From surpassing its $1 billion campaign goal to the medical school’s impact on the economy and Frogs on Fourth: A Purple Pop-Up, TCU is in the news.
INSTITUTIONAL
TCU reaches $1 billion fundraising goal: ‘We’ve come a long way’
Oct. 14, 2023
Fort Worth Report
A few weeks ago, on his way home from class, TCU Burnett School of Medicine third-year
student Kevin Chao noticed a crash victim on the side of the interstate and pulled over to assist. Inside
Schollmaier Arena on Oct. 12, TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. told an audience of TCU boosters, donors and city leaders who contributed more than
$1 billion to the university during its Lead On: A Campaign for TCU fundraising effort,
that students like Chao are evidence that their money isn’t wasted. Boschini told
the audience to watch the impact reverberate across Fort Worth. “One of the hallmarks
of TCU is that everyone’s connected at every level, and they try to make those connections
to try to make the world a better place,” Boschini said. “When could we more need
the world to be a better place than now?”
TCU surpasses goal, raises $1B-plus for Lead On campaign
Oct. 13, 2023
Fort Worth Business Press
TCU announced Oct. 12 that the university has surpassed its goal for the most ambitious
philanthropic campaign in TCU’s 150-year history. “Thanks to many generous and loyal
supporters, Texas Christian University has achieved and surpassed our bold goal for
Lead On: A Campaign for TCU,” said Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. “For all of us at TCU, this is an incredible moment to reflect upon the impact of
this effort for the future of our university. It is difficult to overstate the importance
of this investment by so many who care so deeply about TCU’s students, faculty and
staff.”
TCU hopes $1 billion fundraising campaign will expand the university’s reach
Oct. 12, 2023
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
TCU capped off its 150 anniversary celebrations Thursday with an announcement the
university surpassed its $1 billion fundraising goal. Over 57,000 individual donors
contributed to the “Lead On” campaign, which will go to strengthen the university’s
endowment, support student scholarships, and help expand the university through additional
faculty and staff. “The vision is to get more people to choose to come to TCU and
then be able to provide them the scholarship to do that,” Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. said.
D-FW’s $1 billion college campus building boom aims to meet future workforce needs
Oct. 11, 2023
The Dallas Morning News
There’s a building boom on college campuses across North Texas, with over $1 billion
in construction projects underway to train future nurses, scientists, biomedical engineers,
doctors and business leaders. In recent weeks, the new building for the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU is under construction, with completion expected in 2024. The four-story, 100,000-square-foot
building will be in Fort Worth’s Near Southside neighborhood that’s home to several
hospitals. It will have an anatomy lab, a simulation center, and suites for students
to practice clinical skills, university officials said. The school is expected to
generate about 31,000 jobs for North Texas and produce an economic impact of about
$4 billion by 2030 according to a Tripp Umbach study.
A Documentary Chronicling the 2022 Cliburn Competition Premieres This Month in Fort
Worth
Oct. 11, 2023
Fort Worth Magazine
A new documentary that is currently in negotiations for worldwide streaming distribution,
will be making its big screen debut right here in Cowtown. “Crescendo,” a documentary
that follows the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, is scheduled to
make its North American premiere on Oct. 26 at the Van Cliburn Concert Hall. “We are
delighted to once again welcome the Cliburn to Texas Christian University,” said Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. “With such a long and storied history together, it is especially meaningful to have
them host this screening during our Sesquicentennial celebration. We are extremely
proud of the beautiful, state-of-the-art Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU that enhances
our students’ academic experience and honors the life and legacy of its namesake.”
Celebrating TCU's 150th Anniversary
Oct. 11, 2023
WFAA-TV
TCU is celebrating its 150th anniversary with Frogs on Fourth: A Purple Pop-Up in
downtown Fort Worth. “We were established as one of the first co-education institutions
west of the Mississippi. We educated men and women together, and that really speaks
to how we are so innovative at our core,” Tracy Syler-Jones, vice chancellor for marketing and communication, said. “A hundred and fifty years
later, we just graduated our 100,000th alum. We also graduated the first students
from our Burnett School of Medicine. We’re happy to share the history with as many
people as we can.”
