If you look east from lower campus, you’ll see the state-of-the-art University of Utah hospital and collection of health centers. The facilities are used to train future doctors and to serve the health needs of people from all over the state. Recent alumnus, Sonny, is gonna tell us a bit more about the opportunities for students seeking to work in the medical field.
– Thank you for the introduction Alex. Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to be a physician. But I also wanted to do research to improve the quality of life of individuals. The biomedical engineering program at the University of Utah, set me up with a strong foothold as they prepare their students to solve real world problems in engineering and medicine. Starting freshman year, we are immersed in human biology and its implications on engineering principles. We learn anatomy and physiology from an engineering perspective. Through our capstone project, we were able to work with medical professionals to solve issues with current medical devices. The engineering department puts a huge focus on hands-on experience, as each student is required to participate in research in a lab and write a senior’s thesis. I had the amazing opportunity of working with Dr. Gregory Clark as his lab works the utilize electrodes implanted in peripheral nerves to reanimate paralyzed muscles and to control advanced prosthesis. The University of Utah’s commitment to groundbreaking research is shown through its investment in resources, inter departmental collaboration and by the ingenuity of its faculty. By providing opportunities for students to participate in research, the University of Utah shows its commitment to the future of its students. The University of Utah’s pre-health biomedical engineering and research programs have prepared me tremendously for the future. That’s all from me, Alex. Take it away.
– Thanks Sonny. Your research and the innovation that you bring to helping people live healthier, happier lives is incredible. We appreciate you sharing your story. Congratulations on your recent graduation and best wishes as you continue your path, helping others.
Let’s get to know Tayla, a third year student majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry and pediatric clinical research. Tayla is gonna share how The U has supported her and other female identifying students as they pursue degrees and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It’s your turn Tayla.
– Being a first-generation college student, I worked extremely hard in high school and applied for many scholarships and the work paid off. Now I’m studying my passions of STEM and medicine. I attended many summer programs and events at the University of Utah and fell in love with the environment and support seen throughout the faculty and students. I had the opportunity to be a part of program ACCESS, a first-year program for incoming freshmen females, majoring in STEM, and for those who demonstrate a passion for it. Some of my favorite memories from the ACCESS summer experience were hiking and learning more about biological research, going to a star party late at night to gaze at the night sky and having guest speakers from each discipline at a Capstone debate where we applied our knowledge of what we learned from our summer experience. Aside from the STEM focus event, it was fun to go out, to eat with friends and as well as going the movies. From this experience, it helped strengthen my love for STEM and allowed me to have a support system of other like-minded and smart women in STEM. These fields continue to be male dominated, but access means you’re never alone. The university wants us to succeed. With the support of my peers around me and how willing the professors are wanting to help, I’m continuing to excel in my classes as well as having fun with my friends. Back to you, Alex.
– Appreciate it, Tayla. It sounds like you’ve struck the perfect balance between succeeding in rigorous coursework and enjoying the unique programs The U has to offer. Thank you for sharing your perspective with all of us and for reminding us to take the time to stop and gaze at the stars.
Now, let’s head over to the dance studio and meet up with Erin. She’s a first year honor student majoring in ballet and modern dance. She’s gonna share her story of her exceptional first year at TCU and the university’s ongoing work towards inclusive excellence. Erin, please take it away.
