Alumna and her soon-to-be TCU freshman

Jan Hardy Studer '87 of San Antonio wrote to share this photo with us of her son Ryan, who will be a Horned Frog freshman next month. Best of luck to him, and all the other incoming students!

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An officer and a gentleman

Colin Cremin '95, an Army Major (Armor) assigned as an Air Officer Commanding of Cadet Squadron 37 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., found this little guy during an exercise recently.

"We are currently conducting basic cadet training for the Class of 2016 and spending a few weeks in the field," he wrote us.

"While waiting to run through the assault course, I found this little guy hanging out and just about lost it. I have never seen a horned lizard outside of Texas, so this was obviously an exciting find. I let the cadets all have a chance to see him and explain some of the interesting facts about them, before releasing him back into the wild.

"Definitely made my day."

We're glad Cremin did. We love horned lizard photos, especially when shared from our readers and alums.

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Frog feet

Toni Wellhousen, mother of Bree Locke Perez '05 (MEd '09), sent the top photo, noting: "When I received my copy of The TCU Magazine Summer 2012 I wondered how you got a picture from my daughter's wedding in Vail, May 2011! Upon closer perusal I saw the difference, but thought you would enjoy the pictures attached."

Bree married an OSU alum on May 14, 2011, but he deferred to the TCU purple (and her) with his purple tie (below). The best man gave tribute to Oklahoma's orange with his tie. The wedding party, including her brother, Jacob Locke '08 (MAc '09), was pretty much all TCU purple. Still, every time I walk by the magazine, I think I'm seeing her picture!"

 Check out the cover story at: magazine.tcu.edu.

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Kerri Morgan '96 to compete in London

When Kerri Morgan '96 competed in the paralympics in Beijing in 2008, she came in 5th (photo above). This summer, the wheelchair athlete hopes to bring home a medal from London.

At the trials, she set a U.S. record in the 200m with a time of 35.68, and a personal record in the 100m (20.22). In London, she will again compete in the 100m and 200m race in the T-52 category.

Kerri is is a graduate of the Program in Occupational Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine as well as an instructor, and is currently pursuing her PhD in movement science to examine the movement patterns of people with disabilities.

Read more of her story on our website.

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David Coffee '79 (MFA '82) (left, above) was the recipient of the 2012 Elston Brooks Lifetime Achievement Award from the Live Theatre League of Tarrant County. Created in 1992, the award is named for the longtime Fort Worth Star-Telegram theater critic and columnist. Past recipients have included Bill Garber (1992), Mel and Katie Dacus (1993), Johnny and Diane Simons (2001), Rudy Eastman (2002), Joe Stecko (2010) and Linda M. Lee (2011).

Coffee has long been a favorite of the local theater scene, playing in area venues that include Casa Manana, Circle Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, and the Granbury Opera House. The end of the year will see his eighteenth performance as Scrooge in the Beverly, Mass., North Shore Music Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol.

Coffee appeared this year in the Trinity Shakespeare productions of The Merchant of Venice and The Merry Wives of Windsor.

The award was presented by TCU Theatre Chairman Harry Parker (right, above). Parker and Coffee were undergrads together at TCU.

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Tim Halperin plays New York City after winning songwriting contest

Our favorite "American Idol" alum Tim Halperin '10 performed as the opening act at a free concert yesterday at BB Kings Blues Club in New York City to raise awareness about bullying. Other performers included YouTube sensations Megan & Liz and pop superstars Hot Chelle Rae.

Halperin beat out more than 600 entrants in a songwriting contest sponsored by OurStage.com for the opportunity to open the Band Against Bullying show.

"I'm beyond stoked to have won," Halperin said. "I'm honored to share the stage with these incredibly talented groups and look forward to performing my original music. This is an amazing opportunity for me and my music."

The Band Against Bullying contest is presented by Secret Mean Stinks through a partnership with OurStage.com and Akoo.

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Curt Wilson Alumni Jazz Band storms Europe

 

Though its namesake is not at ease with the name, the 19-piece big band is officially called the Curt Wilson Alumni Jazz Band (not affiliated with TCU and the School of Music), and over a six-week period in June and July, wowed audiences in the United Kingdom and France. 

Wilson '63 (MA '66), former director of Jazz Studies at TCU for 35 years, and former students from 1976 through 2012 visited the Royal Academy of Music in London, Paris, and a July 4th concert at the American Cemetery on Normandy Beach during a six-week tour. Alumni from Texas, California, Illinois and Georgia made the trip, including teachers, professors, business execs, a dentist and a pathologist.

