From election results to emotional sobriety and egg allergies, Horned Frogs are in the news.
INSTITUTIONAL
Fort Worth recognizes three new ‘heritage trees’ in honor of Arbor Day
Nov. 1, 2024
Fort Worth Report
This year, the parks department added three trees to the city’s Heritage Tree Program.
Created in 2009, the program gives tree species a “heritage” status to promote their
significance to the community. The first tree honored for its significance was the
Camp Bowie Arizona Ash. The Millennium Tree was the second species given the heritage
status. Planted by the city in 1895 and located at the Tarrant County Courthouse,
the tree signifies the start of new beginnings for the city and prosperity. The TCU
Original Oak was the third and last tree to receive the honorary status. Its canopy
overlooks the middle of the TCU campus. The tree represents the first graduating class from TCU’s Fort Worth campus
after the university opened its doors in 1911.
FACULTY & STAFF
Hitting the rocks: New TCU Energy Institute leader brings geology, energy industry
experience
Nov. 12, 2024
Fort Worth Report
Nikki Morris is the new executive director of the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute at TCU. Morris brings
more than 17 years of experience in the oil and gas industry as an executive leader,
geologist and a trailblazer working at international oil companies as well as startups.
“TCU has an extensive history with energy, and we are in a unique position to connect
business, energy and academia with a focus on the future and what’s to come,” she
said. “The research and thought leadership nurtured in the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute
have been breaking ground for years. I’m looking forward to being part of the next
phase of innovation to come.”
8 Things You Should Do for Your Bones Every Day, According to Orthopedic Doctors
Nov. 12, 2024
Time
Orthopedic doctors have a bone to pick with all the people who forget they’re carrying
a very important skeleton around every day. We might not be able to see our ribs or
tailbone or humerus, but it’s still important to make bone health a priority. “Your
bone health and joint health is really tied to your overall wellness and health,”
says Dr. David Shau, an orthopedic surgeon and assistant professor at the Burnett School of Medicine
at TCU. Consider, for example, that about 54 million Americans have osteoporosis, low bone
mass or both, and 2 million osteoporotic fractures occur annually. That number will
exceed 3 million per year by 2040, researchers predict. “When that happens, you have
a period of time where you have to heal and recover,” Shau says. “You can’t be active
with your family. You can’t travel. You can’t exercise, so your cardiovascular health
goes down, and you start seeing metabolic issues and other health issues.” It’s a
potentially devastating chain of events, he says, that can spell trouble far into
the future.
Colleges are Paving the Way with Inclusive and Equitable Employee Initiatives
Nov. 7, 2024
Insight into Diversity
Universities like George Mason University and TCU are taking innovative steps to ensure that their faculty and staff feel supported
and connected. In a significant step to promote fairness and transparency among its
faculty, TCU has developed a Faculty Workload Equity Model. “Faculty workload equity
is about ensuring that responsibilities are distributed fairly, reflecting the diverse
roles and contributions of our faculty,”Fran Huckaby, associate provost for Faculty
Affairs, said. TCU has already piloted the model in several academic units during the 2022-2023
academic year, with additional feedback and refinements planned before full implementation.
“This is a significant step toward creating a more transparent and accountable process
for managing faculty workloads, ensuring that all faculty members are supported in
their professional roles,” said Huckaby.
COVID Is Surging Right Now. Here’s What Alarms Doctors The Most.
Nov. 6, 2024
Yahoo!News
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that COVID test
positivity rates and emergency room visits are steadily rising, especially along both
coasts. According to Dr. Nikhil Bhayani, an assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Burnett School
of Medicine at TCU, one variant in particular is gaining steam right now: KP.3. It’s currently responsible
for roughly 25% of cases.
Hill re-elected to Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas board of directors
Nov. 6, 2024
Fort Worth Report
James Hill, director of the Center for Real Estate and finance instructor in the Neeley School
of Business, has been re-elected to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas board of directors by its
member banks. He will serve a three-year term starting Jan. 1, 2025. Hill was initially
elected to the board in July to fill an unexpired term ending in December. In his
role as a Dallas Fed board member, Hill provides insight into the region’s economy
in support of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy function.
