Tuesday, August 20, 1996

Montford to become Tech's first chancellor

By MARK BABINECK
Associated Press

LUBBOCK - Texas Tech University regents were expected to put an end to the worst-kept secret in West Texas today and formally hire state Sen. John Montford as the system's first chancellor.

A variety of sources from around the state have said during the past month that the job belonged to the Lubbock Democrat as long as he and the regents could agree on compensation.

El Paso attorney Travis Johnson, a friend of the 14-year political veteran, told the El Paso Times the appointment is "a done deal." Another source told The Associated Press the same Monday, although no one would guess the salary.

"It'll finally be over tomorrow," the source said.

Montford, who interviewed for the post in July, said Monday that he had not yet been offered the job. But, he added, "I intend to be at the regents meeting tomorrow."

"If they extend an offer, I intend to accept it," Montford said.

After school President Robert Lawless quit in February, the regents decided to change the school hierarchy and create the chancellor's post. The regents also must hire presidents for the university and the Health Sciences Center as well as an athletic director.

The chancellor's pay is expected to fall in line with those in the University of Texas and Texas A&M University systems, which pay in the low to mid-$200,000s.

Tech officials declined to reveal any details about the hiring Monday, only to say regents would make the announcement this morning after a brief executive session. Montford said he would resign from his Senate seat if he is appointed chancellor.

A 53-year-old former Lubbock County district attorney, Montford earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.