From the new COVID-19 vaccination site on the TCU campus to faculty thoughts on upcoming elections, check out the latest roundup of newsworthy Frogs.
INSTITUTIONAL
COVID-19 Vaccination Site to Open at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium
Feb. 8, 2021
KXAS-TV; Fort Worth Star-Telegram + multiple outlets
A drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site will open in the parking lots around TCU's Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, the university says. The vaccine will be administered by staff from Baylor Scott & White All Saints in Fort Worth with support from TCU's nursing school and the TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine, according to a press release. The site is expected to be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning Feb. 13 with 1,000 vaccines, according to a press release. Officials estimate they can vaccinate 2,500 people a day. No walk-ups or drive-ups will be allowed.
Keene Sixth-Grader Wins Area Spelling Bee
Feb. 3, 2021
Crossville Chronicle
The Scripps Howard Regional Spelling Bee will be conducted virtually this year by the TCU College of Education, which serves as contest sponsor. Keene Junior High School sixth-grader Elizabeth Greensword will advance advance after correctly spelled “stevia” to be proclaimed the champion of the Area 24 spelling contest.
FACULTY
A Special Election Will be Held to Fill Arlington Rep. Ron Wright’s Congressional Seat
Feb. 8, 2021
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Jim Riddlesperger, a TCU political science professor, weighed in after Arlington U.S. Rep. Ron Wright died Sunday, leaving a vacancy in the congressional seat that can only be filled by a special election. “It’s really a difficult balancing act,” Riddlesperger said. “I am sure that there are a dozen people talking about running with their staff or with their campaign managers today, but they’re doing so very quietly.”
Would Better Pay for Mayor, Council Make Fort Worth and Arlington Less ‘Suburban?’
Feb. 8, 2021
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Rarely do people run for office for the money, but low pay creates a barrier for a large number of people, said Emily Farris, a TCU associate professor who specializes in urban politics. Though the job may appear part-time, the level of responsibility and work for a council person in a city as large as Fort Worth is a full-time commitment. Residents with low incomes, particularly people of color or those with families, are shut out, regardless of how qualified they may be for office, she said.
Feb. 8, 2021
Herald & Review
Eating slowly could bring about better portion control. According to a TCU study, people who ate a meal in 22 minutes consumed 88 fewer calories and felt less hungry than those who cleaned their plates in nine minutes.
Celebrate Black History Month in Alexandria
Feb. 6, 2021
Alexandria Living Magazine
Fredrick Gooding, a professor at Texas Christian University, has spent much of his career analyzing race in our media, specifically in Hollywood. In this insightful and timely talk, Gooding will discuss his book, Black Oscars, which analyzes African American Oscar nominations, their Hollywood roles, and how they affect mainstream stereotypes. The virtual talk is scheduled for Feb. 24.
New Non-Profit Online Publication to be Launched in Fort Worth
Feb. 5, 2021
Talking Biz News
A non-profit online publication dubbed Fort Worth Report is being launched in Fort Worth, and its founders say it will focus on local government, schools and other civic affairs. Board members include former TCU journalism director John Lumpkin.
DeSantis, Big Tech, and the Future of Trumpism
Feb. 4, 2021
Popular Information
Alleging bias and censorship, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed legislation that would force Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media outlet to publish content from candidates. Chip Stewart, a media law professor at TCU, weighed in. “The state of Florida could no more fine Facebook for refusing to host a racist or fascist politician than it could force a newspaper to publish an op-ed by that politician," he said. Stewart called DeSantis' proposal “hilariously unconstitutional.”
Cliburn Announces Spring Cliburn At Home Season
Feb. 2, 2021
BroadwayWorld.com
Jeffrey Todd, TCU professor of modern languages and literature, will be part of the Cliburn’s lineup for the spring 2021 season of Cliburn at Home on Feb. 7.
As GameStop Shares Surge Amid National Attention, What's Next for the DFW Company?
Feb. 1, 2021
Dallas Business Journal
While the stock is soaring, the company itself isn’t getting “anything from this lottery" as they haven't sold any shares yet, said Paul Irvine, Kleinheinz Professor in Investments at TCU.
In Monday’s State Of The State Speech, Greg Abbott Expected To Talk Cops, COVID And Energy
Feb. 1, 2021
Texas Standard
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will deliver his annual State of the State Address on Monday evening when the governor is expected to lay out his priorities for the current legislative session, including emergency items he wants to see passed quickly. Jim Riddlesperger, a political science professor at TCU, said emergency items are likely to address preserving funding for local police departments, protecting the Texas energy industry and providing liability protection for businesses during the pandemic.
ALUMNI
El Paso Native Hannah Bassham Will Broadcast in Spanish from Super Bowl Sidelines
Feb. 5, 2021
El Paso Times
Hannah Bassham ’17 is part of Tico Sports, a Spanish broadcaster and a partner to the Kansas City Chiefs for 10 years. Bassham, who is in her fourth season with Tico Sports, is proud to be one of the few women on the NFL sidelines for Spanish broadcasts.
Chippewa Valley Native Daniel Floren Adapts Original Play into Theatrical Film
Feb. 5, 2021
The Chippewa Herald
Daniel Floren ’13 wrote and stars in the new film Gun and a Motel Bible, an award-winning movie now available to watch online. The Chippewa Valley native is taking his work from the theater stage to the big screen.
TCU Men’s Basketball to Honor Dr. James Cash in Celebration of Black History Month
Feb. 2, 2021
The Dallas Morning News
To begin its celebration of Black History Month, TCU men’s basketball will honor James Cash ’69, Ph.D., the first African-American to play in the Southwest Conference, during Wednesday’s 8 p.m. game against Oklahoma State. TCU is wearing retro shooting shirts, styled to look like the uniform Cash played in at TCU. The first 250 TCU students will receive a similar style retro jersey.
Feb. 2, 2021
Yahoo Finance
Dr. Rogene Henderson ’55 has lived her life and dedicated her career to toxicology research in a manner that likely surpasses most who enter the field. Now, fully retired, she has received the prestigious Merit Award from the Society of Toxicology.
Abbott Makes Texas Board of Nursing Appointments
Feb. 1, 2021
Fort Worth Business Press
Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Daryl Chambers ’99 to the Texas Board of Nursing for terms set to expire on Jan. 31, 2027. The board oversees the practice of professional nursing, examination of students, and standards of professional conduct for license holders.
STUDENTS
TCU Student's Book Series Highlights Children With Disabilities
Feb. 8, 2021
Fort Worth, Texas Magazine
TCU junior and author Olivia Shin combines two loves — children and creating things — in her book series, each about a different character with a disability such as autism and blindness. By connecting with people who work with special-needs students, she makes her stories come to life, publishing three books in the past six years and now going on four. She took a moment to chat with Fort Worth Magazine about her work.
Watch Listen Up: Interview Lauren Heard of TCU Women's Basketball
Feb. 7, 2021
STACK
Senior guard Lauren Heard of TCU women's basketball shares how she started playing basketball, what the season has looked like through a pandemic, and how her TCU legacy has impacted her game. Lauren is in the top-10 all-time in scoring at TCU and is 5th in the Big 12 in points per game (19.1).