Comrades True

We’ll fight ’em ’til hell freezes over, then we’ll fight ’em on the ice,
Fight TCU, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT,
Fight ’til blood shoots from our eyes,
Fight for the small so the mighty despise,
Fearless purple warriors at the gates of the West,
Whose will to win will silence the best,
Tomlinson, Lilly, Gary and Dutch,
Where the will to win never meant as much,
We are the spirit that never rings the bell,
Who prey upon victory to the depths of hell,
Whose blood in the war is cold as ice,
Fight TCU, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT,
Take the toad to a timeless glory,
Down your rivals with righteous fury,
Build a nation through the soul of the fight,
The warrior cries, “Fight TCU, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!”

John Nix ’93 is the owner of Law Offices of John Houston Nix, P.C.

Courtesy of TCU Athletics | Photo by Gregg Ellman

Imagine walking into a candlelit dinner party with Caribbean-inspired food spread across an intricately decorated table while the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack plays. Lobster tails, coconut shrimp and Captain Jack Sparrow chocolate rum cupcakes were all part of a themed Disney Dinner made by Katie-Rose Watson ’11.

Katie-Rose Watson’s first cookbook, The Rose Table (HP Custom Content, 2021), published in October. Courtesy of Katie-Rose Watson

Watson, the creator of The Rose Table blog, draws inspiration from Disney classics to craft menus and host dinner guests. She often dresses in the fashion of characters from the films and sets the room accordingly. She shares the recipes, gardening tips and more on her blog.

“Just thinking that people are out there having these magical nights with their friends because of something they saw on my blog really makes me so incredibly happy,” she said.

With a Facebook following of more than 110,000, Watson published The Rose Table: Easy, Elegant Recipes for Entertaining & Every Day (HP Custom Content, 2021) in October.

Watson’s cookbook features meals she has made at her own dinner parties.

“It’s a collection of a lot of my favorite recipes that I feel like I make in my real life for my family and friends all the time,” Watson said.

She said she has been passionate about food and cooking since she was young. When HP Custom Content reached out to her to publish her work in print, she accepted without hesitation.

“This is such a dream come true. I’ve always been such a cookbook person,” Watson said. “Even when I was a little girl I would flip through my mom’s cookbooks and just thought that was the end-all-be-all cool.”

In 1999 the CEO of Alcon Laboratories spoke at the spring commencement ceremony, encouraging students to give back to those who helped them.

Terrific Other PeopleS: Repaying in Multiples/A Lifetime Commitment

May 15, 1999

I wish that every one of you could be standing in my central spot in this coliseum and be able to feel the total electricity of excitement that is being generated by this wonderful occasion.

Congratulations. You’ve actually done it. You are now within a few moments of getting your hands on a certificate of graduation — the diploma that you’ve striven so diligently to obtain.

Ed Schollmaier was chairman and CEO of Alcon Laboratories, Inc. in 1999. He and wife Rae provided the naming gift for the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Basketball Practice Complex, which opened in 2004, and the lead gift for the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Photo by Glen E. Ellman

As that super special moment approaches, I can sense, can actually feel, the variety of emotions that you are experiencing. For many, perhaps all of you, there is a feeling of utter relief. This sensation will alternate with an eagerness to move on to the next phase of your life. Quite possibly, there will be a hint of apprehension about unforeseen difficulties that may be encountered. Beneath the surface, there will repeatedly percolate a well-deserved sense of pride — pride in the significant accomplishment of reaching a major goal in your lives.

Some of you will experience an intermixing of sadness — sadness in realizing that many of the events, disciplines and relationships that brought you comfort and joy are now in your past. In some cases, the deeper sadness of realizing that some loved one who embraced your dream is no longer available to celebrate your success.

These rambling thoughts and many related ones are all perfectly normal. They are, of course, intensified by the emotional energy that this event generates.

