From banking crises and remote work to Yom HaShoah and folklorico, TCU and its faculty,
alumni and students are in the news.
INSTITUTIONAL
‘True institution of innovation:’ Burnett School of Medicine at TCU tops out Medical
District building
April 18, 2023
Fort Worth Report
Medical student Lauren Hui is excited to study at the new Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU. “After a shift at Texas Health Resources, we can just walk down the street and come
back here to study or we can hang out,” Hui said. The groundbreaking ceremony for
the new school in February 2022 marked the beginning. Now, the school is about 35%
complete. “It’s a place where we challenge the status quo where we think differently,
we envision and then have a big role in shaping the future,” TCU President Daniel Pullin said. “Certainly, through our students and how they build careers in the context
of life but also through our leadership across all of our academic colleges through
research and creative activity.”
100 years and counting: Byrne Construction builds on success
April 18, 2023
Fort Worth Report
It’s hard to throw a rock far in Fort Worth and not hit a structure built, updated
or refurbished by Byrne Construction. Founded by Thomas Sneed Byrne in 1923, the company
started with a big project: Montgomery Ward’s regional headquarters. They also worked
on the Tandy Outlet Mall, which is now the twin City Place towers. “That and the Walsh Performing Arts Center at Texas Christian University, both of those really showed me that we were going to be successful,” current owner
John Avila said. The company had built plenty of buildings on the TCU campus in the
past, but hadn’t for several years. “The return to TCU was a big deal for us,” he
said.
Colleges move sexual assault resources online to encourage student reporting
April 13, 2023
FOX 29 (San Antonio)
Several colleges, universities, and organizations in Texas — including TCU — were recently awarded a Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention. The distinction
is for higher education entities that have taken action to create a safer, more inclusive
campus through evidence-based digital prevention education on issues like sexual assault,
alcohol misuse, mental health and discrimination.
Best private colleges in America
April 3, 2023
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Stacker compiled a list of the best private colleges in America, using data from Niche
released in 2023. Niche ranks schools based on a variety of factors, including academic,
admissions, financial and student life. Texas Christian University was ranked No. 73.
FACULTY & STAFF
Big money flows in Fort Worth council election, but all candidates are not funded
equally
April 18, 2023
KERA
Some of Fort Worth’s most established business and political leaders are letting their
money talk in the city’s upcoming election. Campaign finance reports filed by April
6 reveal which candidates secured the backing of wealthy donors. Perhaps even more
telling are the candidates and races that Fort Worth’s elite have chosen not to back.
Emily Farris, associate professor of political science, said local politics is often seen as more
democratic and accessible compared with state and federal politics. “But when we look
at who’s giving money, it tends to be the elites that are giving money,” Farris said.
“We don’t necessarily see this kind of grassroots democracy playing out in that way.”
Free speech experts weigh in on University’s decision to allow ‘anti-trans’ events
April 18, 2023
The Pitt News
Throughout the past three weeks, two “anti-trans” speakers have inspired large protests
on campus and spurred conversations about free speech and the University of Pittsburgh’s
responsibility to protect LGBTQ+ students. Daxton Stewart, journalism professor, said Penn State’s inability to provide proper security and
decision to cancel the event was handled “poorly.” “Penn State probably acted negligently
or inappropriately in allowing it to go as bad as it did with the security measures,
and then also was pretty bad in its shutting down of the speech portions,” Stewart
said.
Companies are paying workers to relocate to discourage remote work — and it can cost
them up to $97,000 per employee
April 17, 2023
Business Insider
Companies are bringing back relocation assistance to employees. The benefits are one
way employers are hoping to bring workers back to the office and end remote work.
But many remote employees aren’t happy with the mandates. Some worry that going back
to the office could make them less productive and hurt their work-life balance. “It’s
already an ugly war, and it’s unfortunate,” Abbie Shipp, professor of management, told Insider.
Tarrant County elections administrator quits job, citing meeting with county judge
April 17, 2023
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Elections administrator Heider Garcia has resigned from his position, citing differing
ideas for running transparent elections as the reason for his departure. Garcia wrote
that his “formula to ‘administer a quality transparent election’ stands on respect
and zero politics” and that compromising on those values wasn’t an option for him.
Jim Riddlesperger, political science professor, said Garcia’s resignation might have a “chilling effect”
on anyone becoming the new elections administrator. “We live in a country now where
there’s disagreement between Democrats and Republicans about accepting election results,”
Riddlesperger said.
As Fox News case heads to trial, far right St. Louis site faces its own defamation
suit
April 17, 2023
Maryville Forum
A smattering of defamation claims across the country are being filed against media
companies and other figures accused of peddling misinformation about the 2020 election.