– Hi, everyone. I decided to come to TCU because of their amazing dance program. I visited the campus to audition for the school for classical and contemporary dance. And from the moment I stepped foot on campus, it felt like home. I was able to take class with some of the first year dance majors at the time, and everyone was so nice and welcoming, which immediately stood out to me. So far, my experience has been great. Coming from Georgia with no familiar faces, I was nervous to be in a new environment. However, I love how open everyone is to meet new people. And I never feel intimidated to make new friends because everyone is so inclusive and accepting. Whether you are relaxing in the lobby of your residence hall or standing in the line for a meal, there will always be someone willing to talk to you and make your day better from students to faculty and staff. I’ve had the privilege of co-starring in the Netflix original movie, Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square. It was such an honor to be able to dance, act, and see myself on the big screen. I hope to have many opportunities like that in the future. And I know TCU is a place to get me there. As an honor student, I’m so pleased with how engaging the classes are. The professors are so nice and they wanna communicate and get to know you on a personal level outside of class, which is great. This year, I had the opportunity to live in Milton Daniel Hall, the residence hall for honor students. The facility is gorgeous and it is such a comforting environment that encourages making connections with your peers while also placing a strong emphasis on academic excellence. One thing that I love about TCU is their efforts to make everyone feel welcome and included on campus. Bringing students from different countries and backgrounds together to find common ground, have a good time, and learn from one another is where TCU shines. There are events celebrating diverse voices and a diversity, equity, and inclusion course was added to the core curriculum. Students who wanna go deeper and broader can even major in areas like comparative race and ethnic studies or women and gender studies. Learning how to listen and discovering that we’re more alike than we are different is an intentional effort that TCU built into their student experience. You can’t leave this university without being better at understanding others’ perspectives. Lastly, because of TCU’s emphasis on student involvement, there’s a place for everyone. Overall, my first year at TCU has been great. I couldn’t have asked to be a part of a greater community than my Horned Frog family. That’s my story. Now, back to Alex.
– Erin, thank you for sharing your story. I love hearing about the welcoming campus culture and everything you’ve accomplished during your first year on campus. It’s truly incredible. Thanks again, Erin.
Okay, everyone. It’s time to meet Nand, an amazing international and transfer student who’s literally traveled the world to get to TCU. He’s a sophomore majoring in business information systems and finance with a minor in physics. And he’s gonna tell us about TCU’s entrepreneurial spirit. Nand, please take it away.
– Hello, everyone. So I was born in India and I lived there for a few years before moving to Zambia in Southern Africa. After finishing high school in Zambia, I really wanted to study abroad and move to America for college. I decided to move to a community college in Southern California. It was called Orange Coast College. And then it was time to transfer. I had a lot of friends who went to TCU and I started having conversations with them about my possibility of transferring to TCU. After talking to the admissions office and watching a lot of videos about TCU, I immediately fell in love with the campus. I mean, the school spirit on campus was just unimaginable. Everything was purple, purple boots, purple t-shirts, purple couches, purple flowers. This was something that I dreamt off as an international student in America to be a part of this great institution. During the admissions process, I learned that there are great counselors at TCU who were helping me throughout the entire financial aid process. After transferring to TCU, my journey in the US took a whole different route. I started as a physics major in college ’cause I thought that I was pretty good at math and physics in high school. But over time, I met so many students at TCU from all different parts of the world, studying so many interesting subjects. I immediately realized that being good at something in high school might not necessarily translate into a career. The second closest thing that I would see myself doing is business. I was always amazed by the American corporate world and always dreamt about working in one of those downtown skyscrapers. One day after my calculus class, I went to the business school to see what majors did they offer. I decided to switch my major to business information systems. I’ve been in the business school for the last one year and I’m loving it. We’re learning about real world issues and coming up with solutions of dealing with them. As future global leaders, I feel like it’s very important for us to learn about these issues in college and TCU does a really good job at preparing students for the future, regardless of their majors. With the help of different programs at the Neeley School of Business and my accounting professor’s referral, I was able to receive an internship at a private equity firm in San Diego. TCU’s alumni network is very powerful when it comes to finding job opportunities and just getting general mentorship about your career trajectory. I hope my experience helps you learn a little more about TCU. This campus is a home away from home, whether you’re from India or from Fort Worth. Thanks for letting me share my story. What’s next, Alex?
– Nand, I love it. What an amazing journey you’ve made to get here. Thanks for sharing your experience finding a new home right here on campus. We appreciate it, Nand.
Okay. So let’s meet Emily, a senior studying in strategic communication and psychology. Emily is the perfect person to tell you how far she’s come, not just to make her first visit to TCU, but to study and travel around the world, become a global citizen. Emily, let’s hear your story.
