TCU Sesquicentennial

A visual evolution of Texas Christian University as the school celebrates 150 years.

A view of Sadler Hall on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas in January 2022. TCU is celebrating its 150th anniversary in fall 2022. Photo by Claire Powell.

_{This report was compiled using reporting done by students enrolled in JOUR 30233, spring semester 2022. Together, students researched the academic, economic and social history of TCU over the last 150 years. The reporters focused on the visual evolution of fashion, academics, social life, construction, leaders and sports at TCU. The reporters included: Courtney Carr, Tenae Durham, Jarrett Harding, Kathryn Lewis, Iris Lopez, Skye Moreno, Isaac Percastegui, Claire Powell and Ariel Wallace.}

Woman standing in front of Add-Ran College building in Thorp Springs, Texas circa 1900. Thorp Springs was home to TCU from 1873 to 1889, and began with 13 students. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collection.

Notable Alumni

Today, TCU has 98,841 living alumni, according to the TCU website. One of the most notable, Bob Schieffer '59, shared the most memorable stories of his time as a Horned Frog.

TCU Leadership

TCU has had a total of 15 "Chief Executives" since 1873. The current chancellor is Victor J. Boschini, Jr.

The presidents and chancellors at TCU over the last 150 years. (Video by Skye Moreno)

TCU Chief Executives

Addison Clark 1873-1899

Albert Buxton 1899-1900*

C. Snow 1900-1902*

Ely Vaughan Zollars 1902-1906

Clinton Lockhart 1906-1911

B. Parks 1911*

Frederick D. Kershner 1911-1915

B. Parks 1915-1916*

Edward McShane Waits 1916-1941

McGruder Ellis Sadler 1941-1965

James Mattox Moudy 1965-1979

William E. Tucker 1979-1998

Michael R. Ferrari 1998-2003

Victor J. Boschini, Jr. 2003-present

Michael R. Ferrari

In addition to being the first non-member of the Disciples of Christ, Ferrari was also responsible for notable changes around campus. Including the shaping of the TCU Mission Statement, and consolidating tuition and fees into a single charge for students.

Ferrari and TCU Community Scholars

Hundreds of high school students from inner-city high schools in both Tarrant and Dallas County have participated in the Community Scholars program, first initiated by Chancellor Michael Ferrari and Dr. Cornell Thomas in the late 1990s. The program initiated the charge for a more “diverse and inclusive TCU,” (TCU.edu).

The program was then created in 2000 and addressed the message that everyone “regardless of race and economic status – deserves access to a quality education,” (tcu.edu).

After the program began, students from six Fort Worth high schools were recruited. This resulted in the inaugural class of 12 students who went on to complete their degrees in four years and 11 went on to graduate school. The fellow Horned Frogs participated fully in creating new student groups on campus, such as the United Latino Association.

Over the last 20 years, TCU has had over 500 students participate and complete the Community Scholars program. From the original 12 recruited students at the start of the program, the number has grown to as many as 50 scholars per academic year.

Graphic by Skye Moreno

Graphic by Skye Moreno

(Community Scholars by the numbers/Skye Moreno)

(Community Scholars by the numbers/Skye Moreno)

Chancellor Victor Boschini

(Chancellor Boschini at Commencement/Office of the Chancellor)

(Chancellor Boschini at Commencement/Office of the Chancellor)

Named TCU’s 10^th chancellor in 2003, Victor J. Boschini, Jr., came to the university after serving as president of Illinois State University. During his time at Illinois State, Boschini served as vice president for student affairs and associate professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Foundation.

In addition, to his professional background, Boschini is known for his reputation for connecting with the TCU community from entertaining students and faculty at his home, Minor House to traveling to locations all around DFW to advocate for the University.

Chancellor Boschini interacts with TCU students to discuss the university's 150th year

TCU's 10th Chancellor since 2003, Victor J. Boschini, Jr. (TCU.edu)

Michael R. Ferrari (TCU Magazine)

Seven Community Scholars for the Class of 2026 who were selected from Sam Houston High School. (Photo courtesy: Arlington ISD).

Worth Hills

Play the video below to hear Chancellor Victor Boschini talk about the transformation of the area and the importance of Worth Hills on campus.

A view of the Greek Village from the top of the Worth Hills parking garage. Worth Hills Village is a residential community for Greek Life on campus with housing, dining and study lounges. (Heesoo Yang/TCU 360)

Amon G. Carter Stadium

Mary Couts Burnett Library

One of the buildings that has undergone the most updates and transformations is the Mary Couts Burnett Library.

Today, the library provides intellectual tools, innovative technology and an inspiring physical and virtual space, all supported by approachable and resourceful staff, to serve TCU’s diverse community of learners.

Core Values

Access:

We value the ability of all to acquire, use, and build upon accurate, reliable, and relevant information, and to access welcoming spaces that foster creativity.

Academic and Personal Achievement:

We value helping the TCU Community succeed while they continue to learn, critically think, and seek information beyond the educational environment.

Customer Focus:

We value expertise, respect, kindness, and the dignity of each individual as we deliver high-quality assistance to our students and others in the TCU Community.

