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Chancellor Daniel W. Pullin gives his inaugural address at Texas Christian University on Nov. 6, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\nWith pomp and circumstance, Texas Christian University inaugurated Chancellor Daniel Pullin Thursday, marking his transition to become the 11th such leader to take the reins.<\/p>\n
The ceremony was the private university\u2019s first in 21 years and took place as part of its Values in Action week.<\/p>\n
Pullin emphasized the importance of values to TCU and his responsibility to be a servant leader.<\/p>\n
\u201cA servant leader unites others through shared values and shared dreams,\u201d Pullin said during his inauguration speech. \u201cA servant leader helps others see what is possible and helps guide them toward it. Servant leadership is not about the mere wielding of formal authority and power, but rather, how one uses their blessings of time and energy to positively influence others through trust, and empathy, and vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chancellor Daniel W. Pullin gives his inaugural address at Texas Christian University on Nov. 6, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n
A graduate of the University of Oklahoma and Harvard University, Pullin took his first step toward work in higher education when he joined the Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth at OU as executive director. He later became the university\u2019s vice president for strategic planning and economic development, then led the business college as dean.<\/p>\n
He came to TCU in 2019, serving as dean and professor for the Neely School of Business before becoming the university\u2019s president in 2023.<\/p>\n
Pullin took over the chancellor role in June, when Victor Boschini stepped into the role of chancellor emeritus.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Boschini expressed confidence in Pullin\u2019s leadership and excitement about how he will shape the school, which has nearly 13,000 students.<\/p>\n
\u201cChancellor Daniel Pullin, you bring to this role a visionary spirit, a deep commitment to our students and a bold sense of purpose,\u201d Boschini said during Thursday\u2019s ceremony. \u201cHe understands what makes TCU special, and he\u2019s ready to build on that foundation of courage, creativity and care.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pullin emphasized his dedication to students in his speech, stressing his belief in their potential and passion to shape a better future.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach day, I see (students) both achieve and stumble, yet almost always they learn from their stumbles,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd ultimately, I see them conquering challenges and dreaming big \u2014 just as the TCU community invests in them to see those dreams realized.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ceremony also included a liturgy in which representatives of the university\u2019s faculty, staff, students and alumni congratulated Pullin and shared quotes from past chancellors.<\/p>\n
Student Body President Reagan Stephens praised Pullin for his embodiment of TCU\u2019s spirit.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou show us that our student voices matter, that our ideas can shape the future and that our presence is powerful,\u201d she said. \u201cMay your leadership continue to open doors, challenge assumptions and affirm the work of every student.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the ceremony\u2019s peak moment, Boschini and Pullin stood at the front of the stage. Boschini placed the Chancellor\u2019s Medallion over Pullin\u2019s head, leaving the university\u2019s newly inaugurated\u00a0 leader with adornments befitting his role: a bronze iteration of the university\u2019s seal and a purple pair of sneakers.<\/p>\n
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Chancellor Daniel W. Pullin wears purple sneakers to his inauguration as chancellor of Texas Christian University on Nov. 6, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n
McKinnon Rice is the higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Fort Worth Report partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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