This class project shows it takes just $1 to change the world

By Paxton Crews, Staff Writer

Published Apr 25, 2024

Senior JD Manko taking a participant’s headshot. (Paxton Crews/Staff Photographer)

Students of a group leadership communications class embark on a unique initiative each semester. In groups of five, they are tasked with using no more than $1 each, a total of $5, to initiate a change in the world.

Communication studies professor Chris Harper explained that the $1 limit encourages resourcefulness and discourages students from buying their assignments, fostering a spirit of creativity and community engagement.

Harper has been instructing this project for over 10 years. The aim is to develop the student’s leadership skills and ability to connect with the community. Harper went on to say that it emphasizes the importance of leadership and resourcefulness and provides a practical application of their learning.

Harper said he encourages students to “have creativity, use connections and leverage relationships” to succeed.

Posing with a purpose

Seniors JD Manko, Truett Walker and Sydney Dunn pose outside Moudy South during their food bank project. (Paxton Crews/Staff Photographer)

Senior communication majors Sydney Dunn, Truett Walker, Olivia Barnard, Dabney Collier and senior designs studies major JD Manko used this opportunity to support the Tarrant County Food Bank.

They offered a free headshot in exchange for two non-perishable food items.

A participant could show up outside Moudy South with two non-perishable goods. Manko took the participant’s picture and send them an edited headshot within the week.

Senior JD Manko takes a participant’s headshot. (Paxton Crews/Staff Photographer)

The group’s idea started with complimentary headshots for the TCU community. The group was challenged to use this idea of complimentary headshots and simultaneously incorporate a way to give back to the Fort Worth community.

They “averaged around 20 people per day and collected around 100 cans to give to the Tarrant County food bank,” Dunn said, showcasing the tangible impact of their initiative in the community.

Their initiative was an innovative way to encourage participation. This strategy not only incentivized donations but also provided a valuable service to the TCU community.

Canned goods that were collected. (Paxton Crews/Staff Photographer)

All proceeds went to the Tarrant County Food Bank.

“It’s something that people can measure and look back on,” Harper said. “It is an invitation to do something absolutely amazing in college.”

On the last day of Harpers’ class, students present their project and its outcome.