This year’s TCU Gives Day Challenge Ambassador is John Walls ’05. An award-winning public relations professional, Schieffer College Board of Visitors member and LEGO enthusiast, Walls is the principal of JWPR, LLC, where he provides expertise in communication strategy, brand management, crisis communication and thought leadership. This year, he’s giving back to the Schieffer College by establishing the John Walls Excellence in Strategic Communication Fund. Learn more about Walls and why you should support Schieffer College.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at TCU?
I had so many, it’s hard to pick just one! Football games in the student section, studying abroad in London and my internship with former Vice Chancellor for Marketing & Communication Tracy Syler-Jones all stand out. Above all, the connections I made meant the most. I still keep in touch with friends and professors from my time at TCU, and they continue to play a big part in my life today. Those relationships are what truly made my TCU experience special.
How did strategic communication prepare you for your career?
The courses I took at TCU were diverse and challenging, and they absolutely set me up for a career in PR and corporate communications. My senior year was especially pivotal—one of my PR classes brought in guest speakers from the industry each week. Through one of those connections, I landed an internship during my final semester, which turned into my first full-time job after graduation with Paige Hendricks (Class of ’70) and her agency, Paige Hendricks Public Relations, in Fort Worth. TCU and the Schieffer College helped me build both the skills and network I needed to start my career strong.
Can you tell me more about your gift for TCU Gives Day? Why did you choose to give and to what cause?
For me, it’s about creating something that will continue to give back to Schieffer College for years to come. I’m proud to have established the John Walls Strategic Communication Excellence Fund. It’s an endowment that professors and staff can use for professional development—whether that’s for training, conferences, or student engagement initiatives. I wanted this fund to directly benefit the people and students who are shaping the future of communications.
Why should someone give on TCU Gives Day?
Giving on TCU Gives Day is an easy way to make a huge impact. It’s a chance for alumni, students, faculty and staff to come together and support the programs that make TCU so special. Every gift, no matter the size, helps provide opportunities for students to learn, grow, and succeed. Each contribution gets us closer to that goal!
What appeals to you about LEGO? What’s your favorite build?
Everyone needs a hobby, right? For me, LEGO lets me reconnect with a part of myself I hadn’t explored in years. I loved architecture and design when I was younger, and LEGO allows me to tap into that creative side again. A few years ago, I picked up a set and realized how much I still enjoyed it. Now, I see it as a way to challenge myself and bring my own creations to life. My favorite build so far is a four-foot-tall saguaro cactus I call the “Lone Star Succulent.” Right now, I’m working on a Statue of Liberty build—and, of course, a Super Frog build!