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Event Recognizes Achievements of Horned Frog Leaders
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Eight remarkable Horned Frogs and friends of the university were honored for their contributions to TCU, their professions and their communities at the 2026 Leadership Awards Celebration, hosted by the TCU Alumni Association.
Since 1954, TCU has recognized outstanding alumni, parents and friends of the university at this annual awards celebration. Today, more than 100,000 Horned Frog alumni and countless supporters are part of the TCU family — yet only a select group of over 500 have earned these prestigious honors. These individuals represent what it means to lead with purpose, stay connected to the university and translate opportunity into real-world impact.
Amanda Stallings ’97, ’01, associate vice chancellor of Alumni Relations, presided over this year’s event, held this spring in the Tucker Family Ballroom of the Brown-Lupton University Union. Chancellor Daniel W. Pullin presented the awards.
The accomplishments of this year’s awardees — Cathy Thomson Goode ’78, Barclay Berdan ’76, Ashlyn Dooley ’26, Carol and Richard Hoefs, Scott Giberson, Jr. ’20, and Moria and Brian Cox ’96, ’96 — reinforce the momentum TCU is building and the standard it continues to set.
Here’s more information on this year’s honorees:
Cathy Thomson Goode ’78 received the Alumni Service Award. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, she worked at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in critical care. She married Glenn E. “Buddy” Goode III and in 1992 stepped away from her career to focus on future Horned Frogs Andrew and Lindsay. Goode later returned to work at Baylor Health Care as an infusion nurse. Today, whether she’s serving on the National Alumni Board or as a Loyalty Giving Social Media Ambassador, volunteering at alumni or Frog Club events, or leading Fort Worth’s Volunteer Frogs, Goode consistently brings energy, professionalism and a genuine love for TCU to everything she does.
Barclay Berdan ’76 received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Berdan earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from TCU, then pursued an MBA with a specialization in hospital administration from the University of Chicago. He worked in hospital settings in Illinois, Florida and Arkansas, later returning to Texas to become president of the downtown Harris Methodist Hospital, which then merged into Texas Health Resources. In 2014, he became chief executive officer of Texas Health Resources and is a nationally recognized and respected professional in the industry. In 2022, Berdan and his wife, Marsha, established the Berdan Family Endowment to strengthen the Burnett School of Medicine’s simulation and technology curriculum. TCU’s medical school recently dedicated a study room to honor them.
Ashlyn Dooley ’26 received the Distinguished Student Award. This spring, Dooley earned a bachelor’s degree in movement science. She plans to pursue a master’s degree and explore a career in health, research or exercise science. Dooley received both the Founders’ Scholarship and Bob Bolen Leadership Scholarship at TCU. While an undergraduate, she completed over 500 hours at medical and physical therapy clinics for observation and clinical experience. She also worked with TCU kinesiology assistant professor Ryan Porter in his research on Parkinson’s disease, obesity and cancer. After her father died of cancer, she found solace and a leadership role with a grief support group in TCU’s Office of Religious & Spiritual Life, helping other students navigate their pain.
Carol and Richard Hoefs received the Honorary Alumni Award. Carol and Richard Hoefs didn’t have a longstanding connection to TCU, but when they researched it more than 15 years ago, they learned it shared their values and vision. Today, they are among the most involved friends of the university, supporting their passion for making educational opportunities available to deserving Horned Frogs through a variety of scholarships. The Hoefses develop lasting relationships with their scholarship recipients: attending Scholarship Dinners, following their careers after graduation and providing encouragement. Richard also serves on the Clark Society Board, and both are engaged with the Ranch Management program. Their loyalty to TCU will be further reflected through a significant gift in their estate plan.
Scott Giberson Jr. ’20 received the Outstanding Young Professional Award. Graduating with degrees from the M.D./MBA program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this spring, Giberson is preparing for a career at the intersection of medicine and business leadership. His decision to pair medical education with business training reflects his approach to not only heal patients but also to improve the systems that serve them. Giberson earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from TCU. He was active on campus and held multiple scholarships and leadership positions. He remains a proud alumnus, serving on the Young Chancellor’s Advisory Council. This summer, he and his wife, Kayla Chargois Giberson ’21, will relocate to Chicago, where he will begin his pediatrics residency.
Moria and Brian Cox ’96 ’96 received the Valuable Alumni Award. The pair met on campus as undergraduates, were married in Robert Carr Chapel and are proud parents of two Horned Frogs. The Coxes established the Cox Family College of Education Endowed Scholarship and the Cox Family Endowed Chair in the Neeley School of Business. They also supported renovations of Ed Landreth Hall. Brian has been an industry leader in the cloud storage and artificial intelligence data center hypergrowth of the past 16 years. A proud Army veteran, he is a member of TCU’s Chancellor's Advisory Council. Moria is a graduate of the College of Education and has served as an elementary school teacher and nonprofit leader in the family’s Denver community. She is also a member of the TCU Parent & Family Council.
Read more about the 2026 Leadership Award recipients from the TCU Alumni Association.