The SPICE (Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence) Mission
• To promote chess as vehicle for enriching education
• To serve as the global center for chess research, education and development
• To support and promote competitive chess at the college level
• To recruit outstanding undergraduate and graduate students
Through SPICE, Texas Tech has focused the resources of a major university and Big 12 Conference member on providing scholarships for players, conducting research into various aspects of the game, championing scholastic, college and women’s chess and housing an outreach program bringing chess to enthusiasts of all ages.
About Texas Tech University
With nearly 29,000 students sipping coffee in the Student Union Building, working out at the Rec Center or merely walking to class, Texas Tech’s campus buzzes with activity once the semester begins.
Despite its size, though, the campus is known for its cozy feeling. Lubbock is the same way. It’s a city big enough to boast popular stores and restaurants, yet you’ll never encounter a traffic jam. Get the benefits of a major research institution without getting lost in the crowd.
Academic programs:
Not satisfied with 31 flavors? Neither are we. That’s why we offer more than 150 degree programs through ten colleges. Plus take advantage of our top-ranked School of Law, a Graduate School, and a Health Sciences Center that leads the country in areas such as aging and border health. They’re all located on the same campus.
Colleges and schools:
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources offers students the foundation for supplying the world’s food and fibers. But don’t stop there. Learn to manage natural resources, landscape golf courses and protect food from E coli.
The College of Architecture excels in teaching design theory and preparing students to enter the practice. Document structures such as the Statue of Liberty through the historic preservation program.
The College of Arts & Sciences, with 18 departments and half of Texas Tech’s faculty, is the largest college on campus. Biology, English, math, history, political science and physics are among your choices.
The Rawls College of Business has five study areas: accounting, finance, information systems and quantitative sciences, management and marketing. Or take a dual program with architecture, agriculture, foreign languages, law, medicine, or environmental toxicology.
The College of Education prepares students to open young minds. Pursue a degree in education, obtain educator certification or focus in education research.
The College of Engineering has eight departments spanning fields including civil, mechanical, industrial, and petroleum engineering. Design tomorrow’s office suites, highways, computers or nano-scale devices.
The Honors College provides the educational experience of a cozy liberal arts college with all the advantages of a major research institution. Courses are perfect for those who want a challenge.
The College of Human Sciences focuses on improving the human condition. Study early childhood development, family therapy, interior design or personal financial planning, to name a few.
The College of Mass Communications prepares students for careers in advertising, public relations, journalism, electronic media and photocommunications.
The College of Visual and Performing Arts prepares tomorrow’s artists, musicians, theatre performers and dancers. Give your natural talents a boost with the college’s emphasis on performance, teaching, research, and artistic and creative vision.
The Graduate School offers more than 170 different masters and doctoral degree programs. These are complemented by interdisciplinary programs from 50 specialized centers and institutes.
The School of Law shares a campus with a major university and medical school, which means that students can pursue joint degree programs in areas such as business administration, public administration, biotechnology and personal financial planning. An average 90 percent of graduates have passed the State Bar Exam over the last 12 years.
This is an incredible project. Congratulations Susan!
Hi Susan can you confirm what type of research SPICE will be conducting, will you by trying to prove that studying chess has any learning benefits compared to classical fields of study such math,physics, literiture etc.
Also are AI programmers still concerned with chess, I thought they had moved onto more complex games such as Go?
I guess even if no reliable academdic reasearch comes out of SPICE, I assume you tutition (and the Uni money) will produce a championship team that will still function as an excellent marketing tool both for the University and for Chess, sort of like a “You scratch my back I’ll scratch yours!”
Looks like another promotional Coup from Mr Truong! Well done.
Wow Susan, what a great project to be involved in!