The Texas Tech University System has named one of its own top administrators, John Opperman, to lead the flagship campus while it searches for a permanent president.
Matthew Watkins
Matthew Watkins began serving as editor in chief of the Tribune in September 2024. He is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended Texas A&M University and has spent his entire professional career in Texas journalism, including stints at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Matthew joined The Texas Tribune in 2015 has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. He has helped guide the Tribune's award-winning journalism that has included coverage of six legislative sessions, multiple election cycles, natural disasters and political scandals. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Posted in
Higher Education
Investigators: No Evidence of Academic Cheating in UT Basketball
An investigation commissioned by the University of Texas at Austin has found “no evidence” of academic cheating by its basketball players. The NCAA has also decided not to pursue any punishment.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT System Wants Campus Carry Drafts by February
The University of Texas System expects its 14 schools to submit rules for concealed handguns on their campuses by mid-February to comply with the state’s new campus-carry law.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, Higher Education, State Government
Where Do Private Colleges Stand on Campus Carry?
The state’s 38 private colleges can opt out of a new state law that will allow concealed handgun license owners to carry guns in buildings on college campuses. No private college has announced plans to allow guns on its grounds. Here is a look at where things stand with each campus.
Posted in
Higher Education
As Universities Consider Campus Carry, Gun-Free Classrooms Seem Unlikely
Texas professors are still fighting to keep their classrooms gun free. But the state’s top universities appear to be reaching a consensus that banning guns in classes will soon be illegal.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas Tech University President Duane Nellis Stepping Down
Texas Tech University President Duane Nellis is resigning, he told announced Friday. His future at the university had been in question since he sought the top job at the University of Wyoming last year.
Posted in
Higher Education
Athletic Director is Out at Texas A&M
Texas A&M Athletic Director Eric Hyman will leave his post, university officials announced Tuesday, wrapping up a stint during which A&M grew its college sports profile but at times failed to meet expectations on the field.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Officials Criticize Obama’s Executive Order on Gun Purchases
Texas’ elected leaders lashed out Tuesday at President Obama’s executive orders prompting more background checks during gun purchases. But those officials offered no specifics on how they planned to fight Obama’s actions.
Posted in
Politics
Abbott Nixes Freedom From Religion Tableau
A “winter solstice” display by the Freedom From Religion Foundation has been ordered removed from the Texas Capitol after Gov. Greg Abbott called it a “juvenile parody.”
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Paxton: Universities Can’t Ban Guns in Dorms
Texas universities would be violating the state’s new campus carry law if they banned guns in dormitories, Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a non-binding opinion issued Monday afternoon.
