Christopher Watts TCU Fort Worth, TX Announcement, Reason for Passing: Harris College Dean, Christopher Watts Passes Away Unexpectedly

 Texas Christian University is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Christopher R. Watts, who served as the Marilyn & Morgan Davies Dean of the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences and was a tenured professor at the Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders. The college announced his passing, leading to a wave of sorrow throughout the TCU community.

In a statement, TCU Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences characterized Dr. Watts as a devoted and empathetic leader whose influence is expected to last for many years.

“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our Dean, Dr. Christopher Watts—a revered and caring figure whose absence is profoundly felt throughout Harris College and the broader TCU community,” the statement expressed. “Dean Watts dedicated his career not only to enhancing our college with vision, integrity, and compassion but also to enriching knowledge and research concerning Parkinson’s disease, work that will continue to change lives. He leaves behind a significant legacy of leadership, scholarship, and service.”

Dr. Watts became part of TCU in 2008 as the Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders and also served as the Assistant Dean from 2015 until 2018. After a nationwide search, he was named Dean of Harris College in 2019. Alongside his leadership role, he held a tenured faculty position and remained actively involved in teaching, research, and mentoring students.

Prior to his time at TCU, Dr. Watts held teaching positions at James Madison University, the University of South Alabama, and the University of Central Florida. He brought over 25 years of experience in higher education and spent the last 16 years in executive roles, earning widespread respect for his collaborative and student-focused approach.

Dr. Watts’ work in clinical practice, teaching, and research was centered on laryngeal functionality in voice and swallowing, with a special focus on Parkinson’s disease. He published more than 80 peer-reviewed research articles and shared his findings at national and international conferences. In 2019, he co-authored the textbook Laryngeal Function and Voice Disorders: Basic Science to Clinical Practice, released by Thieme Medical Publishers, which is regarded as a valuable resource in the field.

He completed his bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology in 1994 and obtained his doctoral degree in 1998 from the University of South Alabama. Additionally, he finished a clinical fellowship that concentrated on neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. As a clinically certified speech-language pathologist, Dr. Watts was honored as a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 2014, which is one of the profession’s most prestigious recognitions.

Colleagues and students remember Dr. Watts not just for his scholarly achievements but also for his generosity, mentoring, and steadfast dedication to enhancing health sciences education and research.

The university will provide information about memorial services and ways to commemorate Dr. Watts’ life and contributions when details become available.