Best of CASE District IV Award
 

Institution: Texas Christian University

Title of entry: Connecting and engaging alumni by supporting scholarships and alumni-owned businesses

About this entry: The Horned Frog Vendor Fair was created to engage the 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 initiatives, community outreach, and engaging 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.

Over 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 lite bites, a cash bar, and a chance to shop first. All vendor registration fees, from thirty-plus 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 from 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.