The Investiture of President Daniel W. Pullin
Thursday, November 9, 2023
“Texas Christian University has much to celebrate, and, as we enter the finale of
our Sesquicentennial year, our community is also building a bright future for TCU’s
next 150 years. Leadership is a defining characteristic at TCU, and the Presidential
Investiture is a time for us to gather in community and reaffirm the University’s
commitment to our values.
“This long-held academic tradition will acknowledge Daniel Pullin’s first year as
President, as well as celebrate the shared responsibility of stewarding TCU’s legacy
of scholarship and knowledge into a promising future.”
—Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr.
About The President
Daniel W. Pullin begins his tenure as Texas Christian University President during a season of historic moments as TCU celebrates its Sesquicentennial and looks ahead to the next 150 years of educating students, developing leaders and enhancing TCU’s national reputation as a world-class, values-centered university.
 |
Academic Traditions
TCU’s academic traditions date back 150 years. During the investiture, several ceremonial items will be used to represent the significance of this occasion in the university’s history.
University Mace
The mace is a symbol of a university’s strength. TCU’s mace was created to commemorate the inauguration of Chancellor Michael R. Ferrari in 1999. It is fashioned from a wooden beam from the first building constructed at AddRan Male and Female College in Thorp Spring, Texas. The head of the mace bears the horned frog, adopted in 1897 as the university’s mascot. An amethyst at the center of the head glows with the colors purple for royalty and white for purity.
Flame of Knowledge
The Flame of Knowledge represents a university’s dedication to learning and expanding knowledge. Created to celebrate TCU’s 150th anniversary, the Flame of Knowledge sits on a purple heart wood base that also holds the University Mace. The design incorporates three brass bands on the shaft to symbolize the university’s three campus locations, a penny from 1873 embedded in the base of the handle, and wood from a historic campus tree. Inset brass university seals can be found on the front and back.
History of TCU Chief Executives
A legacy of leadership has steered TCU to its position as a top national university. Today, the roles of chancellor and president work together to advance TCU’s academic mission and strategic goals.
While President Pullin is the first to serve under the current chancellor, TCU has had several presidents among its chief executives throughout history.
Addison Clark
1873-1899
Albert Buxton
1899-1900*
E. C. Snow
1900-1902*
Ely Vaughan Zollars
1902-1906
Clinton Lockhart
1906-1911
B. Parks
1911*, 1915-1916*
Frederick D. Kershner
1911-1915
Edward McShane Waits
1916-1941
McGruder Ellis Sadler
1941-1965
James Mattox Moudy
1965-1979
William E. Tucker
1979-1998
Michael R. Ferrari
1998-2003
Victor J. Boschini, Jr.
2003-current
*Acting president or chancellor
Mission, Vision & History
Even from TCU’s earliest days, the vision was clear: to build a place and a community that empowers students to be leaders in a changing world.
Native American Land Acknowledgment
TCU acknowledges the many benefits, responsibilities, and relationships of being in this place, which we share with all living beings. We respectfully acknowledge all Native American peoples who have lived on this land since time immemorial. TCU especially acknowledges and pays respect to the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, upon whose historical homeland our university is located.
The Honorable Mayor of Fort Worth Mattie Parker
It is my pleasure to congratulate Texas Christian University on the investiture of President Daniel W. Pullin. I can think of no better way to commemorate the university’s Sesquicentennial year than with the addition of Daniel Pullin as President.
For 150 years, TCU has thrived under visionary leadership, resulting in our nationally respected top 100 university serving students and attracting talent to Fort Worth from across the globe. Throughout those years, TCU and Fort Worth have grown and prospered, together.
The leadership at TCU is integral to the educational experience offered. I have been fortunate to know Chancellor Victor Boschini for many years and am proud to also count President Pullin as a friend and respected colleague. As the university looks ahead to the next 150 years, President Pullin’s expertise and innovation will help enhance TCU’s national reputation as a world-class university, develop leaders and achieve academic excellence.
TCU is at the forefront of ensuring that in North Texas we are creating opportunities to educate and train future leaders. The university has enriched our community with talented graduates, creative and intellectual faculty and staff, executives, clinical professionals, athletes, teachers and more.
I look forward to working closely with TCU to continue to build our community through academic excellence, innovation, inclusion, academic partnerships and research that impacts society.
The City of Fort Worth welcomes Daniel W. Pullin to his new role at TCU, and we wish him a long and successful tenure as President of Texas Christian University.
Go Frogs!
Sincerely,
Mattie Parker, Mayor
Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks
As Tarrant County Commissioner for Precinct One, it is my honor and privilege to extend my sincerest congratulations to Daniel W. Pullin upon his Investiture as President of Texas Christian University. We are delighted to have such a dedicated
and innovative leader at the helm of one of the longest-standing and highly respected institutions in our region.
For 150 years, TCU has developed leaders who shape and improve the world for the greater good. Since the University’s humble beginnings to the world-class, values-driven university it is today, Horned Frogs bring valuable research, scholarly activity, artistic and cultural assets, and a diverse array of talent and significant economic benefit to Tarrant County.