– Thanks, Alex. And hey, everyone. My time as a Horned Frog has been nothing short of fun, challenging, and an exciting experience. During my college search, I had a mental checklist of what I was looking forward of school, but no university seemed to check off everything on my list. That wasn’t until my older sister told me about TCU. It seemed to offer everything I was looking for so I decided to get over my fear of flying and travel to a campus 800 miles from my home in Georgia. After my visit, I knew this was a place I wanted to spend my next four years. So I made the best decision of my life and decided to call TCU my college home. TCU was truly a hidden gem. It has a small school setting with a big school field, not to mention, it had my ideal major, a Greek system, Horned Frog school spirit, club lacrosse, and most importantly, the opportunity to study abroad. I had the privilege of studying abroad with the Bob Schieffer College of Communications to Scotland and London over the summer. I had the most incredible immersive experience, taking classes relevant to my major while also incorporating a different cultural experience. I took a case studies class and all of our content and assignments were centered around the public affairs and current events of these two countries. This gave me the chance to learn more about the countries that I was visiting while also expanding my knowledge within my major. TCU emphasizes its students being ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community and my time abroad is a perfect reflection of that. Being able to step outside of the US, learn more about a different part of the world while also relating it back to my future career goals is definitely the highlight of my college experience. My friends and I got to go see the Edinburgh Castle and see the Crown Jewels, hiked to the top of Arthur’s Seat, see a Shakespearian show at the Globe, visit the University of Cambridge, and just fully immerse ourselves in the cultural experiences of Scotland and London. All of this culminated to the group of study abroad students becoming more than just classmates, but a strong group of friends that I will always value. I am so glad I got over my fear of flying to visit TCU. The school has allow me to grow as a global citizen with unforgettable experiences both on campus and around the world. I wish I had all day to tell you more about my time abroad as well as my time as a TCU student, but unfortunately I’m out of time, but thanks for letting me share a little bit of my story with you. Back to you, Alex.
– Emily, that was fantastic. I’m so glad you got over your fear of flying to make all those amazing memories. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences here in Fort Worth and around the world with all of us. Cheers, Emily.
It’s time to meet a Louisiana native. Lindsey is a senior at Tulane originally from New Iberia, Louisiana, and is a proud Cajun. She’s excited to talk to us about the amazing experience going to college in New Orleans can offer and how Tulane is working to bring more talented students from their home state to campus. Let’s go, Lindsay.
– Thanks Alex. Hey, y’all. I’m from a small Cajun town in southern Louisiana. So if there’s one thing I can confidently say, it’s that I know good food. Since being here, I’ve had the opportunity to explore the cuisine, culture, and community that makes the Big Easy feel like home. New Orleans has more restaurants than one could possibly try in the span of a college career. And I have an ever-evolving list of places to try before I leave. Here, food calls for celebration. Each year, Louisiana hosts over 400 festivals around the state. 130 of which are held in New Orleans. One you might have heard of is Mardi Gras, but there are countless other food festivals like Crawfest and and Mac and Cheese Fest. And Tulane’s location in uptown New Orleans is perfect, ’cause we’re close to the action, but not right by Bourbon Street. Part of what makes Tulane so unique is our location in Louisiana. To further commitment to our home state, Tulane launched a new program to support Louisiana students like me. Thanks to the “Louisiana Promise”, any resident under qualifying circumstances has the opportunity to graduate with no loans. On top of this, Tulane opened the Louisiana Center for College Access to provide free college readiness courses to aspiring first generation college students. As a tour guide, I get asked why I chose Tulane, a lot. What I answer instead is what I’ll miss about being a Tulanean. The random street car rides get beignets at midnight on a Tuesday, wondering if there’ll be a jazz band in our dining hall during football season, and the endless joy of being swept up by the food and music of the city. Alex, tell us more.
