On the morning of Thursday, January 14, the Texas Tech Board of Regents named Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs John Opperman the interim president for Texas Tech University.

The University will hand over the presidential reigns to Opperman effective January 22.

Opperman will replace M. Duane Nellis, who is stepping down from the presidential perch in pursuit of becoming a tenured professor.

While Opperman is the immediate choice to take up Nellis' mantle, he is not a candidate to become the long-term solution at that head of the University.

In addition to pinning Opperman with the interim tag, the Texas Tech Board of Regents created a search committee responsible for finding the future permanent president.

During this time, Regent Tim Lancaster will serve as chairman of the aforementioned committee.

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