The most high-profile is headed to trial this week, when Fox News will try to convince
a jury it should not have to shell out $1.6 billion to Dominion Voting Systems. Both
cases could have long-lasting consequences, said Daxton Stewart, journalism professor. “You’re dealing with publishers trafficking in conspiracy
theories, ones they know or should know to be entirely bogus,” Stewart said. “They’re
making factual statements that are demonstrably false, and that causes real harm to
people.”
The Death of the Matching Bridesmaid Dress
April 17, 2023
Lexington Herald-Leader
In the past few years, the popularity of mismatched bridesmaid dresses and outfits
has skyrocketed. The idea that being a bridesmaid means spending an entire day matching
with several other women is almost as old as weddings themselves. The roots of the
tradition have been argued as dating back to ancient feudal China. “A bride would
have attendants to protect her from evil spirits,” Angela Thompson, senior instructor of sociology, told The New York Times. “By having several women who are dressed alike, the spirits, or kidnappers, wouldn’t
know which person was the bride.”
Banking Crises Are Preventable, But Human Nature Gets in the Way
April 15, 2023
Bloomberg News
From 1300s Venice to 2023 Silicon Valley, financial panics arise from an endless cycle
of complacency, risk-taking and fear. In Fort Worth, students who’d taken a class
on financial history at TCU sent messages to their economics professor, Stephen Quinn, when Silicon Valley Bank collapsed. They couldn’t believe that the bank runs they’d
studied were happening again. “It’s a delight,” he says. “Not that I want panics.”
Teaching alternatives to restraints in schools
April 14, 2023
CBS Texas
At least 83,416 students have been restrained at Texas schools in the last three years. Endia Lindo, associate professor of special education, is adamantly opposed to restraining a student
unless it is absolutely necessary to avoid a potential threat or injury to oneself
or another. “Understanding ‘Hey, this kid is really goes off when they’re frustrated
with this moment or this space, or as we transition.’ Well, what do we do to add in
that transition?”
Exciting new woman-led theater company to debut in Dallas – and abroad
April 14, 2023
Culture Map
A new woman-led theatre company is launching locally, and the company’s inaugural
production is already set: a workshop of William Luce’s The Last Flapper. Distinguished
actor, director and Professor of Performance Lydia Mackey will direct.
Yom HaShoah DFW community observances set
April 13, 2023
Texas Jewish Post
Following a traditional service of remembrance, Suki John, professor of dance, presented the film “Sh’ma,” which she directed, at the annual
Yom HaShoah observance for Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Inflation is up 5%. But here are 10 things that are actually cheaper now than they
were a year ago
April 13, 2023
Market Watch
Prices for some staple consumer products have doubled, or even quadrupled, over the
past year. The price of new vehicles has increased by as much as 6.6% over the past
12 months. “The year was hit hard after COVID as the supply of chips dried up, and
this actually led to spectacular increases in used-car prices,” explains John T. Harvey, professor of economics, adding that “because things are, while still short of normal,
nevertheless getting there, used-car prices fell.”
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Announced At Casa Mañana
April 13, 2023
Broadway World
Casa Mañana rounds out its 2022/23 Children’s Theatre season with High School Musical,
choreographed by Merrill West. West currently serves as adjunct faculty in the TCU Theatre Department.
Looking for schools in Fort Worth and Tarrant County? This free resource can help
April 8, 2023
Fort Worth Report
Navigating the hundreds of schools in Fort Worth and Tarrant County can be challenging,
if not overwhelming. Traditional public schools. Charter schools. Online and hybrid.
Private schools — religious and non-religious. Gabriel Huddleston, associate professor of education, previously told the Fort Worth Report. “This is
going to have ramifications for a long period of time, especially in a place like
Fort Worth that is so diverse, has so many different schools and has so many different
charters,” Huddleston said.
STUDENTS
Students of the week: Francisco L. Gonzales and Alexa Mercado
April 14, 2023
Fort Worth Report
World Languages Institute seniors Francisco L. Gonzales and Alexa Mercado won full-ride scholarships to Texas Christian University. Combined, they were awarded
more than $600,000 in scholarships. Francisco received TCU’s STEM Scholarship. Alexa
was selected as a Chancellor’s Scholar.
Camera Eye
April 12, 2023
Fort Worth Weekly
Fort Worth boasts one of the largest repositories of fine art photographs in the United
States and an equally noteworthy history of cultivating museum-worthy photographic
artists. Photographer, educator and publisher Raul Rodriguez focuses on identity, resilience, collective narrative and cultural themes as they
relate to the Latino community. Rodriguez, who is currently pursuing his MFA at TCU,
photographed a famous landmark while driving through Huntsville on his way to Fort
Worth. “I photographed the statue from behind and obscured its visibility with the
use of foreground trees and branches,” he said.
Medical Student in Fort Worth Receives National Award
April 7, 2023
NBC 5
Burnett School of Medicine student Antonio Igbokidi won the 2023 Excellence in Public Health Award. Igbokidi says the work he does is
not to get awards or attention. “I do this work because I love being a part of the
community, being immersed in the community, and doing the work with the community.”
