With 2013 marking the 75th anniversary of the Neeley School of Business, the business school has already begun commemorating the success it has had over the last 75 years, said John V. Roach Dean of the Neeley School of Business O. Homer Erekson said.

“The concept of the 75 events is about things that we do normally, and we consider them to be 75 markers that celebrate our accomplishments,” Erekson said. “And the events leading up to the anniversary help build excitement and give as many people as possible an opportunity to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Neeley School.”

Erekson said the anniversary gave the Neeley School a chance to celebrate the school and its graduates’ accomplishments as well as a way to frame the school’s future. Erekson said the celebration started last spring with a kickoff dinner in May that was focused on alumni, faculty and staff.

Elaine Cole, public relations and events manager for the Neeley School, said Erekson came up with the idea for the 75 events and that he had been extremely hands-on in planning them.
The kickoff started with an introduction to “Major Moments,” a book written by Erekson and Rix Quinn honoring more than 80 alumni who have significantly contributed to TCU, Erekson said.

“Major Moments” features the contributing TCU alumni’s stories, mentors, fun facts and advice to students.

“Some of the people who are in this book are M.J. Neeley, Charles Tandy, Dan Rogers, and it’s a time to celebrate them and what they have accomplished for TCU,” Erekson said.

Erekson said the 75 events would help gradually add momentum leading up to the 75th anniversary next year.

Included in the 75 events are four breakfasts, the book kickoff, a baseball game event and other events that will tie together and end with the Diamond Gala Finale, Erekson said.
Cole said the events take place in Fort Worth as well as other cities, such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and San Diego, where the university has numerous alumni.

Erekson said the school did not want to “burn people out” by having all of the anniversary events at once.

“We wanted to spread it out, and faculty, staff, students, alumni and business people are invited because it’s a national event,” he said.

Erekson said he believed something very special happened when the Neeley School brought together dedicated faculty and staff and highly motivated students to celebrate its accomplishments.

“The 75th anniversary is a natural marking place,” he said. “It is a time to honor people who have been here, and it’s a time to celebrate together and find the points where we share pride and a common excitement towards TCU.”

For more information, go to www.neeley.tcu.edu/neeley75.