Texas Tech Receives Significant Endowment to Recruit Researchers

The new chair, in tribute and memory of Donovan Maddox, honors his life-long connection to and commitment to Texas Tech. The endowment, along with the existing Jack Maddox Distinguished Engineering Chair, will be used to recruit two nationally recognized researchers, initially in energy-related fields. "Texas Tech's Whitacre College of Engineering has an unprecedented opportunity to attract excellent individuals with the Maddox Chairs, to establish strong research capabilities, enhance teaching, and to gain exceptional national visibility with these candidates," said Guy Bailey, president of the university.  Kent Hance, chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, thanked the Maddox Foundation for its gift and continued support of the university. "We appreciate all that the Maddox Foundation has done for Texas Tech University. Gifts like this allow us to continue our growth and maintain our leadership position in engineering research and development." With each Maddox chairholder bringing teaching and research capabilities in distinctive fields related to energy, the two Maddox Chair appointees could have a tremendous impact on Texas Tech's national reputation, while also attracting additional faculty members who will establish distinct, but complementary, areas of research excellence, said Pam Eibeck, dean of engineering. "Having two large endowed chairs like the Maddox Chairs available at once is extraordinary, and the individuals that we attract at this time will enable us to position ourselves as a key player in providing energy solutions," Eibeck said. Jack and Mabel Maddox established the J. F Maddox Foundation in 1963 to serve the citizens of southeastern New Mexico. Donovan, the younger brother of Jack Maddox, was a 1934 Textile Engineering graduate who served as Texas Tech's Student Government Association president in 1931-32.  He was named a Distinguished Engineer in 1971 and a Texas Tech Distinguished Alumnus in 1972.  Donovan was selected by the Texas Tech Alumni Association to receive the Lauro F. Cavazos Award in 1988.  He served as president of the J. F Maddox Foundation from Jack's death in 1978 until 1990. Additionally, Donovan made certain that the first major grant by the Maddox Foundation after the settlement of Jack's estate in the early 1980s be made to create Texas Tech's Jack Maddox Distinguished Engineering Chair, in honor of Jack.  Jack and Donovan Maddox both majored in Textile Engineering, both served as Student Government Association presidents, and were recognized as Distinguished Engineers and as Distinguished Alumni. Donovan, who died in 1993, had a long and successful career as a textile executive, primarily in Gastonia, N.C. He succeeded Jack as chairman and CEO of New Mexico Electric Service Co. and related entities in Hobbs, N.M. in 1978. The J. F Maddox Foundation, a nonprofit corporation based in Hobbs, is governed by a board of directors primarily composed of Donovan Maddox's two sons, Don and Jim, and their children. Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu. CONTACT: Jeff Sammons, senior editor, Whitacre College of Engineering, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-3451, or jeff.sammons@ttu.edu.