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From the growth and impact of the TCU campus to multiple Harris College faculty sharing their research on the national airwaves, TCU and its faculty, alumni and students are in the news.

INSTITUTIONAL

TCU Names New Football Performance Center in Honor of Midland Philanthropists
Aug. 29, 2024
Fort Worth Inc.
TCU’s new 20,000-square-foot football facility, scheduled to open in July, has a name. The Harrison Family Football Performance Center is being named in honor of Mike and Brenda Harrison of Midland, according to a press release. “We are proud to support the health and wellness of our TCU student-athletes,” Brenda and Mike Harrison ’64, said in a joint statement. “This capital project will empower them to excel at the highest levels of competition within the Big 12 Conference and beyond. The cutting-edge facilities ensure that TCU athletics remains a leader in collegiate sports on a national scale.” The Harrisons’ ties to TCU date to 1932, when Mike’s father W.O. Harrison graduated with the first of three degrees. Nine other relatives, including two of his and Brenda’s four children, Michael Harrison Jr. ’91 and Christina Pittman ’94, are also Horned Frogs. 

Sonny and Kate Dykes gift $1 million to TCU athletics
Aug. 27, 2024
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Football coach Sonny Dykes and his wife Kate are making a major financial investment into TCU athletics. The Dykes family donated $1 million to the program, which will be split between honoring former TCU offensive lineman Jamal Powell with his name on the weight room in the new Harrison Family Football Performance Center as well as recognizing Shirley Enis, late wife of TCU Trustee Hunter Enis ’59, with an endowment in her name to support women’s athletics at TCU. “Shirley has made a huge impact on us. She went out of her way to be so kind to Kate and I when we came over here to TCU. There’s nobody that’s given TCU more than Hunter Enis and his family,” Dykes said. “We wanted to do something for women’s athletics, with the changing world today it’s going to be important for all of us to recognize if we want to keep the current model to provide scholarships and opportunity for women, we’re going to have to fundraise, and we felt strongly about preserving and enhancing women’s programs.”

Cowtown to Boomtown: Barnett Shale revolution supercharged Fort Worth’s future — until it didn’t
Aug. 25, 2024
Fort Worth Report
Dick Lowe and his partner, Hunter Enis, were both former football players who had landed in the energy business and searched all over the world for oil and gas. Enis, a former Horned Frogs quarterback and one of the partners at Four Sevens, said the company’s ties to TCU and football in particular, were key to securing the leases. The football players and athletes they hired had a good work ethic and knew how to work together, Enis told the 2024 Global Energy Symposium at the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute. “The collateral benefit of us drilling wells was a lot of employment. If you do it right or make a lot of money, you give people a lot of jobs.” The combination of sports, engineering and being unafraid of drilling in an urban environment worked well for Four Sevens. It also worked well for TCU. The school created an energy institute in 2007 in response to the drilling.  

TCU’s ‘Campus Master Plan’ Expansion on Track for January Milestones
Aug. 22, 2024
Dallas Innovates
TCU’s future campus master plan aims to propel the university’s Fort Worth campus into its next phase of strategic growth. And some of that growth is on track for completion in January. “Following a year of celebrating TCU’s Sesquicentennial and our storied history, we’re excited that the campus community is engaged in our future and positioning TCU for the next 150 years,” Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr., said in a statement last month. “Planning for our campus is critically important as we also continue our collaborative strategic planning process. Together, these two efforts will ensure that TCU is ready to achieve our mission and purpose on an even larger scale.”

TCU prepares for massive expansion to transform campus and surrounding area
Aug. 22, 2024
CBSNews.com
School’s in session for TCU and its new plan to keep up with record enrollment. Thousands of students started a new semester with a front-row seat to campus expansion. University President Daniel Pullin says this construction is a preview of what’s to come over the next decade. To keep up with demand, TCU plans to double the current campus square footage. “We think it will be a catalyst for the community from an economic development perspective,” said Pullin.

