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Lubbock Lifestyles Magazine© is published bi-annually by HometownMedia Group, LLC. hometownmedia.group 502 NMain Street PMB 116 | Weatherford, TX 76086 817.599.6167 | PROUDLY PRINTED IN THE USA All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” ~ Colossians 2:6-7 PHOTOGRAPHERS Dylan Cole Photography (on the cover) II don’t know about you, but I have always loved spring. Watching everything green up and bloom, enjoying the short-lived mild weather between the cold and scorching Texas summer. I don’t claim to have a green thumb but do enjoy gardening and working in the yard. There are so many correlations to my faith found in the dirt like being diligent in keeping the weeds (sin) at bay. Sometimes they look deceptively pretty but if left to grow can have huge roots and be hard to get rid of. I speak from personal experience of a beautiful weed that looked like a succulent. I thought, “it fills a space in the flowerbed, I’ll leave it.” When it grew too big and I tried to pull it, the root was two feet deep and almost impossible to pull without leaving some behind. You see the parallel to life’s constant struggle with sin? Just like plants that need the sun to grow, we need the Son to grow. Thankfully, no sin is too big, no wound too deep. Jesus has defeated my sin and yours and I am so grateful for His undeserved gift of grace. As you read this issue, my hope is you are uplifted by the people and organizations featured that are making Lubbock a great place to live and encouraged to follow suit in improving your community. Enjoy reading about the Culver family who is using their athletic talent to live out their faith through The Culver Foundation, Greg Goodnight who is musically and artistically gifted but his Christian character upstages those talents and others that fill these pages. Praying your spring has more flowers than weeds, Lindsey Hey Lubbock! Matt &Heather Martin Executive Publishers Casey Perkins Executive Publisher Lindsey Kruger Marketing & Client Relations lindsey@hometownmedia.group Susan Avery Lead Creative Design PamWilson Sales Account Executive pam@hometownmedia.group WRITERS Avery Pullin Rebecca Sanchez Jan Brand Sabrina Forse 2 lubbock lifestyles magazine
Contents 4 A HEART FOR SERVICE The Culver family has a heart for service & loves the Lubbock community. Jesus commanded us to love and serve others. That’s what the Culver Foundation is about. 14 SOUTH PLAINS RENAISSANCE MAN Ask anyone who knows Greg Goodnight and they will tell you about his many talents, but most of all they will tell you about his exceptional character. 22 STITCHING THREADS OF TEXAS HISTORY Winning becomes the fabric of retirement for a Plainview quilter. 28 100 YEARS OF TECH-CELLENCE On the high plains of West Texas sits the pride of the Hub City. Commemorating a century of education, Texas Tech University is enjoying a year-long celebration in 2023. 38 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Grand Opening Event for Texas Tech Club 42 LEGALLY LUBBOCK Stacy Riker’s devotion to her family and those she represents adds layers of empathy and integrity. 14 38 42 28 3 hometown living at its best
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5 hometown living at its best A HEART The Culver family has a heart for service & loves the Lubbock community. Jesus commanded us to love and serve others. That’s what the Culver Foundation is about. WRITTEN BY SABRINA FORSE PHOTOS BY DYLAN COLEANDPROVIDED BY THE CULVER FOUNDATION for Service
TThey’ve competed all over the world from Madison Square Garden to Europe. You’ve seen their highlights on EPSN. Trey Culver is a former Adidas sponsored pro track and field athlete. While competing for Texas Tech, he was a seven-time All American, three -time Big 12 Champion and two-time NCAA champion in high jump. Middle-brother, J.J. Culver is playing basketball professionally in Europe. While atWayland Baptist University, J.J. scored 100 points in a single game. Youngest brother, Jarrett is a former Red Raider who played on the 2019 Texas Tech basketball team that advanced to theNational Championship game. The sixth-round draft pick is now playing for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. The Culver brothers are known for their athletic prowess but it’s not the stats they want to be remembered for. “Our lives are bigger than just track and basketball. Our story is bigger and anything we do in this life should last longer than us,” said Trey Culver. “Whether we were just little kids playing soccer, marching in band, competing academically, or playing sports at the collegiate and professional level, Lubbock has always supported us. It’s always been encouraging tohave suchagreat relationship with the community.” In 2020, the Culvers came up with an idea that would allow them to give back to the community they love so much. “We were meeting as a family when Covid was going on. We knew the world needed a lot of love at that time. We brainstormed ways on how to spread love and support people,” explained Trey. “Our entire family has a heart for service. Jesus commanded us to love and serve others. That’s what the Culver Foundation is. It’s our family’s heart for Lubbock.” 6 lubbock lifestyles magazine
