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TCU
commends student for exceptional service
By
Jennifer Jenson
Skiff Staff
With the end of the school year approaching and graduation
right around the corner, TCU would like to commend one
student who has touched the lives of many during her four
years as a Horned Frog.
Abbey Jones, a senior political science major from Rio
Rancho, New Mexico, is the recipient of the 2004 Tucker
Award for Leadership and Community Service. This award
is named for Chancellor and Mrs. Tucker because of their
commitment to both the campus community and the community
at large.
The award recognizes a student who has demonstrated leadership
abilities, contributed in meaningful ways to the local
community, contributed to the university community and
has served as a role model to others in the tradition
of Chancellor and Mrs. Tucker.
Jones has served as TCU Community Action Network director,
Service Vice President of Alpha Phi Omega (a community
service organization), member of Theta Alpha Kappa (the
Religion Honor Society), member of Mortar Board and resident
assistant in Sherley Hall.
Jones also volunteers with TCU Reading Frogs, Lena Pope
Children’s Home, James West Alzheimer’s Center,
Cook Children’s Medical Center and Tarrant Area Food
Bank.
“These organizations are great and make people aware
of community service options around campus,” Jones
said.
Jones had many responsibilities as Alpha Phi Omega’s
service vice president. She was responsible for planning
five, 10 weekly community service projects of the organization
members. This required coordination with non-profit agencies
throughout the Fort Worth-Dallas area.
Jones does not take all the credit for the person she
is today. She said growing up, her parents and friends
were community focused and were good examples of people
who were physically engaged.
“Abbey is a great leader who is dedicated to what
she does,” Chelsea Carr, a senior Spanish major,
said. “She is not the type of person who does the
bare minimum. She really goes out of her way to help others
and to be a good friend.”
Jones has also made the most of her four years at TCU
by traveling and studying in other countries. Last summer
she studied abroad in Budapest for a month and backpacked
across Europe for three weeks. Last fall she studied in
London with the TCU London Centre.
“Abbey is very attentive to contemporary news and
is always aware of events going on in the world,”
said Dr. Jim Atwood, a professor in the religion department.
“I’ve been on the religion faculty at TCU for
over 20 years and Abbey is by far the most enthusiastic
student who is genuinely interested in learning.”
It is hard to believe Jones ever finds free time, but
when she does she enjoys reading, crafts, crossword Puzzles
and hanging out with friends.
Despite the fact she has been on the Dean’s List
every semester at TCU and is a TCU Scholar, Jones said
she loves going to class and learning, but the friends
she has met have taught her just as much if not more than
she ever learned from class.
“When it comes down to it, having friends is more
important than having A’s,” she said.
When asked what advice she would give to fellow TCU students,
Jones said, “Knowing what areas you are strong in
and working on them is a good idea. Also looking for areas
you can improve in helps. Most of all, be receptive to
constructive criticism.”
Jones plans to work for Teach for America in Las Vegas,
Nev., for two years after graduation.
After that she hopes to teach abroad. |
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