Purple rain

The university dedicates the return of campus landmark Frog Fountain .

By Kathryn Hopper

Monday may have been St. Patrick's Day, but for TCU faithful it wasn't so much about wearing green but flowing purple – water that is.

Frog Fountain was flowing again, marked in a dedication ceremony that honored the contributions of John V. Roach '61 and his family, who got to flip the switch to re-start the fountain in its new location in the Campus Commons.

The fountain was refurbished and its base redesigned as part of the $100 million Campus Commons project that is nearing completion. During its hiatus, graduating seniors had to improvise, making do with photos against a mock backdrop or other locales instead of the traditional fountain shot.

Originally a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Houghton Phillips of San Antonio, Frog Fountain was placed in front of the student center in 1969. The fountain, designed by Buck Winn, featured four lotus-petal flutes of varying heights from which water flowed out into a rock-lined pool. Horned frog images were originally set into the rock base, but weathering and vandalism caused their eventual disappearance.

Last year, the old fountain parts underwent a thorough cleaning and refurbishing process. The main internal pipe was replaced. New copper cladding was added to the outside, and pumps, lighting and other equipment were replaced.

"Every university has its beloved traditions and since 1969 one of the most beloved of these traditions is Frog Fountain," said J. Luther King Jr., chair of the board of trustees, in a speech at the dedication.

Calling them a "model Horned Frog Family," he praised Roach's dedication and leadership including his contributions to the refurbished Frog Fountain. Roach, who served on the university's board of trustees for 15 years, was joined by his wife Jean Wiggin Roach '64, their children and grandchildren at the dedication, which also featured speeches by Don Mills, vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Thomas Pressly, president of the Student Government Association.

Mills told what he called his favorite Frog Fountain story – when a student who was scheduled to give a campus tour went out the day before and caught a catfish.

"She kept it alive and put it in the fountain just before doing her tour," he said. "Then on the tour she said ‘here at TCU we grow catfish so we can have fish frys on campus.' The students and parents on the tour nodded and said ‘mmm, fish frys.' "

He said Frog Fountain wasn't always beloved and that initially some students criticized it as a waste of money and space that should instead go to more parking.

But, he said, through the years the fountain evolved into an icon.

"It's instantly recognizable and represents the best of TCU," he said. "It brings the community together."

In his speech, Roach remembered the song "Three Coins In a Fountain," and the tradition of tossing coins in a fountain and making a wish.

"Thousands of TCU students will enjoy happiness, throwing coins in this fountain," he said.

He also praised its new home in the heart of TCU.

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