The Culver Foundation is a non-profit based on the Culver family’s four values: Family, Faith, Community and Legacy. As a family, the Culvers have always been a close one. Less than a year and half separate each brother in birth order. “My mother used to say it was an expensive mad house to have three boys so close in age. Now, she says she wouldn’t have it any other way because of how close we are. We are each other’s best friends, biggest critics, supporters, and encouragers.” Faith is the foundation. “Wemoved toLubbock when I was four years old because my dad was obedient to the Lord, following His direction to pastor at a church. I remember mymompraying for us and with us growing up. Whenever we wanted something like ice cream or candy, my dad would make us quote the memory verse we had been working on for the week. Mine has always been John 3:16 as it sums up God’s love for us. This foundation is a way for us to extend that love to others.”
8 lubbock lifestyles magazine Community is the place and people the Culvers love. “Community are the people of Lubbock who we put in the same category as family,” said Trey. The fourth value is legacy as the Culver family strives to involve itself in projects that will impact others for years to come. One of the family’s first projects was building a community basketball court in memory of former NBA player and Red Raider Andre Emmett. The Culver Foundation teamed up with Texas Tech University and Nancy Lieberman Charities to create the Dream Court at Duran Park. “Kids play all day and all night long at that court. Not only can kids increase activity for health, but it gives them something positive to do and stay out of trouble.” The Cu lve rs seek l i ke -mi nded organizations and people in Lubbock to help broaden their reach. “There are so many great organizations that we don’t always have to reinvent the wheel. Before deciding to be a part of something though we always want to make sure it aligns with those four core values of family, faith, community, and legacy.”
Dur ing Thanksgiving , the Culver Foundat ion coordinates wi th other churches to give turkeys to families in need. In December, they help Fami ly Promise meet Christmas wish lists. “The Christmas giveaway is really dear to our hearts. The first year, we were in the store shopping for gifts and my mom broke down crying. One of the kids had asked for a pillow. It was very humbling for us to realize that there are things we take for granted every day that others view as a luxury.” Gathering gifts for the children at Covenant Hospital each Christmas is also a special cause for the family. “We try to use whatever resources or influence we can to help. We gave away free t-shirts at the Texas Tech basketball game for those that texted a donation to the Culver Foundation. We used that to raise money for the U Can Share Food Drive.”
10 lubbock lifestyles magazine www.theculverfoundation.com This past July, The Culver Foundation hosted their second annual Jarrett Culver Basketball camp. “We love interacting with the kids. People have given us feedback that there are some camps where players hosting don’t show their face. Jarrett and J.J. love interacting and training the kids every day. We’re supposed to be the hands and feet of Jesus. To me that means, getting out there and actively serving the community.” The Culver Foundation is also developing a scholarship program. “We plan to call it Culver Dreamers. If a Culver Dreamer has a dream, they won’t be dreaming for long,” said Trey. “We are still working on the plans but if a kid wants to be a basketball coach, then we introduce them to a coach they can shadow for the day. If they want to be an engineer or lawyer or whatever they want, we want to help them turn those dreams into reality.” For the Culvers, their foundation is a way to inspire others to serve like Jesus and give back to the city they affectionally call their heart. “Anytime we can tell the City of Lubbock thank you, we want to do so. We are so thankful for everyone who has shown us love and support over the years. This foundation is for them.” †
