The Boller Review might be Texas Christian University’s most prestigious publication you've probably
never heard of. Active since 2016, TCU Press aims to showcase outstanding student
research projects. Colleges across campus nominate two students for publication, and
a team of student editors copy edit, organize and compile works into a digital publication.
The eighth edition was recently released.
“Right now, undergraduate research is considered a crucial learning tool,” Dan Williams,
director of TCU Press, said. “You learn by going where you have to go. It’s called
experiential learning. You learn from doing it.”
Williams, also professor of humanities in the John V. Roach Honors College, said that
The Boller Review celebrates this kind of learning by giving undergraduate students from across disciplines
an opportunity to be published and honored for the impact they are having in their
field and community.
“It is a significant publication for [TCU Press],” he said. “It does not make us any
money, and we have to spend a little money on it paying for the wonderful help (editors),
but it is crucial to our mission and what we do, so we will continue it. We always
count The Boller Review as one of our significant contributions to the university.”
Sarah Horning served as the founding editor when she was a graduate student working
at TCU Press in 2016.
“It was meant to be as student-driven and student-led as possible,” she said. “Ultimately,
the journal is a reflection of TCU and the various departments. Themes do emerge,
but we don’t in any way dictate them.”
One thing that stays the same, in some respect, is the cover. Each volume is a varying
artistic take on an image of the late Paul Boller, the journal’s namesake and a friend
and benefactor to TCU Press. Like every other part of the journal, the cover is the
product of TCU students, commissioned each year to put a new spin on the portrait.
The current cover features the work of Isabella Perez, senior graphic design major.
Lexie Woodall, editor-in-chief, said the student teamwork is paramount. This eighth
edition made the second publication for the senior honors student and writing major.
With that, she is focusing on enhancing promotion of The Boller Review via social media and other efforts because she believes the audience is broad: anyone
who wants to engage with innovative research and creative work.
“It widens people’s perspectives and inspires people to pursue research of their own,”
she said.
Read the eight edition of The Boller Review.
– Contributed by Trinity Sloan
