From talking with the Associated Press on the impact of the late Colin Powell to chronicling a groundbreaking pilot’s journey on a Broadway tour, TCU and its faculty, students and alumni are in the news. Check out the latest roundup of newsworthy Frogs.
INSTITUTIONAL
Viral TikTok shows 'New Girl' star reciting famous line at Texas university
Oct. 15, 2021
Houston Chronicle
New Girl actor Max Greenfield recited one of his iconic lines from the show while at an event at TCU. An organization called The End invited Greenfield to the private Texas university to speak to students. On TikTok,
an attendee shared three videos of Greenfield – with one of them receiving more than
3.2 million views.
These 10 'dynamic' college towns often provide lasting homes
Oct. 14, 2021
MyCentralJersey.com
Research by Point2Homes.com identified the “Top 10 Most Dynamic College Towns” based
on four categories: human capital, housing, economic activity and earning power and equity. Coming
in fifth is Fort Worth, Texas, with Texas Christian University.
FACULTY
The Best Things To Do in Dallas Oct. 20-Oct. 27
Oct. 20, 2021
Dallas Observer
Pulitzer Prize finalist Margaret Verble lands at the Dallas Museum of Art to discuss
her latest novel When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25. While Verble is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of
Oklahoma, this new work centers on a Cherokee main character, a horse-diver named
Two Feathers. Animals, the spiritual world and fast friends are all themes, so we
anticipate a lively conversation between Verble and Theresa Gaul, professor of English.
Colin Powell had mixed legacy among some African Americans
Oct. 19, 2021
Associated Press
As an American leader, Colin Powell's credentials were impeccable: He was chairman
of the Joint Chiefs and secretary of state. But his legacy as the first Black person
in those roles is murkier, with some African Americans saying that his voice on their
behalf could have been louder. Powell died from COVID-19 complications. Many Black
people look to high-achieving African Americans to act on their behalf, said Frederick Gooding Jr., Dr. Ronald E. Moore Honors Professor in Humanities. “Maybe they just disproportionately
expect a Colin Powell to do more or be more than he needs to be. It might be one of
those deals where he may not have spoken for every Black person, but at the same time
it’s OK that he does not,” Gooding said.
*This story appeared in numerous outlets nationwide, including Yahoo News and NBC News.
Cluster hiring grows in popularity as institutions act to increase faculty diversity
Oct. 18, 2021
INSIGHT Into Diversity
Cluster hiring, a recruitment practice known to increase diversity and promote interdisciplinary
collaboration, is becoming increasingly popular among colleges and universities looking
to diversify faculty and advance research related to social justice. At TCU’s AddRan
College of Liberal Arts, administrators intend to provide a wide range of supports
for members of its recently announced cluster hire initiative. Sonja Watson, the college’s dean and a professor of Spanish, says the cluster is intended to diversify
faculty as well as promote the study of race, ethnicity and social justice. New hires
will be offered mentoring and peer support, research circles, writing workshops and
“other ongoing professional development to foster a sense of community and, most importantly,
inclusion,” Watson says.
Promoting education equity for Hispanic Americans
Oct. 17, 2021
The Cross Connection (MSNBC)
There are more than 500 Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the country, yet they receive
a fraction of the federal funding that serve minority students to that end. Also,
Latino students are entering college, but some are not completing their bachelor's
degree. Taryn Ozuna Allen, associate professor of higher education leadership, said, "It's really important
that institutions are considering their overall campus climate, their representation
of Latino faculty and staff and also the programs and resources they have to support
Latino students in their transition to college."
The pill is used for more than contraception & it's making our mental health plummet
Oct. 15, 2021
Refinery29 UK
The pill is most commonly prescribed, unsurprisingly, for contraceptive purposes.
But by suppressing a natural period you also lessen the other impacts of hormonal
fluctuations. This means the pill can theoretically be used for everything from hormonal
acne to dysmenorrhea (painful periods) and more serious, chronic conditions. The fact
remains that hormonal contraception does have an effect on the brain, says Sarah E. Hill, professor of social psychology, and author of How The Pill Changes Everything: Your Brain On Birth Control. "[The contraceptive pill] has a wide range of effects on our brains," she tells R29.
"Every major structure of the brain has receptors for both estrogen and progesterone
so the hormones influence everything from sexual desire to the nature of our stress
response to our sleep to our ability to learn and remember things."
Fort Worth group uses theater, dance to heal racial tension
Oct. 14, 2021
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Watching choreographer Adam W. McKinney dance through some of Fort Worth’s landmarks pushes viewers to think about Fort Worth’s
cultural district differently, said Jonathan Morris, co-owner of the Hotel Dryce.
The scenes are in a two-and-a-half-minute video called STRANDS that starts with an
aerial view of the branches of trees at the Modern Art Museum, a shot McKinney, assistant
professor of dance, said was intentional, aiming to show a bridge between what traditionally
is part of the Cultural District and what isn’t. The video is on permanent view at
the hotel.
Cascading crises: Alzheimer’s and COVID-19 in the Black community
Oct. 13, 2021
Los Angeles Review of Books
Norrell Edwards, the chancellor’s postdoctoral fellow, shared a personal account of her separation
from her maternal grandmother during the COVID-19 pandemic. "For many with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, COVID-19 wasn’t the only killer;
isolation itself could be deadly."
ALUMNI
Former TCU tennis star Cameron Norrie has his first big win
Oct. 18, 2021
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
CNN declared that Britain had a new tennis star. A BBC Sport post on social media
about his victory garnered thousands of likes. Yes, TCU’s own Cameron Norrie is becoming a household name throughout the tennis world. He earned his biggest professional
victory to date, winning the ATP Masters 1000 title at the BNP Paribas Open. Norrie
defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili in three sets to win the title at Indian Wells.