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2301 Quaker Avenue | Lubbock, Texas 79410 | 806.725.8801 | 888.810.9106 YOUR CARE IS OUR LEGACY C ovenant High Plains Surgery Center, winner of the 2023 Best of the West Outpatient Surgery Center Award, stands head and shoulders above the rest and competes with the best in the nation. As the only wide-range multi-specialty surgery centers in Lubbock nationally accredited by the AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care), they have earned numerous distinctions on a regional and national level. The 22nd Street center rated #1 in West Texas and in the Top 5% in Newsweek’s America’s Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers 2023 and is the first in the South Plains to perform complex robotassisted surgical procedures using the advanced DaVinci surgical robot. Last year, their Quaker Avenue facility became the first – and so far the only – ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in West Texas to perform outpatient robotic total knee replacement, using the Stryker Mako™ surgical robot. In addition, they earned Center of Excellence recognition for bariatric surgery, one of only a dozen ASCs in the country accredited by the MBSAQIP, as well as achieving the coveted Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center designation and Aetna Institute of Quality recognition in bariatric surgery, one of only a handful of ASCs across the nation. “In our center, our motto is, ‘We all own compliance,’” said Alfonso del Granado, Administrator of Covenant High Plains. “That means every single one of us is 100% accountable for providing our patients with the highest quality of care available. This is what makes our centers stand out – not the awards or recognition, but the people who give themselves fully to the service of their fellows. This is who we are.” And who they are is evident in their mission statement. “We incorporate these four values to serve our patients,” del Granado explained. “Collaboration (working as a team), Accountability (own it, always), Responsiveness (be open to change), and Engagement (step up, be informed and empower others).”
Del Granado decided to join Covenant High Plains Surgery Center after he toured the organization and was profoundly impressed by what he learned. “CHPSC is majority owned by local physicians,” del Granado explained, “and I have rarely seen this level of collaboration and dedication to excellence. Everyone works together as a unified team to help ensure the best possible patient outcomes.” ASCs, like Covenant High Plains, are healthcare facilities focused on providing same-day surgical care including diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive procedures. It is estimated that these facilities save the Medicare system – and patients – billions of dollars annually by offering a high-quality, lowercost alternative to hospital-based surgery. “ASCs have transformed the outpatient experience by offering convenient, specialized, and efficient facilities with superlative outcomes,” said del Granado. “Surgical procedures performed at ASCs typically enjoy much lower rates of complications, infections, and adverse events, allowing patients to go home the same day and helping avoid the added costs associated with hospitalization.” In addition, surgery centers, like Covenant High Plains, are small and easily accessible facilities, offering a warm and calming environment where attention is more personal and whose staff members were specifically selected and trained to deliver optimal care in an outpatient setting. “Patients should have a choice in where their ambulatory surgery is performed,” del Granado stated, “and we believe that an ASC like Covenant High Plains Surgery Center should be at the top of their list.” For additional information, please contact Covenant High Plains Surgery Center by calling 806.725.8801 or 806.776.4772, or visit www.CHPSurgery.com to learn more. 3610 22nd Street | Lubbock, Texas 79410 | 806.776.4772 | 877.796.4772
14 lubbock lifestyles magazine GGreg Goodnight didn’t get the memo that everyone gets a trophy for participation. Instead, he followed in the footsteps of his forefathers who came to the South Plains in the early 1900s and worked for every success. His grandfather, C.L. Goodnight, Sr., founded Goodnight Sausage Factory. He was a hardworking man, with high moral standards. In 1950 Greg’s grandfather bought the property and built Goodnight Hospital on 34th Street for Dr. A. L. Daniel, his new son-in-law. Liketoomanychildren,Greg’sfatherwasoften gone fromhome, and emotionally unavailable when he was there. His mother was a loving, nurturing person, but dealt with the same domestic issues. His uncle, Dr. Daniel, made time for him and became one of his heroes. Something that seemed harsh at the time, but served him well later, was when he asked his dad for a dirt bike, his dad said he would have to earn it. His first job was chopping cotton for seventy-five cents an hour. The Written by JAN BRAND | Photos provided by GREG GOODNIGHT Renaissance Man SOUTH PLAINS Ask anyone who knows Greg Goodnight, and they will tell you about his many talents, but most of all they will tell you about his exceptional character.
