Friday, October 26, 2001

Welcome to the family
Program links freshmen with TCU alumni and friends
By Erin LaMourie
Staff Reporter

TCU alumnus Steven Harris said he was expecting four students for dinner Thursday night, but the only student who came was freshman elementary education major Courtney McPherson.

Though his dinner table was smaller, Harris said the meeting fulfilled its purpose of helping freshmen acclimate to TCU and Fort Worth.

Erin Munger/PHOTO EDITOR Freshman Courtney McPherson attended dinner Thursday at the home of Heather Harris and her daughter, Lauren. Harris is one of nearly 50 hosts participating FROG F.A.N.S. to help freshman students to make the transition away from home.

Harris is one of about 50 hosts participating in a new program to help students make the college transition and called FROG Friends and Alums Networking Students (F.A.N.S).

Kay Higgins, director of new student programs, said 867 of the 1,514 freshmen were invited to dinner at the home of an alumnus or other person affiliated with the university in randomly picked groups of 15.

Harris said it was disappointing that only one student in his group came since he and his wife had planned for four, but said they had more of an opportunity to get to know McPherson.

McPherson, a native of Kansas City, Mo., said she was not sure why she decided to come, but said it was a great experience.

She said others may not have responded to the invitation because they were shy.
“I think it is intimidating for (students) to go meet with people they don’t know, and a lot of people are shy about meeting adults,” she said.

Higgins said about 50 hosts committed to participate in the program, including Chancellor Michael Ferrari and Provost William Koehler. There are not enough hosts for every member of the freshman class to be included, but she hopes enough hosts are available to accommodate every freshmen next year, Higgins said.

The idea for the program was proposed by a committee in the Division of Student Affairs. Cornell University and other colleges have similar programs, though Frog F.A.N.S was an original idea, Huggins said.

Students who apply to Cornell are given an opportunity to meet with alumni in their hometown before their first semester starts, said Ann Rivera, associate director of admissions for Cornell.

Harris said he decided to participate in the program because he wants to help students who may be unhappy with their initial impressions of TCU.

Both hosts and students agreed the program could use some improvement.

“Instead of just assuming students may be interested, they should ask students if they are interested,” he said. “They didn’t ask the students if they wanted to be involved.”

Harris said if they asked freshmen if they wanted to be involved, other students not invited might have had an opportunity to attend.

McPherson said the program may have greater response if it is started at the beginning of the school year, before students’ schedules become too busy.

Higgins said some of the hosts are hoping to pursue further relationships with students. Hopefully, the meetings will develop into a friendship, she said.
“For some it will be a nice two hours, for others the beginning of a lifetime relationship,” Higgins said.

Brittany Moyer, freshman nursing major, said the program offers those far from their families the chance to find a surrogate in Fort Worth.

“I think is a good idea just to know people outside TCU, have good meals every once in a while and have fellowship with adults,” she said.

It is important for students to make connections with alumni to show students how active alumni are, Harris said.

Ferrari said he decided to be a host because he and his wife enjoy having students visit their home.

They want to support and mentor their group, but are not certain of what role students will need them to play, he said.

“We will be asking (the students) what they think we can do to be helpful to them,” he said. “I am hoping it will make a difference in student’s experience (at TCU).”

McPherson said she has no acquaintances in the Fort Worth area and plans to use the Harris family for help or advice.

Ferrari and Harris said they hope to continue correspondence with the students throughout the year.

Erin LaMourie
e.m.lamourie@student.tcu.edu