Page 86 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2026 - Online Magazine

The Texas Tech Presidential

Lecture and Performance Series:

20 Seasons of Art and Culture on the South Plains

by Jonny Verbeten, Ph.D.

Assistant Director, Presidential Lecture and Performance Series Texas Tech University Office of the President

n Sept. 29, 2006, the Allen
Theatre stage at Texas
OTech University welcomed
“Taylor 2,” the acclaimed New
York-based dance company founded
by legendary choreographer
Paul Taylor. The performance
marked the inaugural event of the
Presidential Lecture & Performance
Series (PLPS), launching what has
become one of the university's
signature public performance
programs. Guided by a mission to
"honor the South Plains heritage Hannah Jackson, Cary C. Banks, Jenni Dale Lord, Amy Faris, Scott Faris, John Sprott, D.G.
while showcasing global talent," Flewellyn, Dustin Garrett, and Junior Vasquez round out an all-star performance lineup for
the series has, over the past 20 the 13th annual Lubbock Lights: The Lubbock Songbook, on February 25th, 2007
seasons, welcomed internationally
recognized performers, influential
authors, distinguished scholars, and David Sedaris, filmmaker
celebrated musicians to West Texas. Taylor Sheridan, and cultural
icon David Byrne, PLPS has
Since the opening of the Allen brought leading voices to
Theatre in 1976, Texas Tech has West Texas and the Texas
welcomed a succession of esteemed Tech campus community. At
artists through a variety of the heart of the series’ mission
presenting initiatives, leading up to is student engagement. Each
the wildly popular NightLife Series visiting artist participates
of the 1990s. In 2006, then-President in educational outreach,
Jon Whitmore built upon that connecting with students
tradition by establishing PLPS under through classroom visits,
the leadership of founding director masterclasses, workshops and
Jo Moore, creating a university- moderated conversations that
wide program dedicated to bringing go beyond the stage.
world-class artists, performers, and
speakers to the South Plains. On April 9, 2026, a sold-
out Allen Theatre audience
From the artistry of the Paul Taylor welcomed Terry and Jo
Dance Company, the musical talents Harvey Allen, Lloyd Maines,
of Lyle Lovett, T.S. Monk, the Dirty and music historian Andy
Dozen Brass Band, and Anoushka Wilkinson for the 12th annual Academy Award nominated writer,
Shankar, to conversations with Lubbock Lights Festival, director, producer, and actor Taylor
Sheridan spoke at the Buddy Holly Hall
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Barbecue Beyond the Grave: on October 28, 2023, during the Texas
Tony Kushner, bestselling author Celebrating Christopher Tech Centennial Season.

86 Lubbock Senior Link