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A Year to Remember

Reflecting on the Honors College’s Top Moments of 2023

By Texas Christian University

January 12^th, 2024

The campus community celebrated two significant milestones in 2023: the university’s Sesquicentennial and 60 years of Honors at TCU.

Take a look back at the John V. Roach Honors College’s top moments during a momentous year.

Fogelson Honors Forum with Amal Clooney

After a four-year hiatus, the Fogelson Honors Forum returned to campus with guest speaker Amal Clooney, the internationally renowned human rights lawyer. In a public Q&A and a closed Honors-only session, Clooney shared insights and stories about her work in major international cases, crises around the world, her time in law school and ways future generations can impact the world.

The Fogelson Honors Forum draws hundreds on campus and in the community to hear from renowned speakers and professional practitioners, such as Amal Clooney (left).

Amal Clooney shares stories and insights in a closed session with Honors College students, faculty and staff.

Premier Green Chair Ada Limón

In partnership with the AddRan College of Liberal Arts, the Honors College welcomed Poet Laureate of the United States Ada Limón to campus as part of the Premier Green Chair Speaker Series. Limón shared inspiring words across several events, including a Q&A session and a keynote address to students, faculty, staff and the Fort Worth community.

Ada Limón is the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States.

Ada Limón (center) with (left to right) Ron Pitcock, Honors College dean; Ariane Balizet, AddRan College of Liberal Arts associate dean; Sonja Watson, AddRan College of Liberal Arts dean; and Alex Lemon, director of the Master of Liberal Arts program.

McDorman Dinner and Laureate Ceremony

Each year, Honors College students earn the distinction of becoming McDorman Scholars, Andrew Scholars or Honors Laureates. In 2023, the Honors College recognized 268 McDorman Scholars, 20 Andrews Scholars and 211 Honors Laureates, who notably joined the ranks of thousands of alumni who have been hooded by a mentor and signed the Great Book of Honors.

McDorman Scholars celebrate completing lower-division Honors coursework at an annual dinner.

As a token of achievement, McDorman Scholars receive a custom-designed Vineyard Vines tie or a necklace engraved with the Honors College shield.

At the Laureate Ceremony, students receive the Honors College hood from a mentor and sign the Great Book of Honors.

Students graduating as Andrews Honors Scholars have completed upper-division coursework. Honors Laureates have completed both upper- and lower-division coursework and achieved a minimum 3.5 GPA upon graduation.

Settling Into Sadler Hall

In early 2023, the Honors College returned home to a newly renovated Sadler Hall, where Honors started as a program in 1962. The expanded space has provided new opportunities for students to engage faculty and staff mentors, study and collaborate in the Judy and Paul Andrews Honors Lounge and learn and explore in the Honors Discovery Lab.

Student Presentations at National Conferences

More than 15 Honors College students presented at conferences across the country with Honors funding support. Notably, Marina Magnant, Sabrina Rizzo and Mark Rose presented at the National Collegiate Honors Council in Chicago, sharing about the increase in first-year student success thanks to TCU’s peer-to-peer Honors Mentorship Program.

From left to right: Justine Grace, Honors academic advisor; Mark Rose, Honors student; Marina Magnant, Honors student; Sabrina Rizzo, Honors student; and Ron Pitcock, Honors College dean.

Faculty Impact and Research

Faculty across the college had a successful year. Notably, Wendi Sierra, Ph.D., received a national award from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) for her co-authored essay; Frederick Gooding, Jr., Ph.D, earned TCU’s DEI Award; and Dan Williams, Ph.D. edited “A Remarkable Story to Tell,” a book celebrating TCU’s 150th anniversary. Additionally, Gooding along with fellow Honors College faculty Sylviane Greensword, Ph.D., and doctoral candidate Marcellis Perkins, authored “A History to Remember: TCU in Purple, White, and Black.”

Wendi Sierra, Ph.D. (far right) is the winner of a 2023 NCTE award for her co-authored essay.

Frederick Gooding, Jr., Ph.D. (center), with President Daniel W. Pullin and Honors College Dean Ron Pitcock, is TCU’s 2023 DEI Award winner.

Dan Williams, Ph.D (left) and Leo Munson are two of the editors of “A Remarkable Story to Tell: TCU 1973-2023,” narrated by hundreds of individuals who have played important roles in TCU’s flourishing third half-century.

Frederick Gooding, Jr., Ph.D., Sylviane Greensword, Ph.D., and Marcellis Perkins, doctoral student, are the co-authors of “A History to Remember: TCU in Purple, White, and Black.”

New and Promoted Faculty and Staff

The Honors College welcomed three new faculty members, an associate dean and several staff members — all of whom have a passion and talent for educating and improving the student experience.

Faculty:

Stacy Landreth-Grau, Ph.D., Associate Dean
Kristin Ferebee, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
Sylviane Greensword, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
Sarah Vartabedian, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Professional Practice

Staff:

Colby Birdsell, promoted to Director of Operations
Eden Kol, Administrative Assistant
Marie Martinez, promoted to Assistant Dean of Student Support and Success
Tracy Rundstrom, Ph.D., hired as the first Director of Nationally Competitive Scholarships
Cecily Weir-Jaeger, Honors Academic Advisor

Stacy Landreth-Grau, Ph.D., Associate Dean

Kristin Ferebee, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Professional Practice

Sylviane Greensword, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice

Sarah Vartabedian, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Professional Practice

Colby Birdsell, promoted to Director of Operations

Marie Martinez, promoted to Assistant Dean of Student Support and Success

Tracy Rundstrom, Ph.D., TCU’s first Director of Nationally Competitive Scholarships

Cecily Weir-Jaeger, Honors Academic Advisor

TCU’s Outstanding Senior

Honors College senior Marina Magnant was named TCU’s Outstanding Senior during Homecoming Weekend for her involvement and impact across campus. Nominated by her peers, Magnant is a Colby Hall resident assistant, university social media intern, BNSF Neeley Leadership Program member and Honors Cabinet president.

Connecting With Students

The Honors College hosted numerous opportunities for students to connect with faculty and staff and with each other at beloved annual events like Family Weekend, the lawn party and the ice cream social, as well as gatherings for trivia night, experiences at Bass Hall and several experiential course outings.

Stay Updated

From recognizing faculty and student achievements to hosting another Premier Green Chair, the Honors College has a lot in store for 2024.

A Year to Remember

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