How Texas Christian University’s Healthy Frogs program brings a well-rounded approach to student wellness
Aug. 22, 2024
Food Service Director
TCU’s Healthy Frogs program offers students a well-rounded, holistic approach to health and wellness. Since the program’s launch in 2020, it has grown to include several events throughout the year that provide nutrition education and other resources to help students lead their healthiest lives. “When I took over the program, my mission was always that I wanted to provide students with the knowledge, skills and resources to lead their healthiest lives,” said campus dietitian and head of the Healthy Frogs program, Maddie Jacobs. “What that looks like with my events is that each event is tailored to one or more of those three areas.”

TCU reveals new details for major expansion of housing, parking and athletic buildings
Aug. 19, 2024
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Campus was bustling the first day of class. Construction on South University Drive had finished just hours earlier, opening for students to use the new crosswalks. Elsewhere, crews were continuing to work on new buildings and other major improvements. But that’s just the start of what TCU leaders are envisioning for their fast-growing campus. The Star-Telegram toured TCU with President Daniel W. Pullin to learn more about the projects. The university also released extensive details of its campus master plan for the first time. “We’re working very hard to create an environment where students can live, learn, work and play, all without having to leave the ecosystem of TCU,” Pullin said. If the entire master plan is built out, it would add 25 new buildings, including academic spaces, dormitories, parking garages and sports facilities.

TCU boasts of $2 billion impact to national economy
Aug. 19, 2024
NBCDFW.com
President Daniel Pullin was pulling double duty as the Class of 2028 moved onto campus. He braved the August heat to help some of the first-year students unload and get settled into their new home away from home. “It’s great for me to get a sense for the nature and quality of our students, the ambitions of this class, what they’re thinking about, how I can help them,” he told NBC 5. “It’s energizing to me because they’re coming into a big new chapter in their life.” Early numbers from the university show in the 2023 fiscal year, TCU generated more than $2 billion nationally through job creation, spending and tax benefits. More than half, $1.3 billion, benefited its hometown. TCU will release more details from the 85-page report later this month, but Pullin said the early numbers from consulting firm Tripp Umbach showed TCU is a partner in everyone’s success.

Moving to Fort Worth, TX: Things to Know
Aug. 15, 2024
mykukan.com
Moving to Fort Worth, Texas, is an exciting adventure filled with opportunities and discoveries. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., Fort Worth boasts a rich history, a vibrant cultural scene and a welcoming community. Fort Worth offers a wide array of educational opportunities that reflect the city’s commitment to academic excellence. Higher education in Fort Worth is equally impressive, with institutions like TCU leading the way. The TCU College of Education has been recognized for its contributions to the field, with initiatives like the Excellence in Education Awards, celebrating outstanding educators and leaders. These programs underscore the city’s dedication to fostering educational leadership and excellence at all levels.

FACULTY 

The One Symptom Pulmonologists Are Begging Anyone With Asthma Not To Ignore
Aug. 31, 2024
Newsbreak.com
The ability to breathe properly is essential for everyone but is especially critical for people with asthma. An asthma attack can be a life-threatening situation, and asthma also puts you at a greater risk for other serious conditions. That’s why people with asthma need to be alert when it comes to breathing-related symptoms and take quick action if they experience any issues that may be cause for concern. “If someone is so short of breath that they can’t speak or walk even a few steps, they need to call 911 immediately, no matter the ultimate cause,” said Dr. Steven Davis, associate professor at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU.

The Exercise Prescription One Size Doesn’t Fit All Between Men and Women
Aug. 30, 2024
The Academic Minute
Joshua Carr is an assistant professor and previous director of TCU’s Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory. “Exercise is critical for health and wellness. To this end, there is evidence that exercise is medicine. But one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to the ‘exercise prescription,’ especially for men and women. New research reveals striking differences in how the genders respond to resistance training. In a recent study, men and women with resistance training experience performed four sets of bicep curls to failure using a moderate weight,” said Carr. “Evidence suggests that physiological sex differences in muscle fatigue and endurance should be considered when designing resistance training programs. Women may be able to grind longer on exercises like bicep curls before reaching a failure point.”