Invested Staff:

We value curiosity, passion, professionalism, pride, stewardship, and engagement in the life of the TCU Community.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

We value inclusion and will continue to build a library for all, with collections, services and spaces reflecting the full array of human experience and the potential of every individual.

Source: Mary Couts Burnett Library's About Us page

Collections and Databases

Students and faculty have access to over 1.5 million books and audio-visual materials and over 149,000 current journals, electronically and in paper. In addition, the library provides access to over 400 databases, many of which include the full text of journal articles, from the library website.

In addition, the library has several collections of interest:

William Luther Lewis Collection, Amon G. Carter Papers, House Speaker Jim Wright Papers, Pate-Newcomer Luxembourg Collection, TCU Archives and Historical Collection, Media Library, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Archive and the Brite Divinity School Collections.

Beginning excavation for expansion of the Mary Couts Library. Source: Tcu Special Collections Photo Collection (1950s)

Inside the Southwest Literature Room in the library. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collection (1956)

Inside of the Inter-library Loan department; L to R: Kippy Adkins, Johnoween Gill, and Ruby Hardy; Photographer: Linda Kaye. Source: TCU Special Collections (1972)

Students studying in the Reading Room on the West side of the library. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collections (1972)

James Keith and students at the Circulation Desk. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collection (1972)

Mary Couts Burnett Library and lily pond from 1941 TCU calendar. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collection

Tulips blooming outside the Mary Couts Burnett Library. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collection (1993)

View from the second floor of the East entrance of the library (Ariel Wallace).

View inside of the Reference Reading Room on the East side of the library (Ariel Wallace).

The story of the TCU Library namesake: Mary Couts Burnett

by Ariel Wallace

The Story of the TCU Library namesake: Mary Couts Burnett (Video: Ariel Wallace. Sources: Texas State Historical Association; TCU Library; famous unrelated Burnetts)

Mary Couts Burnett Library

Mission Statement

Our mission is organizing and providing access to quality information resources that inspire curiosity, creativity, and innovation throughout the TCU community, while offering exceptional service and surroundings that nurture our students.

The front side of the Mary Couts Burnett Library with the TCU Lead On campaign banners (Ariel Wallace).

360 view of the Gearhart Reading Room located on the 2nd floor of the Mary Couts Burnett Library (Ariel Wallace).

Statue facing the West entrance of the Gearhart Reading Room (Ariel Wallace).

TCU Classrooms

From chalkboards to overhead projectors to “smart” writable walls, TCU has come a long way in terms of classrooms. TCU’s first class only had 13 students but 150 years later the undergraduate enrollment is just shy of reaching 10,000. Although the class size has grown tremendously, an average class for an undergraduate course at TCU is 27, with the largest lecture classroom holding 211 students and the smallest classroom holding 24 students. When it comes to classrooms, TCU continues to encourage active learning and has implemented new technology-rich and next-generation classrooms all around campus.

A 360-degree view of the Kim and Bill Shaddock Auditorium located in the Neeley School of Business. (Iris Lopez)

Most of the classrooms at TCU now have "smart" writable wall spaces for students and professors to use.

Movable furniture that allows professors to create different classroom arrangements.

Every classroom has built-in A/V resources.

Podium touchscreen allows users to navigate between the desktop computer and a personal laptop, and to adjust the audio, video projector and projection screen.
Overhead projector
USB ports
Lighting control with four different modes

At the start of COVID-19, webcams were installed in almost every classroom to allow professors to teach their class in a classroom through Zoom to students.

College of Business class, J. A. Dacus, Principal, stands in a classroom; screened image from Horned Frog. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collection (1907)

Sociology class at TCU. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collection (1977)

School of education class at TCU. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collection (1963)

Sociology class at TCU. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collection (1977-1978)

Undergrad religion class at TCU. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collection (1976)

Ballet class at TCU. Source: TCU Special Collections Photo Collection (1993)

Due to COVID-19, TCU Dance students had to wear masks and be spaced out during teaching. Source: Heesoo Yang/TCU 360)

Moudy 132, an auditorium style classroom with four projection screens on each wall. (Iris Lopez)

Moudy 212N, located in the Visual Arts and Communication Building. (Iris Lopez)

The Orchestra Rehearsal Hall located in the new TCU Music Center, is the first dedicated rehearsal space for the TCU Symphony Orchestra. (Iris Lopez)

The IdeaFactory, located in Rees-Jones Hall, Idea Lab 101 is a multidisciplinary space open to anyone. (Iris Lopez)

Moudy 204S a lecture style classroom that holds up to 30 individuals. (Iris Lopez)

Moudy 204S, located in the J.M. Moudy Building. (Iris Lopez)

Fashion at TCU

Fashion reflects culture and what is happening in the world through social trends and popular ideas. Over the last 150 years, TCU’s community experienced fashion evolution synonymous with the changes happening on campus and around the world. Through records and photos archived at the Mary Courts Burnett Special Collections Center , we look back on TCU’s fashion growth throughout the decades.

Click below to hear from Sally Fortenberry about fashion on TCU's campus and beyond.