By Lori Eshelman staff reporter Chancellor Michael R. Ferrari will outline TCU's most important and urgent goals for the coming year in his state of the university address at Thursday's Fall Convocation. Classes will be dismissed for students and faculty to attend the hour-long program at 11 a.m. in Ed Landreth Auditorium. Ferrari said his address will challenge faculty, staff and students to increase TCU's academic stature among America's universities. "We have an obligation to make this the very best university possible," Ferrari said. "Higher education is becoming nationally competitive and other universities are getting better. We have to pick up the pace." The chancellor will also announce the recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Research and Creative Activity. The award alternates each year with the Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Teaching, and the honoree receives a $20,000 check at the Convocation. The nominees come from each college on campus and are reviewed by the deans of each school, who then make a recommendation to the chancellor. This year there are nine nominees: n From the AddRan College of Arts and Sciences: Charles R. Greer, a professor of management from the M.J. Neeley School of Business; Dale A. Huckaby, a professor of chemistry; and Linda K. Hughes, a professor of English and director of Graduate Studies in the English department; and Don Jackson, a professor of political science n From the College of Fine Arts and Communication: Luther A. Smith, a professor of art and art history; and Ralph R. Behnke, a professor of speech communication · From Harris College of Nursing: Rhonda Keen-Payne, a professor of nursing and interim dean · From the School of Education: Cathy D. Block, a professor of curriculum and instruction · From Brite Divinity School: David L. Balch, a professor The chancellor will also award the first Wassenich Award for Mentoring in the TCU Community. This award will be presented to a faculty or staff member who has made a significant contribution in the mentoring of students. Barbara Herman, assistant vice chancellor and director of student development services, said she hopes students will attend Convocation to support, celebrate and recognize each of the 120 mentors who were nominated for the Wassenich Award. Mari Mooneyham, a junior education major, said she plans to attend Convocation. "I'm excited about the Wassenich Award for mentoring because it's great to finally recognize faculty and staff members who are dedicated to the more personal side of education," she said. Ferrari said he hopes the award conveys the message that mentoring is an important dimension in educational development and is looking forward to celebrating another year at TCU.
Eight nominated for first Wassenich mentoring award By Stephen Suffron staff reporter In every piece of recruiting literature sent to prospective TCU students is a statement boasting that TCU faculty and staff do not serve simply as conveyors of information, but as true motivators that inspire students to reach their full potential. Now there is an award for someone who lives up to that advertisement. The first Wassenich Award for Mentoring in the TCU Community will be presented by Chancellor Michael R. Ferrari at convocation Thursday. The award is named for Mark Wassenich, a TCU donor and son of former professor Paul Wassenich, who was the first director of the TCU honors program, and his wife Ruth, who worked in the TCU library for many years. The process of choosing the winner for the award began when the 120 nominations sent in by students and recent alumni were sent to the Wassenich award committee consisting of students, faculty and staff to narrow the list of candidates. Committee member Rhonda Keen-Payne, interim dean of the Nursing School, said there were many good candidates, but the finalists stood out from the rest. "These nominees went to the core of what it means to be a mentor," she said. "They were interested in the students' development as people." After the committee narrowed the choices to eight finalists, they sent the list to Ferrari, who will make the final decision. Following is the list of finalists from which he will choose: n Jim Atwood, an assistant to the dean of admissions and instructor of religion, has served TCU part-time since 1978 and full-time since 1983. Students praised Atwood's "awesome ability to listen" as well as his "intense desire to preserve the dignity and self-respect of the person, no matter what the predicament." n Charles Becker, an associate professor of economics and finance, was called "a mentor to other mentors of students." In his 33rd year at TCU, he said working with students keeps him young. Those who nominated him praised him for his "patience, intellect, attention to detail, listening skills and probing discussion" and especially "his insightful guidance and his genuine concern." n Manochehr Dorraj, an associate professor of political science, has worked at TCU for 10 years. Students applauded the way Dorraj challenges students to view the world in a way that considers all perspectives and the well-being of all people. According to one essayist, "He helps guide students through their college career with the diligence of a great mentor, but with the ease of a friend." n Phil Hartman, a professor of biology, has worked in the biology department with premedical and predental students for the last two decades. He was praised in one essay as a "friend" and "honest adviser" who has "created the environment necessary for each student in the prehealth professions to investigate thoroughly their prospective profession." n Kay Higgins, director of new student orientation and the Women's Resource Center, has worked at TCU for 23 years. Nominators praised Higgins because she "stands out as a constant source of wisdom, understanding and personal growth." n Ken Lawrence, an associate professor of religion, has been at TCU since 1972. Known as "Lorenzo," nominators said Lawrence communicates to his students that he desires each student "to grow educationally, spiritually and mentally." n Karen Scott, director of international admissions, has worked with international students since 1985. One student called her a "second mom." n Darron Turner, director of minority affairs and commuter student programs, has been a full-time staff member since 1994. According to one essayist, "He refers to everyone at TCU as his family, regardless of race, color or religion."
