Lauro Cavazos, Former Texas Tech President, Dies at 95

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Lauro Cavazos, the former President of Texas Tech University, has died at the age of 95.

Cavazos was the first Hispanic to become president of Texas Tech University, serving from 1980 to 1988. He also served in the US Cabinet as Secretary of Education from 1988 to 1990.

Lubbock ISD described Cavazos on their website as being known "for his commitment to educational opportunities for minorities and had a vision of seeing secondary education become technology-oriented. He is Cavazos Middle School’s namesake because of his important educational contributions."

Cavazos had a doctorate in physiology from Iowa State University as well as a bachelor's and master's from Texas Tech in 1949 and 1951. KAMC News reports that in 2016, Texas Tech awarded Cavazos with an honorary degree, doctor of science.

Cavazos was also named the Most Influential Hispanic in the United States by Hispanic Business magazine back in 1990.