Why Emotional Sobriety Is a Critical Part of Your Recovery Journey
Nov. 5, 2024
Verywellmind.com
There is no one path to sobriety. According to Vanessa Kennedy, Ph.D, a licensed clinical
psychologist and the director of psychology at Driftwood Recovery, a key dimension
of successful recovery is a person’s emotional sobriety. There is a broad spectrum
of benefits to emotional sobriety, whether you are in active addiction, in recovery
or are just seeking new ways to approach your mental health. Practicing emotional
sobriety can help someone build healthy communication, acknowledge their active role
in their life, create boundaries and become more emotionally attuned, says Caroline Sahba, associate director of the Counseling and Mental Health Center at TCU.
Trump wins Tarrant County; Cruz-Allred in close race
Nov. 5, 2024
Fort Worth Report
Heading into the early hours of Nov. 6, Texas’ largest purple county was nearly evenly
split on its choice for U.S. Senate. Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz won a third
term, defeating Democratic challenger Colin Allred. In Tarrant County, however, Cruz
and Allred were neck and neck as of 1 a.m. Nov. 6. Cruz reported 48.75% to Allred’s
48.87% with 347 out of 350 vote centers reporting. The two were separated by just
over 1,000 votes. This campaign season has already yielded a lot of often-conflicting
information about where voters stand, and James Riddlesperger, a political science professor at TCU, is eager to dig into the post-election data. “We’re going to have a better understanding
of what it is that is motivating voters to vote the way they do,” he said. “I’ll be
interested in seeing what some of these exit polls say (about) why we’re in such a
very, very close election.”
Too Much—and Too Little—of This Nutrient May Increase Your Colon Cancer Risk, Studies
Show
Nov. 4, 2024
Parade
Studies suggest that too much and too little of a particular nutrient may increase
the risk of colorectal cancer and other types of cancer. A 2022 review in Cancer Medicine suggests too much iron can increase the risk of lung and colorectal cancers, noting
that excess iron may fuel tumor growth. On the other side, a 2021 review in Frontiers in Immunology suggests having low iron is associated with the development of colorectal cancer.
Dr. James Cox, gastroenterologist and assistant professor and director of physician communication
at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, further explains the details. “Excess iron can increase the risk of colon cancer
due to its effect on the tumor cell proliferation,” he explained. “Whether excess
iron increases the actual risk of colon cancer [as a whole] is unknown.”
As Fort Worth faces a literacy crisis, reading advocates point to these solutions
Nov. 2, 2024
Fort Worth Report
Four reading advocates discussed how residents and schools can boost the city’s low
literacy rates following a Fort Worth Report-hosted screening of the documentary “The Right to Read” Nov. 1 at the Kimbell Art
Museum. Although reading issues are discussed as an elementary school issue, the reality
is that related problems persist through middle and high school — and college, said
Michael Faggella-Luby, a special education professor at TCU. The science of reading must be incorporated throughout the entirety of students’
K-12 education for future success in life, Faggella-Luby said. “There are things we
need to do, beginning to end, to support our teachers in those areas,” he said.
US election: Fierce battle for Congress on a knife-edge
Nov. 2, 2024
Channel News Asia
For the wider world, the U.S. election is all about who gets to move into the White
House, but for many Americans, the battle for control of Congress is just as important
– and looks set to go down to the wire. House Democrats have crushed Republicans in
fundraising and have put enough seats in play to give themselves a good chance of
flipping a razor-thin disadvantage of 212 seats to the Republicans’ 220, with three
seats vacant. They also have been able to tout achievements from previous sessions
while pointing out that this Republican-led term – beset by infighting – has been one of the most dysfunctional and unproductive in the body’s 235-year history.
