In addition to student-led tours, the Neeley School of Business Family Weekend kickoff featured Neeley Interim Dean Hettie Richardson's informational session, providing students and parents with valuable insights into the school's commitment to excellence, and student engagement opportunities.
September 25, 2023
By Amber Billops
TCU Neeley's kickoff for Family Weekend welcomed parents and students to campus to explore curriculum, engagement programs and facilities where future leaders are developed. The activities included student-led tours, faculty and staff connections, a message from TCU Neeley Interim Dean Hettie Richardson, and the chance to savor sweet treats from Frios Gourmet Pops.
During an informational session, Richardson took center stage in the Shaddock Auditorium to address families and share insights into Neeley’s accomplishments and dedication to excellence.
“What we teach has practical application on the business world,” said Richardson. “The work by our faculty influences policy decisions, the way organizations choose to manage and run themselves, their strategies, the markets they chose, the products they make. It also influences how the leaders within those organizations lead,” Richardson said.
“Ultimately, it’s a practical aspect, an applied aspect to everything going on here in Neeley. It comes back to the classroom and I think makes that classroom experience unique.”
Richardson emphasized the importance of faculty who were not just scholars but also practitioners in their fields, delivering practical knowledge to students. She also highlighted the multitude of opportunities to engage in self-driven or cohort-based Pathways of Distinction through Neeley.
Richardson's words resonated with Jackson Woodard, a junior majoring in Management and Leadership, who found the information about upcoming changes and student opportunities like the Neeley Complete program particularly intriguing.
"I learned a lot about what new changes Neeley is going to be making in the next few years while I'm here," he said, reflecting on the event.
Amy and Denny Woodard, Jackson’s parents, expressed their appreciation for the event's insight into various programs and opportunities. They were pleased to see how Neeley compared to other institutions and were eager to explore the Neeley Complete program as a way to further their son's future.
As the event continued, families mingled with faculty and staff, gaining a deeper understanding of the Neeley School's commitment to excellence, experiential learning, and personalized education. The kickoff had set the tone for an exciting Family Weekend, full of promise and potential for both students and their supportive families.
“Neeley has come a long way in the last 150 years, and we're really excited about where we think we’re going be in the next 150 years,” said Richardson.
