Texas Christian University closed out its Sesquicentennial year with fall commencement Dec. 16. TCU and Brite Divinity School presented degrees to almost 700 candidates during two ceremonies at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena.
“Today, you officially become part of TCU’s 150-year legacy of leadership. You are literally making history as part of our Sesquicentennial graduating class,” said Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. “And TCU has the honor of having you as a Horned Frog forever – representing the next 150 years of principled and passionate leadership.”
Boschini conferred the degrees and delivered the commencement address. Each ceremony also included remarks from TCU President Daniel W. Pullin.
“TCU gave you the life skills, education and knowledge you need to go to the next level—no matter your next step,” Pullin said. “In all cases – you made it here, to the celebration and acknowledgement of a job well done. You earned this diploma, but you’ve learned much more than a piece of parchment can ever capture.”
Ceremonies included commemorative 150th diplomas and medallions for each graduate. TCU continued a new tradition introduced in the spring: a ceremonial “flame of knowledge.” In honor of the Sesquicentennial, the piece was commissioned to join TCU’s mace in preceding the platform party at the opening of the ceremony and was carried by the chair of the Faculty Senate as a symbol of academic learning. The mace is carried by the chief marshal as a symbol of academic leadership.
The first ceremony included the recognition of degree candidates from the AddRan College of Liberal Arts, College of Fine Arts and the Neeley School of Business. The second ceremony featured Brite Divinity School, the Bob Schieffer College of Communication, the College of Education, the College of Science & Engineering and Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences.