NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University’s College of Business has once again been acknowledged for its first class business school by receiving an extension on accreditation by AACSB-International, the premiere accrediting body for business schools around the globe.
“AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education and has been earned by less than five percent of the world’s business schools,” said Dr. Millicent Gray Lownes-Jackson, dean of the College of Business.
“To have this level of accreditation shows that the TSU College of Business has a creditable, reputable, and sustainable business school. The College of Business takes great pride in receiving this honor which involved a rigorous peer-reviewed evaluation to determine whether the College meets AACSB International standards of excellence for a quality business school.”
The College of Business has about 1,000 students and offers the Bachelor of Business Administration degree to undergraduates in accounting, business administration, business information systems, and economics and finance. At the graduate level, the College offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a traditional evening, a one-year accelerated, and a one-year executive format.
“AACSB congratulates each institution on their achievement,” said Stephanie M. Bryant, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB. “Every AACSB-accredited school has demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curricula development, and student learning. The intense peer-review process exemplifies their commitment to quality business education.”
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With more than 7,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – Hemp research. Robotics. Innovative programs. They’re just some of the excellence Tennessee lawmakers will experience at “TSU Day at the Capitol” on Tuesday, Feb. 12.
Hemp workshop at TSU in March. (TSU College of Agriculture)
Tennessee State University administrators, faculty, students and alumni will be showcasing the university’s research and other innovative initiatives at the annual event.
TSU President Glenda Glover will kick it off with a ceremony at 10 a.m. in Senate Hearing Room II in the Cordell Hull Building. TSU visitors will have a chance to meet with lawmakers, who will see displays from some of the school’s various colleges and departments on the 8th floor of the building.
Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, dean of TSU’s College of Engineering, said TSU Day at the Capitol is “always an exciting day for TSU.”
“It allows us to display Tennessee’s investment in higher education, and the great things that are happening here at TSU.”
Products made from hemp. (College of Agriculture)
One highlight at this year’s event will be TSU’s nationally recognized hemp research. The university’s College of Agriculture has hosted several workshops on industrial hemp, cannabis plants with little of the chemical that can cause a high.
The College of Agriculture has charged a team of scientists to develop hemp production practices for Tennessee. The research projects include developing hemp nutritional products for human consumption and studying the economic viability of hemp production in Tennessee. Currently, the university is growing and evaluating 10 varieties of hemp.
“TSU wants to be at the forefront of this new interest that’s cropping up across the country,” said Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture. “If it’s ever approved for large scale use, we have some knowledge about it and can work with the farmers.”
Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, dean of TSU’s College of Engineering, talks about life-size robotic tiger designed and built by TSU students at a previous TSU Day at the Capitol. Photo by Lucas Johnson (TSU Media Relations)
In November, several legislators toured TSU’s campus. The lawmakers received briefings and slide presentations from administrators on the university’s 2019 Legislative Priorities for funding consideration by the General Assembly. The priorities included the creation of a STEM Institute.
“With the heightened demand for diversification in the STEM work force, an institute would provide research, professional development and training in recruiting and retaining minorities in STEM programs in Tennessee and nationally,” said Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, vice president for Research and Institutional Advancement.
Rep. Harold Love, Jr., whose district includes TSU, said he hopes young people attending this year’s TSU Day at the Capitol will become more interested in the legislative process, and even try to have a voice in policymaking.
“When we talk about active citizen engagement and forming policy, this is a prime example of what we would like to see from all of our students at colleges and universities across the state,” said Love, a TSU alum. “This is what citizens are supposed to do, come down and be actively involved in policy formulation when laws are being passed or proposals considered.”
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With more than 7,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – For nearly two hours, the Tennessee General Assembly looked like a classroom with 28 individuals discussing major bills on the House floor, except this time, the people debating the bills were not lawmakers. They were students – Tennessee State University students.
They were part of “Leadership TSU,” a top training program. The students spent nearly four hours at the State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 1, touring and receiving lectures from lawmakers and government officials, including a representative for newly elected Gov. Bill Lee.
Just like lawmakers, the students engaged in an exercise of discussing, debating and voting on bills actually pending before the General Assembly.
State Rep. Harold Love, Jr., facilitates a discussion on a bill with Leadership TSU students on the House floor of the State Capitol. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
“From today’s exercise, I learned a lot about how much thinking goes into considering a policy or a bill,” said Maria Rhodes, a sophomore political science major from Memphis, Tennessee. “Specifically, one has to think about who it will affect, who it will benefit – the positives, the negatives, the outcomes – and who the bill is geared toward.”
Leadership TSU, considered the highest level of leadership training at TSU, comprises 40 students – from freshmen to seniors – with demonstrated ability to lead. The program is sponsored by FedEx, which is exposing the cohorts to “some of the company’s best practices in leadership,” according to Frank Stevenson, dean of students and a coordinator of LTSU. The goal is to train and develop students with top leadership skills to help them be even more competitive in the workforce.
