From the youngest Ph.D. in university history to a women’s sports renaissance and a leadership transition, TCU News takes a look back at the top stories of the year.
Elliott Hill ’86 Named President, CEO of NIKE
Elliott Hill ’86, a kinesiology alumnus and member of the TCU Board of Trustees, was named president
and chief executive officer of NIKE, Inc. Hill retired from NIKE in 2020 after more
than 30 years of senior leadership positions across the company in Europe and North
America, most recently as president – consumer and marketplace. He took the helm Oct.
14 upon the retirement of NIKE’s current CEO.
Read more.
Record Number Represent TCU in 2024 Olympic Games
Nine Horned Frogs qualified for the Paris Olympics, sending more students and alumni
to compete on the world stage than ever before. Together, they represented seven different
countries in five different sports. Horned Frogs competed in basketball, tennis, rifle,
beach volleyball and swimming. Hailey Van Lith guided Team USA to a bronze medal in 3x3
basketball competition.
Read more.
TCU Celebrates Opening of Medical School Building
The Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU officially opened and dedicated
Arnold Hall in Fort Worth’s Medical Innovation District. The new 95,000-square-foot
medical education building features cutting-edge technology and academic spaces to
train the next generation of physicians. Completed in June 2024, the building welcomed
the sixth class of medical students in July and is home to more than 240 medical students,
as well as hundreds of faculty and staff.
Read more.
East Campus Dining, Residence Halls on Target for Completion
Hill Hall, Walsh Hall and Gutierrez Hall are on their way to being completed as scheduled
by January 2025. The east campus dining and residence hall project began in 2023 and will be part of the broader Campus Master Plan, currently being developed. Gutierrez Hall, positioned between the two new residence
halls, will seat 550 and include multiple dining stations, including a second campus
option for dietary restrictions and food allergies.
Read more.
TCU Announces Chancellor Succession Plan for 2025
TCU has announced its leadership succession plan as the university progresses to its
next phase of growth and excellence. On behalf of the TCU Board of Trustees, Chair
Kit T. Moncrief has shared that Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr., has formalized
his plans to transition to chancellor emeritus effective June 1, 2025, and TCU President
Daniel W. Pullin has been tapped as his successor.
Read more.
Summer University Drive Project is on Target
The improvements underway on University Drive through the TCU campus were complete
and ready for students at the beginning of the fall 2024 semester. Construction began in May in an effort to provide safer vehicle and pedestrian traffic with wider walkways,
improved traffic patterns and signals, and more protected crosswalks. Simultaneously,
additional work enhanced TCU’s Veterans Plaza.
Read more.
Future Campus Master Plan to Enhance Student Experience, Campus and Community
TCU’s campus master plan will be guided by several core initiatives. Used to propel
the campus into its next phase of strategic growth, the plan establishes a vision
and framework for TCU’s living, working and learning environment. It considers broad
strategic opportunities – also currently contemplated in the campuswide strategic planning process – such as research within an enhanced learning environment, sustainable growth, housing,
green spaces and infrastructure and athletics facilities.
Read more.
TCU Adds New ‘Lovely Outdoor Gathering Spot’
A new well house will serve as a gathering place and a formal entrance to the south
side of campus. It is located outside The Harrison and is a classical stone gazebo
with a domed copper roof. Funding for the well house is generously provided by TCU
Trustee Emeritus Nancy Tartaglino Richards and the Tartaglino Richards Family Foundation.
Read more.
Carson Huey-You: Researching Physics, Making History
In spring 2017, Carson became the university’s youngest undergrad when he earned a
bachelor’s in physics at the age of 14. He walked the stage once again in December
2019, wearing the academic hood that comes with a master’s degree. On May 11, 2024,
Carson became the youngest Ph.D. in TCU history when he accepted his doctorate diploma
in physics at age 21.
Read more.
TCU Athletics Facility Expansion Set to Begin
Construction has begun on TCU’s $50 million, donor-funded Athletics Human Performance
Center Renovation and Expansion Projects, which include two new facilities and the
renovation of two others with a July 2025 completion date. The projects, which will
support all 515 TCU student-athletes in the 22-sport program, include renovation of
the existing Bob Lilly Performance Center; development of a Restoration and Wellness
Center; construction of a new state-of-the-art Football Performance Center; and an
expanded entryway to the TCU football facilities.
Read more.
TCU Appoints Floyd L. Wormley Jr. As New Provost
After a highly competitive national search, TCU has chosen Floyd L. Wormley Jr. as
its next provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. His first day in the position
will be Jan. 1, 2025. Wormley’s research acumen, mission-driven leadership and student-centered commitment
to academic excellence made him the right choice, said leadership, as the provost
will play a pivotal role as TCU embarks on its new strategic plan, LEAD ON: Values
in Action.
Read more.
Portrait Project Pays Homage to the Thorps
The contributions of Charley and Kate Thorp to TCU history have been recognized, and
the legacies of the formerly enslaved couple live on as they become subjects for TCU’s
Portrait Project. The Portrait Project, a collaboration of the Office of Diversity
& Inclusion and the Office of the Chancellor and President, commemorates historically
marginalized and underrepresented members of TCU. Honorees, like the Thorps, are selected
to highlight the inspiring but often untold stories of TCU.
Read more.
It’s a Women’s Sports Renaissance at TCU
Together, programs are leading a renaissance of women’s sports at TCU and potentially
have only cracked a large window of future success that could include more high-profile
victories, conference titles and competing for national championships. The women’s
Horned Frog teams were buoyed by the jump to the Big 12 more than 12 years ago and
more recently have used the NCAA transfer portal to pump talent into rosters. But
coaches still scour the high school ranks to find quality student-athletes as teams
seek a balance between prep recruits and transfers.
Read more.
Fort Worth is First Major US City to Permit Drone Deliveries: TCU Faculty Weigh In
The city of Fort Worth announced that it would be the first major metropolitan city
in the country to offer commercial drone deliveries. Walmart is the first to participate,
offering delivery from select stores. The development brings together many elements,
from privacy and business innovation to environmental and urban impact. Several TCU
faculty offered their input on the various aspects.
Read more.
TCU Faculty Sheds Light on Upcoming Eclipse
The proverbial stars aligned April 8, 2024, and Fort Worth was in the direct path
of a total solar eclipse, with the maximum occurring just after 1:40 p.m. TCU News
spoke with physics and astronomy instructor Richard Bonde about what Horned Frogs
could expect.
Read more.
Early Voting Underway at TCU
After a hiatus, early voting returned to the TCU campus to serve its Horned Frogs
and the local community. Staff Assembly members inquired about bringing voting back
to campus for the November elections, and interest spread through campus as various
events were planned to engage voters.
Read more.
Saddle Up! Student Was First Black Female Drover in Fort Worth
Quinceola Reid: a senior biology major with a minor in Spanish for health professions,
U.S. Navy veteran, and drover for the Fort Worth Herd, shared part of her diverse
experience with TCU News.
Read more.
TCU Reaches Goal for Six-Year Graduation Rate
TCU set a goal in 2016: The university wanted at least 85% of students to graduate
within six years. TCU has now exceeded the mark at 85.52%. Project 85 met intensively
in the beginning to gather information and identify opportunities to provide additional
student support.
Read more.
Renewed Values Celebrate the Heart of TCU
After extensive and intentional work with its faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni
and members of the TCU Board of Trustees, the board approved four values and associated
descriptors to help guide actions and behaviors that foster TCU’s uniquely engaging
campus culture. At the heart are integrity, engagement, community and excellence.
Read more.