Recollections: What’s the One Decision You Believe Most Improved TCU?

Development of the core curriculum in the 1970s that ensured TCU students earned a well-rounded education, especially with the inclusion of writing regardless of major. Not sexy, not even close, but transformative. 

DENISE ELAINE HEAP ’77

Hiring Daniel Pullin and Floyd Wormley to carry on TCU’s traditions. Generations built TCU’s foundation, and this new era of leadership will carry the university toward its greatest ambitions.

KENNY THOMPSON JR. ’03

“Starting Frog Camp. My entire college experience would have been drastically different if I had not had the chance to go to Frog Camp.”
ANGIE LEFTWICH TABAT ’96

Creation of the Tom Brown-Jarvis Living Learning Experiment. A supremely enriching experience, especially for non-Greek academic scholarship kids like me. My spouse, my still dearest friends and I met thanks to TB-J.

CARRIE CASSELL REBER ’83 

Building the endowment through gifts large and small allowed TCU to realize the vision set forth by its leadership and trustees. Relationships and friendships are at the core of the TCU community. The spirit of giving encouraged all stakeholders to take ownership of what was collectively created and helped bond the TCU family together. 

NETA NICHOLS ALEXANDER ’80 (MEd ’98)

Hiring Victor Boschini. He is a transformative leader, and his long-term vision for TCU was built on a genuine love for the spirit of the university. It was so much work, and he always seemed so happy doing it. 

ELIZABETH RAINWATER BAGGS ’00 (MBA ’10) 

Easy — Bill Tucker ’56. He built a foundation for TCU to grow. 

BILL BAGNELL ’86 

Getting us a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa under Chancellor Moudy. 

TIM GRIFFIN ’64 

The parking garage.

RACHEL LEDBETTER ’06 

Fashion Merchandising had an internship program that led to multiple job offers. It also helped that Dallas had the Fashion Mart, which influenced my decision. The school is fantastic. 

MARTI WOODARD TUCKER ’84 

Master planning. Not many people know about it, but much of what’s happening today was discussed and carefully planned as far back as 2006. More trivially, Frog Bucks to eat at local restaurants. 

KELSIE JOHNSON LUMADUE ’10

The Master Plan developed in the late 1980s called for a larger footprint, more on-campus housing, extra security and a commitment to the Front Porch (top-tier athletics). It led to the largest fundraising campaign in TCU history and, I believe, laid the foundation for TCU to weather the 1990s and enter the New Golden Age of TCU! We are enjoying that age right now: a larger, safer campus; top-tier athletics across the board; new programs in engineering, entrepreneurship and a medical school; leadership in NIL education and engagement; national championships and competing for more! I am a proud TCU alum and fully support the university’s mission. God bless the visionaries of a classic on-campus college experience and the parents who see the value of that bridge for their kids. Go Frogs! 

JOE JORDAN ’87

Hiring Coach Jim Wacker. He instituted a winning attitude. 

JEFF WHITFIELD ’86

“I will always be a WACKER BACKER!”
MAUREEN KENNEY ’85

Committee of 100 and hiring Dennis Franchione.

JEFF McCRACKEN ’01 (BS ’05) 

The Andrews Institute Scholarship. My friend and I were the first in our families to attend graduate school. We definitely would not have been able to afford the PhD program, but their generosity allowed us to attend and graduate from TCU and make an impact. I am able to use the research skills I learned from the program to help ensure human subjects research is ethical at a local hospital, and my friend is able to use his skills from the program to prepare students for their future medical careers. We are very grateful for the scholarship program. 

SHELLY WU ’20 PhD 

TCU has the best landscaping and grounds crew out there, under the leadership of Erik Trevino [director of landscaping and grounds]. These folks are the reason we have an award-winning campus. Their work deserves to be recognized and rewarded! 

KIM RAHEBI ’25 PhD 

“To educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community.” That’s been the mission statement since around 2000. It’s bold, audacious and reflects a conviction that the university has a responsibility, ambition and ability that extends beyond being a regional institution of higher education. TCU has often punched above its weight and continues to do so. 

SEBASTIAN KOLTERMANN ’06

Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for length and clarity.