Best Personal Loans With an ITIN
Aug. 30, 2024
Wallethub
The best personal loans you can get with an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) have attractive features like low interest rates, no fees, lots of funding and long payoff periods. These loans are helpful to U.S. residents who do not have a Social Security number, as they can use an ITIN to apply instead. Patrick L. Hopkins, assistant professor of accounting at the TCU Neeley School of Business, said, “When obtaining a personal loan with an ITIN (or even a SSN), be sure to explore multiple loan options and any associated terms. Loan options may include a bank, loan company or private lender (friend or family member). Terms to pay close attention to include associated fees, interest rates and repayment schedules. Fees and interest can add up quickly, possibly resulting in paying more than double the original borrowed amount. So, shop around before committing to a lender!”

Overcoming the Complexities of Trafficking Recovery
Aug. 29, 2024
The Academic Minute
Sex trafficking survivors face a long and complex recovery. Mary Twis, master of social work program director and associate professor, determines what brings about best outcomes. “My research, alongside colleague insights, delves into the nuanced challenges faced by sex trafficking survivors,” Twis said. “In our study, ‘Defiance and Strength,’ a colleague and I interviewed seven women who had successfully survived trafficking and now work as advocates, helping others exit trafficking. Their experiences reveal crucial insights into the barriers to permanent exit and the strategies that can facilitate recovery."

The 1 Thing You Should Never, Ever Do If You Get A Mosquito Bite
Aug. 28, 2024
Huffington Post
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when you get bit by a mosquito, the bug injects saliva into your body via its proboscis, the little needle-like body part that sucks up your blood. The toxins in that saliva are thought to be what makes their bites feel warm and itchy. It can be tempting to scratch mosquito bites given how incredibly itchy they can get, but you really want to avoid doing so. “Scratching can send mild pain signals to the brain, which can release serotonin and increase the sensation of itching,” said Pamela Frable, associate professor at the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences.

Unveiling the Truth About Body Image with A.I. Technology
Aug. 28, 2024
Academic Minute
Social media and smartphones can harm body image, but A.I. could help. Robyn Trocchio, associate professor of kinesiology and the director of the sport and exercise psychology lab, explains how. “When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see? Body image refers to how you see, think and feel about your own body. Body image dissatisfaction is when you have a negative view of your body, which affects millions of people,” said Trocchio. “This happens when there’s a difference between how individuals perceive their bodies and their ideal body image. This dissatisfaction is linked to negative self-worth, depression and eating disorders. Traditional methods to measure body image are primarily reliant on questionnaires, but they have limitations.”

I’m a Cardiologist—This Is the Morning Snack I Eat Almost Every Day’
Aug. 27, 2024
Newsbreak.com
Snacking can be good for your heart. Even cardiologists snack throughout the day—if they have time, that is. Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, a cardiologist and the chair of internal medicine at Burnett School of Medicine, says that he integrates snacking into his days as part of following a heart-healthy diet. “[I eat] smaller, traditional-timed meals, like breakfast, lunch and dinner with controlled portion sizes, as well as frequent snacks in between meals,” he said. When it comes to his between-meal snacks, Sathyamoorthy says he prioritizes nuts and healthy grains (like whole-grain bread or whole-grain crackers).

Empowering Hispanic Agricultural Workers with Diabetes Education
Aug. 27, 2024
Academic Minute
How do we empower Hispanic agricultural workers to get the health care they need? Carol Howe, Paula R. and Ronald C. Parker Endowed Professor of Nursing and director of nursing research and scholarship, delves into this. “Hispanics have the highest rate of diabetes compared to non-Hispanic Blacks, Asians and whites. Hispanic agricultural workers face systemic health barriers, economic challenges and lack of follow-up care, which complicate diabetes self-management,” Howe said. “Nearly 40% of agricultural workers are unaware of their diabetes and often have limited access to health care services. Barriers include cost, language challenges, lack of health insurance, migratory lifestyles and fear of law and immigration enforcement."