Many of you, again possibly all, will have a powerful desire to express thanks — thanks to special friends, thanks to parents, thanks to teachers, and thanks to various individuals who gave a helping hand, advice or encouragement to you along the way. You will be surprised by how many such people — truly deserving thanks — there are already likely to be at this early stage of your life.

During my sixty-five years, there have been dozens of individuals who have shared kindness and support, given a helping hand, and provided a gentle, or not so gentle, nudge in the right direction. Regretfully, there may have been many more that I have failed to notice or have forgotten.

When I was orphaned early in my senior year in high school, the principal, Elmer Kizer, handed me a key to his home. He said to use it if for any reason my options didn’t feel right. Several days later, I found myself on his front porch. In response to my ring, Mrs. Kizer opened the door. “You must be Eddie. Come in and let me show you your room.” I can’t tell you how much I came to love those wonderful people.

Shortly thereafter, the father of a friend arranged an appointment for me with James Shouse, President of WLW-T in Cincinnati. He nodded when I told him that I planned to skip college and attend a radio-:-TVc ourse. Television was in its infancy, and I was eager to get in on the ground floor. Mr. Shouse asked me what I hoped to be doing in fifteen years. I was a little shaky on this but indicated interest in a position similar to Peter Grant, a highly respected news analyst. Mr. Shouse responded that this probably wouldn’t be possible since in fifteen years I would still be ignorant. He urged me to go to college and begin a life long process of pursuing education and an ongoing quest for knowledge and experience.

He promised me a part-time job at the television station to help with expenses and to provide career insights. No sooner had I left his office than I realized that I had been given truly profound advice. The next day I enrolled at the University of Cincinnati.

I could go on and on with examples. Dr. Gertrude Baldwin of Greensboro, Pennsylvania kept a room full of patients waiting while she explained in anger exactly what I needed to begin doing in order to execute my first Alcon job properly. Then she took the time to arrange pharmacy appointments for me so that I got off to a decent start.

There have been literally dozens of such people in my life. All made a significant difference. You, no doubt, have had and will continue to have similar experiences. I refer to these wonderful folks as T-O-PS Terrific Other PeopleS. TOPS, in my opinion, is an extraordinarily appropriate acronym. T-O-P-S, TOPS, Terrific Other PeopleS, TOPS.

When I went to thank Mr. Shouse at the time of my graduation, he said that he was pleased by my expression of appreciation, but, he said, “Not so fast. By acknowledging the usefulness of my aid, you are acknowledging your obligation for repayment. To even the score you must provide similar assistance to twenty other worthy and/or needy individuals that you encounter along the way.” He explained that 20 times was the average financial multiplier or PE ratio for stocks at that time. Simply put, he was recruiting me for membership in TOPS (Terrific Other PeopleS). How could I have refused this challenge?

Likewise, I know that there will be no way for you to refuse as I offer the same challenge to you. The steps are simple. (1) List the TOPS (Terrific Other PeopleS) in your life. (2) Acknowledge your obligation. (3) Promise to pay back, in kind, as opportunities present themselves in the years ahead.

Don’t forget the multiplier. It’s OK to use 20 or 22 times. Yet many stocks today are commanding a 45 to 60 PE ratio. I know that this is a coliseum full of high fliers and that at least a multiplier of 45 times could be used. Don’t let this throw youyou’ve got the rest of your lives to meet your obligation.

Now, let me use the Shouse formula of advanced mathematical extrapolation to illustrate what you have invested in your degrees. At $15,500/year times, let’s say 4 1/2 years, times a 43 PE ratio: You’ve made an investment with a reasonable expected worth of $3 million.

If you’ve received scholarship help, it doesn’t reduce the value of the investment. It merely acknowledges that there were some Terrific Other PeopleS (names perhaps unknown) who stepped up and contributed scholarship funds for your benefit. Whoever they are, you owe them.

