Horned Frogs in the News, April 1-15, 2025

From lower gas prices to the First Amendment and from paper checks to the Elite Eight, media come to TCU for news and thought leadership. 

FACULTY 

Professor outlines three common rebuttals to church-state separation 
April 14, 2025 
Baptist News 
The principle of church-state separation is not a myth even though those exact words don’t appear in the U.S. Constitution, according to scholar David R. Brockman, adjunct professor of religion at TCU, who was among panelists speaking at a symposium on religion and journalism in Texas. “The words are not found anywhere in the Constitution, but they’re there. … It’s a constitutional principle and you can find it in its most basic form in a couple of places. One is in the main body of the Constitution and that is in the prohibition on religious tests for public office. You don’t have to confess a belief in the Holy Trinity, for example, in order to serve as secretary of state.” 

Could tariffs cause pandemic-era gas prices this summer? Texas experts weigh in 
April 11, 2025 
KXXV.com 
The summer travel season is about to begin, but what do these recent tariffs from the White House mean for your plans and gas prices? Tom Seng, assistant professor of professional practice at the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute at the Neeley School of Business at TCU, believes lower gas prices could be seen throughout the summer. “We now have low prices for oil for May, June, July, August, September, and the fact that you have those low oil prices right now, the wholesale gasoline market is also lower for that same timeframe,” he said.  

D-FW prices cooled in March with help from cheaper gas, though tariffs loom 
April 11, 2024 
Dallas Morning News 
At least some prices are simmering down in North Texas as some key costs cooled in recent months — but is this a sort of calm before the tariff-powered storm? Lower fuel prices were key in bringing down overall prices, John Harvey, professor of economics, pointed out in an emailed statement. Fuel costs dropped more than 12% while vehicle prices declined as well. Housing rose 3.7%. “In general … inflation has been easing since we’ve put space between us and the COVID supply chain issues and the Russian invasion (notwithstanding the bird flu problems, which emerged in 2022),” Harvey said. 

What is an ‘illegal protest’? What to know if you attend a protest at a Texas university 
April 10, 2025 
Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
What is covered by the First Amendment for protests, and what should Texans know about their rights if they go to a protest? Protesting is a fundamental right protected by the First Amendment, but not every demonstration is automatically legal. “It can’t be about the content of the speech, because content and viewpoint are protected by the First Amendment,” TCU media law professor and First Amendment expert Daxton “Chip” Stewart said. “It has to be about something else. A protest that blocks traffic, for example, or that arises to violence.” 

How Will Trump’s Tariffs Affect Homebuyers? 
April 9, 2025 
WTOP News 
If you’re hoping to buy a new home soon, you may be concerned about all of the hubbub surrounding tariffs. It’s been a chaotic spring economically, as President Donald Trump in March imposed tariffs on imports from major international trade partners Canada, Mexico and China. A lot of wood for homes comes from Canada. “While the U.S. has increased its production of lumber over the past years, we still rely on Canadian lumber,” said Patricia Jordan, associate professor of professional practice in the information systems and supply chain management department in TCU’s Neeley School of Business. “Approximately 30% of lumber is imported from Canada.”  

Can Vitamin D Really Help With Weight Loss? Experts Reveal What It Can (and Can’t) Do 
April 8, 2025 
Sacramento Bee 
While some research suggests that raising vitamin D levels may help with weight loss, not all experts agree on how strong the connection is. Jada Willis, associate professor at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, agrees that low vitamin D levels are especially common in people with obesity. But she points out that simply supplementing with the vitamin doesn’t always lead to shedding pounds. “The impact of vitamin D supplementation on weight loss is inconclusive,” explains Willis. “A meta-analysis investigating the effects of vitamin D supplementation on weight loss found no significant effect on body weight or waist circumference.” 

Best Credit Cards With No Balance Transfer Fees 
April 7, 2025 
WalletHub 
No balance transfer fee credit cards will save you an average of 3% on each transfer, according to our research. However, it is a mistake to limit your search only to cards without a balance transfer fee, because while you will save money on the fee, you may pay a lot more in interest. Mauricio Rodriguez, professor of finance and real estate, says, “Credit card companies that charge transfer fees could do a better job disclosing those fees by highlighting the fees similarly to how companies that do not charge such fees highlight the lack of transfer fees.” 

Will Donald Trump’s tariffs stunt Dallas-Fort Worth’s growth? Here’s what we know 
April 4, 2025 
Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
Trump this week unveiled a baseline 10% tax on all imports to the U.S. and a roster of harsher levies on major American trading partners. The administration had already imposed a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, and it plans to impose a 25% import tax on finished cars and car parts. Texas, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas points out, trades more than any other state in the nation, predominantly with Mexico. A reduced appetite for traded goods across the country could dampen the industry, according to TCU associate professor of economics Rishav Bista. “DFW also relies heavily on transportation and logistics companies (UPS, FedEx, to name a few), which would be affected by these tariffs in the form of supply chain disruptions and higher operating costs.”  

