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From the Horned Frog Investment Network to the practice of actors as medical training, TCU and its faculty, staff, alumni and students are in the news.

INSTITUTIONAL

Waco ministry's home for exploited girls aims to open in September
July 19, 2022
Waco Tribune-Herald
Unbound Now, a Waco-based nonprofit that fights human trafficking, plans September to open a home called The Reagan for teenage girls with emotional disorders. Survivor advocates will provide emotional support to each girl at the home and follow a program called Trust-based Relational Intervention, developed at Texas Christian University by Karyn Purvis and David Cross.

New clinical trials research consortium could entice pharmaceutical, biotech companies to Fort Worth
July 14, 2022 
Fort Worth Report 
The TCU School of Medicine will expand more than its walls in the coming years, the school’s dean, Dr. Stuart Flynn, told a small group of real estate and banking personnel. Specifically, the school will soon serve as the epicenter for a clinical trials research consortium in Fort Worth. Clinical trials are research studies that test how an intervention — like a specific drug or medical device — affects people. Flynn shared the news as a tangible example of the economic impact the TCU School of Medicine will make on Fort Worth. 

Opal Lee To Be Honored 
July 14, 2022
Dallas Weekly
​​Opal Lee, “The Grandmother of Juneteenth,” will be recognized by the Church of the Living God during its Annual Scholarship Program. Lee will receive the Bishop Harold Edwards Educational Award in recognition of her professional and civic accomplishments. The accolades continue to pour in for Lee, who received an honorary doctorate from Texas Christian University during its Fall Commencement in December 2021.

Horned Frog Investment Network Aims to Boost Deal Flow in Fort Worth and Beyond 
July 12, 2022
Dallas Innovates 
A new collective in Fort Worth aims to fund startups across the country, while educating the next crop of investors. The Horned Frog Investment Network quietly launched earlier this year through TCU’s Neeley School of Business. The venture serves to spotlight the school as an innovative leader in entrepreneurship and investing, whose efforts could lift up the entire ecosystem. Rodney D’Souza, managing director of TCU’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, describes the network as “a hybrid between a venture capital fund and traditional angel group.” Andrew Hicks, network program manager, said, “We want to focus on the demographic that wants to truly invest in venture as an asset class.” 

‘It’s exhilarating’: TCU School of Medicine welcomes fourth class 
July 11, 2022 
Fort Worth Report 
The TCU School of Medicine welcomed its fourth class as students received their school IDs and participated in a “Welcome to Fort Worth” discussion with several panelists. Erin Nelson, assistant dean of admissions, outreach and financial education, emphasized the importance of introducing students not only to medicine curricula but to the social aspects of their medical school experience. “We’re all so proud of the city, and it has so much to offer every interest, and so we’ve really tried to welcome them to their new hometown and integrate that. The TCU School of Medicine wants to focus on students’ holistic experience,” Nelson said.

Powwow celebrates strides of Native American students at UTA 
July 1, 2022
Green Source DFW 
Hosted by the UTA Native American Student Association, the 26th annual Scholarship Benefit Powwow took place at the University of Texas at Arlington. In recognizing Native Americans in North Texas, Texas Christian University in Fort Worth issued its own Native American Land Acknowledgment in April 2021. “The Land Acknowledgment helps remind and educate the TCU community about the long and diverse presence of Native Americans who precede and co-exist with our presence in this area,” reads a statement on the university’s website.

FACULTY & STAFF

He died from an overdose. She’s spreading awareness so others live.
July 18, 2022
Fort Worth Report
More people are dying from drug overdoses in Texas than they were six years ago – due to fentanyl, which is often used as paid medication following surgery. “Fentanyl is just a beautiful anesthetic,” said Dr. Grant Fowler, a physician and the chair of family medicine at the TCU School of Medicine.

Why aren't there hormone-free birth control pills? Roe puts spotlight on contraceptives
July 17, 2022
MSN 
The overturn of Roe v. Wade has put a spotlight on the availability of affordable, highly effective birth control in the U.S. Many younger women, however, don’t want their mothers’ contraceptives. “It’s not something that needs to be scary, but it does need to be taken seriously,” said Sarah Hill, psychology professor, of hormonal birth control’s effect on the brain.