These numbers are only the half of it. While you may not be acutely aware of it, each and every one of you received significant financial aid from TCU. To calculate this, you only need to look at the school’s financial statements and note the Annual Fund contributions and Endowment income. What these two items represent are gifts — gifts this year and in the past — from whom? You’ve got it — TOPS, Terrific Other PeopleS.

If you’ve made an investment in your degree worth $3 million, it must be reassuring that Terrific Other PeopleS, TOPS, have doubled the bet on your future by adding another $3 million for a total valued investment of $6 million.

By now you are probably thinking, it looks like you’re going to be in a repayment mode all your life. Well, I hope so. You will be a better and happier person for it. The world will certainly be a better place because of it. Keep in mind that much of this can be done in kind, with kindness, advice, mentoring, and volunteering. Of course, you will also be presented with many opportunities to write checks. Don’t wait to get started. You’ve got a lot of repaying to do, but as Jim Shouse inferred to me, “If you hadn’t received, you wouldn’t owe.”

Consider the full possibilities. If each of us who has been helped helps forty-three others, who in turn each help forty-three others, who in turn each help forty-three others — on and on — the impact on our society will be enormous. Let’s make it happen.

In approaching conclusion, I would like to call special attention to one group of Terrific Other PeopleS that are more readily recognizable to you and many of whom are here today. These TOPS are your parents. They have contributed immeasurably to your being here today and are wonderfully proud of you. Psychologists will tell you that each of you, on average, has one thing for which you have not totally forgiven your parents. Usually this is reflected by withholding or not sharing feelings with them. This could represent resentment for sending you to boarding school or for some similar transgression. I ask that you reflect on this and that you immediately forgive them. Keep them in your lives. Be sure that they know how much you love and appreciate them.

I salute you all. You are now all officially TOPS (Terrific Other PeopleS). You will also shortly be graduates. Hearty congratulations and best wishes.

Bestselling author Sue Monk Kidd ’70 joined the TCU Alumni Association and TCU Magazine on April 6 to discuss her writing process and her latest novel, The Book of Longings. Watch the full video below.

Kidd shared inspiring gems such as “The role of the writer is to rewrite the world” and “Writing is a little everyday act of bravery.”

After describing how she “came upon” her legendary characters, Kidd was kind enough to share a list of some of her favorite books and most impactful reads:

Fiction—
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
The Poison Wood Bible and The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
Lying Awake by Mark Salzman
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Thirteen Stories by Eudora Welty

Non-Fiction—

Holy Misogyny by April Deconick
Time and the Soul by Jacob Needleman
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Rilke
An Interrupted Life: The Diaries of Etty Hillesum
Memories Dreams and Reflections by C.G. Jung
Cassandra Speaks by Elizabeth Lesser
The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg
New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton

Favorite Poets—
David White
Mary Oliver
Derek Walcott
May Sarton
Rumi
Rainer Rilke

Left to right, Stephanie Murphy, Jennifer Jones and Stephanie Jones met by chance at Big Bend National Park. Courtesy of Stephanie Jones

While taking our anniversary trip to Big Bend National Park in March 2021, my husband and I decided to hike one final Texas trail on Saturday. Jacob and I traveled from our home in San Antonio. We had done four trails on Friday, so we were tired. We chose the Window Trail, a 5.6-mile round trip. When we got to the end, we struck up a conversation with a few other couples who had been admiring the view. I came to discover that I, Stephanie Jones ’06 (MS ’08), was in the presence of Stephanie Murphy ’87 and Jennifer Jones ’87. They hailed from Austin, Texas, where my husband and I used to live. Both ladies attended the TCU-Wisconsin Rose Bowl in 2011, as did I. Both of them attended the TCU-Oregon Alamo Bowl in 2016, as did I.

Seriously, what are the odds: Another Stephanie. Another Jones. Twenty years and multiple possible interactions later — we meet at the Window in Big Bend.

Get outside and go frogs!

Tell us about a time you met another Horned Frog in the wild. Write a comment below or email tcumagazine@tcu.edu

Lillian Young ’18 is the first African American artist in the TCU Mary Couts Burnett’s Art Collection. The artist talks about her two works that are on display at the library.

