Texas Woman’s University Dallas Campus was brimming with activity on the morning of Wednesday, March 27. As three women stood talking on the second floor of the T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences-Dallas Center, it was the lull before the long-awaited official installation of the Dallas campus’ first president. From all appearances, the trio were students talking about the plan of the day. However, as it turned out, two of them were Texas Woman’s University (TWU) Pioneer Ambassadors Savannah Walker and Kirsten Mallari. The one in the white blouse and maroon skirt was not a student at all. It was the campus’ future president — Monica Christopher.
Before the room filled with TWU leadership and board members, a man in maroon and white attire was seen rushing downstairs. It was TWU Chancellor Carine Feyten‘s husband, Chad Wick, who was not going to be able to stay for the installation. He was headed to St. Louis, Missouri, for the NCAA women’s basketball game pitting TWU against Ferris State in the Final Four.
Just as he disappeared, Carine joined Monica and the crowd including Monica’s husband Brent Christopher, Mary Brinegar, Lottye Brodsky-Lyle, Julie Diaz, Susan Scullin, Marnie and Kern Wildenthal and TWU’s Jason Tomlinson, Paula Clutter, Kim Miloch, Robert Hyde, Kris Kaskel-Ruiz and Noralyn Pickens. When it came time for Carine and Lucy Billingsley to pose for a photo, the difference in height might have been a problem. But Lucy didn’t hesitate. She slipped off her shoes and hopped up on a small table and the photos were snapped.
Right on schedule, the group adjourned to the third floor for a luncheon, where the enthusiasm of the new president and TWU’s first-ever run at a national title for NCAA women’s basketball provided a wealth of conversation for guests like Stacie McDavid, Ann Stuart, Bobby Lyle, Hong Bass, Christopher Durovich, Bob Mong and Peter Miller.
In addition to Carine recalling how TWU Dream Big fundraising cabinet member Lucy had been the one who suggested that Carine meet Monica, plus comments by Regen Horchow, Monica’s husband, Children’s Medical Center Foundation President Brent Christopher provided some insight about the new president:
- “Now whenever I introduce myself to someone and they give me kind of a blank look, I say, ‘I’m Monica Christopher’s husband.’ Instant recognition.
- “She loves fashion. She love a good French macaroon.”
- “Number one of the list and this is in the spirit of the pioneers being in the Final Four for Division 2 tonight — sports. So, sports are actually a big thing to Monica. You might not know that, at first blush. I didn’t know that before we got married, but I have learned it quickly…. When we got married, she asked, ‘What do you listen to in the mornings when you’re getting ready?’ And so I usually just listen to KERA and get caught up on the news and what’s happened overnight. Monica said, absolutely not! ‘We’re only going to be listening to The Ticket in the morning.'”
- “The other thing you might not know is about her love of animals. And I mean all animals, not just cute little animals. The Christmas song about ‘All I Want For Christmas is a Hippopotamus’? That’s not just a Christmas song to her. There is nothing that would excite her more than to walk out the back door on Christmas morning and look into the pool and see a giant hippopotamus there right in the middle of it.”
- “But there are important qualities that I really wanted to talk about that I think are uniquely special about Monica. She is an inquisitive learner. She is a patient listener. she is fiercely loyal. She’s not a pushover. She is dependable.”
- “Now I will warn you she is a little competitive. I failed to appreciate that prior to our marriage. She told me that her family loves to play croquet and you know croquet sounds like the most refined game in the world with lovely clothes on the lawn and gently tapping a ball back and forth. She is ruthless. My ball went flying all over the place because she was constantly knocking me out of the way.”
- “The final thing I would call out is her innate optimism. You know, we talk about people being glass half full or half empty. Monica is the epitome of the glass half full. She sees the possibilities. She recognizes where the hope is. She feels the sense of joy and believes that something good is always possible if you work at it hard enough. And I thought at first that maybe it was just for show, or you know, part of her shtick. But as I have come to know her, it’s an extraordinary asset for people who are closest about her, whether it’s family or friends or colleagues alike. And I know that she is going to enjoy continuing to work with each of you. And you’re going to enjoy that quality with her.”
Monica thanked everyone for their support of her new role and of the TWU mission in Dallas and then went from table to table talking with guests during the meal. Here’s a report from the field about the installation ceremony:
Following the luncheon, guests adjourned to the Dallas campus auditorium, where they joined installation ceremony guests for a robust program that paid tribute to the historic moment of an inaugural TWU Dallas president via remarks from TWU partners and Dallas community leaders, staff and faculty presentations, and a keynote from President Christopher herself. Chancellor Feyten opened by talking about the “magnitude of the collective experience of TWU’s more than 100,000 living alumni,” their contributions, and the importance of investing in a “new trajectory” for the Dallas campus as a means of furthering TWU’s impact.