Page Center announces ethics of generative AI research grants 
April 4, 2025 
Penn State 
The Arthur W. Page Center announced the recipients of its 2025 Page/Johnson Legacy Scholar grants. Nine projects were chosen from a record number of proposal submissions, with each one examining a unique area of generative artificial intelligence (AI), its industry standards and its ethical use. Over the next year, funded scholars will complete their projects, including “Combating AI-generated misinformation in public communication after large-scale crises” from Jie Zhuang, associate professor of communication studies, and Liang “Lindsay” Ma, associate professor of strategic communication. 

Rancher profile: Texas Christian University’s Ranch Management Program —Learning in and out of the classroom 
April 4, 2025 
San Antonio Business Journal 
There is a university program in Texas where old-school manners are taught and expected, agriculture is promoted and appreciated, and students gain both classroom and real-world experiences to understand what it takes to be successful in agriculture-related businesses and the world of farming and ranching. This 68-year-old Ranch Management program resides in a small unassuming building on the TCU campus. Over the years, it has graduated over 1,400 students from around the world. Candidates must possess the academic acumen and agricultural experience to be admitted. Matthew Garcia, director, said: “Although many students come to us with a (bachelor’s) or master’s degree from another university, some are admitted based on significant work experience. You must be able to speak the language of agriculture. Our students aspire to complete the Ranch Management Certificate and become better equipped to meet the demands of modern ranching and farming.” 

From Food to Cars: Texas Markets Struggle Amid Tariff Concerns 
April 2, 2025 
Reform Austin 
Even before President Trump’s administration announces its latest round of tariffs, industries across the U.S. are feeling the pressure. In the food industry, the prices of staples like limes, avocados and coffee are climbing as farmers and suppliers brace for changes in import costs. “As companies anticipate which materials may be affected and to what extent, many have rushed to secure supplies from sources less likely to be hit with fees,” said Travis Tokar, professor of supply chain management. “This surge in demand has driven up prices and, in some cases, created shortages.” 

The federal government is phasing out paper checks. Here’s who will be affected 
April 1, 2025 
Become Richer  
President Donald Trump on March 25 signed an executive order mandating that all federal departments and agencies end their use of paper checks and switch to electronic payments by Sept. 30. The U.S. Treasury now has about six months to phase out the paper checks it uses for various purposes, including tax refunds and the roughly 456,000 Social Security checks that are mailed monthly. Although checks, as we know them today, first originated in the 11th century, they didn’t become mainstream until the early 20th century following the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, according to a historical survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. But back then, “everyday people didn’t have checking accounts, that was for rich people,” Stephen Quinn, professor of economics and co-author of the Atlanta Fed’s report, previously told CNBC. “It wasn’t until after World War II that checking accounts were a common thing.” 

Americans United rallies against state-imposed religion 
April 1, 2025 
The Paisano 
At the “Separation of Church and State: Drawing the Line for Our Public Schools” discussion panel hosted at Trinity University by the National Council of Jewish Women, a panel discussion that featured David Brockman, adjunct professor of religion, covered topics including Christian Nationalism, Texas’ new Bluebonnet Learning curriculum, a bill to post the 10 Commandments in every classroom in the state and the usage of unlicensed, religious chaplains as school counselors. Brockman, who did an independent review of the Bluebonnet Curriculum for Texas Freedom Network, called it “an open resource curriculum for reading and language arts for kindergarten through fifth grade, [with] the idea to have a state-approved curriculum with full instructional materials that any school district can pull from so they don’t have to purchase materials from the usual publishers.” While Brockman believes it is “theoretically a pretty good idea,” he recognizes that the curriculum “vastly overemphasizes Christian and biblical content at the expense of other religions.” 

STUDENTS 

Hailey Van Lith Opens Up on Social Media Pressure to Look a Certain Way: ‘It’s Hard When You’re That Young’ 
April 13, 2025 
Sports Illustrated 
As she prepares for the next chapter in her standout career, Hailey Van Lith reflects on how her rapidly growing social media presence has affected her mindset, and how she’s taken the time to grow with it. “Growing up in the frame of social media and the pressures that those bring, I 100% felt pressure. When I was 15, 16, and I first started blowing up, my thighs were too big, my hair was too short. I had too much acne,” she said. “I have a great team of people that help me tag team it, so I’m not the only one running my social media, but also I invest in a sports psychologist who has really changed my life and helped me look within myself for answers and not be so attached to the external world.”   