DFW's NIL Landscape: How Companies and Execs Are Shaping a New Era of College Sports
Oct. 9, 2023
D Magazine
Just one month after the NCAA approved new rules that paved the way for college athletes
to get paid for their name, image and likeness (NIL), in Fort Worth, TCU has launched
an NIL curriculum and workshops within the Neeley School of Business. Now, more than
two years into the NIL age, “virtually 100 percent” of TCU’s more than 500 student-athletes
participate in the Neeley NIL curriculum each year, according to university president
and Neeley NIL co-founder Daniel Pullin. TCU was the first Power 5 university to establish NIL curriculum. “The courses set
up students for success now in understanding how to leverage their brand, and for
the next 50 years after their playing career,” Pullin said. “The way we look at it
is the Supreme Court ruling planted 500 entrepreneurs on our campus overnight.”
The Top U.S. Colleges for Career and Learning-Related Opportunities
Oct. 2, 2023
The Wall Street Journal
Several small to midsize private colleges made the top 10, according to a student
survey conducted for the WSJ/College Pulse ranking, including Texas Christian University at No. 5. The top-ranked schools on the list received the highest scores for their
learning facilities — a category that includes classroom spaces, internet reliability
and other campus amenities — followed by student recommendations.
FACULTY
Tesla whistleblowers filed complaint to SEC in 2021: What it said
Oct. 12, 2023
Swift Telecast
In the fourth quarter of 2021, a Tesla employee and a tech industry researcher jointly
filed a whistleblower complaint to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, expressing
concerns that the car company may have violated the law repeatedly, affecting shareholders,
employees and customers. Karen Nelson, M.J. Neeley Professor of Accounting, previously served as an advisor to the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board. After reviewing the redacted version of the whistleblower
complaint, she said, “Tesla’s information systems don’t seem to be very transparent
and robust for internal people, which then leads to questions about how the auditor
navigated those systems in their internal control testing and became comfortable with
using the data being produced by it.”
Will US efforts to deescalate the Israel-Hamas conflict be effective? Experts weigh
in
Oct. 12, 2023
willmarradio.com
Following Hamas’ attack on Israel, the United States has sent a clear message of deterrence
to prevent the conflict from spreading. Ralph Carter, Piper Professor of political science, said President Biden has historically been
“cautious” in sending U.S. troops into battle. “His experience in Washington over
40 years or more suggests that once you start something like that, you have no idea
where it’s going to end,” Carter said.
Neo-Nazis at Fort Worth restaurant incite outrage. But what would or should you do?
Oct. 12, 2023
Fort Worth Report
A video showing a group wearing Nazi insignia at the Torchy’s Tacos in Fort Worth
stirred conversations about what people can or should do in similar situations. The
group’s generally protected by the First Amendment, said Daxton Stewart, a professor focusing on media law and the First Amendment. “You can’t arrest somebody
who’s going out in public and saying racist stuff,” he said. “You can see them do
it. You can judge them accordingly. You can speak back at them. But the state can’t
arrest them and put them in jail. There’s no hate speech exception for the First Amendment.”
What the Exxon Mobil-Pioneer Natural Resources merger means for consumers
Oct. 12, 2023
The Dallas Morning News
Texas’ prolific Permian Basin set the scene for the largest oil-and-gas deal of the
last two decades with Exxon Mobil’s $59.5 billion takeover of Irving-based Pioneer
Natural Resources. The megadeal also cements the energy giant’s future in fossil fuels
as it becomes the nation’s dominant producer of shale oil. Tom Seng, assistant professor of professional practice in TCU’s Ralph Lowe Energy Institute,
said, “It’s entirely possible that, with Exxon’s balance sheet, they can infuse a
substantial amount of capital into new drilling and production, which could lead to
lower prices at the pump.”
