The School of Education remains one of the top teacher-preparation programs in Texas. TCU’s 2004-05 graduates achieved a summary passing rate of 100 percent on the TExES exams, which are required for initial teacher certification. The 100 percent rate puts TCU in the top quartile of teacher prep programs statewide.

Adam Blake, a junior from Kansas City, Kan., received the 2005 Global Student Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by the Entrepreneur Center at St. Louis University in Missouri. The award goes to the top collegiate entrepreneur in 18 U.S. and international regions and comes with a $10,000 cash prize. Blake was recognized for his B&B Acquisitions LLC and Blake Venture Corp. B&B Acquisitions, an investment company Blake started in February 2004 at the age of 18, that has an investment portfolio worth nearly $3 million that contains real property, stocks and options.

Doug Newsom, professor of advertising/public relations in the Schieffer School of Journalism, was awarded the Pathfinder Award from the Institute of Public Relations.

Stacey M. Floyd-Thomas, assistant professor of ethics and Black Church studies for Brite Divinity School and TCU, is the recipient of the 2005 Great Women of Texas Awards as one of 25 Women of Influence.

James Link ‘72 RM (MBA ’80), director of TCU’s ranch management program since 1994 and an instructor since 1976, accepted a White House appointment to head the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration program.

Paulette Burns, director of TCU’s Harris School of Nursing, is one of 20 nurses in executive leadership roles nationwide to be selected as a 2005 Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow.

Writers Gary Cartwright ’57 and Bud Shrake ’54 and actor/singer Betty Buckley ’68 were inducted in October to the Schieffer School of Journalism’s Hall of Excellence. Cartwright, senior editor of Texas Monthly, has written several books and screenplays and received numerous honors. Shrake, a former Sports Illustrated writer and editor, has written five feature films, two TV movies, 17 books and three plays. Buckley worked for the Fort Worth Press but achieved stardom as a Broadway and film actor, including a Tony Award for her performance in Cats.