Dr. Casey Call, Sam Newcomb (TCU ’22), Christina Kraus (TCU ’21), and Sarah Cronin
The TCU Child Development Program is proud to announce this year’s recipients of The Karyn Purvis Award for Outstanding Achievement, Christina Kraus and Sam Newcomb! This award is given to students for significant contributions to the Purvis Institute, Child Development Program, or the child development field.
Kraus (‘21) and Newcomb (‘22) were chosen for their work in establishing the Child Development Student Organization, Frogs 4 Children. “We saw (starting a student organization) as a way to connect with peers outside the classroom,” said Newcomb.
Even as they worked to establish Frogs 4 Children without in-person meetings or classes, Kraus and Newcomb tackled the challenges of starting the organization during a pandemic with ease.
“Both students worked hard on establishing the organization’s constitution and by-laws, presented the organization for approval to university leadership, developed a name and logo, and recruited potential members,” said Dr. Casey Call, Associate Director of Education at the Purvis Institute.
Frogs 4 Children will officially launch in the fall of 2021 with the following mission:
Frogs 4 Children is committed to developing a community of leaders that will inspire growth and provide necessary aid to the helping profession, relating to children.
Even the organization’s name holds meaning of the goals and values of Frogs 4 Children.
“We are proud to be a member of the Horned Frog community at Texas Christian University which inspired the name, Frogs 4 Children,” said Kraus. “There are also four common themes that lift up our organization: professional development, campus involvement, service, and community. And finally, at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development, we invite those who study child development as well as those who are interested in the helping profession to join Frogs 4 Children.”
Kraus, who graduates in May 2021, plans to attend graduate school in the fall. Newcomb, a junior, will stay on as the Frogs 4 Children President.
“Their leadership in creating Frogs 4 Children is a legacy that will continue to positively affect students for years to come,” said Dr. Call.
To learn more or get involved, visit the Frogs 4 Children Engage Page.