TCU
John Devereaux
TCU is sending out invitations of sorts to the world to join in celebrating its landmark birthday in 2023.
Rather than stock, the university is using paint.
As part of the lead-up to TCU’s 150th anniversary, the school is highlighting notable Horned Frog leaders who found their inspiration at TCU with a series of murals, hand painted in cities across America.
The larger-than-life artistic portraits will appear in select U.S. cities to recognize outstanding individuals who represent the power of TCU’s alumni “leading on” in extraordinary ways in their chosen fields.
The first mural in the series was unveiled in New York City this week and features alumnus John Devereaux, currently touring with “Hamilton.”
“John is amazing, and he represents what we believe is the power of all Horned Frogs: We find our passion and pursue it,” says TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini Jr. in a statement. “In corporations, in classrooms, in operating rooms and even on stages, you’ll find Horned Frogs leading on.”
The mural series is part of TCU’s new national brand campaign supporting its 150th anniversary theme “Lead On: Celebrating 150 Years of TCU.”
New commercials featuring TCU students, faculty and staff are also debuting to promote its academic and campus experience. Streetlamp banners convey the powerful “then and now” connection between TCU leaders from yesterday and today with descriptors like “Boldly,” “Compassionately” and “Authentically.” An accompanying photo essay goes deeper, telling the story of everyone represented on the banners.
TCU
Devereaux credits multiple experiences and people at TCU that prompted him to pursue a career in the performing arts. He says his life would have been different without the culture of connection at TCU and the support and encouragement from professors and classmates.
“I am so grateful to everyone at TCU for nurturing and expanding my gifts,” says Devereaux. “It is so meaningful to be celebrated like this and to know that I am viewed as a leader in my community. I truly believe that the stage is a platform for joy. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, and I pray that my shoulders will be strong to hold those who will stand on mine.”
The mural featuring Devereaux is 15 feet wide and 32 feet high. It is located on 25th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues in Manhattan. The bold mural, painted in TCU’s signature school purple, is accented with the sesquicentennial year creative featuring a prismatic purple sunrise gradient, and features a photo-realistic portrait of Devereaux and playful lettering featuring his inspiring quote: “The stage is a platform for joy.”
Last month, TCU students and administration used an opportunity to ring the final bell on Wall Street to promote its anniversary and mission.
The second mural location will be unveiled in Los Angeles in February and feature alum Katherine Beattie, a producer/writer for “NCIS” and, as an adaptive sports athlete, the first woman to land a backflip using a wheelchair.
Other mural subjects and locations will be announced soon, with the final mural debuting in Fort Worth in fall 2023.
