Every year, Barbara Walters identifies the most fascinating, news-making celebrities. This year our favorite carb-loving J-Law, our not-so-favorite twerking exhibitionist Miley, and everyone’s new favorite homosexual-accepting Pope Francis made the list, as they accomplished exceptionally intriguing endeavors and got attention this past year. Here at TCU, you might also find some interesting people making the list. Because we are a smaller liberal arts school, there are many opportunities for one to cross paths with fascinating people. And not just once, which leads us to know these people on a celeb-status level.

For instance, we all freaked out this past fall when we heard there was an eleven year old student on campus. The bright-eyed, big cheesin’ Carson Huey-You waltzed on in to Quantum Physics 101 on his first day with Momma Claretta close behind. (Don’t be fooled however, he only needs his mom because he can’t keep the kinder-frog ladies off of him). But the fact that he’s eleven and in college isn’t the only interesting thing about him. Carson speaks Mandarin Chinese, plays the piano (oh yeah because you know, HE TAUGHT HIMSELF), and is extremely focused and academically gifted. You’re most likely to see our mini Bill-Nye if you’re a Sid-Rich/Win-Scott junkie, but who knows, maybe he’ll realize he wants to deca-major and we’ll all have a class with him. Keep it up little dude, but watch out, Pi-Kapps recruit early.

Another great place to find interesting people at TCU is in the Ed Landreth Building. Where’s that you might ask? Maybe you took a random survey of theatre class there your freshman year, but if and when you do stumble upon this building on the north side of campus, good luck finding your way from one end of the building to the other. Ed Landreth has two third floors, or maybe it’s three second floors, but regardless, you’ll probably end up on the wrong fourth floor which doesn’t really exist either.

Ed Landreth, the theatre and music building, houses two awesome faculty members worth noting as incredibly fascinating: Dr. Harry Parker and Dr. T.J Walsh. Dr. Harry Parker, known as Harry by his students, was honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar this past September. I have one made up hyphenated word for that: “woah-damn.” If you’re lucky to have a class with him at TCU, buckle up for a change of perspective. Harry holds all his students in high regard, and is always willing to go the extra mile for a student, for the theatre, and for the pursuit of teaching. While Dr. Walsh (don’t even think about calling him T.J.) brings a different dynamic to his classes, he shares Harry’s passion, knowledge, and insight. Dr. Walsh is a professor, director, playwright and also the artistic director of the Trinity Shakespeare Festival that happens every summer here in Fort Worth. You might be thinking “Shakespeare? No thanks, I speak English,” but no really, trust me, his artistic vision and creative construction will leave you thinking Willy Shakes is my homeboy. He also tells so many hilarious stories in class that you don’t even think about missing because of your Friday morning hangover.

While you’re obviously going to find fascinating people in the department where kids pride themselves on dissociative identity disorder, you might also look to student government for some interesting individuals. Cody Westphall, our TCU student body president, DID bring Chick-fil-a to campus (a feat the other guy said wouldn't happen in a million years) and is even working on opening it up on Sundays (no he’s not, I lied). Maybe I just voted for him because he played the guitar in snooze-ville chapter meeting and promised me chicken deliciousness in the BLUU, but that is NOT why he is worthy of this prestigious list... it's his classy as eff, Leonardo-esque profile picture (I stalk, I admit). Or maybe it’s because he served as SGA treasurer, Boschini's barber, and doesn’t need a GPS in Sid Rich (seriously people, that is amazing) and is simply an accomplished dude with an awesome sense of humor. What more does TCU need in a Student body leader? If you still haven’t, please watch his campaign video. Five star lols. Kudos to you, Cody, for being fascinatingly charismatic.

Our final most interesting person of 2013 goes to our late, sweet Clay York. To say you did not know him personally in some way would literally mean you lived under a rock somewhere in Waits and never saw the light of day. This is because Clay was a ray of sunshine. Encouraging, involved, genuine, and passionate are all words used by faculty, friends, and family to describe Clay. What made Clay fascinating was not only his radiating personality, but also his accomplishments as a member of the class of 2013. He was Mr. TCU, an RA, a double major in modern dance and ballet as well as a journalism minor, and a Magna Cum Laude graduate. BRB while I wallow in my little to no accomplishments in comparison. His memory as a fascinating and loving individual lives on in the memory of TCU as people continually recognize him as an outstanding individual and friend. What a mark he has made on our community.

Here at TCU, our required core forces us to interact with all departments and all students at some point or another. While we might complain about taking a rando 8 am Korean History class now, once we graduate, we’ll be thankful for all the interesting people, both faculty and students, TCU has placed in our path. Whether you study in the library’s Divinity school, or are a business-suit-sporting Neely Fellows mad man, you will encounter and become as fascinating an individual as you choose here at TCU. This 2013 may not have been one for horned-frog football, but it definitely has seen some fascinatingly excellent people.