More than 800 students graduate

More than 800 students graduate

Fort Worth, TX

12/17/2007

TCU graduated more than 800 students during Fall Commencement in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. The students, from the August and December classes, represented 33 states (including Texas) and 27 countries including Switzerland, Nepal, Singapore and Australia.

Gordon England, the 29th Deputy Secretary of Defense and an MBA graduate of TCU's Neeley School of Business, delivered the . England, who previously served as the 72nd and 73rd Secretary of the Navy, serves on the Neeley School's Board of Visitors and received his MBA degree in 1975.

A total of 832 degrees were awarded to students. Ten students received double degrees; one student received a triple degree in sociology, psychology and studio art; and four students graduated with a perfect 4.0. TCU also graduated its first student from Tibet.

Brite Divinity School awarded one doctorate for the August class, and 14 master's one doctor of ministry and one doctorate degree were granted to the December class. TCU also recognized six faculty and one staff member for their outstanding service to the institution.

The 2007 Deans' Award for Teaching nominees included Dr. Sandra A. Callaghan, Neeley School of Business; Dr. Ralph R. Behnke, College of Communication; Dr. Cecilia Silva, College of Education; Elizabeth A. Gillaspy, College of Fine Arts; Dr. Joel B. Mitchell, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences; Dr. Charlotte Hogg, AddRan College of Humanities & Social Sciences; Dr. Ralph G. Carter, AddRan College of Humanities & Social Sciences; Dr. Susan G. Staples, College of Science and Engineering.  Dr. Ralph G. Carter, Dr. Susan G. Staples, and Elizabeth Gillaspy were announced as this year’s winner of the Teaching Award.

Nominees for the 2007 Deans' Research & Creativity Award included Dr. Mary A. Stanford, Neeley School of Business; Dr. Joel Timmer, College of Communication; Dr. Molly H. Weinburgh, College of Education; Dr. LaLonnie Lehman, College of Fine Arts; Dr. Meena Shah, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences; Dr. Richard L. Enos, AddRan College of Humanities & Social Sciences; Dr. Valerie Martinez-Ebers, AddRan College of Humanities & Social Sciences; and Dr. Michael C. Slattery, College of Science & Engineering. Dr. Mary A. Stanford, Dr. Richard L. Enos and Dr. Michael C. Slattery were the recipients of the Research and Creativity Award.

The Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership was given to Leo Munson, associate provost for academic support, for his role in overseeing Vision in Action, TCU's recently developed strategic plan. This is the third time the award, named in honor of emeritus Chancellor Michael R. Ferrari, was given at Commencement.

Brite Divinity School bestowed two outstanding faculty with the Louise Clark Brittan Endowed Teaching Award, which recognizes superlative teaching performance, and the Catherine Saylor Hill Endowed Faculty Excellence Award, which recognizes excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. This year's recipient of the Brittan Award is Dr. Carolyn Osiek, Charles Fischer Catholic Professor of New Testament. Dr. Mark
Toulouse, professor of American Religious History, received the Saylor Award.

Dr. Linda Hughes, chief marshal of commencement and professor of English, opened the ceremonies by leading the academic procession of flag bearers, faculty and students into Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Members of the Army ROTC presented the colors while others carried flags representing the 27 countries of the international students, and the banners of TCU’s eight colleges and schools (AddRan College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Brite Divinity School, M.J. Neeley School of Business, College of Communication, College of Education, College of Fine Arts, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences, and the College of Science & Engineering). J. Luther King, chairman of the TCU Board of Trustees, welcomed attendees to the ceremony. Leah Barnett Rockwell, class of 2007, closed the ceremony by leading the singing of the hymn and TCU alma mater.