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children See Different Relationships Between Words
Aug. 26, 2024
The Academic Minute
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing may have a different relationship to language than other children. Emily Lund, associate professor at the Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders, examines how to help bridge the gap. “Our findings suggest that children who are learning spoken language through a hearing aid or cochlear implant may struggle to recognize the semantic relationships between words,” said Lund. “This insight contributes to our understanding of additional speech and language therapy needs for children with cochlear implants and hearing aids: providing access to sound is a necessary first but not sufficient step for learning spoken language on the same trajectory as children with typical hearing.”

Technical buying leads to late-week rally for crude, natural gas struggles
Aug. 23, 2024
Oil & Gas Journal
“A downwardly revised jobs report kept last week’s bearish market going into this week until Friday,” said Tom Seng, assistant professor of professional practice at the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute. “However, oil prices rebounded on technical buying and rate cut optimism after hitting lows not seen since January. The continuing concerns over lessening demand and ceasefire talks overshadowed a large, unexpected draw in inventories. The U.S. remains well ahead of the five-year average for total natural gas in storage and continuing injections are expected until widespread cold weather sets in in late fall. In the near term, temperatures remain seasonal and above normal in some areas. However, a shift to cooler temperatures is expected the first week in September.”

Student Loan Forgiveness: What Might Happen Under A Harris-Walz Presidency
Aug. 23, 2024
Forbes
The average borrowing cost of $32,000 for a bachelor’s degree is a significant issue impacting millions of Americans. As talk of a potential Harris-Walz administration gains traction, the question arises: What would their approach to student loans look like if they win the White House? While predicting exact policies is impossible, political analysts and experts can make educated guesses by looking at how the Biden-Harris administration has dealt with student loans and the broader Democratic stance on higher education and debt relief. “What Harris will do with student loans is pretty straightforward,” says Keith Gaddie, Hoffman Chair of the American Ideal and political science professor. “If you look at the Biden Administration’s consistent efforts to delay or forgive student debts, you can expect a Harris administration to continue that approach.”

As Canadian rails grind to a halt, so may several sectors of the US economy
Aug. 23, 2024
NBCDFW.com
Recently, Canada’s two biggest railroads locked out more than 9,000 workers, causing their rail networks to shut down for the first time ever and ushering in potentially “devastating” consequences for both the Canadian and American economies. Canadian National Railway, Canadian Pacific Kansas City and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference union — which represents more than 10,000 workers — failed to come to an agreement after months of labor talks. The companies and union blamed each other for the stoppage. Patti Jordan, professor in supply chain management, predicted that the lockout could last up to two weeks, she told NBC DFW. Anything beyond that could push the Canadian economy to the brink.

Navigating Real Estate Education and Water Management in North Texas
Aug. 21, 2024
Marketscale
James Hill, director of the Center for Real Estate, shared his insights on the evolution of TCU’s real estate program, the strategic importance of practical industry experience for students and the critical role of water management in supporting North Texas’ rapid growth. With a focus on practical learning, Hill highlights the importance of industry collaboration to provide students with hands-on experience. “Real estate is a practicum industry,” Hill said. “The value proposition of college today is not just learning from books but from real-world professionals who bring the classroom to life.”

Gold Soars, Experts Call 2024 The Year of the Metals
Aug. 21, 2024
The Burning Platform
Gold has embarrassed quite a number of analysts in the past few days, rocketing to another all-time high to $2,509.71 on Aug. 16. Economics professor John Harvey says it’s silly for a national currency to be tethered to a finite and scarce resource. Limiting the supply of money means limiting growth, he claims. That fallacy is precisely the kind of nonsense that passes for economic thinking these days, he said.