By Tealy Dippel staff reporter Colored posters and campaign slogans will crowd the halls and stairwells of dorms on campus today as the House of Student Representatives prepares for another campaign for hall representatives. Approximately 30 people attended a meeting Sunday afternoon for prospective candidates. Jason Cordova, chairman of Elections and Regulations Committee, said he is not sure if the number of candidates running this year will be larger than last year, but he expects a good turnout. "The House of Student Representatives is hoping for representatives that are excited about representing TCU's student body," he said. "Becoming a hall representative gives a student a chance to get involved, learn from experience and gain leadership skills." After the election on Sept. 8, representatives will take part in a training program on Sept. 11 that is designed to get them acquainted with their new responsibilities. "It's a good way to get everyone on the same page and to start a new year," Student Government Association President Ben Alexander said. Those who plan to run are expected to limit themselves to a $15 spending allowance for necessary campaign materials. Posters and slogans can be hung in the dorms pending approval from the hall director. Cordova said the residence halls with the most representatives are Colby Hall, Clark Hall and Milton Daniel Hall. Colby Hall has typically had 20 to 25 candidates. Katherine Long, a sophomore political science major, was a house representative for Brachman Hall last spring. "I liked being a part of something that I felt was actually helping the school," she said. Melanie Benning, a junior biology/health care major, is a former Wiggins Hall head representative. Benning is now a resident assistant in Brachman Hall and thinks residents are ambitious this year. "Being a house representative encourages residents to get involved and teaches you so many good communication and leadership skills," she said. Cordova said he is not certain about how many students will run in the election, but the House remains strong. "We are coming off a good semester," he said. "This is the group to take SGA over the edge." The House will hold its first meeting at 5 p.m. Sept. 14 in Student Center, Room 222.
By Lori Eshelman staff reporter Upon his arrival Chancellor Michael R. Ferrari said his first priority at TCU was getting to know members of the TCU community, and a little more than one year later, faculty, staff members and students said they are optimistic about his performance.
"Sometimes things get rocky with a transition in leadership, but I think the transition was very smooth," he said. Ron Flowers, a professor of religion, said he was impressed with the minimal amount of start-up time Ferrari needed to adjust to the position. Chuck Williams, chair of the management department and interim associate dean of M.J. Neeley School of Business, said he thinks Ferrari's e-mail policy has set a precedent for communication by providing a way for everyone to express concerns. "It keeps him in touch with people and opinions he may have otherwise been shielded from," Williams said. "He has changed the culture of TCU so the administration listens better and responds better to faculty, staff and students." Ferrari also focused heavily on the planning process needed to improve the quality of education at TCU. "My first observation of TCU was that we're a wonderful place, but we can be better," Ferrari said. "But we had to establish where we wanted to be before we could get there." Ferrari said that was the purpose behind the redefinition of TCU's mission statement and the formation of the Commission on the Future of TCU. "Our mission statement needed to be something concise, compelling and motivating that everyone could relate to, but at the same time, something that could fit on a coffee cup," he said. "Now that we have it, we can turn to the commission to decide what we need to get to the next level." Kenny Oubre, a junior economics major, said he is excited about the formation of the commission and other changes that have occurred, but senses some faculty members are hesitant about some of the major changes initiated by Ferrari. Flowers said he is concerned about the lack of religious reference in the new mission statement and has expressed his concern to Ferrari. "I am somewhat disappointed that there is not a more explicit recognition of TCU's historic relationship with the church because I believe that the church-heritage of this place has helped make it what it is," Flowers said. Andy Fort, professor of religion, said some faculty members have doubts about Ferrari's plan to restructure the colleges, but have confidence in his leadership. "So far I really like the choices he's made and the direction he's gone, so I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt," Fort said. Fort said he also likes Ferrari's enthusiastic approach to diversity. He said Ferrari seems to have a true understanding of all aspects of diversity and is really committed to making TCU a more diverse community. Phil Hartman, a professor of biology, said faculty, staff and students have embraced Ferrari and his ideas whole-heartedly. "Beyond specific initiatives, there's a true sense that he's going to move this institution forward," Hartman said. Ferrari said several key events that occurred within the last year indicate progress. Among them were the record level of alumni giving, meeting the enrollment objective and the formation of both the Council on Diversity and the TCU Staff Assembly. "Overall, as I look back on the year, I am very pleased with the progress and changes, particularly with spirit among students," Ferrari said. Mari Mooneyham, a junior education major, said she thinks morale among students has definitely increased since Ferrari's arrival. "Students are responding to him because he's such a visible person on campus," she said. "When students see the chancellor getting excited about football games and other campus events, they get excited, too." Ferrari said there isn't any one pressing issue, but several specific targets that TCU must focus on this year. This includes the construction of the Tucker Technology Center and the new organizational structure of the colleges, he said. "The real test is going to come 10 years from now," he said. "I want people to look back and see that this is the time TCU took off academically and really started to blossom." Ferrari said he plans to use this next year to continue TCU's push to the next level, keeping his focus on the future. "Some very good days are ahead for TCU," he said. |
Alonso Sanchez, a junior mathematics major, said he was
especially impressed with how easily Ferrari handled the changeover.| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |