Horned Frogs say that Texas Christian University is all about the experience. It always has been, and I hope it always will be.

The hands-on, personalized experience that defines our university grows from a distinctive balance. The breadth of the liberal arts tradition is combined with the depth of professional education. Highly ranked academic programs are characterized by mentoring teacher-scholars who enjoy being in the classroom as well as conducting leading-edge research. Small classes are expanded by big minds.

But is this a formula that will enable our university to flourish in an unpredictable future and a changing higher education marketplace?

Business expert Peter Drucker has observed, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” TCU intends to do just that.

To this end, we developed the second phase of our strategic plan, Vision in Action: The Academy of Tomorrow. The University’s future is unfolding with a new Intellectual Commons, a crossroads for academic minds. Students will be surrounded by amazing technology, courses that examine the world’s most significant challenges and unprecedented opportunities to find solutions to critical problems in an environment characterized by diversity of thought.

However, as the University transforms itself, the strongest elements of its identity, traditions and values will remain intact.

Our plans call for the University to extend the opportunity for campus living to many more students. New facilities in Worth Hills offer a residential environment to further support the TCU experience and students’ academic and social growth. The spaces are planned to build strong communities and are designed to bring students together to exchange ideas, study, dine, solve problems and gather.   Next time you are on campus be sure to check out Marion Hall and Pamela and Edward Clark Hall, too.

Texas Christian will continue to offer something of special worth: an emphasis on meaning and values, an abiding respect for the individual and a powerful sense of connection and community. This defines the TCU experience.

As always, thanks for your loyalty to TCU.