Texas’ special session on school vouchers begins Monday. Can lawmakers reach a deal?
Oct. 9, 2023
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Four months after they failed to reach a deal, Texas lawmakers returned to Austin
to try a second time to pass a statewide school voucher program. Jim Riddlesperger, political science professor, said that in rural communities, where private schools
are much less common and traditional school districts are often the only option, many
voters see education savings accounts as a plan that would only benefit wealthy people
in big cities and suburbs.
From Florida to Fort Worth: Why Palm Medical Centers is bringing its business model
to North Texas
Oct. 7, 2023
Fort Worth Report
Palm Medical Centers – a provider of primary care services for adults aged 65 and
older – expanded to Tarrant County. Dr. Stuart Pickell, associate professor at the Burnett School of Medicine, was appointed to serve as
its medical director for the provider’s clinic in Fort Worth’s Medical District.
When to view a ‘Ring of Fire’ annular solar eclipse in D-FW this month
Oct. 6, 2023
The Dallas Morning News
A “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse was visible in DFW skies Oct. 14. The sliver
of visible sun has a high surface brightness and can damage the naked eye, said Douglas Ingram, physics and astronomy instructor. He recommends purchasing eclipse glasses, which
block out much of the light and are available for a few dollars online.
Area high school mariachi bands sound off at TCU Latin American Music Festival
Oct. 3, 2023
Fort Worth Report
Germán Gutiérrez, professor of orchestral studies, led the university’s orchestra ensemble at the
TCU Latin American Music Festival. “You don’t know how great it feels to see this
building full of young musicians who are here for this wonderful piece of music, for
the orchestra,” Gutiérrez said. “So many young musicians in high school. I hope that
you will be sitting here soon.” Area high school mariachi bands — North Side Mariachi
Espuelas de Plata and R.L. Paschal Mariachi Panteras — performed with the TCU Symphony
Orchestra at the TCU School of Music’s 13th Biennial Latin American Music Festival.
World-renowned Venezuelan artists Pacho Flores and Eddy Marcano played beside them.
Revised MU stalking, threat policies may make punishment more difficult
Oct. 2, 2023
KBIA-FM (Columbia, MO)
Following language from a June Supreme Court decision, the University of Missouri
System Board of Curators voted Sept. 7 to approve amendments to the system’s Collected
Rules and Regulations, specifically the definitions of stalking and threats in the
Standard of Conduct and sexual harassment policies. “The bar is now higher to punish
students or employees that engage in stalking or threatening behavior, and that does
not make the world a better or safer place for those who are being stalked or threatened,”
said Daxton “Chip” Stewart, professor and assistant provost for research compliance journalism.
STUDENTS
TCU students chop their locks to help others
Oct. 11, 2023
KXAS-TV (Fort Worth, TX)
Graduate student Andre Giammattei organized a hair donation drive on campus to raise awareness for childhood cancer
and collect hair to be made into wigs. “One of my older cousins put on a hair donation
when we were younger,” Giammattei said. “And then, unfortunately, in 2020, a friend
of mine who we used to play basketball together when we were younger, passed away
from cancer, and I was trying to figure out a way to honor him and his memory.”
The Frog Prince: Grandson of Roger Staubach Wears TCU Purple
Oct. 11, 2023
Fort Worth Magazine
The name on the back of No. 43 on the TCU football sideline would catch anybody’s
eye: “Staubach.” To Joe Staubach, Roger Staubach is “granddad,” first and foremost. Yes, of course, he knows all about
the history, legend and heritage of the infamous Dallas Cowboys quarterback, but Joe
is living his own life as a redshirt freshman walk-on wide receiver at TCU. “I started
to understand that my name, you know, came with recognition and people kind of noticed
it,” he said.