– Awesome job, Lindsey. You are a great ambassador for Louisiana. I love that Tula is working to keep more great students, like you, in state. And I can’t wait to come back and visit one of those food festivals sometime soon. That was awesome. Take care.
Now introducing Journe. Journe is a sophomore studying political science with a concentration in pre-law and a minor in philosophy. We’re gonna head over to Yulman Stadium, home to Tulane’s football team, the Green Wave. There, Journe will tell you about the sports culture and school spirit here at Tulane. Take it away, Journe.
– Hey, y’all. And a helluva hullabaloo. Growing up, I always had my college experience planned out. I knew that I wanted to attend a college that had everything, from great academics, to a great social scene, and a great cheer team. I love how here at Tulane, you can be whoever you want to be. Most of the time, I choose to be in cheerleader mode. Coming into Tulane, I was nervous as to if I would even fit in, but after putting on the cheer uniform for the first time, I knew that I was in the right place. I feel very supported on and off the field by the Tulane athletics department. Through Tulane Athletics, every student athlete will leave Tulane with a toolkit full of resources that they can use in their professional lives and their future athletic endeavors. Even if you aren’t a varsity athlete, you can still find a way to stay active through club sports or intramural sports. Here at Tulane, we have over 30 clubs sports and 13 intramural leads. It’s a great way to make friends and have fun. As a fan, students can attend any athletic event for free. We have a great football game day experience here in Yulman Stadium with tailgating on the quad beforehand. The basketball games are a ton of fun and our baseball team is nationally competitive. With so many teams doing so well over the last few years, you can really feel the school spirit around campus. I’m happy to say that I found a home within Tulane, the athletics department, and the entire university. Roll wave and back to you, Alex.
– Journe, that is incredible. Great job. And thanks for sharing your own experience as a student athlete. Whether it’s a division one sport or an intermural team that plays on the weekend, it sounds like anyone can get involved in Tulane’s sports culture. Good luck on the cheer team this year, Journe. That was fantastic. Take care.
Okay, everyone. Let’s head over to student housing and meet Anya. She is a sophomore majoring in journalism and minoring in business. She’s gonna share her story about growing up right here in Fort Worth and find a campus community she never thought she’d make in her own backyard. Okay, Anya, it’s all yours. Please take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. And welcome to Texas y’all. Now, to give you the best picture of what your time at TCU might look like, I wanted to walk you through my first year here. Now, I’m from Fort Worth, born and raised about 15 minutes from TCU’s campus. My elementary school is walking distance from my current residence hall and my high school graduation ceremony took place at our basketball arena. So I’ve kind of been a Horned Frog for life. But it’s for that reason, I actually didn’t want to come to TCU. My mom booked us a tour anyways. And what do you know? I fell in love with the campus. TCU was relatively small, but they really leaned into that community by placing a large priority on students making friends and establishing support networks. My first friend was made at summer orientation, a football player who danced with me at the late night dance party. The second friend I made here was a girl from Nevada who was joined in my hip during Frog Camp. And my third friend was my roommate, Grace, who I didn’t even meet until move in day. All students live on campus their first two years. And the residential communities are super tight knit because they’re not just a place where we lay our heads at the end of the night. They really are a home with laundry services, tons of storage, theaters and arcades. I could watch rom-coms in the lobby or play ultimate Frisbee in the lawn. My entire first year experience was marked by TCU creating environments that helped me engage with others, which is integral to emotional support, social development, and establishing those professional networks. Faculty get involved too. The Sunday before my first day of classes, I had dinner at the director of Family Program’s house with a group of other first years. We ate tacos, played with her dogs, watch some football, which is not only the most Texan welcome you could get, but also a really powerful testament to just how much TCU cares about and supports us personally. It’s just so much easier to ask for help if you’re on a first name basis or get a job recommendation in your field if you have your professor’s cell phone number. My professors know my name. They know what I made on my last test. They know when I missed a class and I know that here, they’ll take interest in my education as if it’s their own. TCU’s connection culture is one of a kind, making sure every student is well-informed and well-equipped with whatever they need to enter the workforce and the world. It’s why I don’t mind being just 15 minutes away from mom anymore. Well, that’s my story. Thank you all for letting me share. Back to you, Alex.