TCU Director of Bands Bobby Francis served as the group's artistic director, and Dr. Brian West conducted the percussion section. The trip was a part of the International Festival of Wind Bands, Percussion Ensembles, Choirs and Jazz Ensembles.

"What an honor it is to direct many of my former students in this special group of outstanding musicians," Wilson wrote us.

Made up of a mix of current professionals and amateurs, the collection of former Horned Frog musicians even practiced before the trip. Francis, who tracked down all the members, sent out scanned music about six weeks before they departed.  None wanted to disappoint each other or their former professors, said trombonist and dentist Arthur "Skip" Dolt '89.

"It showed!" Wilson bragged. "They were really fantastic!"

"Interestingly, there are several people in this band that I haven't played with since college graduation, so it's obviously a very exciting opportunity," Dolt said. "Most of all, there are  too few chances in life to really go back and thank your mentors for the impact they've had on you, and that's really what the trip is about."

The group performed traditional big-band tunes, including a tribute to Glenn Miller whose music was significant to the war effort in England and France during the latter part of World War II.

Two trumpet players — Tony Yarbrough '92 and Dr. John McDonald '78 — played "Taps" at the American Cemetery at Normandy. "It was probably one of the high points in their lives," Wilson said.

The Curt Wilson Alumni Band:

Curt Wilson '63 (MA '66), director

Saxophones
Alan Burton '90, IT specialist for Microsoft/ Alsbridge in Dallas; also a professional musician including the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Pete Peterson and the Collection Jazz Orchestra, et al.)
Peyton Bryant '11, financial analyst in wealth management, Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Eric Hochel '12

Rene Ozuna '87, Director of Performing Arts at Fort Worth Academy (also professional musician for Metro Praise Orchestra, PardiGras, leader of Tropix, et al.)

Tanner Reddoch (North Richland Hills High School – All Region Jazz Ensemble)

Trumpets

Sarah Bauza '10, student at USC in 2012 (Disneyland All-American Collegiate Band, John Williams, et al.)

Holly Cook

Josh Garza

Dr. John McDonald '78, pathologist at North Hills Hospital, (Various Arlington community bands, unofficial and illegal trumpet soloist at many TCU football games - his trumpet was denied entry at 2011 TCU vs. Air Force game at the Air Force Academy)

Tony Yarbrough '92, junior high band Director in Klein ISD, (lead trumpet in the Houston Texans Bull Pen Pep Band)

Ashley (Lewis) Yarbrough '92

Trombones

Todd Burrer '98, president, Lone Star Thermal Imaging in Cypress

Kevin Chapman '99 (MA '04), band director at Forte Junior High in Azle, (Member of the Hi-Rollers)

Chuck Compher Jr. '93, Environmental Science teacher/football and basketball coach at Northwest High School, (Jazz Monsters Big Band)

Dr. Arthur "Skip" Dolt '89, dentist in Atlanta, (Atlanta Swing Orchestra)

Piano

Tom Laney '90, financial analyst at Southwest Airlines, (Piano accompanist for ballet classes at Brookhaven Community College)

Bass

Chike Okaro '12 MA, Metroplex freelance musician and private teacher

Drums

Drew Ruiz '86, senior manager of aircraft sustainment/procurement at Lockheed Martin Corp., (TROPIX, member of SEARCH band at University Christian Church, et al.)

Guitar

David Williams '92, Associate professor of political science at DePaul University, (River Cities Jazz Band)

Video:
A clip of the group performing at Spitalfields Market

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TCU football alum wins national honor

TCU football alum and current NFL Players Association counsel Joe D. Briggs '99 was named this week the Sports, Entertainment & Arts Lawyer of the Year by the National Bar Association, the oldest and largest association of African-American lawyers and judges. The honor was presented to Briggs yesterday in Las Vegas.

Briggs joined the NFLPA in 2006 as a member of the Financial Programs Department and currently serves as the organization’s Public Policy Counsel.

Outside of the NFLPA, Briggs is Special Assistant to the President at the National Bar Association. He also teaches at Georgetown University’s Sports Industry Management program and is a co-founder of IMPACT, an organization focused on enhancing economic empowerment opportunities for emerging leaders.

Briggs earned three varsity letters at TCU as a defensive tackle out of Haines City, Fla. Briggs went on to complete a master’s degree at Florida A&M University and earn his juris doctorate at Florida State University College of Law in 2006.