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16 lubbock lifestyles magazine second summer, he worked ten-hour days for a dollar an hour. He was thirteen-years old when he emptied his cigar-box bank for the purchase. By the time he was fourteen, he had acquired a Yamaha 90, and when something went wrong, he took the motor apart, fixed it, and put it back together. He had found an aptitude for learning from doing. In 1985 while he was going to South Plains College andworking for the LubbockAvalanche Journal he took a trip to the Virgin Islands. He loved sports: snow skiing, sail boating, and scuba diving. The trip was an opportunity to get away from the anxiety that comes with growing intomanhoodand looking for purpose. When Greg stepped off the plane on St. Thomas Island, therewere people handing out tracts about a revival at Black Beard’s Castle Hotel. The famous hotel was out of his reach financially, but he found a place on the beach he could afford, and a young man there asked him to attend a service with him. For the next
several nights he went. What he heard changed the trajectory of his life, and the night after the Easter Sunday service he gave his life to Christ. Blaise Pascal, 17th Century scientist and philosopher, credited with giving us the calculator which contributed to the invention of modern-day computers, said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of eachmanwhich cannot be satisfiedby any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” After he settled into a local Lubbock church the worship music lifted him up and relieved his anxiety and depression. During a counseling session the pastor suggested he take guitar lessons. He bought his first acoustical guitar and joined a group class at church. When he learned to play his first chord, it was a love affair with the instrument. A year later, he learned world-famous classical 17 hometown living at its best
guitarist David Brandon lived in Lubbock and gave lessons. Greg couldn’t learnenough, fast enough. He loved the guitar, but there was so much more to music, the mediumthat hadbrought somuch healing to his soul. He decided he wanted to play the harp and went at it with the same determination he hadwhenhe learned to play the guitar. The harder it was, themore determined he was. He knew his love formusicwasaGod-thing, and he began playing his instruments at prayer groups, youthgroups and with the praise team at church. His exceptional talent was soon recognized, andhewasbeingasked to play for weddings, and other special occasions. When he met world-famous sculptorJohnChristopherWhite,his insatiable desire to learn kicked in again, andhe tookwood-sculpting lessons. With the persistence of those early settlerswhowithstood drought,sandstorms,andtornadoes, he didn’t give up. In 1995, his tenacity paid off when his Eagle in Flight took the “Best in Show” award. At other times his works have won First Place and Second Place awards. Since he established himself as anexceptional sculptor, some of his pieces have sold for thousands of dollars. Greg believes that God put it inhimthe desire to keep learning and to reach for excellence. All he had to do was look around him at nature to see God’s standards. The lack of a father’s attention as a boy made him sensitive to the struggles of young men and boys who gravitated toward him, just as he had to Dr. Daniels. Over the years he helpedmany of them work through adolescents and the insecurity of the teen years. He introduced themto outdoor sports that helped himgrow tomanhood and took some to church. 18 lubbock lifestyles magazine
19 hometown living at its best Charles Pyron, who now lives with his wife and family in Sweden said it best, quoting Friedrich von Schiller, “It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons.” Charles began tagging behind Greg when he was eight-years old, and said he wished Greg had been his dad. Greg expressed the same sentiment about Charles. He met Greg, who worked for his mother at the Pyron Travel Agency, when Greg was in college. His concerns are keener today because he’s seenwhat a fatherless society has done to families and young men. Ask anyonewho knows GregGoodnight, and they will tell you about his many talents, but most of all they will tell you about his exceptional character, and that he has made the world a better place just because of the godly man he is. †
Written by SABRINA FORSE | Photos provided by TERRY MILLER & CINDY WOLFE WINNING BECOMES THE FABRIC OF RETIREMENT FOR TERRY MILLER, AN AREA QUILTER. Stitching Threads of Texas History 22 lubbock lifestyles magazine
