Between Fall 2022 and the close of 2023, the university’s 150-year journey was celebrated with a historical review, an introspective of achievements, and an eye on the future of TCU. Throughout the sesquicentennial, the TCU Neeley School of Business marked milestone achievements of students, faculty and staff.
December 14, 2023
By Kelly Kjetsaa
The celebration of TCU’s 150th year kicked off at the New York Stock Exchange, where university and Neeley School of Business leaders, students and alumni rang the closing bell. It concludes this week with the winter 2023 commencement ceremony. In a review of the sesquicentennial year, Neeley’s progress and achievements looked to the future of business and preparing students to become the leaders of tomorrow.
New York Stock Exchange
TCU leaders, alumni, and students, including Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. and President Daniel Pullin, who was the Neeley School of Business dean at that time, gathered on the New York Stock Exchange trading floor in New York City to ring the closing bell on September 16. The event turned the trading floor purple, symbolizing the university’s upcoming sesquicentennial celebration and the Horned Frogs’ influence in business.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I couldn’t have been more proud to be a Frog as I stood on the podium and applauded while Chancellor Boschini rang the bell,” said Brandon Fox, Student Government Association president. “I am thankful for the people that helped shape TCU into the institution it is today.”
Before the NYSE event, TCU Neeley hosted panel discussions titled “Horned Frogs Mean Business,” featuring alumni leadership and Neeley program leaders.
Center for Supply Chain Innovation 20th Anniversary
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the TCU Neeley Center for Supply Chain Innovation welcomed graduate students from supply chain programs at some of the top business schools in the nation for a competition that offered students an opportunity to network with successful supply chain executives and industry thought leaders.
Molly Kanthack, director of the TCU Neeley Center for Supply Chain Innovation said, “As we celebrate 20 years of innovation and leadership, we continue to keep the focus on providing students with an unparalleled experience that prepares them to change the future of business for the better.”
Neeley School of Business: Past, Present and Future
Bill Moncrief, a professor of marketing, hosted a feature lecture outlining four eras that shaped Neeley: The Early Years (Pre-1980), The Emerging Years (1980-1999), The Reputational Years (2000-2019), and The Future (2020 & Beyond). His lecture commended the school’s progress, emphasizing its exceptional journey from 1981 to the present.
“The future is ours to create,” said Moncrief, who was at that time the longest-serving faculty member at the Neeley School of Business. He also reminded the audience that he’d soon be retiring, and the future would be in their hands.
The lecture also debuted a video of Neeley’s historic journey and promising future.
Innovation Week
TCU Neeley School of Business held its second Innovation Week, focusing on the theme “Demystifying Sustainability.” The business school organized three events: the TCU Global Energy Symposium hosted by the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute, the Supply Chain Summit hosted by the Center for Supply Chain Innovation, and the concluding Spring 2023 Tandy Executive Speaker Series.
Neeley Fellows Commemorate 15 years
The TCU Neeley Fellows program hosted a special Celebration Weekend to commemorate 15 years of graduating classes, as well as their achievements, impact on businesses, with approximately 450 alumni. The weekend featured small and large group gatherings, including activities like pickleball and a dinner at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
“From the first big assignment, you realize you cannot achieve this alone and that we will always be stronger together. Community matters in college, in work and, most importantly, in life,” said Catherine McSweeney ’18, a TCU Neeley Fellows alumna, who served as one of the speakers during the dinner.
Research and Creative Activities Week
The university recognized Research and Creative Activities Week as part of the TCU 150th celebration. The Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation joined forces to host a TCU Neeley School of Business showcase, where students, professors, and entrepreneurs gathered in Neeley’s Shaddock Auditorium to engage in a series of Frog Talks. This event was the first of its kind in Neeley, introducing groundbreaking ideas and inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Documentary Film Includes Neeley Student in 150th Graduating Class
TCU debuted a 30-minute sesquicentennial documentary titled, “Legacy: TCU Documentary from TCU’s 150th Graduating Class.” Capturing the journeys of three Class of 2023 students, including Neeley School of Business graduate John Freeny. The film was first shown in a special screening at TCU Neeley’s Shaddock Auditorium on October 11 and publicly released the following week.
Neeley Interim Dean Hettie Richardson said, “I think this documentary really reflects what is special about TCU, why we are here for 150 years and are going to be here for at least 150 more.”
Educational Investment Fund Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The TCU Educational Investment Fund (EIF) commemorated its 50th anniversary, celebrating half a century of student excellence in real-world finance experience, career advancement, and networking. The EIF was one of the first programs of its kind— a university fund managed entirely by students. The TCU Neeley School of Business welcomed nearly 200 EIF alumni and guests to campus — the largest gathering in EIF history — including TCU Chancellor Victor Boschini, Luther King Jr. ’62 ’66, and Halden Conner, the son of EIF donor William C. Connor.
Against All Odds Speaker Series
The Against All Odds Speaker Series welcomed best-selling author and equity strategist Tara Jaye Frank in the TCU 150th celebration event on November 3. Frank, who had a 21-year tenure at Hallmark Cards, recounted her multifaceted experience holding various executive positions. She also credited her time as a student at Spelman College, an all-women HBCU, for her development.
“The single most important thing we can do for ourselves and each other moving forward is to build more bridges across differences,” Frank said. “Our echo chambers are loud and comfy."
TCU Presidential Investiture
Pullin, who is the former John V. Roach Dean of the Neeley School of Business, begin his new position as TCU president on February 1, 2023. As president, he is responsible for supporting and enhancing the university’s academic mission and providing executive leadership to advance the mission, vision, and values of TCU.
Annie Cowden is president of the Graduate Student Senate and director of the BNSF Neeley Leadership Program, and provided a speech during the TCU Presidential Investiture.
“The next 150 years hold immense potential for innovation and growth at our university,” Cowden said to Pullin. “As dean of the Neeley School of Business, you demonstrated your willingness to enhance the student experience through novel solutions. Those of us in Neeley at that time saw how your vision for an enhanced graduate student experience came to fruition in a matter of months.
“I hope your desire to innovate only increases as you discover more opportunities for advancement at TCU,” Cowden said. “TCU will be set apart from other institutions over the next 150 years through what we do well, what we do first and what we differently. I look forward to watching you help define that TCU will be known for in the future.”
