When the holidays roll around, many of us become overwhelmed with this sense of wanting to give back, help…just do something nice! There are the usual suspects: soup kitchen, homeless shelter, church projects…all of which are fantastic causes to get involved with. However, there is a group that, surprisingly, gets over looked sometimes. Members of the United States Military.
What many of us at TCU are unaware of is that right here in DFW, we have one of the busiest and most important USO Centers in the country. The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is one of two (Atlanta-Hartsfield International) airports in the U.S that shuttles soldiers throughout the country returning from tours of duty, deploying, and returning home for two weeks of Rest and Relaxation (R&R).
This offers a unique volunteer experience for Fort Worthians; help bring a little joy to someone who does so much for you this holiday season. There are many ways to get involved with the USO. Organize a Welcome Home a Hero group and greet/cheer on returning soldiers as they come home. Another great idea is to organize a children’s book drive. These books will be donated to the USO’s United Through Reading Room, where deploying soldiers can video record themselves reading a book, then have the DVD and book sent home so they can read to their children every night while deployed. Another way to help is to organize a supply drive, as everything is provided to soldiers gratis at the center. A list of needed supplies, as well as a detailed list of volunteer opportunities can be found at the website.
Greeks who need to get those last minute service hours in, get out to the USO. As a USO volunteer I promise you this, it will be hard to find another experience this meaningful and rewarding.
Visit http://www.uso.org/ to find out more!
By Caitlin Scanlan
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
TCU Shuts Down Air Force’s Electric Offense
A game that was considered to be one of the most challenging of the 2010 football season turned out to be a rout as TCU raced past Air Force 38-7. Air Force entered the game with the leading rushing attack in the nation but could only scrounge up a total of 231 total yards, compared to their average of 346 rushing yards per game.
It looked as if TCU would face a challenge as it surrendered its first touchdown in Mountain West Conference play on Air Force’s initial drive. The touchdown proved to be a false indication of how the game would turn out, as TCU scored 38 unanswered points. TCU running back Ed Wesley had a huge game with 209 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Wesley was a key to TCU’s time of possession, which was perceived as one of the most important statistics coming into the game when facing a team with such a prolific rushing attack.
What was even more impressive was the Horned Frogs’ defensive performance. The Frogs held Air Force’s offense to only 184 yards on the ground and only thirteen first downs, compared to TCU’s 30. Despite a fast start from Air Force, the Horned Frog defense did not to lose its composure. Air Force’s initial drive was the first, and last, time it got to see the end zone.
By Charles Elrod
It looked as if TCU would face a challenge as it surrendered its first touchdown in Mountain West Conference play on Air Force’s initial drive. The touchdown proved to be a false indication of how the game would turn out, as TCU scored 38 unanswered points. TCU running back Ed Wesley had a huge game with 209 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Wesley was a key to TCU’s time of possession, which was perceived as one of the most important statistics coming into the game when facing a team with such a prolific rushing attack.
What was even more impressive was the Horned Frogs’ defensive performance. The Frogs held Air Force’s offense to only 184 yards on the ground and only thirteen first downs, compared to TCU’s 30. Despite a fast start from Air Force, the Horned Frog defense did not to lose its composure. Air Force’s initial drive was the first, and last, time it got to see the end zone.
By Charles Elrod
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Catching up with Broc Sears
Professor Broxon Sears, lovingly known by his students as “Broc,” has been staying busy teaching others and also teaching himself lately.
In the TCU world, Broc just finished helping the Schieffer School of Journalism host “Social Media Week.” Four social media pros came into his classes to talk including a blogger from the Star-Telegram, TCU employees who run the university’s Facebook site, the social media editor for the Amon Carter Museum of American Art and the social media editor for the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum. In celebration of Social Media Week, Broc also had a blog running with a graded quiz. He said the quiz was meant to help his blog accomplish the two goals all website owners should work toward: “get people to interact with your site and hang around longer.”
In Broc’s personal world, he is working toward a terminal degree, an MFA, in Communication Design from Texas A&M Commerce. He is excited about gaining this level of achievement, but has had to work very hard to get there as school remains challenging. Says Broc: “Engaging a target market successfully is more competitive than ever and pushing your creative side for concepts that are bold, unique and successful, let alone teaching others how to do it, is a big challenge.”
-By Rebecca Long
Professor Broxon Sears, lovingly known by his students as “Broc,” has been staying busy teaching others and also teaching himself lately.
In the TCU world, Broc just finished helping the Schieffer School of Journalism host “Social Media Week.” Four social media pros came into his classes to talk including a blogger from the Star-Telegram, TCU employees who run the university’s Facebook site, the social media editor for the Amon Carter Museum of American Art and the social media editor for the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum. In celebration of Social Media Week, Broc also had a blog running with a graded quiz. He said the quiz was meant to help his blog accomplish the two goals all website owners should work toward: “get people to interact with your site and hang around longer.”
In Broc’s personal world, he is working toward a terminal degree, an MFA, in Communication Design from Texas A&M Commerce. He is excited about gaining this level of achievement, but has had to work very hard to get there as school remains challenging. Says Broc: “Engaging a target market successfully is more competitive than ever and pushing your creative side for concepts that are bold, unique and successful, let alone teaching others how to do it, is a big challenge.”
-By Rebecca Long
The 2010 Schieffer School in London Program
Dr. John Tisdale and Dr. Catherine Coleman are the head faculty traveling to London with the students. Students are able to take two classes while abroad in London: Research and Evaluation: Cross-Cultural and International Exploration and Media and Britain. Not only are students given the opportunity to live in London, the group will take a trip to Paris. Students will take trips to the Associated Press, the BBC,the CBS News London Bureau. Dr. Tisdale and Dr. Coleman will also schedule various trips to advertising agencies and public relations firms for the students to tour.
Study abroad is a great way for students to experience a new culture, make new friends, and learn more about job opportunities all while gaining class credit.
-By Tiffany Hamlett
The Hot Iron Brand
TCU students recently attended a seminar, “The Age of the Brandividual," presented by Mike Merrill, Director of Marketing for ReachLocal, Inc. Merrill spoke to the Social Media Club of Fort Worth on the do’s and don’ts of individual branding.
TCU students got free tickets to attend the seminar where they were able to get the inside tricks on branding themselves. Also in attendance were many members of the DFW advertising and PR industries which gave the TCU students countless networking opportunities.
Learn more about the Social Media Club at the website http://socialmediaclub.org/chapter/fort-worth.
-By Bre Akers
TCU students recently attended a seminar, “The Age of the Brandividual," presented by Mike Merrill, Director of Marketing for ReachLocal, Inc. Merrill spoke to the Social Media Club of Fort Worth on the do’s and don’ts of individual branding.
TCU students got free tickets to attend the seminar where they were able to get the inside tricks on branding themselves. Also in attendance were many members of the DFW advertising and PR industries which gave the TCU students countless networking opportunities.
Learn more about the Social Media Club at the website http://socialmediaclub.org/chapter/fort-worth.
-By Bre Akers
Research and Evaluation Students Work with Justin Boots
This Semester, Dr. Julie O’Neil’s Research and Evaluation Class is conducting a study for Justin Brands Inc. Justin Brands, located in Fort Worth, is a blanket corporation that incorporates five different footwear brands including Justin Boots, Tony Lama Boots, Nocona Boots, Justin Original Workboots, and Chippewa Boots. Justin Boots is using Dr. O’Neil’s class to conduct research for them concerning boot trends. Dr. O’Neil explained that her class of 20 will be working with Justin Boots to better understand how they can market to women ages 18-25 who belong to what they coin the "contemporary emulators" group. These are people who enjoy the ambience and fashion of western apparel and who tend to like "red dirt" music. Over the semester the students will take trips to Justin’s corporate head quarters and popular western locations like Billy Bob's Texas located in Fort Worth’s Historic Stockyards. TCU’s President of PRSSA and member of Dr. O’Neil’s class, Tiffany Rogers commented on her experience in the class, “This has been a really interesting and interactive project. It is also a great opportunity for us to work with such a respectable and local corporation.” Justin Boots will use the information from the students to better understand shopping habits and develop business strategies for the following year.
_By Tassie Munro
_By Tassie Munro
Bateman Competition Gives PR Students Real World Experience
Most Public Relations students find themselves sitting in classrooms learning skills that they will apply in their future careers. However, few students get to experience using these skills in a real world environment. Fortunately, there is one student organization that is aiming to change that.
The Doug Newsom chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America PRSSA is beginning to prepare a team to compete in the 2011 Bateman Competition.
Established in 1973 by PRSSA, the Bateman Competition is the most prestigious national case study competition for public relations students, according to tcuprssa. The competition allows Strategic Communications students the chance to gain real world experience by working on a PR campaign, while also competing with schools across the nation.
“Bateman is the premier national competition for public relations students,” said PRSSA advisor Dr. Amiso George. “It gives students the opportunity to use their analytical and creative skills in skills and researching, planning, executing and evaluating a public relations campaign.”
This year’s client is Ally Financial Services. The TCU team, comprised of select PRSSA members, will develop a ten-page report detailing strategies to promote the client. The team will also host an event on campus to raise awareness for the client.
TCU placed third in the 2008 Bateman Competition with a report over the case study Safe Kids Buckle Up, sponsored by GM. The team received honorable mention in last year’s competition promoting the United States 2010 Census.