Keith Gaddie, a political science professor at TCU, said control of the House was within Democrats’ grasp – but he isn’t betting the farm on the party fulfilling its potential. “The reality
is, literally anything can happen in terms of control,” he said. “We won’t really
know until the voting – and the litigation – are over. Because litigation is the final act of any election these days.”
The #1 Surprising Mistake People Over 50 Make Before Their Annual Vaccines
Nov. 2, 2024
Yahoo.com
Avoiding common vaccine mistakes when you’re over 50 is important. Doctors say they
see one in particular for various reasons. They shared the No. 1 mistake people over
50 make before getting their annual vaccines, why it happens and how to avoid it.
Not getting the vaccines available to them — or any at all — is the biggest no-no,
as well as the most common. Some people may also be more nervous about the vaccine
than the illness it protects them from. About those rumors that people with egg allergies
can’t get the flu vaccine: They’re untrue, says Dr. Grant Fowler, the chair of family medicine at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU. Indeed, the CDC reports that people with an egg allergy can get an egg-based or
non-egg-based flu shot if it’s otherwise considered A-OK for their age and health.
Is this the year Tarrant County finally goes blue?
Nov. 1, 2024
OfftheKuff
As Election Day approaches, voters, candidates and political experts alike are wondering:
Will Tarrant swing back to red or continue trending toward blue? Is the future of
Tarrant County purple? James Riddlesperger, a political science professor at TCU, said there’s reason for Democrats to think they might be more competitive in Tarrant
County than ever before. “Certainly, the numbers over the last several election cycles
show that Tarrant County is narrowing in its gap between Republicans and Democrats,”
Riddlesperger said. “But, on the other hand, all things being equal, you would have
to say that the Republicans have a fairly significant advantage in Tarrant County
simply because of the kind of voting habits of Tarrant County over the last third
of a century, where Republicans have been so firmly in charge.”
Opinion polls have Harris and Trump locked in a tight race. ‘Gambling polls’ say otherwise
Oct. 31, 2024
The Guardian
Most gamblers might want to sit out the U.S. election. It’s too close to call with
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump neck and neck, according to official polls. But the
former president’s campaign has latched on to signs he says prove he’s actually “leading.”
In a close race, Trump and his allies claim some “gambling polls,” as he described
them, put him significantly ahead of Harris. “Like, 65 to 35, or something like that.”
But how reliable are the headline figures? “I think you should take them seriously,”
said Grant Ferguson, political science professor at TCU. “The people who bet on these markets largely think they know more than the average
person as to how things are going.” Leading platforms put Hillary Clinton ahead on
election day in 2016 (she did win the popular vote if not the presidency), and Joe
Biden in the lead in 2020, “but by less than the polling, in both cases,” said Ferguson.
2024 will be the biggest test of these predictions so far.
STUDENTS
Medical student gives back to community with free shoes through nonprofit Nov. 6, 2024
MSN.com
TCU Burnett School of Medicine student Sam Sayed said one of his fondest memories growing up was when his late sister, Dayna, bought
him and his brother, Sharif ,a pair of new Nike shoes. Soon after that moment, Dayna
Sayed was killed in a drive-by shooting. Sam Sayed said he has always wanted to honor
his sister and that moment, so he and his brother started a nonprofit in her name
that aims to recreate that memory for kids looking for a great shoe. Sam Sayed said
that this emotion is something that he is studying as part of his school’s “Empathetic
Scholar” program, which allows future physicians to spend time in underserved communities
and improve the community relations between doctors and patients. “I’ve always maintained
that once I become a physician, it’s not my job just to wait for patients to come
to me. The most important thing to me is to get to know them in their environment
and know them before they need me,” Sam Sayed said.
Diaries of Home
Nov. 5, 2024
E-Flux.com
Join us for a compelling conversation featuring artist Letitia Huckaby and TCU doctoral candidate Marcellis Perkins, moderated by writer and curator Johnica Rivers. The discussion will explore Huckaby’s
photographs in the special exhibition, Diaries of Home. Huckaby was selected to create
a pair of portraits depicting Charley and Kate Thorp, a formerly enslaved couple who
played a crucial role at AddRan Male and Female College (later renamed TCU) from its
founding in 1873. The Portrait Project tells TCU’s story through diverse portraiture
around the campus that commemorates historically marginalized and underrepresented
members of the university community.
TCU Student and Fashion Model Faith McKinstry Is on the Rise
Oct. 31, 2024
Fort Worth Magazine
Over the years I’ve had the distinct pleasure of interviewing and meeting with a few
entertainers, musicians and fashion models on their way to superstardom. One such
up-and-comer was TCU student, model and actress Faith McKinstry. Outside of her love of dress up and collegiate studies, McKinstry is making a name
for herself in the modeling industry, even though she didn’t fit so-called “industry
standards” when she first started. Coming in at 5-foot-6-inches, McKinstry is just
under the usual modeling requirement of 5-foot-8-inches, a height standard that could
be a deal-breaker for any aspiring model. Instead of letting this requirement stifle
her, McKinstry owned her stature, making her runway debut at the 2023 Fort Worth Fashion
Week titled The Future. “I actually wasn’t sure I would be able to do this because of my height. So, when
I got an email back stating that I had been accepted to walk, I was ecstatic,” she
said. “Getting to work with all of the other models, makeup artists, hairstylists
and the designers of the show was just really fun and something I was really happy
I got to do.”
ALUMNI
After a Devasting Brain Injury, He Found a New Purpose: Helping Others Heal
Nov. 14, 2024
BlackDoctor
While former TCU tennis player Kel Mabatah ’10 was home one evening, armed assailants invaded his property, hitting him in the head
with the butt of a rifle, stabbing him in the stomach and leaving him for dead. Through
bodybuilding, Mabatah reconnected with his love of competition and found a way to
inspire others. His determination to overcome physical and emotional hurdles led him
to establish the ‘Kel Strong’ Mabatah Foundation, aiming to help other brain injury
survivors access the long-term support they need. “My recovery journey was challenging,
but it inspired me to start my foundation to help others facing similar struggles,
especially those with limited access to therapy and resources,” Mabatah shares. “I
didn’t think I could be competitive again, but in September 2020, I entered my first
bodybuilding competition and came in second. Now, I compete professionally as a bodybuilder
and use it to show others what’s possible despite disabilities.”
Why Texas Bats Need a Better Commute
Nov. 11, 2024
Texas Monthly
Bat populations face numerous threats, including white-nose syndrome and severe weather
caused by climate change. Urban development has also disrupted bat habitats, leaving
bats with fewer options when finding food and sheltering from predators. This process,
known as habitat fragmentation, can drive bats and other wildlife out of communities.
Planting more trees might help, but it’s not that simple. A study by Manuel de Oyarzabal Barba MS ’23, published in September in the journal Wildlife Biology, found that bats preferred continuous stretches of tall trees that offered consistent
canopy cover, as gaps in tree corridors could leave bats exposed to predators. But
overly dense canopies were also a problem. If bats can move through an area, “it’s
very likely that there’s good connectivity for the rest of the wildlife,” de Oyarzabal
Barba said.
A wild ride: Allan Chapman’s musical journey took him from Woodstock to Nashville
and back to his cowboy roots
Nov. 10, 2024
Y!Entertainment
If anyone ever came into this life destined to be a cowboy, it was Allan Chapman ’69. He was born in Pecos, Texas, and grew up in tiny Benjamin, Texas, near the Blue
Goose Ranch, founded by his great-grandfather in 1882. He had a long run as a bass
player and lead male vocalist with The Texas Trailhands, a group that was named International
Western Music Association Western Swing Group of the year in 2004, 2005 and 2007,
and won IWMA Western Swing Album of the Year in 2000, 2002 and 2005. This year, “Last
of the Four Sixes Cowboys,” a song Chapman wrote with fellow Texan Joel White, is
nominated for IWMA Song of the Year, and Chapman is nominated for IWMA Songwriter
of the Year. “I feel this energy flowing toward Western music from country music right
now,” he said. “There are a lot of artists not inside the purview of IWMA writing
songs about life in the West — in a good way. You don’t have to be a cowboy to appreciate
that life.”
