TCU faculty and staff were celebrated Friday with awards that align with TCU’s values of Integrity, Engagement, Community and Excellence during TCU’s annual Welcome & Opening Luncheon.

Also included in the day was the announcement of the new Scholarship Initiative, a fundraising initiative to raise an additional $300 million for Horned Frog scholarships.

“Competition for the best and brightest students is intense,” said Chancellor Daniel W. Pullin, “and as TCU says ‘yes’ to students who are a great fit for our campus, we must ensure that affordability is never the reason any of them say no.”

Read on to learn about the winners and awards.

William E. Tucker Award for Integrity & Ethical Leadership

This year’s Tucker award was given to Gina Jarman Hill, professor and department chair of nutritional sciences, Louise Dilworth Davis College of Science & Engineering. The award recognizes acts of integrity and ethical leadership in their ongoing contributions to the success of TCU’s values-centered and mission-driven community.

“Because of Gina’s leadership, the TCU and Fort Worth communities benefit from programs like TCU Food Recovery Network and Seed to Plate, where students are learning to address food insecurity, minimize waste and pair empathy with action,” said Pullin.

The Tucker award 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.

Victor J. Boschini Jr. Staff Award for Outstanding Engagement

The Boschini Staff Award is given annually to a staff member who goes above and beyond to contribute to the success of TCU through exemplary service and community engagement. This year’s recipient is Hector Rodriguez, grounds supervisor, Finance & Administration.

“Hector started working for TCU when he was just 19 years old,” Pullin said. “Since that time, he’s made outstanding efforts to connect with his colleagues, including hosting lunches for both staff and TCU retirees.”

The Boschini Staff Award, established in 2003, was renamed in 2025 to celebrate Chancellor Emeritus Victor J. Boschini Jr.’s unwavering dedication to community engagement.  

Charley & Kate Thorp Award for Advancing Community

The Charley & Kate Thorp Award recognizes individuals for their commitment to advancing TCU’s connected community. Cynthia Savage, senior associate dean of undergraduate studies, academic innovation and accreditation, College of Education

“Cindy has fostered meaningful partnerships that strengthen relationships within our TCU community and beyond,” Pullin said.

The Thorp Award 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 TCU, and the Thorps were vital contributors to TCU’s early success and are remembered for their compassion and commitment to community.

Michael R. Ferrari Award for Excellence in University Service & Leadership

The Ferrari 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 major problem, successfully managing an important project, designing a creative new initiative or transforming the quality of an academic or administrative unit. This year’s recipient is Muriel Cormican, associate dean of undergraduate studies and professor of German, AddRan College of Liberal Arts

“Muriel helps our students with unique academic journeys to persist to graduation,” Pullin said. “She’s also developed significant resources to support AddRan students, transfer students and faculty alike.”

The Ferrari Award was established by the TCU Board of Trustees to honor the university’s ninth chancellor for his leadership. Ferrari led TCU from July 1998 through May 2003.

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. This year’s recipient is Emily Lund, professor, Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences.

“Emily has implemented a unique mentorship model that brings undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. students together in her lab to improve outcomes for children who are deaf and hard of hearing,” Pullin said. “She is preparing the next generation of clinicians and researchers to turn clinical research into meaningful impact.”

The award was established to acknowledge the extraordinary creative teaching and high-quality research that occurs within the university's academic disciplines.

Two awards remain outstanding, as both the Mayrose and Dan Short Award for Teaching Excellence and the Wassenich Award for Mentoring in the TCU Community will be presented to the winners at private events in the near future. Read about all the finalists for this year’s awards here.