How top Oklahoma Republicans counseled Ryan Walters
Aug. 20, 2024
The Oklahoman
A recent conflict in Oklahoma caused some to complain that the state impeachment process had become political and was being guided by political decisions. Many believe, however, that politics is built into the impeachment process. Keith Gaddie, the Hoffman Chair of the American Ideal, said impeachment is and will always be political. “No less an authority than former Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who wrote the book on impeachment, said impeachment is a political process,” Gaddie said. “You can be impeached and removed from office for politics. You have to be impeached and removed from office by politics because you were put in office by politics. That’s why impeachment exists."

Cinemark rises to the top of a struggling theater industry
Aug. 18, 2024
Washington Post
The last four years have upended the entertainment industry, but Cinemark has emerged as a relative success story. The third-largest U.S. theater chain, often seen as a cautious little brother to AMC and Regal, has gained market share since lockdown and its stock is at its highest level since early 2020 after gaining more than 80 percent so far this year. “The strike after Covid has just really been a one-two punch for all aspects of the industry,” said Kimberly Owczarski, associate professor of film, television and digital media. Analysts expect every theater chain will benefit from more releases in 2025 as strike delays subside. 

Read my lipstick, beauty is equity: What Warren Buffett’s investment in a beauty company foretells about the economy
Aug. 17, 2024
Zordo News
There’s a “lipstick” theory of business cycles. It says during times of economic recession, the sale of cosmetics surges. Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett is the bellwether of investing, and he has done something that should worry investors - buying stakes in a cosmetic company called Ulta Beauty Inc. “Women’s psychologies may have been shaped to respond to economic resource scarcity by allocating more effort into securing a financially secure mate in an environment where such mates are scarce,” said Sarah Hill, psychology professor, in a discussion posted on the TCU website.  

Delay in school accountability ratings extends uncertainty for Tarrant County districts
Aug. 15, 2024
Fort Worth Report
Fort Worth ISD is “disappointed” over not being able to showcase progress made between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years due to another delay in the release of the Texas Education Agency’s annual school ratings, the district said in a recent statement. The final outcome Fort Worth ISD awaits could be months away, professor Matthew Montgomery said. “I imagine partisan judges in Travis County helped with this decision,” Montgomery said. 

Best Installment Loans for Bad Credit
Aug. 15, 2024
Wallethub
The best installment loans for bad credit offer competitive APRs and fees, plus a wide range of dollar amounts and payoff periods. Regular payments are the single most impactful thing you could do for your credit score, according to Paul Irvine, professor and Kleinheinz Endowed Chair in International Finance and Investments at the Neeley School of Business. “However, many of the providers that bad credit folks can access for an installment loan are not exactly offering the best terms. I have heard some ridiculous interest rates out there, like $900 for a $600 Christmas loan, due in a couple of months!”

STUDENTS

Gen Anxious
Aug. 29, 2024
Merit Street
When it comes to generation of young adults and teenagers, many claim they are suffering from record high levels of anxiety. Morris Mims, broadcast journalism student, discussed on a recent talk show, Dr. Phil, how social media can heighten anxiety through unrealistic expectations, comparisons and negative news. “Most of my anxiety comes from social media, mainly just when I’m scrolling through social media … I’m comparing myself to others and comparing the highlights of their life to the trials and errors of my life,” says Mims. “And it’s kind of hard to remind yourself that social media is not real."

Hailey Van Lith’s First Pitch At Mariners Game Sparks Viral Buzz
Aug. 25, 2024
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Olympic medalist Hailey Van Lith captured attention after throwing out the first pitch at a Seattle Mariners game. Van Lith, who is from Washington, maintained a silver medal at the Paris Olympics in the 3x3 women’s basketball tournament. The pitch was crisp. She looked like she’s been there and done that before. Julio Rodriguez hardly had to move his glove.

