Lubbock High School Senior Honored as First Admitted Student for 2013-14

Christopher Hardin, a senior at Lubbock High School, was honored Thursday (Sept. 13) as the first student to gain acceptance to Texas Tech University.

In a surprise presentation at Lubbock High School, Texas Tech Interim President Lawrence Schovanec awarded Hardin with an accepted students’ packet and an oversized check, representing a Presidential Scholarship worth $24,000 ($6,000 per year for four years). He is the son of James and Jan Hardin of Lubbock.

“Now let me tell you why you are here today,” Schovanec announced to the senior class at Lubbock High School. “Chris will be the first official admit in next year’s class at Texas Tech.”

During the presentation, Schovanec recognized Lubbock ISD and Lubbock High School for preparing students for college, and offered the senior class a case for pursuing an education at Texas Tech University.

“You represent the type of students that we value at Texas Tech – the type of students that are a priority,” Schovanec said. “Your preparation is excellent and you will be in very good condition to go to any university you choose.”

Lubbock High School Principal Doug Young, affirmed a strong relationship between Lubbock ISD and Texas Tech University.

“We here at Lubbock ISD and Lubbock High enjoy a fantastic partnership with Texas Tech University,” Young said. “We’re extremely happy to enjoy this partnership with Texas Tech on many different levels. The resources that they provide to our district and our school are phenomenal.”

According to Jamie Hansard, director of recruitment and marketing for Undergraduate Admissions, Hardin received admittance based on his academic credentials and early application.

To receive a Presidential Scholarship worth $24,000, students must have a score of at least 1400 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT; and the student must be in the top 10 percent of the senior class. Hardin was among the first group of students to supply Undergraduate Admissions with his application and required materials.

“We are thrilled that the first admitted student is from the Lubbock community,” Hansard said. “This is a great opportunity to celebrate local students and recognize academic achievement.”

Following the ceremony, Hardin and his parents expressed their happiness and gratitude for the recognition.

“It feels really good and I didn’t expect this at all,” Hardin said. “It will definitely weigh heavily in my decision about where I will go to school next year.”

Hardin, who wants to pursue a career in medicine, said his older brother currently is in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and “loves it.”

“We are extremely proud; he is a wonderful son,” James Hardin said. “We would be very pleased to have two kids at Texas Tech.”