Changes

After four years as the fourth chancellor of the Texas Tech System, Duncan suddenly announced his retirement on August 13, 2018, effective August 31. In his time at the helm, Duncan raised more than $585 million in philanthropic funds. The system endowment has grown to a total value of $1.3 billion. Records were established in degrees awarded, student enrollment, and expenditures on faculty research. In his retirement announcement, Duncan said serving the system has been the highlight of his career in public service. “As we approach the start of a new school year, I look back with pride on the tremendous strides we have made in recent years. But I have also reflected on my life, my decades of public service, and realize that, at 65, it’s time to retire, move on, and begin to tackle new challenges," Duncan said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180813/chancellor-duncan-retiring-from-texas-tech-system|title=Chancellor Duncan retiring from Texas Tech System|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 13, 2018|author=Sarah Self-Walbrick|accessdate=August 17, 2018}}</ref>

After four years as the fourth chancellor of the Texas Tech System, Duncan suddenly announced his retirement on August 13, 2018, effective August 31. In his time at the helm, Duncan raised more than $585 million in philanthropic funds. The system endowment has grown to a total value of $1.3 billion. Records were established in degrees awarded, student enrollment, and expenditures on faculty research. In his retirement announcement, Duncan said serving the system has been the highlight of his career in public service. “As we approach the start of a new school year, I look back with pride on the tremendous strides we have made in recent years. But I have also reflected on my life, my decades of public service, and realize that, at 65, it’s time to retire, move on, and begin to tackle new challenges," Duncan said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180813/chancellor-duncan-retiring-from-texas-tech-system|title=Chancellor Duncan retiring from Texas Tech System|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 13, 2018|author=Sarah Self-Walbrick|accessdate=August 17, 2018}}</ref>

Reports by the ''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal'' contend that the regents in a 5-4 vote expressed "No confidence" in Duncan continuing as the chancellor. Speculation persists that his unfavorable evaluation came from fallout over his plan to build a second state [[Veterinarian|veterinary]] medical school in Amarillo. The existing veterinary school is at [[Texas A&M University]] in College Station, which opposes building a second such facility. Republican Governor [[Greg Abbott]] denied rumors that he was behind the regents' decision to give Duncan a "No confidence" vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180815/abbott-denies-rumors-of-involvement-in-texas-tech-chancellor-duncans-retirement|title=Abbott denies rumors of involvement in Texas Tech Chancellor Duncan's retirement|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 15, 2018|author=Matt Dotray|accessdate=August 17, 2018}}</ref>

Reports by the ''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal'' contend that the regents in a 5-4 vote expressed "No confidence" in Duncan continuing as the chancellor. Speculation persists that his unfavorable evaluation came from fallout over his plan to build a second state [[Veterinarian|veterinary]] medical school in Amarillo. The existing veterinary school is at [[Texas A&M University]] in College Station, which opposes building a second such facility. Republican Governor [[Greg Abbott]], who appointed the regents, denied rumors that he was behind the decision to give Duncan a "No confidence" vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180815/abbott-denies-rumors-of-involvement-in-texas-tech-chancellor-duncans-retirement|title=Abbott denies rumors of involvement in Texas Tech Chancellor Duncan's retirement|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 15, 2018|author=Matt Dotray|accessdate=August 17, 2018}}</ref>

Meanwhile state Repesentative Sarah Davis, a Moderate Republican from the Houston area, said there is insufficient information for her House General Investigating & Ethics Committee to conduct a probe into why Duncan resigned as chancellor. Davis said that she will continue to monitor developments in the matter and welcomes any additional information. State Representative [[Four Price]] of Amarillo, who backs Duncan' proposed veterinary school in his city, said that he would support an investigation into Duncan's retirement if any misconduct surfaces: "It may be a little premature to speculate this afternoon, or to say a full-blown committee investigation is warranted. I think we still don’t know."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180817/ethics-chair-says-current-facts-dont-warrant-investigation|title=Ethics chair says current facts don't warrant an investigation|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 17, 2018|author=Matt Dotray|accessdate=August 18, 2018}}</ref>

Meanwhile state Repesentative Sarah Davis, a Moderate Republican from the Houston area, said there is insufficient information for her House General Investigating & Ethics Committee to conduct a probe into why Duncan resigned as chancellor. Davis said that she will continue to monitor developments in the matter and welcomes any additional information. State Representative [[Four Price]] of Amarillo, who backs Duncan' proposed veterinary school in his city, said that he would support an investigation into Duncan's retirement if any misconduct surfaces: "It may be a little premature to speculate this afternoon, or to say a full-blown committee investigation is warranted. I think we still don’t know."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180817/ethics-chair-says-current-facts-dont-warrant-investigation|title=Ethics chair says current facts don't warrant an investigation|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 17, 2018|author=Matt Dotray|accessdate=August 18, 2018}}</ref>