23 hometown living at its best S She spent forty years in the classroom and on the course, teaching science and coaching golf with Borger ISD and Plainview ISD. During retirement, TerryMiller decided to become a student and learn something new. “My mother taught me how to sew when I was younger, and I knew how to make my own clothes. There was a quilt shop down the street from where I was teaching and I would pass by and think to myself, one of these days I am going to learn how to quilt,” said Terry Miller. Miller retired in 2015 and began to look after her grandson. When he started kindergarten, Miller decided to fulfill the promise she had made to herself several years earlier. “I passed by Cindy’s Quilt Shoppe and said, ‘Today is the day. I’m going to learn how to quilt.’” Now, less than five years after that decision in 2017, Miller is a two-time state-honored quilter whose work is now a part of Texas history. The Texas Department of Agriculture chose Miller’s quilt blocks to be a part of the GoTexan quilt in both 2020 and 2022. The certificate of recognition reads, “Your contribution beautifully represents Texas agriculture, the versatility of Texas natural fibers, and the expertise of a true Lone Star quilter.” Earning that recognitionwould come after hours and hours of learning how to piece together her own quilts. CindyWolfe, owner of Cindy’s Country Quilt Shoppe gave Miller quilting lessons. “She taught me how to cut blocks and sew them together. No one liked my first quilt at all, so I tried again. By Christmas, I had seven quilts made, one for each grandchild. Since then, I’ve made my daughters Christmas quilts.” Wolfe started quilting in 1992 and has enjoyed sharing her passion with others. “Most people who come in for a class know how to sew but I start from the beginning. I try to explain why we are doing something and not just how to do something. My way is not the only way; it’s just a way. I try to teach people different ways to quilt,” explained Wolfe. In 2020, Miller decided to enter the GoTexan Quilt Competition. Every two years, the Texas Department of Agriculture invites quilters to enter the competition by submitting a quilt block based on a specific theme that representing the state’s agricultural heritage. Past themes have included Texas Blooming Floral, Gifts of the Gulf, andHealthy Foods forHealthyKids. Quiltersmust use a selection
24 lubbock lifestyles magazine of Texas-producednatural fibers, six of whichmust be included in the quilt block. Quilters must also use a selection of provided fabrics and can only add three additional fabrics of their choice. The winning quilt blocks are then pieced together into a full-size quilt which becomes a part of the state’s traveling display to promote Texas fibers. The 2020 themewas “SomewhereBetweenHeaven and Earth Lies a Sunset.” Miller drew inspiration from Planview’s Bar None Rodeo. She quilted a block including a golden sunrise against an orange and blue sky with a cowboy atop a horse in silhouette holding the American Flag. The Bar None Rodeo name is seen against the fence. “I was so nervous creating that first block. I had my pattern down but I thought I would mess up and didn’t want to cut my fabrics. Cindy asked me to go outside and get something. When I came back, she had cut my fabric out.” The finished block was chosen to be a part of the GoTexan quilt. The state selects a quilter to quilt the winning blocks together. The finished quilts are typically unveiled at the Texas State Fair. Soonafter the 2020competitionwas announced, the pandemic dominated everyday life. Miller’s pastime turned into a purpose. She joined other volunteers at Cindy’s Country Quilt Shoppe to make masks for the pandemic. “Some people cut. Others pinned fabric together and others sewed. We made over 5,000 masks and gave them to the hospital, fire department, police department, nursing homes, home health care businesses, and anyone else that needed them,” said Wolfe. By 2022, Miller and her friends were back to quilting. The GoTexan quilt theme for 2022 was “TexasRodeos.”Miller knewshewanted to represent Plainview and the Bar None Rodeo. “When I first saw the theme, I thought, well I already submitted my best rodeo quilt with the last one. I decided I wanted to feature a bull but then Cindy said, ‘Every rodeo needs a clown.’ Then Kayla Edwards comes down to the quilt shop and she had been a clown, so we decided on incorporating a clown,” said Miller. The finished block depicts the back of a rodeo clown holding onto a barrel inscribed with BAR-None Rodeo, Plainview. Awindmill can be seen just beyond the fence. Colorful red and maroon fabrics are used along with browns and blues to depict the Texas sky and rodeo arena. The Texas Department of Agriculture selected Terry’s quilt block as one of the winning blocks
