Frog of the Week: Larry Markley
By David Reese
Features editor

Larry Markley has been working with students for longer than many of the TCU students have been alive. Markley was raised in Clinton, Iowa, until he went to college.

Markley graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in education with a biology emphasis. He also earned his master’s in college student personnel services from the same university. After he finished his degree, he applied for two job positions including ones in Texas and Georgia.

“I’m not a cold weather person,” Markley said. “With either job, I was going to the south with warmer weather.”

Markley worked at the University of Houston for six years before working for a short time at the YMCA and then seven years at Lamar University. Then, Markley went to work at the University of North Texas.

For the next four years, he worked as the vice president of college marketing for a company that sold electronic signs with advertisements. After he left that position, Markley began his tenure at TCU. Markley has served as the Student Center director for the past 16 years.

“I was originally hired to build or renovate the Student Center 16 years ago,” Markley said.

He said he is disappointed that the new building or renovations have not occurred but he does assume it will within the next two to four years.

“I still believe that the Student Center is the focal point of the university,” Markley said. “It is the most important building for the recruitment and retention of students.”

In addition, Markley has served as the main advisor to the Student Government Association.

He said his job working with the students has been the best part of his career in student development.

“Working with students and watching them develop has been the most rewarding experience,” he said.

David Reese
d.w.reese@tcu.edu