Cameron Norrie backs up bravado to complete remarkable rise on court
Oct. 18, 2021
The Guardian
As Cameron Norrie now stands as the new British No. 1, a top 20 player and a Masters 1000 champion,
it is a small reminder of the confidence that he has carried with him up the rankings.
One of the most interesting aspects of Norrie’s progression is how he has trodden
his own unique path. Having reached the top 10 of the junior rankings, Norrie chose
to initially focus on building his game and character by competing in the NCAA at TCU. It
was at TCU where Norrie, 26, met his current coach, Facundo Lugones, a 29-year-old Argentine who soon became a good friend.
Pilot featured in 'Come From Away' used to making history
Oct. 17, 2021
Tulsa World
Beverly Bass ’74 was the captain of American Airlines Flight 49, en route from Paris to Dallas the
morning of Sept. 11, 2001, when the U.S. government completely shut down all air traffic
after the terrorist attacks on New York City. What happened when all those planes,
loaded with passengers from around the world, descended upon a town of about 9,000
residents, is told in the musical “Come From Away,” which is currently running at
the Tulsa PAC. “I certainly didn’t know how prominent my story would end up being,"
she said.
Who is Generation C and how will healthcare adapt to meet their expectations?
Oct. 17, 2021
MedCity News
While the term “Gen C” was first introduced circa 2012 by futurist Brian Solis as
a way of describing a generation of connected consumers defined not by their age,
geography or income but by their hyper-connected, mobile-first mentality, it’s increasingly
being used to describe post-pandemic-born babies or kids coming of age during the
pandemic. "But I’d argue that the pandemic has changed all of us," writes Jason Considine ’00. "People have seen what’s possible by way of such pandemic-spawned conveniences as
virtual visits, online scheduling, digital sharing of records and texting, while providers
have seen more clearly than ever that convenience is the new currency."
Celebrated author Caylin Moore set for UM Honors convocation keynote
Oct. 14, 2021
Hotty Toddy
Popular author and Rhodes scholar Caylin Moore ’17 is the keynote speaker for the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College’s fall convocation
at the University of Mississippi. By taking advantage of the limited educational opportunities
in his community, Moore excelled through high school and college. As a student-athlete
at TCU, he became founder and president of S.P.A.R.K., a community outreach organization
encouraging youth to pursue education as a means of community uplift. After graduating
from TCU, the Rhodes scholarship allowed him to study public policy and earn a master’s
degree in Latin American studies at the University of Oxford.
#FortWorth, #Followme
Oct. 14, 2021
Patron Magazine
On Nov. 11, KERA’s Art&Seek and the Kimbell Art Museum will present “Fort Worth, Follow
Me: The City’s Cultural Influencers,” a live online State of the Arts discussion where
Fort Worth’s tastemakers and trendsetters gather to discuss how public figures have
the power to affect change in the community. Panelist Nancy Lamb ’76 is a sculptor and painter who blends aspects of whimsy, wit and sophistication to
create diverse forms of art with the intention of delighting and challenging their
viewer. Lamb was formally trained at TCU and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and
History. Her work has been featured in Harper’s Magazine, Texas Monthly and New American Painting.
Louisa Lawless of KÖE Kombucha: “Do what’s right”
Oct. 14, 2021
Thrive Global
Louisa Lawless ’02, chief strategy officer for KÖE Kombucha never dreamt of being in the C-Suite. She
received a degree in musical theater from TCU but quickly learned she excelled in
sales. "I was a theater nerd. It took me to TCU, where I majored in theater and film,"
she said. "I was bound and determined to make it in the biz and move to California,
but thankfully along the way I began working for Red Bull in marketing, and was able
to leverage that into my future career trajectory."
Women Of The C-Suite: Laura Rea Dickey of Dickey’s Barbecue on the five things you
need to succeed as a senior executive
Oct. 13, 2021
Authority Magazine
Laura Rea Dickey ’01 currently serves as chief executive officer of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants Inc.,
where she has taken the family-owned brand to new heights by overseeing the development
of its first international locations. "An echo chamber is a dangerous place to try
and build a stable business foundation or set up long-term profitability," she said.
"You need a variety of experiences and a solid team that respects and respectfully
challenges each other.”
ATHLETICS
Jill Kramer: trailblazer of Texas Christian University volleyball
Oct. 20, 2021
Spectrum News Texas
Head coach Jill Kramer ’99 enters the facility every day just as she did 25 years ago. In 1996, she was the first
volleyball player on scholarship to take the court for the Horned Frogs during their
inaugural season. But at the time, Kramer didn’t know she wanted to be a coach. As
a TCU Neeley graduate, she had other plans.
TCU basketball super senior Lauren Heard’s vision for Frogs
Oct. 19, 2021
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
When Lauren Heard joined the TCU women’s basketball program, she had visions of contending for Big
12 championships. She dreamed of experiencing March Madness like every college basketball
player. Neither of those happened her first four years in the program, which is why
she took advantage of returning as a super senior this year. The NCAA allowed an extra
year of eligibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and Heard opted for that rather than
pursuing a professional career. “I just thought my journey at TCU wasn’t done yet,”
said Heard, who will be among TCU’s contingent at the Big 12 basketball media days
in Kansas City.
Waxahachie graduate Audrey Nalls shines on TV for TCU volleyball
Oct. 19, 2021
Waxahachie Daily Light
Playing in the Big 12 Conference, Audrey Nalls is getting a lot of TV exposure. The Waxahachie High School graduate and her TCU volleyball
teammates regularly have been featured on ESPN family channels. "It's exciting, of
course," the junior said. "We try to keep it exciting and high energy wherever we
go.”