TCU Honors Teaching, Mentoring for 2025

University leadership recently recognized two Horned Frogs for their contributions to the campus community through teaching and mentoring.

Maryrose and Dan Short Award for Teaching Excellence 
The winner of the Maryrose and Dan Short Award for Teaching Excellence is Mathew Crawford, instructor of pre-health in the College of Science & Engineering. He was honored for his impact on more than 2,500 students through a wide range of interdisciplinary and professional development courses. 

“Any time I listen to a lecture or participate in a discussion, I am amazed at his ability to sit in the complexity and ambiguity of things with such humility, not assuming he knows everything, but rather inviting others into dialogue and discussion so that everyone can learn and grow from their shared experience,” wrote one of his nominators.  

The award was established by the late Dan Short, former dean of the Neeley School of Business, in memory of his wife, Maryrose Short. It is specifically focused on exceptional untenured (tenure-track or non-tenure-track), full-time faculty members with five years or less at TCU.  

Wassenich Award for Mentoring in the TCU Community 
The winner of the Wassenich Award for Mentoring in the TCU Community is Kim Turner, executive director of student governance and traditions in Student Affairs. She was recognized for her integral role as an adviser to the Student Government Association. 

“Kim Turner has walked with me through student advocacy, institutional change and moments of deep personal doubt,” wrote a nominator. “She has modeled what it means to lead with compassion, to listen with intention and to care deeply about both the process and the people involved. Because of her guidance, I have grown in my confidence, my compassion, and my overall leadership abilities. I am not the same person I was when I walked into my first SGA meeting back in 2022, and much of that transformation is because of Kim.” 

Recognizing faculty and staff members who serve as role models, advisers and guides to students, the award was established by Mark and Linda Wassenich to celebrate this defining characteristic of TCU for many generations.  

See the announcement of the award finalists.