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26 lubbock lifestyles magazine once again. It was quilted together along with twentyfour other blocks to create the quilt. The finished quilt was unveiled at the Texas State Capitol in Austin this past October. For Miller, the state competition is merely a fun way to showcase her creativity and the passion she’s found in retirement. “I’m down at the quilt shop most any day I don’t have something else to do. I enjoy helping Cindy with her other projects.” On most days, you can find a group of five to sixwomen quilting at Cindy’s Country Quilt Shoppe located just next to the post office on Ash street. They make quilts to donate to a number of fundraisers benefiting different causes such as the Floydada and Lockney Fire Departments, and the Plainview Police Department. They alsomake quilts for veterans and those in need at the hospital. Stitch by stitch, Miller has found that quilting has stimulated her creativity. “You see a big piece of fabric and learn how to cut it down and piece it together with other patterns and colors until you design something you really like.” †
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28 lubbock lifestyles magazine 100 YEARS OF TECH-CELLENCE Written by AVERY PULLIN | Photos provided by TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
29 hometown living at its best ESTABLISHING A PRESENCE In 1923 Texas had two universities, and a need was seen for a third. The mission was to provide an education and technical skills to students in the farther reaches of the state. Ultimately, Lubbock was the chosen destination. Over the past 100 years, Texas Tech University and the city of Lubbock have seen much growth. What started as a teaching college in a town of a few thousand people has turned into a Carnegie Tier 1 research institution in a city with over 300,000 residents. Today Texas Tech is the largest employer in Lubbock and is proud to be amajor economic engine for the region. The university competes at the highest levels academically and in intercollegiate athletics within the Big 12 Conference. Its rank as a top research institution showcased alongside dozens of championships proves the first 100 years of Texas Tech University is just the beginning. On the high plains of West Texas sits the pride of the Hub City. Commemorating a century of education, Texas Tech University is enjoying a year-long celebration in 2023.
30 lubbock lifestyles magazine CELEBRATIONS OF THE CENTURY Commencing at the 2022 Carol of Lights, theuniversity will spend 2023 highlighting the accomplishments of the past 100 years and setting its sights on the next 100 years. A year-long celebrationwill continue in Lubbock, across the state, and around the country. The goal is to raise awareness of Texas Tech accomplishments targeted toward alumni, students, faculty, staff, and prospective students. Blayne Beal, Director of Centennial Coordination, described the challenge that has been set for Red Raiders to commit 1,000,000 hours of volunteerism and service, “This is not just a year of parties and celebrations but (a chance to) do something of substance and make a mark in our communities.” The university also has plans to work with the state legislature throughout the year to continue to bring forth new initiatives. From the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the centennial celebrations are packed with entertainment and excitement. Anyone with a passion for Texas Tech is invited to get involved. In December the centennial events will culminate at the 2023 Carol of Lights, taking Red Raiders back to where the year-long party started. For a full list of events and information, visit https://100ttu.edu/events/.
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32 lubbock lifestyles magazine “Texas Tech has been very important in my life. I suppose I always knew that I would attend Texas Tech when I graduated from high school. All freshmen girls lived in Drane Hall. We had strict curfew and no boys or men were allowed past the first f loor. If a workman was coming up to our f loors, everyone would yell ‘man on the f loor!’ Today, we keep up with activities through our children and grandchildren. We are a Texas Tech family. We are proud of the progress that Tech has made these 100 years. Go Tech!” -Betty Smith Bell, B.S. 1959 “Texas Tech had a major impact on my life. My upperlevel classes for my animal science major opened my eyes and punished my nose on the processing of animals. I was also able to further my enjoyment of a variety of recreational sports. But what most influenced my life was the introduction to the sport of polo. I met my husband at the Texas Tech Polo Club 19 years ago. We now have 3 kids and a whole farm of animals. I am a polo instructor, teach riding lessons and still play the sport of polo to this day. This all happened because I learned how to play polo at Texas Tech. My father and I now own the property Texas Tech Polo Club calls home, and I am the Tech polo coach. We bleed red and black!” -Ashley Owen, B.S. 2006, Texas Tech Polo Club 2002-2006 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