Where I Live: This TCU student found her own slice of Texas in Fort Worth’s Westcliff neighborhood 
April 12, 2025 
Fort Worth Report 
“Growing up in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, I knew I wanted to attend college in a large city, but not one so overwhelming that I felt like I was drowning. Fort Worth was the perfect fit: big enough to explore, yet small enough to feel like home — especially in the Westcliff neighborhood near TCU,” says senior Katie Mitchell. “Now… I can confidently say these have been the best four years of my life. I’ve grown from a college freshman in a brand-new place into an independent adult, soaking up everything this city, community and the Westcliff neighborhood have to offer.” 

Tips for Becoming a Doctor Later in Life 
April 10, 2025 
U.S. News & World Report 
While many aspire from a young age to become doctors, others find their true calling in medicine only after pursuing other paths. “Older students enter medical school with a wealth of experience that can be advantageous during their training and beyond,” says Sylvie Inkindi, a 42-year-old certified public health microbiologist and first-year medical student at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU. The average age of a student starting medical school is 24, according to the American Medical Association, but med students come in all ages. “As a public health professional, I worked during pandemics and contributed to various outbreak investigations,” she says. “This experience showcased my ability to navigate challenging situations and showed that I can bring a distinctive set of skills and viewpoints.” 

Hailey Van Lith burns up Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photoshoot 
April 9, 2025 
Athlon Sports 
Hailey Van Lith adds to her impressive NIL portfolio as the latest addition to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model lineup. The future WNBA star is coming off her third consecutive Elite Eight appearance with TCU making program history. After the 2025 NCAA Tournament, she made more history with SI Swimsuit as the April digital cover star. “Growing up, you always see like, hyper-feminine, very small, very slender women as the most beautiful and like, that’s what your goal is, to look like,” Van Lith said. “But as I’ve grown up and, you know, figured out who I am through sports and other things in life, finding my balance between being feminine and also bringing in my masculine side … I think that that’s kind of where I define beauty.” 

Hailey Van Lith Confesses Being ‘Intimidated’ Before Posing for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 
April 8, 2025 
Pro Football Network 
Hailey Van Lith can add swimsuit model to her list of accomplishments after being the face of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue for 2025. She joins a list of legendary athletes such as Olivia Dunne, Breanna Stewart and Simone Biles to model for the yearly issue. Even though it may seem that many athletes would jump at the opportunity to be the cover model for Sports Illustrated, Van Lith opened up about her initial reservations. “I was intimidated. I didn’t know if I would be comfortable in that kind of setting, but I wanted to try something that I had never tried,” Van Lith said. “I would regret it a lot if I let my insecurities or my reservations hold me back from it.” 

‘He breathed life into me’: Hailey Van Lith gets emotional about TCU coach Mark Campbell 
April 1, 2025 
USA Today 
“He (coach Mark Campbell) took a risk on me, and he met me with full belief, and he had a vision of who he thought I could be,” Hailey Van Lith told reporters at her last presser as a collegiate athlete. “He has just breathed life into me, and from a life perspective, he’s taught me a lot of great lessons about how to have healthy relationships, and what it takes to have a healthy relationship, and how much better life can be when you let people see who you are.” 

ALUMNI 

CHS 1960 graduate publishes his second book 
April 14, 2025 
The Comanche Chief 
Thomas O. “Tom” McDonald ’65 (MS ’67) began his 39-year Alcon Research and Development career in December 1965, spending his four-decade-long Alcon career in roles with increasing responsibility in R&D’s Development section. After retiring, McDonald, a seventh-generation Texan, has become a grassroots historian. His first book, Texas Rangers, Ranchers, and Realtors, published in 2021, explored social life and significant events in early Texas history. His second book, Alcon Laboratories—a Vision Fulfilled (1947-1997), to be published in May, tells the inspiring story of Alcon becoming the premier ophthalmic specialty company in the world. 

Made in Fort Worth: Amphibian Stage 
April 13, 2025 
Tanglewood Moms 
Whether giving new playwrights a stage during SparkFest or letting comedians work on new material in their popular standup comic residencies, Amphibian Stage helps us view the world through fresh eyes. Jay Duffer, Amphibian’s artistic director, says “Amphibian Stage was founded in 2000 by three TCU graduates. Kathleen Culebro ’01 (MA ’01), the founding artistic director, and her producing partners, Carman Lacivita ’99 and Jonathan Fielding ’00, envisioned a theatre company providing bold and innovative work to the DFW metroplex and adding another option to the theatre landscape in Fort Worth for theatergoers. The fledgling company used spaces donated by TCU in the early years before moving to the Fort Worth Arts Center. In 2012, the company was among the first businesses to plant its roots in the now vibrant South Main Street in Fort Worth’s near Southside.” 