ROTC cadets from across Texas head to Fort Hood to test their proficiency in hands-on
Army training
April 5, 2023
U.S. Army
Units across the installation partnered with TCU and Baylor University’s Reserve Officers’
Training Corps (ROTC) programs to host a multi-day Task-Force-level field training
exercise to give over 160 cadets a taste of the operational Army and prepare them
for their culminating training evaluation. “I shoot a lot on my own, but this is actually
the first time I’ve shot in a military setting,” said Cadet Luke Taylor, a junior at TCU.
‘My mission in life is share the art and beauty of folklorico.’ TCU student preserves
traditions and Mexican roots through dance
April 4, 2023
Fort Worth Report
Claudia Tiffany Rodriguez, showcases her passion for ballet folklorico, history, art and beauty with every
performance. Rodriguez, theater major, began dancing ballet folklorico when she was
5 years old. Since then, she’s traveled from one dance company to another, city to
city and from maestro to maestro, or teacher to teacher. “My mission in life is share
the art and beauty of folklore because a lot of people see folklore at Cinco de Mayo
festivals or Dia de los Muertos, but in reality, folklore back in Mexico, you see
it all over the place,” Rodriguez said. “It literally means ‘dances of the people.’”
AACTE Congratulates 2023 Holmes Program Dissertation Funding Competition Awards Winners
April 4, 2023
Ed Prep Matters
During its 75th Annual Meeting, AACTE recognized outstanding dissertation proposals
submitted by Holmes Scholars as part of the Annual Holmes Dissertation Funding Competition
(DFC). The competition awarded three non-renewable awards to support Holmes scholars’
dissertation expenses, including data collection and analyses costs, software fees
and editing services. Congratulations to Leslie Ekpe, doctoral candidate in higher educational leadership, placed in the top three of
the competition.
ALUMNI
Governor Abbott Reappoints Three To Podiatric Medical Examiners Advisory Board
April 11, 2023
EIN News
Governor Abbott has reappointed Travis A. Motley to the Podiatric Medical Examiners Advisory Board for terms set to expire Feb. 1,
2029. The Board provides advice and recommendations to the Texas Department of Licensing
and Regulation on technical matters relevant to the regulation of the practice of
podiatry. Motley received a Bachelor of Science in 1993 in biology and chemistry and
a Master of Science in biology in 1995, each from TCU.
Governor Abbott Appoints Four To Texas State Board Of Public Accountancy
April 5, 2023
EIN News
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Susan Warren ’90 to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. Warren hails from Georgetown and
is a partner at KPMG, LLP. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the
Texas Society of CPAs. Warren received a bachelor of arts in accounting from TCU.
ATHLETICS
25 Years of Memories: Women’s Basketball Radio Announcer Reflects on Cherished Time
at TCU
April 9, 2023
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The TCU women’s basketball team honored announcer Jeff Williams before the Kansas State game for 25 years of service. Williams talked about how he
ended up at TCU, memories from 25 years of calling games, and what’s next. “I appreciate
(TCU and the women’s basketball program) more than they could ever know,” Williams
said. “Just let me do what I do and have fun.”
What motivates TCU cornerback Avery Helm? His autistic younger brother Adrian.
April 6, 2023
The Brunswick News
Every athlete has their why. Their reason for why they get out of bed every morning
for early workouts, their reason for why they push through pain and stress to play
the game. For many it’s that love of the game or the dream to make it to the pros
that drives them. For TCU cornerback Avery Helm, his why is his autistic younger brother Adrian. “He’s the reason I put the pads
on every day, I’ve got to make sure he doesn’t work a job,” Helm said.
With the College Football Playoff loss behind them, what’s next for Sonny Dykes and
TCU football?
April 6, 2023
ESPN
A year ago at this time, Sonny Dykes sat in a sparsely decorated office and watched film during spring practice. He didn’t
have a lot of time to worry about organizing his shelves when he was making a mad
dash recruiting, hiring a staff and managing the transfer portal in his first few
months on the job. And if he’s being honest, he wasn’t sure how the remodeling project
was going with his team on the practice field out back either. “You know, nobody wants
the honeymoon to be the best part of the marriage,” he said.
How Josh Hoover is approaching TCU’s QB battle
April 3, 2023
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
After spending a year learning, TCU quarterback Josh Hoover is trying to make the most of his opportunity in spring practice. The freshman redshirted
last season behind Heisman Trophy runner-up Max Duggan ’22 and Chandler Morris, but now Hoover is competing with Morris for the starting quarterback job for the
2023 season. “I’m just trying to go out and get better every day,” Hoover said. “I
think all the reps have helped me so much just to grow the last two weeks and I’m
looking forward to the next couple of practices.”
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