– Anya, thank you for taking us through your experience at TCU. I’m jealous of all the activities you have going on here. Sign me up for that ultimate Frisbee. Thanks again, Anya. Take care.
All right, y’all. It’s time to meet Kennedy. She’s a senior here from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She’s on the pre-med track and pursuing a dual degree in neuroscience and dance, which makes her the perfect person to talk to us about Tulane’s academic flexibility. Kennedy, you’re up.
– Hi Alex. When applying to college, I was dreading making the difficult decision between my love for dance and science. Both have been incredible passions of mine since I was little. When I was looking for a college experience, I knew I wanted something that would allow me the chance to explore and also determine what truly inspires me. Getting accepted to Tulane meant that I didn’t have to choose one over the other. The beauty in this comes from the fact that once you’re accepted into Tulane, you can take classes in all five of our undergraduate schools; The School of Liberal Arts, Science and Engineering, Public Health, Business, and Architecture. what’s even better is Tulane encourages cross-disciplinary study. You can see this through programs like the Altman Program, which allows you to get a dual degree in business and liberal arts, and going abroad twice. Also, we have the Creative Premedical Scholars, which allows you to get early admission into Tulane’s medical school. Having it all meant that I could receive an academic foundational in dance while still discovering what in the science was meant for me. That ended up being neuroscience. Moving forward, I will never settle for less, because here at Tulane, I’ve even had the incredible chance to have the abundance in opportunities and flexibility. Graduating with a bachelor’s in arts and a bachelor’s in science in just four short years, opens up a world of possibilities for me. And I am excited to see what comes next. Now, back over to you, Alex.
– Wow, Kennedy! Whether you end up pursuing medicine or dance, I’m sure you are going to kill it. I’m glad to hear that students can pursue their passions here at Tulane. That was fantastic. Great job.
Okay. So there is a typical stereotype that the arts and athletics don’t mix, but that couldn’t be further from the truth for Connor. Connor is a senior doing his BFA in the actor training program, but he’s also an avid sports fan. He’ll tell us about some of The U’s athletic traditions, including the gymnastic team, which holds the record for the largest collegiate women’s sporting event ever attended. Take it away, Connor.
– Thanks Alex. What’s popping guys? Growing up. I loved athletics. So it definitely helped that when I move to Utah, there was a university right up the road that excelled at almost every collegiate sport. Now, education’s extremely important, but so is having a great time. And I’ve made some of my best memories here at the University of Utah, thanks to the different athletic events. From pregame tailgating to partying it up in the MUSS, our student section, the fun last, not only during the games, but also before and after. Now, when it comes to tradition, the University of Utah does it like no one else. The first tradition that immediately comes to mind is our classic rivalry game against BYU every year. Well, let’s just say it hasn’t been much of a fair fight. Considering we currently lead the series 64-35. Now, I’d love to be humble about all of our programs here at the University of Utah, but with all the success we’ve had, I got to brag a bit. In football, we’ve won 17 bowl games, two of which were the Sugar and the Fiesta bowls. We’re constantly in the top 25 in the nation. And we’ve produce talents like Alex Smith, Steve Smith, Eric Weddle, and over 150 players at the pro level. Now football is great and all, but it would be a crime if I didn’t talk about our gymnastics program, which is consistently top five in the nation, and even had three of our gymnast head to Tokyo in 2021 for the Olympics. Well, that’s it for me, I’ve had a blast talking about the different athletic events and traditions here at the University of Utah. And I can’t wait to see what memories and events have in store for me here in my final year at the University of Utah. Back to you, Alex.
– Good stuff, Connor. The University of Utah’s athletic prowess is impressive and clearly gives the students a lot to rally behind. It’s great that nearly all sporting events are free to students and that you’ve gotten to experience their legacy of excellence firsthand. Go Utah!