TCU will honor outstanding faculty and staff this week. THis spring, Chancellor Daniel W. Pullin announced a refreshed universitywide awards program that aligns with TCU’s values of Integrity, Engagement, Community and Excellence. These four reimagined honors will join other longstanding university awards to recognize Horned Frogs for their dedication and impact, celebrating those who have played a vital role in the university’s growth and success in the past academic year.
Several of the award winners will be announced at TCU’s Welcome & Opening Lunch on Aug. 15. Read on to learn about the awards and their finalists.
William E. Tucker Award for Integrity & Ethical Leadership
The William E. Tucker Award for Integrity & Ethical Leadership is named in honor of
TCU’s eighth chancellor, who led TCU from 1979 through 1998. He is remembered for
his extraordinary vision, integrity and servant leadership. The award recognizes an
individual who displays acts of integrity and ethical leadership in their ongoing
contributions to the success of TCU’s values-centered and mission-driven community.
- Courtney Hendrix, Academic Advisor, Neeley School of Business
- Erik Trevino, Director of Landscaping and Grounds, Facilities
- Wendy Macias, Professor of Strategic Communication and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
- Regina Middleton, Assistant Registrar-Training and Professional Development, Office of the Registrar
- Janie Robinson, Professor, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Chancellor’s Staff Award for Outstanding Engagement
The Chancellor’s Staff Award was established in 2003. This award recognizes a TCU
staff member who goes above and beyond to contribute to the success of TCU through
exemplary service and community engagement. The recipient of the award is selected
from a pool of nominees representing each division of the university.
- Rebekah Atkinson, Director of Procurement, Finance & Administration
- Marissa Carrera, Coordinator of Alumni Programs, University Advancement
- Kris Copeland, Creative Director, Marketing & Communication
- Austin Counts, Cybersecurity Administrator, Information Technology
- Perla De La Fuente, Talent Acquisition Consultant, Human Resources
- Weldon George, Research Compliance Manager, Academic Affairs
- Crystal Page, Assistant Dean of Students, Student Affairs
- David Roditi, Head Coach of Men’s Tennis, TCU Athletics
Charley & Kate Thorp Award for Advancing Community
The Charley & Kate Thorp Award for Advancing Community is named in honor of a formerly
enslaved couple who were instrumental figures at AddRan Male and Female College in
the 1800s. The college eventually became Texas Christian University. The Thorps were
vital contributors to TCU’s early success and are remembered for their compassion
and commitment to community. This award recognizes individuals for their commitment
to advancing TCU’s connected community.
- Jan M. Ballard, Senior Instructor of Design, College of Fine Arts
- Cedric O. James, Director of Student Engagement, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Neeley School of Business
- Sylviane N. Greensword, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, John V. Roach Honors College
Michael R. Ferrari Award for Excellence in University Service & Leadership
The Michael R. Ferrari Award for Excellence in University Service & Leadership was
established by the TCU Board of Trustees to honor Michael R. Ferrari for his leadership
as TCU’s ninth chancellor. Ferrari led TCU from July 1998 through May 2003. He held
the faculty rank of professor of management and was cited for his efforts to involve
the Fort Worth community in the life of the university through The Commission on the Future of TCU. This award recognizes excellence in university service and leadership by a faculty
or staff member at any level or in any administrative or academic unit, calling attention
to extraordinary situational accomplishments, such as solving a difficult major problem,
successfully managing an important project, designing a creative new initiative or
transforming the quality of an academic or administrative unit.
- Kendra Bowen, Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice and Graduate Program Director, AddRan College of Liberal Arts
- Amy Peterson, Assistant Director of Social and Multimedia Strategy, Marketing & Communication
- Jan Quesada, Senior Instructor of Religion, AddRan College of Liberal Arts
- Brianne Varela, Director of Student Success, Student Affairs
Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar
The Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar
recognizes exceptional accomplishments of faculty members for their outstanding contributions
to teaching and scholarship. The award was established to acknowledge the extraordinary
creative teaching and high-quality research that occurs within the university's academic
disciplines.
- Danielle Brimo, Director of the Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders and Professor, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- Kayla Green, Professor of Chemistry, College of Science & Engineering
- John T. Harvey, Hal Wright Professor of Economics, AddRan College of Liberal Arts
- Andrew Ledbetter, Chair and Professor of Communication Studies, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
- Karen Nelson, M. J. Neeley Professor of Accounting, Neeley School of Business
- Alan Shorter, Professor and Associate Chair of Theatre, College of Fine Arts
- Marcella D. Stark, Professor and Counseling and Human Services Program Coordinator, College of Education
Maryrose and Dan Short Award for Teaching Excellence
The Maryrose and Dan Short Award for Teaching Excellence is specifically focused on
exceptional untenured (tenure-track or non-tenure track), full-time faculty members
with five years or less at TCU. Nominations from colleges and schools are submitted
to academic deans, who select the top candidates to submit to the provost for final
selection. This award was established by the late Dan Short, former dean of the Neeley
School of Business, in memory of his wife, Maryrose Short.
- Edgar Campos, Assistant Professor of Sociology, AddRan College of Liberal Arts
- Mathew Crawford, Instructor of Pre-Health, College of Science & Engineering
- Shelley Ford, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Nursing, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- Zachary Frohlich, Instructor II in Communication Studies and Director of Communicating Effectively, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
- Jennifer Grennan, Instructor II in Accounting, Neeley School of Business
- Pablo Montes, Assistant Professor of Curriculum Studies, College of Education
- Rima Shrestha, Instructor of Fashion Merchandising, College of Fine Arts
- Sarah Vartabedian, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, John V. Roach Honors College
Wassenich Award for Mentoring in the TCU Community
The Wassenich Award for Mentoring in the TCU Community was established by Mark and
Linda Wassenich to celebrate this defining characteristic of TCU for many generations.
Alumni and students may nominate faculty and staff members who serve as role models,
advisors and guides to students, and the winner is chosen by a committee of primarily
faculty and staff.
- Meredith Curtis, Instructor II and Associate Director of the Pre-Health Professions Institute, College of Science & Engineering
- Clark Jones, Senior Instructor of Microbiology, College of Science & Engineering; Assistant Professor, Burnett School of Medicine at TCU
- Marie Martinez, Assistant Dean of Student Support and Success, John V. Roach Honors College
- Kim Turner, Executive Director of Student Governance and Traditions, Student Affairs