A 60-year passion for purple

Fort Worth, TX

8/6/2009

By: Kendall Cason, TCU Schieffer School of Journalism

A purple TCU flag is proudly displayed outside the home of Willadean Ball. A TCU graduate and former nursing professor, Ball has been involved with TCU for 60 years. “I have watched and supported the changes that have taken place,” Ball said.

Willadean Ball’s passion for nursing began in high school, after hearing TCU representatives speak to her class. Ball said it was her goal to attend TCU early on.

As a result of encouragement by former Dean Lucy Harris to complete her degree, Ball enrolled in evening classes and graduated from Harris College in 1964.

“In no way could I be considered a typical student,” says Ball. “My first introduction to TCU was during World War II. I was a 17-year-old nursing student at Harris School of Nursing.” Ball remembers her science classes being taught by TCU professors. “We all fell in love with TCU. The first six months we were able to go to football games, but after that we just prayed we would be off on Saturday, which was rare.”

Her passion for TCU and nursing would change after graduating. “Six weeks after graduation, Dean Lucy Harris called me and asked me to come work as a clinical instructor,” Ball said.

“When I retired 25 years later, I was hooked for life. I am so proud of what the school has become.”
Her passion for purple has again taken on a new form. Ball is now a member of the Harris College Board of Visitors.

Ball describes the Board of Visitors’ purposes to observe the progress of the Harris College departments, to help raise money and to let the community know what the school is doing, so it can continue its work and programs.

Ball’s goal for Harris College is keeping the program funded. There are students out there who would like to participate, but don’t have the money, Ball said. She also adds, the Harris College of Nursing needs people to ask them to do something with the programs they now have.

The Harris College offers a number of outreach programs for the TCU and Fort Worth communities. Ball participated in an exercise program put on by one of the departments last fall and enjoyed the experience.

Established at TCU in 1946, Ball remembers a time when Harris College of Nursing didn’t have a primary building to call its own on the TCU campus. “Since Harris College didn’t have a place, we still had many classes at the hospital and faculty offices were there.”

Her knowledge of history with TCU and the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences are passions Ball has every intention of continuing. “TCU has been a big part of my life and remains so,” Ball says.