Joe Briggs on Twitter: @JoeBriggsEsq
Website: http://joebriggsesq.com/

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As part of his duties as NFLPA Public Policy Council, Briggs introduces local AFL-CIO and civic leaders to football fans at Eagle Street Grille on October 19, 2010, in St. Paul, Minn. (Kevin A. Koski/NFLPA)

TCU alumni Joe Briggs (NFLPA) and quarterback Andy Dalton '11 (Cincinnati Bengals) do the Horned Frog hand sign at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere May 21, 2011 in Los Angeles. (Kevin A. Koski/NFLPA)

Thanks for a great TCU education

Dr. Robin Amonker '68, received an Award of Appreciation from the Missouri State University Alumni Association for his many years of work as a professor  of sociology at Missouri State.

Click here to read  the story in the Missouri State alumni magazine about his recognition: The photo above is from the story.

When Amonker wrote to The TCU Magazine to share this news, he expressed his appreciation for the early teaching he received at TCU:

"I arrived in Fort Worth, Texas from Goa, India on January 30, 1964 with an undergraduate degree from Bombay University. I received my Master's of Education Degree in 1966 with sociology as an area of concentration. After participating in Dr. Robert Talbert's research methodology and population analysis classes, I became increasingly interested in social research and demography. As a result of his obvious dedication to his profession, I changed my major to sociology. I received a Master of Arts degree in sociology in 1968.

"By far the greatest thing TCU gave me was a sound education and the knowledge and skills of sociology. More than simply opportunities to learn the concepts and the practices of sociology, classes were open forums for discussion of human society and social issues. The academic environment during my years at TCU was lively, particularly for the sociology group. There was a high degree of idealism and a sense of purpose in life. 

"I consider myself fortunate in having some of the most outstanding teachers at TCU. It was a joy and a privilege to listen to and be instructed by Professors like Dr. Robert Talbert (my advisor), Dr. Austin Porterfield, and Dr. Jerry Michel. These professors were among few persons who have molded my life and character by instilling in me the values I cherish. More importantly, these professors instilled in me the confidence and desire to pursue a degree at a higher educational level and constantly encouraged me to use my intelligence and experience to further develop my skills as a social demographer.

"I am very grateful for the time and energy these professors devoted to me inside and outside the classroom. TCU gave me an excellent education which I have used for the last forty-five years as a professor of sociology at Missouri State University. Teachers like Talbert, Porterfield and Michel are the foundation of that education." 

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Horned lizard discovery in New Mexico

Gerald Ewbanks '09 wrote to tell us that he and friends Jovan DeWaal '09 and Madeline Morton '11 found a horned lizard while hiking in the Santa Fe National Forest during a recent vacation over the Fourth of July. "Needless to say, we picked him (or her) up and took a few photos to share with folks back in Texas," he wrote.
See more photos of the tiny critters on our Facebook page (and then "like" us, if you haven't already.)


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Birthday celebration for twin football lettermen

The TCU Black Alumni Alliance gathered at Buttons Place Restaurant in DeSoto for the birthdays of former TCU football players Terrence '00 and Tim Maiden '00. From left to right, Robyn Mitchell Dean '01, Tim Maiden '00, Yonina Robinson '01 (MEd '04), Terrence Maiden '00, Tracy Williams '04 (MS '08), Brashant Carter '96 and Tamara Taylor '01. 

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More impressive TCU gameday gear

Bill Groeneveld '77 of Santa Barbara, Calif., shared a photo with us showing some of his TCU t-shirts and gameday gear. Last year, Groeneveld wrote us to tell us about his experiences in Boise, Idaho, for the big TCU-Boise State showdown, which the Frogs won, of course. Below is a photo of him from the game.




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Women's golf letterman cycling for a good cause

Former TCU women's golfer Julie Perry Nelson '94 wrote to tell us about her old teammate Sharon Germain Heeley '95, who is cycling 450 kilometers through Central America for Women for Women - Genesis Research Trust.

"She can't golf anymore due to injuries, so took up cycling to raise money," Nelson wrote us.

So far, Heeley has raised 3,005.40 pounds of her goal of 3,300, or 91 percent. Donate to her cause or check for updates at her charity page.

Last year, Heeley rode through China, pictured above.

Funds raised by Women for Women will support women scientists and clinicians - empowering more women to lead in this field. They will specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a range of devastating conditions, which cause cancer, miscarriage, infertility and genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy.

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TCU hat collection in San Antonio

TCU season ticket holder Bill Butler of San Antonio shared his impressive TCU hat collection. Now, that's some good-looking headgear!

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Russian summer

Steffi Cenkus and Caitlin Clark, both senior nursing students, show Frog Spirit at the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia, in May. The students were on a two-week family vacation that included a cruise from London to Scandinavia (ports were in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia) and two days in St. Petersburg, Russia. They went on 10-hour tours both days in St. Petersburg and, as Steffi’s mom Judy says, they, “Learned a lot!”

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