‘Sh’ma’: the historical story with meaning today 
July 13, 2022
Texas Jewish Post
Rehearsals are underway on a filmed choreodrama that examines hatred and intolerance — the story called “Sh’ma.” It's a dance drama created and directed by Suki John, associate professor of classical and contemporary dance. The plot is autobiographical, following John’s family as Hungarian Jews during the 1940s. “The question of tribalism, of who we are, who they are, and how much we are made into enemies by language, by bigotry, by border wars — all of these questions pertain to very serious current situations,” John said. “Suki has made this project her mission, to be sure that the work being produced is timeless,” said Kira Daniels, a dancer and rising senior at TCU, who portrays Olya in the work.

After abortion, other federal rights are up for debate. What role may Texas play? 
July 11, 2022
Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
Texas could play a central role in new cases challenging federal rights, experts say. Political science professors told the Star-Telegram that the Dobbs ruling also has implications for other women’s rights issues and for interstate commerce regulations. “To have a 50-year precedent overturned, it’s reasonable to be concerned that other precedents could be overturned as well,” said Joanne Connor Green, political science professor at TCU. “How likely that is to happen, we just don’t know.”

Bluntzer: Oil prices at $80 or $90 a barrel would be the sweet spot for both the industry and consumers
July 7, 2022
CNBC 
Ann Bluntzer, executive director of TCU’s Ralph Lowe Energy Institute, discussed whether the recent decline in oil and gas prices is sustainable, and addressed the need for more capital investment in the energy industry. “When you mix Ukraine and Russia, when you put in emphasis of what has happened post-pandemic, and almost a decade of lack of capital investment back into this sector, you see what we’re seeing now, which are higher than average prices. Again, there is good news and a little relief, it is starting to come down. At the institute at TCU, we’re saying that it’s going to be a while,” Bluntzer said. 

Poll Shows Shrinking Gap in Governor’s Race
July 7, 2022 
KRLD News 
TCU political science professor Jim Riddlesperger talks about the latest Texas politics poll. It shows the gap between Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke is shrinking. “It’s been a momentous last two or three weeks. We had the tragedy of the immigrants in Texas, the shootings and the controversial Supreme Court decisions taking place at a national level. I think there’s some volatility in the electorate at this point while people are trying to figure out what to make of all the recent activities, in addition to the inflation and the uncertainty that’s going on in the economy,” Riddlesperger said.

‘We’re their safety net’: Standardized patients help medical students with bedside manner
July 6, 2022 
Fort Worth Report
Melinda Massie is a standardized patient, someone trained to act like a patient so students in medicine and other health care professions can practice clinical skills in a simulated environment. She’s worked with the TCU School of Medicine since the school’s first cohort in 2019. “This is about the students and giving them the best learning experience that we can,” Massie said.

Activist MMT (Modern Monetary Theory) 
July 5, 2022
Podcast 
John Harvey, professor of economics, who is known as the “Cowboy Economist,” is featured on a series of podcasts exploring inflation, the deficit, COVID-19, universal health care and more. He also spoke about his recent stint as chair of the department and TCU’s DEI efforts. “The university has taken what appears to be an honest to goodness diversity, equity and inclusion effort, not just on paper, but putting money behind it and so forth, and I wanted to be part of that,” he said.

Is Trump Now on the Ropes?
July 5, 2022
El Comercio (Peru) 
The special commission investigating the events of January 6, 2021, is looking into whether there was a link between then-President Donald Trump and other White House officials with the episodes of violence that broke out in the U.S. capital. TCU political science professor James Riddlesperger said that the investigation could influence Trump support in 2024. “I think this could make him lose support within the Republican Party and open the way for other candidates to compete for the Republican nomination in 2024,” he said.

FLASHPOINT UKRAINE: As War Continues, Moscow Faces Challenges 
July 5, 2022
Voice of America (VOA)
Texas Christian University political science professor Ralph Carter shared his thoughts on the challenges Moscow faces on the world stage as it becomes more isolated. “I think the Putin regime is in reasonably good shape, surprisingly. There are several developments there that would be a surprise to most of us in the United States,” Carter said.

ASCA Recognizes Physicians for Outstanding Service 
July 1, 2022
OR Today 
The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association recognized two physicians with its 2022 Nap Gary Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community, including Dr. Thomas M. Deas Jr., physician development coach at the TCU School of Medicine. Deas has been an outspoken advocate for the high-quality, cost-efficient care that ASCs provide and is also involved in several innovative programs designed to maximize the many benefits ASCs offer. “Receiving this is a huge honor, and receiving it for doing something I love so much makes this an even greater honor,” he said.

ALUMNI

Sisters: Tavia Rivée and Jaden Dominique Rehearse MSMT's THE COLOR PURPLE 
July 15, 2022
BroadwayWorld.com
Actress Jaden Dominique is fulfilling a long-held dream by making a role debut and MSMT debut in the adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, THE COLOR PURPLE.Dominque earned her BFA from Texas Christian University and has just begun to take the professional world by storm. “The cast was given a copy of Alice Walker's novel on the first day of rehearsal. Re-reading the novel helped me so much in developing Celie's character because there is so much in the book that is not in the script,” Dominique said.

Gov. Abbott Taps Two Local Leaders to Help Bring New Businesses, Jobs to Texas 
July 11, 2022
Dallas Innovates 
Katie Farmer (’92, MBA ’96) was tapped by Governor Greg Abbott to become part of the Texas Economic Development Corporation’s (TxEDC) board of directors. Farmer is the president and CEO of Fort Worth-based railway giant BNSF, and serves as a board member for the Association of American Railroads and Texas Christian University.

2 INL researchers selected as Women of the Year 
July 7, 2022
KIFI
The Idaho Business Review selected Idaho National Laboratory researcher Jagoda “Jaga” Urban-Klaehn ’98 as one of its 2022 Women of the Year. The award honors 50 Idaho women for excellence in leadership, professional accomplishments, mentorship and community service. Urban-Klaehn earned her doctorate in physics from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, where her studies in positron annihilation methods as a tool for investigating mineral porosity were supported by Chevron.

Wimbledon 2022: Cameron Norrie's Welsh heritage 
July 6, 2022
BBC 
Cameron Norrie is the first British man to reach the Wimbledon singles semis since 2016, and the first British player since 2017. Born in South Africa and raised in New Zealand, Norrie, who is ranked 12th in the world, has enjoyed a rapid rise up the rankings in the past couple of years.

Cameron Norrie and his coach played together on their university's tennis team 
July 1, 2022
The Focus 
Cameron Norrie is the ninth seed at this year’s Wimbledon championships and is now into the quarterfinals. His long-time coach is Argentine Facundo Lugones ’16, who graduated from Texas Christian University where he played for the men’s varsity team. Shortly after, he began traveling with Norrie to begin his professional coaching career. Lugones was named coach of the year in the 2021 ATP Awards for his efforts in helping the British No. 1 to the best season of his career. “I’m incredibly happy. I never thought I could win this award, it’s surreal,” Lugones said.

SRI Legend Arnold ‘Arnie’ Gachman Shares His Passion for ISRI, TCU, and Fort Worth, Texas
July 1, 2022
Scrap News 
One of the founding donors of the TCU School of Medicine, Arnie Gachman ’64, joins Scrap News in an in-depth conversation about his background, career and passion for Fort Worth and TCU.One of my proudest accomplishments was being a founding donor of the TCU School of Medicine, Fort Worth’s first new medical school in nearly 50 years. TCU was and still is, determined to provide accessible, high-caliber health care in our community. I’ve been happy to help them in any way I could to accomplish this goal,” Gachman said.

STUDENTS

TCU Student Bryn Carden Encourages Students to Study Abroad for Five Reasons 
July 12, 2022  
University Herald 
Texas Christian University student Bryn Carden believes every student can benefit from partaking in a study abroad program and shares her top five reasons why to embark on such an adventure. “The choice to study abroad presents a change of pace in life as living in a different culture requires flexibility and adaptation,” Carden said.

ATHLETICS

New TCU Head Coach Sonny Dykes joins Shirts & Skins 
July 14, 2022 
KTXX-FM
Coach Sonny Dykes takes over for Gary Patterson this season. “Gary built TCU, he really did. It became a big-time program, a top five program for a number of years. Who would have thought in a million years that TCU would've won a Rose Bowl? It's fun to sit back and watch it take place. We're not lacking anything at TCU, and I'm excited to have a chance to be there. Our guys get the very best, and we have a chance to be the best program on the field,” Dykes said.

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