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“My Grandaddy Chester Smith was among the first students to attend Texas Tech in 1925. Unbeknownst to him, it was the beginning of a fami ly legacy that is ‘ever to be our pride.’ My parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, sister and brother-in-law, husband, sons and daughter-in-law are all proud Red Raiders. My sister and I grew up attending Tech football games with my parents. Win or lose, I have vivid memories of my mother standing next to me, singing the Matador Song along with the crowd. We stay connected today by attending football and basketball games. I am certain that I wi l l forever, and with great pride, love singing the Matador Song at Texas Tech events, and fondly remember hearing my mother’s beautiful voice singing along with me. ‘Long live the Matadors’ indeed.” -Donna Bell Fields, B.S. 1985, M.S. 1991 “Texas Tech impacted me greatly through bothmy education in finance and my path in athl et i cs . Both programs helped me develop skills in a variety of things such as work ethic, perseverance, networking, communication, financial/economic trading tools, and many additional items needed to have success in life. “Mywife and I have three children, andwemake several trips to Lubbock each year for Tech footbal l and basketball games.” -Tyler Yenzer, B.B.A. 2008, Texas Tech Football 2003-2007
35 hometown living at its best “Texas Tech impacted my life in many ways. It prepared me for my career and was a place where I created lifelong friendships. My time at Tech still carries a daily impact in my life through the relationships built with folks across my industry that began in college. I make regular trips to Lubbock for recruiting visits for my company and with my family for baseball, basketball, and most of all, football games with our season tickets.” -Grant Yancey, B.B.A. 2006 “I met my wife at Tech, so that was a huge impact. I made life-long friends and gained an education that has assisted in growing my career. I loved Tech so much I went back for a second degree. Now I give back to the university through a scholarship and the alumni center.” -Jared Ede, B.B.A. 2009, B.S. 2018, Texas Tech Track & Field 2005-2008 “My love for Texas Tech runs deep! I knew I would attend the university even as a young girl! My time there during college shaped who I am today. I met the love of my life at Tech. I enjoyed sorority life, made lifelong friends, was a part of Presidents Select and cheered on Red Raiders at every sporting event possible. I graduated from nursing school completely prepared and ready to start my career! Texas Tech is a part of my family legacy, and I plan to keep that legacy alive by teaching my two daughters how to get their GUNS UP!” -Heather Handley Ede, B.S.N. 2009
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GIVE US A LOOK&
TEXAS TECH CLUB Grand Opening Event HOMETOWN Happenings
Photos By KATIE WOODIE PHOTOGRAPHY
The Texas Tech Club celebrated its Grand Re-Opening on Sept. 17, 2022withapackedhouse followinga significant renovationof the facility. More than 200 people attended the event, enjoying fine food, specialty cocktails and live music from Holt Jones and the Come Down. The Texas Tech Pom Squad and Raider Red were on hand for photos, and guests were also able to take photos overlooking thefield. Kid’s activities included arts and crafts activities, andacustomizedkid-friendlymenu. Located in Jones AT&T Stadium, the Texas Tech Club is a unique private member club owned and operated by Invited. The event was open to the Lubbock community, andnon-memberswereable to learn more about theTexasTechCluband membership information. HOMETOWN Happenings
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Written by REBECCA SANCHEZ | Photos provided by STACY RIKER STACY RIKER’S DEVOTION TOHER FAMILY AND THOSE SHE REPRESENTS ADDS LAYERS OF EMPATHY AND INTEGRITY. LUBBOCK Legally BY MARK UMSTOT PHOTOGRAPHY 42 lubbock lifestyles magazine
G Genuine caring and steadfast perseverance are what families need in legal proceedings, and Stacy Riker brings those qualities to her clients. As a Lubbock area native herself, she knows the people well. Though practicing law isn’t where she began, litigating and leading appeals while caring for her own family are where she has been thriving. Originally from Anton, Riker has roots in the Lubbock area and now represents people who share many of the same experiences and values. Staying close to home for school , she earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education at Lubbock Christian University and taught middle school for five years. Teaching provided an avenue for helping people, engaged her in academics and followed a school calendar that enabled her to simultaneously support her family’s goals. When it came time for a career move, she chose Texas Tech University School of Law. She stayed connected to the classroom through substitute teaching, but law school is a full-time job, and she was also raising her family with two children. She graduated in 2016 and earned the Lubbock Area Bar Association Graduating Law Student of the Year award. Stacy Riker and Justice Phil Johnson Texas Supreme Court 43 hometown living at its best