Dr. Feyten then introduced TWU alumna and longtime friend-of-Monica Lottye Brodsky-Lyle, Ph.D., who shared quotes from one of President Christopher’s heroes, Mister Rogers, as well as a humorous anecdote about a 1960s-era TWU professor who brought a six-pack to class to serve as footrest for the petite Brodsky-Lyle, after noticing her feet didn’t reach the floor while seated.
“It showed [in true TWU fashion] that he noticed and cared,” said Brodsky-Lyle. “I’ve never seen Monica with a six-pack, but I wouldn’t put it past her to bring a six-pack to a meeting for a short-legged participant, or stay late with you in order to get to know you better. When it happens, you’ll know she is truly a member of Texas Woman’s University, using her caring skills to help you.”
In keeping with the program’s unofficial “TWU Dallas then, now, tomorrow” theme, Chancellor Emerita Ann Stuart, Ph.D., offered recollections and insights regarding TWU’s 70-year presence in Dallas, which began in the mid-1950s with programs at Parkland and Presbyterian hospitals. A brief slideshow of images from the TWU archives, set to “It’s a Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood” as a double nod to both Mister Rogers and TWU’s contributions as a good neighbor in the community, preceded her remarks.
Dallas Campus Assistant Director of Admissions Robert Benavides shared an equally amusing TikTok-inspired video welcoming President Christopher, thus kicking off the “TWU Dallas of today” portion of the program. A short but compelling video presentations from each of TWU Dallas academic departments followed, teed up by TWU College of Business Dean Dr. Rama Yelkur, Stroke Center Dallas Director Dr. Jyutika Mehta, Dallas Campus Occupational Therapy Associate Director Dr. Asha Vas, TWU School of Physical Therapy Director Dr. Alyssa Fiss, TWU College of Nursing Interim Assistant Dean Dr. Kristine Morris and Interim Undergraduate program Director Aleatha Rossler.
The possibility and promise of TWU Dallas was manifested in remarks from Dallas Regional Chamber President/CEO Dale Petroskey, who talked about the need for innovation in healthcare workforce development, to which TWU is a major contributor, as well as his long friendship with President Christopher, recalling his delight when she told him that TWU would be her next career stop.
UT Southwestern Medical Center President Dr. Daniel Podolsky thanked Chancellor Feyten for “the opportunity to participate in this milestone event with TWU, our longstanding partner in Dallas.” He commended Chancellor Feyten for her “masterful navigation of the challenges of leading a public university in Texas” as well as her advocacy in Austin for TWU priorities. Dr. Podolsky also acknowledged his lengthy friendship with President Christopher, saying “We [at UT Southwestern] have come to know that she is passionate about healthcare and medical research, and that she will bring her meticulous attention to detail to bear in this new position. All of these qualities will serve TWU’s future remarkably well.”
University of North Texas-Dallas President Bob Mong introduced President Christopher before she took the stage to deliver her keynote address, reminiscing with fondness about their days as colleagues on the job with “The Dallas Morning News” and the former Belo Corp. During President Christopher’s keynote, she highlighted TWU Dallas accomplishments and emphasized how impressed she was with the TWU experience, concluding with a call-to-action for TWU supporters: “Now is our time,” she said. “Momentum is on our side. It’s time to activate the pioneering TWU spirit to build the future of what TWU Dallas can be. As you can see today, we’re not doing it alone. We have a whole city rooting for us – and counting on us. Let us be confident and bold in our vision.” The audience gave her a standing ovation.
The ceremony concluded with a special surprise presentation to President Christopher that included a mayoral proclamation read by Dallas City Councilmember Jaynie Schultz, a gift of a shadow-box framed stethoscope from the TWU Student Government Association, and an “undefeated in football since 1901” football helmet, a long-running inside joke amongst TWU staff regarding the university’s non-existent football team, from athletic director Dianne Baker (The humorous gift was also a nod to President Christopher’s well-known love of college football, particularly The Ohio State University.).
Finally, Nancy Barry, Christopher’s first supervisor, sent a heartfelt video message and a copy of her book “When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent Graduates To Know,” which includes a mention of President Christopher and further highlights her impact and contributions.
In February, Monica Christopher took the helm as the inaugural president at TWU Dallas, renowned for its exceptional academic programs and groundbreaking research initiatives in nursing, allied health professions, and health care administration. Christopher’s appointment marks a significant milestone during a period of dynamic growth for Texas Woman’s University, the largest woman-focused university system in the nation, which achieved university system status in 2021, broke ground on a new health sciences center last fall, and is entering the homestretch of Dream Big, the university’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign. Set to culminate with the university’s 125th anniversary in 2026, Dream Big aims to raise $125 million to support the university’s continued pursuit of excellence and innovation. Find out more at the university’s website.
For more looks of the celebrants and TWU leadership, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.