Photo by Carolyn Cruz
“Become” by Colorfilm Music, used under license from Shutterstock

William Morse ’71, dressed in the fatigues worn by the demining teams of Cambodian Self-Help Demining, an organization dedicated to finding and disarming landmines and unexploded ordnance in parts of Cambodia deemed “low priority” by the government’s mine-clearing efforts. Photo courtesy of Landmine Relief Fund

William “Bill” Morse ’71 gave up retirement in Palm Springs, California, and moved to Cambodia to clear landmines. Now the COVID-19 pandemic threatens his entire operation, which includes a school system and museum.

As of July 12, Cambodia had a total of 156 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. The Cambodian government took swift protective measures at the borders, including the requirement of a COVID-19 negative medical certificate for all foreign travelers entering Cambodia and a $3,000 deposit for testing and potential treatment services. If one or more travelers on an arriving flight or vessel tests positive for COVID-19, all passengers must quarantine for 14 days “at a location designated by Cambodian authorities,” according to the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia. If all travelers test negative, travelers have to self-isolate for 14 days at their homes or lodging.

“The tourist industry has collapsed,” said Morse, whose Landmine Museum and Relief Center has been closed since March. “And it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better.”

Morse’s Landmine Relief Fund also supports The Rural Schools Village Program. The organization’s schools are located in 20 villages and serve nearly 3,000 children.

The Cambodian Ministry of Education closed schools in March and announced this month that all schools will remain closed for the rest of the year. Though the Ministry of Education set up free online courses for students preparing for the national exams, as well as videos of classroom sessions available on TV and social media platforms, none of the schools in the Rural Schools Village Program are connected to the internet, Morse said.

Instead, teachers in the program are traveling to villages to teach small groups of kids.

Morse also started a small food distribution program in Siem Reap, a cultural center near popular temples, to help people who had relied on income from the tourism industry. In May Morse provided 30 tons of food, and another 30 tons the following month.

Getty Images © djvstock

I sit here coviding day after day with my circa 1978 hair missing my seasonal part-time jobs. There are no games or concerts to work. I’ve cleaned as much as I can clean. I’ve attended numerous Grey’s Anatomy cast reunions at Walmart. I have plenty of thoughts and plenty of time to think them.

A friend and former teaching colleague suggested I share some thoughts about the economics of this pandemic. I’ll take the approach I used with my classes with just a brief thought or two on basic concepts.

With an abundance of caution in these unprecedented and uncertain times, here’s my take on Coronanomics.

Let’s start with needs, wants and choices. Remember the classic dilemma about being stranded on a desert/deserted/desolate island? Well, let’s substitute facing being sheltered in place.

When you went to the store or stores, what went first? What were you willing to buy/eat/use?

Where did chocolate fall?

While you are isolating you’ve probably discovered parts of your home and things in it you haven’t seen in a while. Did you use the alone time to sort, discard or create a donate pile? What did you decide was a need?

Next, supply, demand, price (curves and shifts). What was instantly in high demand? Toilet paper and hand sanitizer became economic superstars. Beyond their obvious uses, they suddenly became commodities to trade for other items.

On the plus side, there is a surplus of gas leading to much lower prices. Good for us, bad for the producers.

What about elasticity? Was price even a consideration? How much were you willing to pay for certain things?

In an instant, our markets were in disequilibrium. Demand far outpaced supply. This has created temporary shortages on the shelves, not necessarily in the supply chain. It’s out there, they just need to catch up. Thank you, Capitalism!

And factors other than price? The vast number of sellers was a blessing. If one place was out, maybe another still had it. A loss of income weighed on purchase decisions. Can it wait? Do I really need it?

Our expectations also come into play. How much money do I have left? Will I be laid off? Should I rethink this socialism thing? (Just kidding!) How long will this last? How many rolls of toilet paper is enough?

The market always recovers, eventually.

Technology has also impacted the supply and demand curves. We are able to work remotely. Kids can learn online at home (Ahhh, teachers’ revenge!). Stores are still selling and fulfilling our needs and wants online.

And speaking of selling, you’ve seen a shift in advertising to more good will, “we’re here to help” kinds of messages. Our inboxes are full of emails from every place we’ve ever shopped telling us about measures they are taking to keep our money flowing to them while keeping everyone safe.

Let’s consider every company’s best friend — brand loyalty. How often did you shop at stores you’ve never been to before? There are some who never expected to be one of the “People of Walmart” until they ran out of Charmin. Did you buy substitutes for your favorite brands? Were they as good as your favorites?

The more desperate we become, the more likely we are to compromise.

Our circular flow has become a slow drip. It now includes dominoes and snowballs. Where do you fit in? Did you lose a job and income? Are you buying less goods and services? Is a small business going to be able to survive? What about the restaurants we go to on a typical workday? What does a loss of tax revenue mean for your community? Some businesses are actually accelerating hiring, like Amazon and grocery stores.

We are seeing irrational markets. For a variety of reasons, we are in panic mode thinking we have to buy everything now. This is a rare and severe market disruption. Businesses are being forced to shut down “in an abundance of caution.”

There is now in place a host of market interventions, the most extreme of which is the shutdown by the government. Businesses have responded by rationing so we can all be Charmin clean. Stores have adjusted hours to be able to restock and to allow senior citizens to shop. The government also outlaws price gouging of essentials during an emergency. We’ve all heard about HandSan Guy in Tennessee. Normally the market would work itself out. If someone voluntarily wanted to buy hand sanitizer for $80, we would let them (and laugh). Adam Smith’s invisible hand would have eventually smacked both of them.

Don’t forget your ethics and to lend a helping (and clean) hand.

This is as good a spot as any to mention ethics or the “Is it okay to…?” Is it okay to buy up essential goods during a state of emergency in hopes of making a profit? The pure free market capitalist would say, “Of course it is.” As a society we have said, “No.” Is it okay for an employer to dump their employees out onto the street during a crisis? I think we know the answer.

The production possibilities model has been transformed. The private sector has shifted from normal production to making masks and ventilators to address shortages. Distilleries are now making hand sanitizer.

We are witnessing the business cycle in overdrive. Not long ago we were at full employment and our economy was in great shape. Within a few weeks, we now look at potentially massive unemployment and a looming recession.

As unemployment increases, we are again faced with choices. Do I pay this bill? If you don’t, how does that impact the circular flow? I might now be willing to consider a job I once considered beneath me.

Monetary policy considerations: Lower interest rates? Quantitative easing? How much and for how long? Will it be coordinated with fiscal policy?

Fiscal policy considerations: Is a stimulus plan appropriate? How much? Who should get help? Should businesses be bailed out (again)? Can we afford it? Can we afford not to?

We are seeing wartime-like public/private partnerships in an effort to produce goods and to save lives. Thank you, Capitalism!

And while we’re on the subject, this is a sneak peek at socialism. The empty shelves and long lines should have gotten our attention. Venezuelans experience this on a regular basis. The shortages we are seeing are temporary. Our shelves will be restocked in a matter of days if not hours. Our needs will be met along with many of our wants. Thank you, Capitalism!

As of this writing, the stock market (there’s more than one) is down approximately 30 percent from its all-time highs earlier this year. Saving and investing involve understanding risk, reward, and opportunity. You’ve probably learned a great deal about your personal risk tolerance over these past few weeks. I understand it but I have a financial advisor to handle it.

Don’t panic. The market is unforgiving to those who do.

I don’t know when and by how much but I do know certain things. Invest early and often. The market has had more ups than downs historically. Bull markets last longer than bear markets. The market always comes back. It did after the Great Depression. It did after 9/11. It did in spectacular fashion after the Great Recession. It will again, eventually. Buy low, sell high.

