SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 507

WHEREAS, Texas Christian University is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023; and

WHEREAS, TCU was founded in 1873 in Thorp Spring by brothers Addison and Randolph Clark, ministers and teachers from nearby Fort Worth; they welcomed 13 students to Add-Ran Male and Female College, and within five years, enrollment reached 450; after affiliating with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the institution became known as Add-Ran Christian University, and in 1895, it moved to Waco; the school soon chose a mascot, the horned frog, and its colors, purple and white; it adopted its present-day name in 1902; and

WHEREAS, In 1910, a major fire destroyed the main building and badly damaged other facilities; in the wake of that disaster, the college accepted Fort Worth's offer of 50 acres and $200,000 to relocate to the city; on its new campus, the institution flourished, and the end of World War II marked the beginning of a long period of significant growth; TCU purchased an adjoining 106-acre golf course and by 1965, it had added more than 25 buildings; gaining stature, it toughened entrance requirements, expanded advanced study offerings, and approved Ph.D. programs; and

WHEREAS, TCU has continued its rise in the 21st century, opening the Campus Commons, including the Brown-Lupton University Union, and establishing the John V. Roach Honors College; Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, Fort Worth's M.D. school, has an enrollment of 240 and will graduate its first class in 2023; moreover the endowment has passed the $2 billion mark, and enrollment today is approximately 12,000; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, TCU has gained a reputation for academic excellence, strong traditions, a vibrant student experience, campus culture, and Greek life, and ardent support for student-athletes, who have achieved high recognition; the Horned Frogs have been particularly dominant in baseball, making five College World Series appearances in the past 13 years, as well as in equestrian events, tennis, and women's soccer, among other sports; the 2022 football team became the first team in Texas to earn the opportunity to compete for the national championship in the College Football Playoff; since 2010, the TCU rifle team has won three national championships, and it is the only all-female team to win a national title in this coed sport; the men's basketball team has made three NCAA tournament appearances in the last six seasons; and

WHEREAS, Today, TCU is a world-class, values-centered private university, comprised of nine schools and colleges, and it has a legacy of creating leaders who shape and improve the world for the greater good; it offers an unmatched student experience and academic environment to students from diverse backgrounds from Fort Worth, the state of Texas, and across the globe; and

WHEREAS, TCU students, faculty, and staff offer valuable research, scholarly activity, artistic and cultural assets, a diverse array of talent, and significant economic benefit to the region and state; the rich history of Texas Christian University is a source of tremendous pride to its network of more than 100,000 alumni around the world, and this outstanding institution is sure to continue to build on this foundation of excellence in the years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Texas Christian University and extend to the TCU community sincere best wishes for a memorable and meaningful celebration; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for the university as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

King, Kolkhorst

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 3, 2023.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate