A conversation with Robert Duncan, Chief of Staff to Speaker of the Texas House Dustin Burrows, former chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, and former state senator and state representative from Lubbock. This event will be moderated by Evan Smith, professor of practice and co-founder of The Texas Tribune. A free lunch will be provided!
Robert Duncan became the fourth chancellor of the Texas Tech University System on July 7, 2014 and retired on Aug. 31, 2018. He currently serves as Chief of Staff for Speaker Dustin Burrows.
Before becoming chancellor, Duncan served in the Texas Legislature for more than two decades. He was elected to District 84 in the Texas House of Representatives in 1992. In 1996, he won a special election to the Texas Senate, where he served until resigning to become chancellor. During his time in the Legislature, Duncan was a champion for higher education, crafting programs such as the National Research University Fund and the Texas Research Incentive Program, or TRIP, which incentivizes giving to university research priorities by awarding state matching funds, among other programs. Duncan also was a law partner at Crenshaw, Dupree and Milam in Lubbock for more than 25 years.
Duncan is a lifelong West Texan. He was raised in Vernon, Texas. Duncan and his family have a rich heritage with TTU. His uncle, Marshall Formby, and cousin, Clint Formby, both served on the TTU System Board of Regents.
Duncan received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from TTU in 1976. While completing his undergraduate degree, he served as the student body president. Duncan received his doctorate of jurisprudence from the TTU School of Law in 1981.