From the Nominator

The Horned Frog Vendor Fair was created to engage the Texas Christian University (TCU) community, showcase alumni-owned and other small/local businesses, and support the Hispanic Alumni Alliance scholarship. Organized by the TCU Alumni Association, this two-day event was a first of its kind. It encompassed fundraising, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives, community outreach, and engagement of alumni, students, and friends of TCU. The February dates were strategically selected as shopping trends decline after the holidays. The event was publicized to alumni and the campus community--including faculty, staff, and students--through email, social media, and campus newsletters. Students were invited to attend the second day of the event for free. More than 500 shoppers were welcomed, with each receiving a TCU Alumni Association-branded shopping tote. The VIP experience on the first night of the event offered light bites, a cash bar, and a chance to shop first. All vendor registration fees, from 30+ vendors, and $5 from each paid registration contributed to over $6,000 raised for the scholarship. Vendors’ sales exceeded $20,000. Vendors sold various items, including jewelry, ceramics, apparel, artwork, stationery, and other home goods. This inaugural event brought alumni to campus who hadn’t attended an event, as evidenced by the 180 first-time attendees. The success of the event created anticipation and interest for future editions. Both vendors and shoppers expressed interest in participating in or attending future Vendor Fairs, indicating potential for sustained engagement and community-building efforts.

From the Judges

Texas Christian University effectively incorporated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives into its engagement strategies with alumni-owned and local businesses. The judges were particularly impressed by how these DEI efforts were prioritized, notably through initiatives like gathering donations for the Hispanic Alumni Alliance scholarship fund. This initiative not only saw a significant turnout but also facilitated engagement with an array of businesses.