The TCU community took part in the ranch management program’s 50th anniversary ceremony Friday and had the opportunity to witness the first showing of a painting given to the program as a token of appreciation.About 80 students, faculty, staff and members from the board of trustees viewed artist Karen Holt’s painting, “Nearby … there is peace,” at the ceremony.
Holt’s painting was a gift from TCU to congratulate the program for its accomplishments, said Bonnie Melhart, associate provost for academic affairs.
“The program has progressed over 50 years with each director, alumnus, member and student adding their loving touch and care to the program,” Melhart said.
The ranch management program is an intense academic program, said Eric Brast, associate director of the Institute of Ranch Management, which is affiliated with the overall program.
“It has the same principles it did 50 years ago but is also able to adapt quickly if it needs to,” Brast said.
Chancellor Victor Boschini said it is wonderful to have such a program that not all schools can boast.
“The program has thrived for 50 years,” Boschini said. “We are not only celebrating 50 years of a program but also looking forward to the next 50 years.”
Melhart and Ranch Management Director Kerry Cornelius said they asked Holt to work on a painting after Boschini suggested her as an artist.
Boschini said Holt has also painted three other portraits featured at TCU.
Cornelius and Melhart said they arranged for Holt to go to a local ranch and take photographs for her painting.
Holt said she was pleased to work with TCU and hoped to capture the philosophy and mood of the ranch management program in the painting.
“Being on the ranch inspired me,” Holt said. “There was a peace out there that is not known in the city.”
Photographing the sunset, water and watching the cowboys round up cattle was all a great experience, Holt said.
Cornelius said the painting is outstanding and reflects the backbone of the program.
“It represents economical and ecological sources such as water conservation,” Cornelius said. “It also illustrates the agricultural way of life.”
The painting succeeded by portraying the peacefulness of ranch life, said Chris Farley, assistant director for the ranch management program.