TCU student hoping to share part of her Hispanic heritage through dance
Oct. 5, 2023
KXAS-TV (Fort Worth, TX)
Sophomore Claudia Tiffany Rodriguez has danced Ballet Folklorico at TCU tailgates, at a baseball Cinco de Mayo game,
and a volleyball game for Hispanic Heritage Day. “That was heartwarming because when
I first started, not that I didn't believe in myself, but I didn't believe how far
I would get,” Rodriguez said. Last month, Rodriguez applied to TCU to start a Ballet
Folklorico organization on campus. “It’s very beautiful not just to share the culture
within, like, my heritage, but it’s also very amazing to share with people that don’t
know what Ballet Folklorico is,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez hopes to open her own Ballet
Folklorico dance studio after she graduates from TCU.
Fort Worth community rallies after Girls Inc. of Tarrant County stripped of funding
Oct. 5, 2023
KXAS-TV (Fort Worth, TX)
Days after Tarrant County leaders voted to strip state funds from Girls Inc. of Tarrant
County, some are rallying to support the nonprofit. As the first and second members
of their family to graduate from high school, sisters Lizbeth and Jimena Maldonado are preparing for careers in business and the restaurant industry. “Girls Inc. of
Tarrant County pushed us and really inspired us to just know that we can do it too
and see that people like us did and routed us there,” said Maldonado. “We were taught
about financial literacy, how to apply to colleges, they even taught us about financial
aid.”
ALUMNI
San Diego Native Mariana Fernández Is First Spanish Bilingual Instructor for Peloton
Oct. 15, 2023
Times of San Diego
Mariana Fernández ’06 was always swimming or running or doing some form of exercise. Years later, Fernández
has turned that passion for health and exercise into a thriving career in the fitness
industry, becoming the first Spanish bilingual instructor for Peloton, the popular
exercise equipment and online streaming company. “I feel really lucky to have a job
like this because it’s truly fusing all of the passions, athleticism that I’ve had
my whole life,” she said.
Speaking for the books: The Dock Bookshop owners make space for cultural conversations
in Fort Worth
Oct. 12, 2023
Fort Worth Report
Growing up, Donna Craddock, who graduated in 2006 with a master’s degree in Christian service from Brite Divinity
School, read prolifically, along with her sister. Both of their parents were readers,
too. “Books are kind of in our blood,” Donna said. That passion for reading led the
sisters to open The Dock Bookshop at 6637 Meadowbrook Drive. They call the 4,000-square-foot
space one of the “largest African American-owned, full-service bookstores in Texas
and the Southwest.”
Wes Smith’s TCU fraternity organizes flag football game for memorial scholarship fund
Oct. 12, 2023
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
A TCU fraternity organized a flag football game to honor Wes Smith, the 21-year-old
junior who was fatally shot in Fort Worth this fall. All proceeds from Touchdowns
for Wes will go to the Wes Smith Memorial Fund, a scholarship set up in Smith’s honor.
“Wes loved TCU more than anyone, and giving someone else the opportunity to attend
would be what he would’ve wanted,” Kappa Sigma alumnus Dylan York ’22 said.
Painting event coming to New Leaf UMC
Oct. 6, 2023
Star Beacon
Artist Allison Tisdale Régnier ’85 is leading an art workshop, called Paint Your HeArt Out. Régnier is a missionary artist
from Nice, France, who is spending six months in the U.S. pursuing a variety of artistic
and development opportunities. “They will reflect on their lives, learn more about
themselves and take stock of their faith journey,” she said. “Paint Your HeArt Out
is a powerful tool for processing strong emotions — from grief to gratitude.” Régnier
has a bachelor’s degree in fine art and interior design from TCU.
ATHLETICS
Lewisville ISD high school renames stadium to honor longtime football coach
Oct. 2, 2023
Community Impact Newspaper
Hebron High School honored late football coach David Brian Brazil and unveiled the renamed football stadium before the school’s homecoming game Sept.
29. Brazil coached at the school for 23 years until his retirement in May 2022. He
passed away in July. Brazil earned All-Southwest Conference honors during his college
football career at TCU and played in the NFL with the Houston Oilers after graduation.