An opportunity of a lifetime was waiting in Benjamin King’s inbox. It was one sentence that would open multiple doors of opportunity for his future.
Benjamin King ’27 is a sophomore from DeSoto, Texas majoring in mechanical engineering. TCU caught his attention from the first time he set foot on campus.
He described TCU as if it were straight out of a cartoon where “... the sun is shining and the sky is blue, with birds chirping and music in the background.”
Not only was the campus beautiful, but it was filled with people who welcomed him with open arms, demonstrating what it looks and feels like to be part of the Horned Frog family. From that moment on, he knew TCU was a special place.
Everything changed for King one night during his senior year when TCU went from a dream to his reality. As he was getting ready for bed, King received a call from his dad, who told him to check his email. King saw the first email in his inbox was from TCU.
“Congratulations, you’ve been awarded the STEM Scholarship.”
“I remember sitting there just kind of shocked and in disbelief. I didn’t know what to say or how to react because something like that is just extremely life changing, and it seemed like it all happened in an instant,” King said.
As a STEM Scholar, King has learned how to apply critical thinking skills to tackle real-world problems.
“My education at TCU is constantly making me a better problem solver. Engineering in its nature is hard, but in each course it's really a matter of being equipped with tools and methods to solve problems,” King said.
“At the end of the day, it’s a matter of whether you can reach into your toolbox and not only pick the correct tool, but knowing you use that tool properly. I believe my education at TCU is teaching me how to do that at a high level.”
Outside of the classroom, King serves as the senator for TCU’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers and the treasurer of TCU’s Black Student Association. These experiences have provided professional development opportunities for him to leverage in his future search for internships and jobs, while building a close community with those who share similar interests and experiences.
King is excited for future opportunities in the STEM Scholar program, including a study abroad trip to Costa Rica.
“I’ve never been outside of the country before, and I’m very excited to be able to experience foreign cultures and communities. I think it’s something that will be very fun,” King said.
King’s advice to prospective students looking at a major in TCU’s College of Science and Engineering is to be comfortable asking for help. He explains that college is challenging, but the students who succeed are those asking questions and seeking guidance.
For future STEM Scholars, King said to take advantage of the resources given to you.
“As a STEM Scholar you are given easier access to many resources that are designed to make the transition from high school to college much easier than it is for most people. When you get here, find those resources and take advantage of them,” King said.
Reflecting on his experience at TCU, King described it in one word: valuable.
“The people I’ve met, the connections I’ve made, the experiences I’ve had, the lessons I’ve learned– they are all extremely valuable,” King said. “I’m very appreciative of the opportunity I have to attend school here.”
Sophia Vargas ’25 studies strategic communication at TCU with a minor in political science, and is from Northern California. She is a social media intern and operations intern for the Office of Admission. Sophia is also involved with her local church and the Turning Point USA chapter on campus.