Two chairwomen set history, have work to be done
This is the first year the Faculty Senate and Staff Assembly have been chaired by women at the same time.
By Amy Johnson
Staff Reporter

Members of the Faculty Senate and Staff Assembly hope to accomplish many things this school year, but some may be oblivious to the fact that history has already been made: it’s the first time that both bodies have been simultaneously chaired by women.

Peggy Watson, an associate professor of Spanish and Latin American studies, is chairwoman of the Faculty Senate and Karen Baker, associate director of administration, is chairwoman of the Staff Assembly.

Watson grew up in Fort Worth and graduated from R.L. Paschal Senior High School. She then attended Tulane University in New Orleans, La. and graduated with a doctorate degree in Hispanic literature in 1989. She returned to Fort Worth and joined TCU in 1984 as an adjunct faculty member, and has been an integral part of the university ever since, colleagues said.

“Coming back to TCU has been a real pleasure,” she said.

Watson said she is currently serving her fourth three-year term as a member of the Faculty Senate.

Baker began her TCU career with the M. J. Neeley School of Business in August 1992, where she worked for four years.

Baker, who grew up in Montgomery, Ala., began her college career at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She soon married and decided to put her college career on hold for several years to start a family. In 1991, she received a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in public relations from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

She moved to Student Affairs six years ago and continues to work in Residential Services. This is her third year as a member of the Staff Assembly.

Watson said her goals this year are to complete the core curriculum and to “preserve the right to uphold the academic interests of the university.”

Andy Fort, Faculty Senate assistant secretary, said Watson is well-suited to be the chairwoman.

“I think she’ll do a great job because she is a conciliator, and she’s also committed to open communication,” he said. “Watson is an inclusive person, which is particularly important this year because all the faculty need to feel that their voices are going to be heard during the creation of a new core curriculum.”

David Grebel, Staff Assembly chairman-elect, said he loves working with Baker because she puts forth a significant effort.

“She’s a remarkably hard worker because she believes in what we have accomplished and what we can accomplish this year,” Grebel said.

He said Baker is highly respected by a wide variety of people because she is smart and insightful, and she gets things done in the best way possible.