Family law is dynamic. Divorce, guardianship, custody, child protective services and landlord and tenant cases al l make the l ist . Riker had always hoped to be an adopt ion at torney, focusing solely on helping families adopt babies since she was adopted. In fact, while working at Texas Tech after graduation, she took on an adoption case. After hiring on with the Payne, Powell, Truitt & Chandler Law Group to practice family law, her first case there was a child custody case that required her to travel up to an Amarillo court room. Adoption was also at the center of another memorable case involving two families in which the clients lost their case, resulting in a major change to their lives. However, her success came through perseverance and helping represent her cl ients in the appeal process. That time they won. 44 lubbock lifestyles magazine
“The day we won that appeal, I cried so many happy tears because I knew we had been fighting for so long for these kids,” Riker says. “I really think that is the case that will be with me the longest because that also showed me that sometimes we don’t win. We can’t control what a judge does no matter how hard we fight. Whether we are right in the law, or we are right in the facts, sometimes we don’t win, but there are ways to continue f ighting and ways to stand by our client’s side until the very end. I think that has been one of the most impactful things, just being able to protect these children from more trauma that could happen.” In the office as a litigator, she spent a lot of time in court. Now, she is spending more time on research and writing, aspects of her job she also enjoys. However, it is the appel late court that has gained ground with Riker, and her successes have her colleagues labeling her the appellate attorney of the firm. Teaching law and leading new attorneys is also on the table for the future. “I would encourage anyone to do it,” Riker says. “I always encourage young people when they say that is what they are interested in. I say, ‘GO FOR IT,’ but I also say, ‘TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.’ It’s a very rewarding career. Obviously, you make a great living doing it, but I wouldn’t say to do it for the money. You must really have a passion for people and for learning because you are going to be continuously learning new things even when you are out of law school.” As the daughter of a retired banker and retired farmer, she’s intuitive to the needs of the people in the surrounding areas and knows that when it comes to family law issues, no one really wins. All parties are affected, and all endure what can sometimes be a lengthy process, including the attorney Stacy Riker and Judge Les Hatch Photo by Elma Moreno TTU School of Law 45 hometown living at its best
who carries an emotional weight along with the client. Riker’straitsmadeanimpression in Lubbock, and the Lubbock Avalanche Journal readers’ choice voters awarded her the title of Best Divorce Attorney. “I think it’s an honor to be voted by the people of Lubbock as the best,” Riker says of the recognition. “Obviously, that’s not an award you win necessarily by your achievements. Again, it’s through interacting with people. If my goal is to reach people and to make a difference in people’s lives, it means a lot to me that people would take the time and put their confidence in me to vote for me.” “Most days I feel more like a counselor than an attorney, and that means a lot tome,” says Riker, “being able to listen to someone, hear their side to the story and then give them an outlet to tell that story. I always tell clients, ‘Here’s what I think is going to happen, but I don’t know.’ Most 46 lubbock lifestyles magazine
of the time they are not worried about the outcome, they just want someone to listen. Most of my clients say, ‘Win or lose, I understand, but I just need to tell my side of the story.’ I think it is really important for us as family law attorneys to be that safe place to let people do that.” Riker has an inner drive for family and rallies for her clients while maintaining a work-life balance. In a heartfelt gesture for a valued employee, Riker’s boss suggested she work mostly remote when she moved to follow and support her husband in his career. Married to a football and track coach and mother to an athlete, she doesn’t like to miss games. “I think what makes me love my job the most is that I get to work with a lot of people,” Riker says. Representing families necessitates an adeptness for the law, but it also requires fortitude and sincerity for the issues they are facing. Stacy Riker knows both, and the people of Lubbock recognize that. † Stacy Riker with son Brennan Best of Lubbock Award 47 hometown living at its best
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