Fort Worth students learn about the dangers of smoking and vaping
Aug. 21, 2024
Fox 4 News
Sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Young Women’s Leadership Academy in Fort Worth learned an eye-opening lesson on Wednesday. Ethan Vieira, a fourth-year student from the Burnett School of Medicine, shared the emergency room realities behind vaping. The students learned about kids with collapsed lungs, chronic coughing, shortness of breath, even anxiety and depression. “I try to include a lot of pictures and videos that really show to students what can happen and a lot of it is more common than we realize,” Vieira said. “Some people may think they’re too young in middle school to be talking about these types of things, but it’s all over social media. These influencers are getting sponsors from these products, and it’s unfortunate, and they’re sharing it online and they’re making it look cool.” 

ALUMNI

This Fort Worth doctor heals with social media, music and medicine
August 31, 2024
Fort Worth Report
A friend had a dying wish: a concert in her own home with 12 distinct performers, each with sentimental value for her and her husband. They turned to the only person they knew who could pull it off. Enter J. Mack Slaughter ’09, a TCU graduate and Fort Worth emergency room doctor with over 1 million followers on social media. Slaughter’s mission: Showcase social media’s power to do good. “I turned to the internet and begged for help. I told them, ‘My friend is dying, this is her dying wish, and I can’t help them, can you help me?’” Slaughter said. His plea caught the attention of 10 of the dozen artists named. Some came to the home. Others left a private link to a YouTube video or set up a Zoom call. One group even reunited for the cause. “There is huge power for good for taking thousands of people and aligning them together on one important goal,” Slaughter said.

A field trip to Johnson Space Center sparked her dreams. Now Anna Menon is flying to space
Aug. 23, 2024
Houston Chronicle
The journey for Anna Menon ’08 to outer space as a member of the Polaris Dawn mission started at Barbara Bush Elementary School. She was a fourth-grader when her class went on a memorable field trip to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Her teacher was the daughter of Michael J. Smith, the pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger, and that opened some special doors on the trip. The class simulated missions, Menon remembers, alternating between working in Mission Control and flying into space. “I just fell in love with this industry doing that,” Menon said. “I loved the dynamic nature of the problems that you have to solve together, how it requires working together as a team of all different types of people to really ultimately have a successful mission. I also was just inspired by this pursuit of space and understanding of this thing that’s so much bigger than us.” Polaris Dawn is working to launch their SpaceX journey soon.

Houston chef’s Tex-Med’ cooking nearly wins Food Network show. Here’s where you can try them
Aug. 22, 2024
MSN.com
Rafael Nasr ’14, knew he wanted to riff on the Lone Star State’s beloved Tex-Mex for his first national television appearance on the Food Network show “Alex vs. America.” Since Nasr’s days running a food truck nearly a dozen years ago as a student at TCU, he has been cooking what he calls “Tex-Med,” or Texas-Mediterranean.  “It’s this idea of, ‘What do Texans like more than anything?’ We are a taco culture,” Nasr said. “That goes hand-in-hand with what Lebanese and Middle Eastern people like. We just put it in a pita.” Nasr didn’t get a chance to cook either dish in the showdown against celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli and two other competitors, but his blend of globally inspired cooking nearly propelled him to a win the $10,000 prize.

ATHLETICS

TCU AD Jeremiah Donati discusses NCAA Settlement and Conference Realignment: ‘There’s More Coming’
Aug. 28, 2024
247sports.com
With major impending changes to the inherent structure of college athletics barreling down the road, athletics directors and their staffs across the country are scrambling to find a solution, despite not having all the details. Jeremiah Donati, director of intercollegiate athletics, met with the media to discuss how his team is approaching these changes to ensure that TCU is best positioned for the future. Donati made it clear that TCU’s priority would be maximizing revenue-sharing opportunities with student-athletes at the expense of adding scholarships. “The plan is not to add new scholarships. It’s potentially reallocating that,” Donati said. “We’re going to be focused primarily on putting that $21 million of rev share in the hands of the players, in the hands of the student-athletes.” 

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