During the fall 2023 commencement ceremony, Neeley graduates completed their journey to earn a business degree that prepares them to lead toward global change with a modern curriculum, superior faculty and staff, and deep industry engagement.
December 16, 2023
By Winter Harris
Achievements and milestone are moments to be celebrated. As graduates wear their caps and gowns and wave at family and friends, the TCU Neeley School of Business proudly recognizes the fall 2023 graduates. This commencement commemorates the closing of the sesquicentennial year and new beginnings for our newest TCU Horned Frog alumni.
Learn more about this special occasion and some of the Neeley graduates.
Shay Wedeking
Shay Wedeking came to TCU Neeley from Castle Pines, Colorado, and received her bachelor’s degree in marketing while also earning a certificate in Consultive Sales. Wedeking was president of the Neeley Mentorship Program and a Foundations of Selling Sales Coach for the TCU Sales Center.
“I deeply appreciate the invaluable experiences and opportunities that my time at Neeley has provided me. Leading the Neeley Mentorship Program and coaching the Foundations of Sales class has been particularly memorable and rewarding,” Wedeking said.
From hosting the end-of-the-year luncheon for Neeley Mentorship Program in the Legends Club, to watching her sales team win the Best Overall Presentation in their case competition, Wedeking said she was proud to be a leader representing Neeley.
Alijah Wood
As a Neeley student majoring in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Alijah Wood said he gained insights related to social impact and the importance of always learning from others.
“My time in Neeley taught me about the rules of the game. Once you understand the game, you can start being a serious player,” said Wood, who is originally from Holland, Michigan.
His favorite memories and accomplishments include winning Values & Ventures with his March teammates and their hair care brand for textured hair in hotels, participating in Shaddock Marketplace, and the lessons he learned in Michael Grohman’s Business in Society class.
Wood plans on living and serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex community as much as he can while directing the Entrepreneurship Program within the Greater Northeast Black Chamber of Commerce. He will also sell financial products with World Financial Group and work towards being an investment advisor. Wood would like to stay close to Neeley to support the next generation of business graduates.
Sydney Richmond
The experiences in Neeley were impactful for Sydney Richmond, a marketing major from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Richmond’s favorite memories in the Neeley School of Business are traveling to New York City with the Neeley Fellows cohort and chatting with friends between classes in Peet’s Cafe.
“I am grateful to the Neeley School of Business and the Neeley Fellows program for affording me unparalleled opportunities to connect with my classmates, professors, and TCU alumni. I have been challenged, encouraged, and equipped for a successful post-grad career, and I credit my time at TCU for the opportunities I have ahead me,” Richmond said.
Her postgraduate plans are to start in an analytics rotation program at Liberty Mutual Insurance.
Gianna DeFelice
Gianna DeFelice had an opportunity to be an active leader in Neeley and on campus as a marketing major from Sacramento, California.
“I had an incredible time at Texas Christian University and the TCU Neeley School of Business. Stepping onto campus as a transfer student, I was in awe of everything TCU and Neeley offered. My professors were dedicated and truly cared about my education and my potential to have a bright future and successful career after graduation,” she said.
DeFelice said she had incredible marketing internships with the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens; Premier, which is a hotel renovation and design firm; and participated in the TCU athletics marketing internship program.
Her favorite memories during her collegiate experience are presenting with her team's technological product at the Marketing Trade Show in her marketing management course in front of industry professionals. DeFelice also had the opportunity to meet exciting sports industry professionals from her Sports and Entertainment Marketing courses, like TCU Baseball Coach Kirk Saarloos and TCU Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach Mitchell Traver, Cowtown Marketing Director Heidi Swartz, and Creative Artists Agency innovator Mike Johnson.
Another invaluable experience she received was being part of the Transfer Student Experience Team where she contributed to events that fostered community, and served as a leader on campus for transfer students.
Her post graduate plans are to move to Irving, Texas, and work for Epsilon, an advertising firm, as a sales specialist.
“My decision to transfer to TCU and enter the Neeley School of Business was the single best educational decision I have made,” DeFelice said.