seen multiple things through time and throughout the world.

15. Demetrio B. Lakas

Lakas could be considered the most distinguished alumni from our beloved university. He graduated from Texas Tech in 1963 and continued on to become the president of Panama from December 19, 1969 to October 11, 1978. One of his notable achievements as president was his transfer control of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama.

And these are just to name a few of the notable alumni from Texas Tech. As the matador song says, “Strive for honor, evermore, LONG LIVE THE MATADOR” – and that is exactly what each Texas Tech member will continue to do. WRECK ‘EM!