This wouldn’t be complete without a word about globalization and international trade. We have become globally interdependent and are now seeing the ugly side of it. We have known for decades about the substandard food safety and health practices and standards in China. We’ve gambled with risk/reward for a long time. Is it time for us to rethink our dependence on this market? Take a look around your house (you’re not going anywhere) and see how many items have “Made in China” on the label. Maybe we should practice social and economic distancing.

I’m optimistic. We will survive the virus. We will survive the Great Hoard of 2020.

Robert Jacobs is the author of My Thoughts, Exactly (independently published, 2019).

On a day for fate, Acropolis opened its whirly gate
Then out of the fog, emerged the mighty purple frog
Sending its seers, prophets of magic starling the years
Their words of justice would soon be what blessed us
Thus rang out a clarion call, “twas a day for Baylor to Fall.”
Atavars smile, angels ascend, “tyranny now: sure to end.”
Hence came of what belies, a piddling half of no surprise!
The demons gave praise of rankings from recent days
Memories leapt from furtive zeal, giant frogs became real!
Thus therein foggy fog, Green people were lost in a bog
Dunks, defense and deadly threes, knocked bears upon their knees!
No Mason at hand, the court belonged to the Dixon band
As Drew fell in sorrowful weeping, Frogs upheld to upset keeping.
Be ye of wisdom and charm, These are days for Worth’en storm!

— Jim Stovall ’65 (BDiv ’68)

TCU’s victory against No. 2 Baylor on Feb. 29, 2020, marked the Frogs’ highest ranked home win in school history. Courtesy of TCU Athletics | Photo by Gregg Ellman

Thomas “Tommy” Sharp ’88 (MBA ’89) and senior linebacker Tyler “Ty” Summers ’17 have a few things in common. For starters, they both wore jersey number 42 as TCU football players.

In 2014, Sharp was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Throughout his battle, Sharp remains a loyal Horned Frog fan and attends many athletic events.

Last fall, TCU Football Coach Gary Patterson surprised Sharp with a signed #42 jersey.

“We both laughed at how much the jerseys have changed,” said teammate and longtime friend William “Bill” Tommaney ’88 (MS ’91).

In addition to the TCU jersey number, Sharp and Ty Summers wore the same number in high school– 11. From there, the list of commonalities grows: Ty Summers’ father Jerrod Summers and Sharp went to the same high school in Alvin, Texas. Jerrod Summers was a quarterback in the ’80s and Sharp was a defensive back. They’re even recognized as Alvin High School All-Decade Team of 1980. Jerrod Summers and Sharp both have sons named Tyler.

The Sharp and Summers families shared memories in December 2017. Tommy Sharp (center) posed for a photo with son Bryce, wife Marie and the Summers family: Faith, Ty, Jerrod and Kelly Summers. Photo courtesy of Bill Tommaney

Sharp went on to be part of TCU Football Coach Jim Wacker’s first recruiting class in 1983. Football wasn’t Sharp’s only priority; he married Marie in 1984. Sharp nearly quit football after the birth of their daughter Megan, but with Marie’s encouragement, he continued to play and even clocked more game time.

Tommy Sharp (center) shows off his #42 jersey with longtime friend Billy Tommaney and TCU linebacker Ty Summers. Photo courtesy of Bill Tommaney

While attending the Valero Alamo Bowl in December 2017, Sharp and Jerrod Summers reunited. Later, Sharp and Ty Summers met each other in person for the first time.

“It was great hearing Tommy and Ty share stories of the bowl game, playing for Coach P and other football-related topics,” Tommaney said.

Ty Summers also signed the jersey Patterson gave Sharp at the start of the season.

“TCU is a special place,” Tommaney said. “This story illustrates the bond we share as players no matter what the age. It shows the love we all have for TCU, the friendships, the memories and, most importantly, the brotherhood of TCU Football.”

An online fundraiser in honor of Sharp can be found here.