Debra Stewart
Nov. 8, 2024
D Magazine
Debra Stewart ’90 was born into an artistic, innovative family. Her parents owned a bronze foundry,
and her grandfather was a craftsman who built homes, among other things. Growing up,
Stewart’s life was filled with creativity and an appreciation for art and construction,
which is why it’s no surprise she found her true calling in interior design. “We believe
in creating spaces that make every day extraordinary,” she says. “We are privileged
to work with trusted architects, contractors, showrooms and tradespeople who are extraordinarily
skilled and well-respected. During the past 33 years, we have established relationships
with premiere craftspeople and artisans to ensure a seamless process with stunning
results. Our team is family to us — just as our clients are.”
Dallas Arboretum Welcomes Chris Smith as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Guest
Experience
Nov. 6, 2024
Fort Worth Business Press
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden has named Chris Smith EMBA ’17 the new senior vice rresident of marketing and guest experience. Smith brings extensive
experience in public gardens and green spaces, most recently serving as a consultant
for the Arboretum, with significant contributions made this past summer. In her new
role, Smith will lead the Arboretum’s marketing strategy and guest engagement initiatives,
with a focus on elevating the experience for all who visit this beloved green space.
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD names Waxahachie schools’ leader as next superintendent
Nov. 4, 2024
Fort Worth Report
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD didn’t have to search too far for its next superintendent.
Trustees unanimously agreed Nov. 4 to name Jerry Hollingsworth ’92 the superintendent of Waxahachie ISD, as the district’s next leader. “Dr. Hollingsworth
has a proven track record as a collaborative leader focused on building culture that
supports student growth and achievement, staff resources and well-being, and opportunities
for family engagement,” school board President Marilyn Tolbert said.
ATHLETICS
Which bowl game is TCU football projected play in during the postseason?
Nov. 11, 2024
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
It seemed like a fading possibility earlier in the season, but the Horned Frogs have
turned things around and clinched bowl eligibility with Saturday’s 38-13 win over
Oklahoma State. While TCU is no longer in the race for the Big 12 title game, going
bowl is still an achievement for this particular TCU team that looked like it was
trending in the wrong direction just a month ago.
Hailey Van Lith Makes College Basketball History In TCU Debut
Nov. 5, 2024
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
TCU hosted Houston Christian in the first game with new transfer Hailey Van Lith. TCU got the easy win over Houston Christian, 78-41, and Van Lith played well with
21 points, five rebounds and seven assists in 35 minutes. She also added six steals
and provided a spark for the Horned Frogs. As it turns out, Van Lith made college
basketball history in the Horned Frogs’ win, as I Talk Hoops mentioned on X. “Hailey
Van Lith became the first Power 5 transfer in women’s college basketball history to
record 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ steals in a season opener!”
The Influence of Sedona Prince
Nov. 3, 2024
The New Yorker
The basketball player has been central to the fight to end amateurism and improve
gender equity in the NCAA, and her story underscores the way that college sports are
changing. In June, 2020, Sedona Prince and another athlete, the swimmer Grant House, sued the NCAA, and moved to have the
suit recognized as a class action, demanding damages for lost television revenue and
potential social-media earnings. During March Madness in 2021, she posted a video
comparing the women’s tiny weight room with the men’s vast facility. It went viral
and became national news. Prince’s efforts prompted the NCAA to commission a gender-equity
review, which called Prince’s video the “contemporary equivalent of ‘the shot heard
round the world." A month before it was released, the NCAA, under pressure from the
lawsuit led by House and Prince, among other legal challenges, changed its rules to
allow student athletes to maintain their NIL rights. Within a year, Prince was making
hundreds of thousands of dollars in endorsements. She had 3.1 million followers on
TikTok, roughly more than a million more than Nike had at the time.