We look forward to the next 150 years of partnership, collaboration and prosperity for the benefit of our residents and all Horned Frogs across the globe. The future is bright, TCU! We join you in celebrating this milestone year and the Investiture of President Pullin.
May God continue to bless the work of your hands.
Roy Charles Brooks
Tarrant County Commissioner
Precinct No. 1
TCU Faculty Senate Chair Omar Harvey
It is my absolute pleasure to extend a heartfelt congratulation on your investiture as President of Texas Christian University.
The mantle of leading our treasured Horned Frog community into the next 150 years of academic excellence, innovation and belonging is a venerable one. If the past few months are anything to go by, it is my opinion that our community could not have asked for a timelier appointment as President. Keep listening to the students, faculty, staff and administrators who make this place great! Keep showing up (everywhere) where we learn, work and play together. We see it and value your efforts.
On behalf of my faculty colleagues, we look forward in working collaboratively and productively to
strengthen this place of time immemorial as both THE UNIVERSITY OF FORT WORTH and the globally recognized institution that brings the world to Fort Worth through thought leadership, compassion, purpose and belonging. If we go, we go together! Go Frogs!
Sincerely,
Omar R. Harvey, Ph.D.
Chair, TCU Faculty Senate
Associate Professor of Geological Sciences
TCU Staff Assembly Chair Robyn Reid
On behalf of TCU’s Staff Assembly, I offer you congratulations on the occasion of your Presidential Investiture.
TCU Staff members are vital touchstones for many aspects of the University. From making the grounds beautiful, to walking students through the admissions process, to helping students find scholarships and jobs, to supporting students’ mental, emotional and physical well-being, to supporting the campus infrastructure, and so much more, staff members are committed to helping and supporting our students.
Already, in your position as President, you have demonstrated a willingness to be open, to listen, and to learn about all the unique positions that TCU staff members have across campus. We truly appreciate your efforts to find out what we do, and how each of our jobs support student success.
We look forward to your continued leadership as TCU grows both in size and reputation, and collaborating with you to make TCU a better place to learn and to work. Go Frogs!
Sincerely,
Robyn M. Reid
Chair, TCU Staff Assembly
Social Sciences Librarian
TCU Student Body President Joe Winick
I am excited to congratulate you on the occasion of your investiture as Texas Christian University’s President. Throughout your time at TCU, you have demonstrated your continued dedication to driving student success, and improving the Horned Frog experience both in and outside of the classroom. Throughout our institution’s Sesquicentennial celebration, we have reflected on our university’s rich history, and all of the things that make TCU what it is today. Now, it is time to look forward to the next 150 years of TCU; to the inspiring future of our institution. Your investiture marks a period of tremendous growth and expansion for TCU, and I’m confident that you will continue to steer TCU in a positive direction. On behalf of the Student Government Association, and the entire undergraduate student body, we offer a warm welcome to you, and are eager to see all the amazing things you are sure to accomplish in the coming years.
Sincerely,
Joseph H. “Joe” Winick
TCU Student Body President
Class of 2025
TCU Graduate Student Senate President Annie Cowden
On behalf of my fellow graduate students, congratulations on your selection as TCU’s President. In this pivotal time in our university’s history, the Graduate Student Senate is grateful to TCU’s leadership and the Board of Trustees for including graduate students in the selection and investiture of President Pullin. TCU has persisted for 150 years because of the commitment to innovation that lives within the spirit of the University. The addition of the role of President is a clear demonstration of the way in which TCU continues to innovate and position itself to thrive over the next 150 years.
As a community, we are eager to see the ways in which you will continue to strengthen the University’s academic profile, research agenda, and relationship with the city and people of Fort Worth. We look forward to watching the ways in which TCU will continue to innovate under your leadership. Our governance organization hopes you, President Pullin, will be a champion for graduate students on TCU’s campus and we look forward to a positive and collaborative future with you.
We wish you luck as you embark on this new chapter of your life and begin to make an indelible mark on the history and future of TCU. Congratulations on your Presidential Investiture and Go Frogs!
Sincerely,
Annie H. Cowden
TCU Graduate Student Senate President
Director, BNSF Neeley Leadership Program
National Alumni Board President Joe Brown
On behalf of the National Alumni Board at TCU, I would like to personally congratulate Texas Christian University on the investiture of President Daniel W. Pullin. The board and I are excited for this new addition to TCU’s leadership team.
TCU’s Alumni Association includes more than 100,000 living alumni who encourage active participation in a variety of ways to support the mission and values of their beloved alma mater. With more than 40 clubs and chapters across the globe and nearly 400 events throughout the year, we proudly provide a platform to engage all of our alumni.
In honor of TCU’s Sesquicentennial, the addition of President Pullin is a perfect way to demonstrate TCU’s bright future for our next 150 years. As always, the National Alumni Board will continue to be global leaders who encourage creative thinking, support scholarships, provide service and promote the values of Texas Christian University. We look forward to being a partner and active supporter of President Pullin and his vision for the University. Go Frogs!
Joseph W. “Joe” Brown ’08
National Alumni Board President