Ron Pitcock, Wassenich Family Dean of the John V. Roach Honors College, dives deep into the power of gratitude and its role in shaping ethical leaders at TCU. During the TCU Innovates podcast with President Daniel Pullin, Pitcock explains that the essence of gratitude extends far beyond polite gestures—it’s about fostering intellectual humility and cultivating a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of our world.

“When our students learn to be grateful, they develop a sense of curiosity, humility and responsibility that helps them engage meaningfully with the world around them,” Pitcock says.

The Rhetoric of Gratitude course in the Honors College is a perfect example of how TCU nurtures this value. The course encourages students to consider their personal values, engage with local nonprofits and reflect on the larger implications of their decisions.

Pitcock says, “Education is not just about acquiring knowledge—it’s about learning how to make a difference in the lives of others.”

In the episode, Pitcock also highlights how studying abroad broadens students’ perspectives and deepens their understanding of ethical leadership and global citizenship.

“The world extends far beyond Fort Worth, Texas,” Pitcock says. “Our students are learning that curiosity and a genuine interest in the world around them is what drives meaningful contributions, both locally and globally.”

Explore the innovative ways Texas Christian University fosters connection through campus culture and dynamic student programming in the next episode of TCU Innovates.

“Connection is everything on campus,” Kelly Lee, Director of Student Activities, says to Chancellor Victor Boschini, emphasizing the importance of relationships and collaboration across TCU. “We value the relationships we build and the feedback we receive from students to create spaces where everyone feels safe and supported.”

Lee brings a unique perspective on how campus traditions evolve to create unforgettable moments for students, alumni and the community, including one of TCU’s favorite traditions, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and concert. Featuring SuperFrog, Santa, holiday treats and a live concert, the event showcases TCU’s unique ability to combine holiday cheer with its passionate Horned Frog spirit.

As Lee looks ahead, her commitment to fostering connection and innovation continues to shape the TCU experience. “We’ve listened to the students on campus,” she says, “and everything we do is for them.”

In this episode of TCU Innovates, Chancellor Victor Boschini and Jeremiah Donati, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, discuss the future of TCU Athletics, focusing on best-in-class student-athlete support and world-class facilities.

“The reality is that there’s never been a better time to be at TCU,” Donati says. With TCU Athletics continuing to thrive, the best is yet to come for the Horned Frogs. “Our student-athletes are going to leave here with a degree that is going to put them on a different trajectory of life,” he concludes.

Donati also highlights the unique spirit on TCU’s campus, especially around athletics. “There’s an energy on campus, and you can’t find that anywhere else,” he says, emphasizing the strong bond between the University, its students and the community.

In the latest episode of TCU Innovates, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dr. Kathy Cavins-Tull, shares her passion for supporting students and commitment to TCU Values with President Daniel Pullin.

“I always say that when a student comes to TCU, I want to capture their heart,” says Cavins-Tull. “It's not just getting a degree and moving on from here. I want our campus to be a place of belonging for them now and for the rest of their lives.”
As part of the Sesquicentennial in 2023, members of the Texas Christian University community embarked on a project to reexamine TCU Values. The inclusive year-long process included a campus-wide online survey, interviews with campus members and review and feedback from faculty, staff and student leaders. The result: four clear, distinctive values that define who we are as a university.
“Just like our mission, we are helping students understand what our four values of Integrity, Community, Engagement and Excellence mean to us in everything that we do,” said Cavins-Tull. “When we see people doing great work, people living out integrity or community and bringing people into a sense of belonging, we want to recognize their work and their commitment to the things that are important to TCU.”

In the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, innovation isn't just about technology—it's about rethinking the very foundations of how we train the doctors of tomorrow. In the latest episode of TCU Innovates, Dr. Stuart Flynn, Founding Dean of the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU, shares his innovative vision and passion for training physicians.

“I've spent my whole career at academic medical centers. When I came to TCU, I already had ideas of how to train physicians of the future. That ranged everywhere from the curriculum to innovative opportunities, how we train them in the clinical sphere, and how to communicate with patients. Training doctors how to communicate with patients didn’t really exist in medical education curriculum before. Now, with the Burnett School of Medicine, we’ve set the standard for the next generation of doctors,” says Dean Flynn.

Dominic Mendlik is a student on the move. In his interview with Chancellor Boschini, he discusses his role as Student Government Association President, his leadership style, the challenges and opportunities in his role, and his love of TCU.

“It’s a great honor to represent all of our amazing students and to be entrusted with this role,” Mendlik says. “My big dream for TCU is that we can continue to give what I think is the ideal college experience to as many students as possible, which is not only just a degree that is incredibly valuable and applicable to a successful career, but also providing them a student experience, a life experience, that is transformative in the types of people that they become – while having fun along the way.”

Last fall, the Wall Street Journal ranked Texas Christian University No. 5 in the nation for top career and learning-related outcomes. In this episode of TCU Innovates, President Pullin talks about the secret to TCU’s success in an interview with Mike Caldwell, Executive Director of the TCU Career and Professional Development Center.

When it comes to career planning and support, Caldwell says, “Students can go online or watch a YouTube video, but ultimately, they need someone they can share their personal story with and know that person cares about them and is willing to support them.”

Eric Wood, Ph.D., TCU's Director of Counseling and Mental Health, visits with Chancellor Boschini to discuss how Texas Christian University is leading the way for colleges nationwide in providing counseling and mental health services to students. Through the Comprehensive Care Model, the TCU Counseling and Mental Health Center’s average waitlist is now the shortest in the country, helping students, building community and improving the mental health crisis one student at a time.

“When we talk about mental health, that’s not a clinical term. It’s a developmental concern affecting every community,” says Dr. Wood. “If you have a connected culture like TCU, someone can easily encourage someone else to use a resource or to take care of themselves.”