Hundreds of TCU students filled the third floor of the Brown-Lupton University Union on Friday, Oct. 2, lining the halls for a chance to meet Emmy Award-winning dancer and “Dancing with the Stars” judge Derek Hough.
The event, hosted by theEnd, a TCU student-run organization, was a moderated question-and-answer session that gave students the opportunity to engage with someone they look up to.
Hough is a six-time DWTS champion and is currently filming the show’s 35th season as a judge.
Bringing a nationally recognized public figure to campus is not simple; it requires hard work, preparation and coordination. Student organizers and staff at theEnd worked through various challenges to ensure the event ran smoothly.
“We like to hear input from our members and from the TCU community,” Alex Rodriguez, a senior sports broadcasting major and director for theEnd, said. “We may post on our story, ‘What type of celebrities would you like to see on campus?’ And then we go through that list to see who is available.”
For many students in attendance, the anticipation of seeing Hough added to the excitement.
“I am so excited to see Derek Hough tonight,” said Eloise Wallace, a first-year journalism major. “Dancing with the Stars is my favorite show, so it is so cool TCU brought him here.”
Sydney Bane, left, interviews Derek Hough onstage. (Photo courtesy @theendtcu on Instagram)
TheEnd plans similar on-campus events to this one on Friday and Saturday nights.
Hough’s appearance is an example of how the organization uses student feedback to bring entertainment and public figures to campus. The strong student turnout at the BLUU reflected interest in the event and gave students a chance to meet a figure they would typically only see on television.