Trinity Bank Names Steve Lombardi as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer 
April 7, 2025 
htv10.tv 
Trinity Bank, N.A. announced today that Steve Lombardi ’06 has joined Trinity Bank’s executive management team as executive vice president and chief lending officer. Co-Chairman and CEO Matt R. Opitz stated, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Steve to the Trinity Bank family. Steve has a proven track record as an excellent banker who has a loyal following of customers and is well known and well thought of in our community.” 

Sparks Financial Surpasses $2.1 Billion in Total Assets Under Management 
April 3, 2025 
Fort Worth Business Press 
Sparks Financial, a leading wealth management firm in Fort Worth, announces its recent recognition by Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams. The firm recently surpassed $2.1 billion in total assets managed, solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner for high-net-worth individuals and families. “As a proud Texas Christian University alumni, I am thrilled to see Sparks Financial partnering with the vibrant community of Fort Worth,” said Taven Sparks ’17, partner at Sparks Financial. “This city embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration, and I am deeply excited about the incredible opportunities that lie ahead.” 

Golfer Tom Hoge gives back to Fort Worth by pledging donations to Cook Children’s 
April 3, 2025 
Fort Worth Report 
Professional golfer Tom Hoge ’11 is raising money for Cook Children’s through his Birdies for Basic Needs campaign. For every birdie Hoge makes during the 2025 PGA Tour season, he will donate $50. For every eagle, he will donate $100. In 2024, Hoge led the PGA Tour in number of birdies with 314. Birdies for Basic Needs directly benefits Cook Children’s Case Management, a donor-funded team that helps provide families’ essential needs so they can direct their energy and focus on their healing child. “A diagnosis or medical scare is extremely stressful and also costly,” Hoge said. “Once we understood there was an avenue to help remove ancillary barriers and stressors for families, it was clear that case management was the right place for us.” 

Carlo Capua steps down as Fort Worth’s innovation chief after nearly three years 
April 1, 2025 
Fort Worth Report 
Carlo Capua ’00 is leaving his role with the city to join Fort Worth-based Rainwater Charitable Foundation, which focuses on funding projects that improve education and medical research, specifically on neurodegenerative diseases. In his role at Rainwater Charitable Foundation, Capua will focus on the organization’s efforts to transform education, he said. “Understanding how the city works will be really helpful in any other realm,” Capua said. “You understand how the city works, and you understand how the district works, and you understand the reality of where the opportunities are and where the challenges are.” 

Katherine T. Hopkins: A Trailblazer in Bankruptcy Law and Community Service 
April 1, 2025 
Fort Worth Business Press 
As a partner at Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP, Katherine T. Hopkins ’06 brings dedication and extensive experience to serving her legal clients and helping improve the lives of people in the community. Her law practice is focused on bankruptcy and business reorganization, representing individuals and businesses in debtor-creditor disputes. It’s an area of law that doesn’t draw many women attorneys, making her a rare exception. “Bankruptcy has typically been a more male-dominated area of practice,” she said. “There are not a lot of female bankruptcy attorneys in Fort Worth.” 

ATHLETICS 

TCU Makes Historic Hailey Van Lith Announcement 
April 2, 2025 
Athlon Sports 
The TCU women’s basketball program had newfound success this past season under the leadership of Hailey Van Lith. TCU appeared in their first-ever Elite Eight, ultimately falling to Texas. TCU defeated Notre Dame, Louisville and FDU in the NCAA Tournament. Despite the loss, TCU followed the NCAA Tournament with a historic announcement regarding Van Lith. The star guard has been named a consensus All-American, making her the first player to ever achieve that feat at TCU. 

Izuzquiza and Navas named AVCA/CBVB National Pair of the Week 
March 31, 2025 
BVM Sports 
TCU’s Sofia Izuzquiza and Allanis Navas have been named the AVCA/CBVB National Pair of the Week after their dominant weekend at the Death Volley Invitational. This marks the first time in 2025 a Horned Frog pair has won the award and the first time since Hailey Hamlett and Anhelina Khmil won the honor in March of 2024. The duo remains undefeated at 10-0 this season, having dropped only one set all season. 

‘We’re just getting started.’ TCU’s future is bright despite loss to Texas in Elite Eight 
March 31, 2025 
Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
The best basketball season in TCU’s program history came to an end in the Elite Eight Monday. The Horned Frogs made fans across Fort Worth rethink what could be achieved in women’s basketball at TCU. “I think our program is one of the best programs in the country,” head coach Mark Campbell said. “We had one of the best teams in the country. And we’re going to continue to build on that. They have laid a foundation that’s going to attract the next crop of incredible basketball players with the right DNA that fit this and want to be a part of this.”