Over the last year, a cross-campus workgroup has been evaluating TCU’s employee appreciation and recognition strategy. This includes identifying resources and approaches for department-level appreciation, service to the University, and exclusive access to perks for TCU employees.
Additionally, the workgroup has created branding that will be used to identify and link employee recognition initiatives throughout the year. The group developed recommendations to enhance how TCU celebrates employee excellence and service while ensuring alignment with University values.
Sunsetting TCU Celebrates
When TCU Celebrates was launched in 2023, TCU was ahead of the curve in higher education by using this type of employee engagement platform. In 2026, employee recognition and engagement platforms have become common practice, creating demand for expanded options. In 2023, the current tech served a purpose but did not fully meet the needs or expectations of our employees, which also left people disappointed.
TCU Celebrates in its current format will be discontinued on May 31, 2026.
What if I Have an Existing or Upcoming Service or Retirement Gift?
Normally, the ability to redeem service and retirement gifts remains active for one year after the original date. Because the platform will be discontinued on May 31, 2026, this year's grace period will also end. Please keep in mind:
The Bigger Picture
Employees will begin to see other enhancements to the overall employee appreciation
and recognition strategy, including:
- Employee appreciation and recognition initiatives will be tied together using distinct new branding celebrating employee excellence.
- TCU’s signature employee events, such as the annual opening luncheon, Frogtoberfest and end-of-year celebration, will more intentionally celebrate and show appreciation for employees and their service to the university.
- Service pins will be reintroduced at this year’s Employee Celebration on April 30,
2026.
You must attend the event to receive your pin.
- Exclusive programs and perks for TCU employees will be more prominently organized and displayed on the HR website.
- Local stores and restaurants will be able to apply to register their perks with TCU and receive a decal to prominently display as a Purple Perks partner.
- Athletics will provide a calendar of which games in different sports will be part of their faculty and staff appreciation initiatives.
- A quarterly Service Recognition Newsletter will announce employees celebrating service milestones at the 1, 3 and 5 years, and
5-year increments from there. Because retirement decisions are personal and often
private, these will be included in the newsletter only if an employee opts in when
notifying HR of their retirement intentions.
We appreciate your patience during this transition and your continued dedication to
the TCU mission and values.
More details about the broader recognition strategy will be shared as time goes on!
For questions, please reach out to HRevents@tcu.edu