If you are interested in being involved with the 2011 Bateman Competition or TCU PRSSA, contact Dr. George at a.george@tcu.edu.
The Doug Newsom chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America PRSSA is beginning to prepare a team to compete in the 2011 Bateman Competition.
Established in 1973 by PRSSA, the Bateman Competition is the most prestigious national case study competition for public relations students, according to tcuprssa. The competition allows Strategic Communications students the chance to gain real world experience by working on a PR campaign, while also competing with schools across the nation.
“Bateman is the premier national competition for public relations students,” said PRSSA advisor Dr. Amiso George. “It gives students the opportunity to use their analytical and creative skills in skills and researching, planning, executing and evaluating a public relations campaign.”
This year’s client is Ally Financial Services. The TCU team, comprised of select PRSSA members, will develop a ten-page report detailing strategies to promote the client. The team will also host an event on campus to raise awareness for the client.
TCU placed third in the 2008 Bateman Competition with a report over the case study Safe Kids Buckle Up, sponsored by GM. The team received honorable mention in last year’s competition promoting the United States 2010 Census.
If you are interested in being involved with the 2011 Bateman Competition or TCU PRSSA, contact Dr. George at a.george@tcu.edu.
-Megan Malone
Strategic Communications Embraces Creativity
The Schieffer School of Journalism will offer a new course, Publication Design, in Spring 2011. The design-oriented class, taught by Broxon Sears, will focus on print and digital publications. Students will be exposed to art direction, design theory, planning, production, printing, digital delivery, brand extension and visual continuity. Broxon said, “I think this is a class anyone who enjoys hands-on experience and design would gain from and would provide several nice pieces for your portfolio.”
There are only 15 spots in the class, so students who are interested must act quickly. The course requires Prerequisites include JOUR 10113 and 30453 and is tentatively scheduled to meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at noon in MS214.
-Taylor Westley
Claire Kirkpatrick, A Zeta with a Difference
Zeta Tau Alpha, more popularly known as Zeta, is very involved in the fight against breast cancer. Having the Susan G. Komen foundation as their main philanthropy, Zetas are often seen around campus raising money through different breast cancer awareness events.
Claire Kirkpatrick, a senior at TCU and a Zeta member, says, “ Joining Zeta was one of my best decisions I made here at TCU, and I am so proud of the work we do for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to be my friends. The events we hold and support not only benefit cancer survivors and their families, but the experiences benefit our lives as well. “
Zeta members were a large part in the organizing and planning of the “Pink Out” game in mid October, and joined Cancer survivors as they walked on the field during half-time.
-Courtney Collings
-Courtney Collings
"Show your pink side…”
A sea of purple and pink filled the stands October 18th as TCU students, faculty, staff, fans, and survivors supported not only the Horned Frogs, but also the fight against breast cancer.
In 2005 TCU athletics initiated the “Pink Out Game” to bolster ticket sales, but the popularity of the game has now earned it the name “Frogs for the Cure,” and TCU, the Fort Worth community, and Zeta Tau Alpha have worked hard to make the game what it is today.
Allison Branca, Frogs for the Cure chairman for Zeta, and I had time to sit down and talk about how the game has gained enormous support and evolved into what it is today.
“We knew we had to promote the game, t-shirt sales and the halftime feature to the greek,” Allison said, so they spread the word!
Allison and two other Zetas, Abby Osvog and Amy Moan, worked together to promote recognition by asking others to “flock” their friends and by hosting a “Feed Your Pink Side” luncheon. These were not the only two tactics they used. They also sold t-shirts, gathered to form a pink ribbon on the field, and promoted Tim Halperin’s “We Fight Back” music video.
Allison left me with these words, “it may be hard to see from where we are at this point in time, but our idea, our initiative and our donation matter. They help make a change that takes time to see.”
In 2005 TCU athletics initiated the “Pink Out Game” to bolster ticket sales, but the popularity of the game has now earned it the name “Frogs for the Cure,” and TCU, the Fort Worth community, and Zeta Tau Alpha have worked hard to make the game what it is today.
Allison Branca, Frogs for the Cure chairman for Zeta, and I had time to sit down and talk about how the game has gained enormous support and evolved into what it is today.
“We knew we had to promote the game, t-shirt sales and the halftime feature to the greek,” Allison said, so they spread the word!
Allison and two other Zetas, Abby Osvog and Amy Moan, worked together to promote recognition by asking others to “flock” their friends and by hosting a “Feed Your Pink Side” luncheon. These were not the only two tactics they used. They also sold t-shirts, gathered to form a pink ribbon on the field, and promoted Tim Halperin’s “We Fight Back” music video.
Allison left me with these words, “it may be hard to see from where we are at this point in time, but our idea, our initiative and our donation matter. They help make a change that takes time to see.”
By Katie Lipnick
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