Stevenson said Friday’s exercise on the House floor was intended to “stretch the students’ thinking outside the box” in preparing them to be able to analyze policies.
Four students make their case for a bill during discussion on the House floor, as Dean Frank Stevenson, and a House aid, back row, look on. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
“We gave them four current legislative bills around higher education and funding models, to debate and discuss,” he said. “They were charged with digging into those and creating a policy position on each one of those bills and coming out with what they think would be the best funding model for higher education.”
State Sen. Brenda Gilmore, Rep. Harold Love, Jr., two TSU alums, and Joseph Williams, director of external affairs in the Governor’s office, were among officials who welcomed the students to the Capitol.
“One of the benefits of having Leadership TSU down here today is that it continues TSU’s tradition of training leaders for the current and next generation,” said Love, who facilitated one of the group’s discussions. “To have these students here engaging in the process of making policy like we do everyday at the General Assembly does nothing more than brighten my heart because I see the next generation of leaders being trained right here.”
Charlie Green, Jr., an architectural engineering and urban studies major from Jackson, Tennessee, said the discussion helped him sharpen his skills in public speaking and debating.
“It also helped me to be able to think about things from different perspectives, and that is something all students should be exposed to,” Green said. “Things affect people on different levels, such as from being a student to going into professional life.”
TSU Assistant Dean of Students, Erica Gilmore, who is also at-large council member; and Ashton Cleveland, assistant dean of student life and engagement, accompanied the students and helped to facilitate the discussions.
Students interested in being selected for the 2020 class of Leadership TSU should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at (615) 963-2154 or fsteven1@tnstate.edu.mailloc.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With more than 7,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is mourning the passing of Professor Yvonne Young “Y.Y.” Clark, the first female faculty member in the College of Engineering.
Dr. Yvonne Young “Y.Y.” Clark
Clark died Sunday, Jan. 27, at the age of 89. A mechanical engineer, she broke many barriers and shattered stereotypes to become one of the most-admired educators in the field.
“Mrs. Clark’s influence and nurturing as a mechanical engineering student is one of the reasons I decided to pursue an academic career, for which I am forever grateful,” said Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, dean of the College of Engineering and a former student of Clark’s.
In 1956, Clark became the first female engineer hired as an instructor at the then-Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State University, earning the title of “TSU Lady Engineer.” She rose through the ranks, becoming an associate professor, and twice heading the Department of Mechanical Engineering for a total of 11 years.
At TSU, Clark did not only distinguish herself as an outstanding teacher in a male-dominated workplace, she became a champion for students by ensuring that they received the appropriate help they needed to better understand the material. She frowned on professors who were quick to tell students they were wrong without explaining the error and how to correct it.
“I enjoyed helping students,” said Clark in a 2016 interview when she was a Homecoming honoree. “Most teachers don’t understand, in my opinion, what to do for a student to learn. You can’t ‘brow beat’ them, but you can help them by making sure they understand the subject you are trying to teach.”
Clark retired from TSU in 2011 after 55 years of service. But she left a legacy that continues on through the many students she influenced.
“Y.Y. Clark was a trailblazer, amazing professor and mentor that inspired us to pursue our dreams and be the best engineers we can be,” said Darnell Cowan, one of Clark’s students who currently works at NASA.
Marquan Martin, director of the Identification and Access Control Center in TSU’s Office of Emergency Management, said that as a freshman at TSU “one of my greatest joys was taking graphics design under the tutelage of Professor Y.Y. Clark.”
“She challenged you, encouraged you, and she genuinely cared about every single student,” he said. “She was an amazing professor and mentor, a true gem to the Tennessee State University community. She will be remembered by all the lives she touched.”
Note: Emmanuel Freeman in the Office of Media Relations contributed to this article.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With more than 7,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is partnering with FedEx to reinstitute a program that trains and develops students with top leadership skills to help them be even more competitive in the workforce.
Called “Leadership TSU,” 40 students – from freshmen to seniors – with demonstrated ability to lead, have been selected as the first cohorts of the program, which kicked off Jan. 20.
LTSU, considered the highest level of leadership training at the university, with 27 learning outcomes that have been modeled around the nation, closed out about seven years ago, according to Frank Stevenson, TSU’s dean of students.
“We are bringing it back under the same idea of developing top leaders at the university. We secured the funding and created the opportunity,” he said. “We pitched the idea to FedEx about creating an opportunity for students to learn some of their best practices, they immediately were on board.”
He said in addition to material and other support, FedEx will expose the cohorts to “some of the company’s leadership practices that fit in with what they do.” TSU faculty and national leadership training experts are also participating in the training.
Dr. Joseph Walker III, Chairmain of the TSU Board of Trustees, right, meets with Dean of Students Frank Stevenson during the LTSU cohorts’ visit to Dr. Walker’s residence. (Submitted Photo)
A component of the training program, Stevenson said, is to connect cohorts to successful individuals and groups “to share with our students and cohorts the habits of successful people.”
For instance, on Jan. 19, TSU Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Joseph Walker III, and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Walker, hosted the inaugural class of LTSU at their home. Dr. Joseph Walker, pastor of Nashville’s Mt. Zion Baptist Church, is presiding bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, as well as chairman of the TSU Board of Trustees. His wife, Dr. Stephanie Walker, is a top pediatrician. They are authors of several books and publications.
“Leadership TSU is a game changer,” Bishop Walker said. “Dr. Stephanie and I were honored to host this group of extraordinary students. Their stories are powerful and their drive for success is contagious. The future looks bright and this program will be a major contributor.”
LTSU is a one-year program. To be nominated, students must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average. Stevenson said the current cohorts have a combined average GPA of 3.2, and were nominated by their deans, vice presidents, and the president.
“We wanted them (nominators) to identify those students who had already exhibited incredible leadership skills, and who really celebrate the best of TSU culture in terms of how they carry themselves. We asked them to also nominate those students, who in their mind, would best benefit from this training or this opportunity,” Stevenson said.
Donovan Stewart, the current Mr. Sophomore, is a member of the reinstituted LTSU. He said he is serious-minded and happy to be a part of such a diverse group of fellow students.
“It is a great feeling to be selected,” said Donovan, a nursing major from Birmingham, Alabama. “It is a great feeling to be acknowledged, not only for academics, but also leadership. And it is a good thing to get people from different backgrounds.”
As part of their initial activities, the group will visit the Tennessee State Capitol on Feb. 1 to hear about law and policy making from top elected officials, Stevenson said. In March, they will “make a social justice learning trip” to Washington, D.C.
TSU Assistant Dean of Students, Erica Gilmore, who is also at-large council member; and Tasha Andrews, director of student activities, coordinate LTSU along with Stevenson. Andrews spoke about the caliber of students in the program and why they were selected.
“As student affairs practitioners, we really understand that being a student leader goes beyond academic excellence. It is more about being well rounded and well cultivated,” she said. “We have students with 2.7 or 2.8. Some of them may have a low GPA, but they excel in other ways. It was important that we had a very diverse group. All of those students bring leadership traits that we admire and that are unique to each of them.”
Students interested in being selected for the 2020 class of Leadership TSU should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at (615) 963-2154 or fsteven1@tnstate.edu.mailloc.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is among the nation’s leaders in hemp research, and the recently passed U.S. Farm Bill is making sure it remains at the forefront.
Hemp workshop at TSU in March. (Photo by Joan Kite, College of Agriculture)
The bill Congress approved in December legalizes the growth and manufacturing of industrial hemp, cannabis plants with little of the chemical that can cause a high. The legalization clears the way for existing programs at land-grant institutions like TSU to expand research and development programs for medicinal and textile production.
“I am excited for this opportunity for TSU, and I look forward to seeing how this will help produce the next generation of agricultural leaders in our state,” said Tennessee Congressman Jim Cooper.
Historically, industrial hemp has been regarded primarily as an agricultural crop valued for fiber and grain. Hemp fiber is used to make textiles, building materials, animal bedding, mulch, paper, industrial products, and biofuels. Hemp grain, or seed, is used in food and feed products, and oil from the seed is used to make personal care products and industrial products, including paints, solvents, and lubricants.
TSU’s College of Agriculture has charged a team of scientists to develop hemp production practices for Tennessee. The research projects include developing hemp nutritional products for human consumption and studying the economic viability of hemp production in Tennessee. Currently, the university is growing and evaluating 10 varieties of hemp.
Products made from hemp. (Photo by Joan Kite, College of Agriculture)
“TSU wants to be at the forefront of this new interest that’s cropping up across the country,” said Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture. “If it’s ever approved for large scale use, we have some knowledge about it and can work with the farmers.”
TSU has hosted several hemp workshops/meetings, including one on Jan. 11 with the Tennessee Hemp Industries Association, an advocate for the production of industrial hemp. More than 200 people attended the meeting.
Joe Kirkpatrick, president of the TNHIA, said Tennessee currently has the largest state HIA chapter in the nation and he credited “TSU for helping us facilitate those meetings and outreach to the public.”
“It’s also great to have the world-class laboratories and scientists there, the researchers, to help … move the hemp industry forward,” Kirkpatrick said.
Dr. Fitzroy Bullock heads up the hemp research at TSU. He said people have come from as far as Colorado to attend the university’s hemp workshops.
“We have been very successful,” Bullock said. “We have established something that folks need.”
Tonya Lewis, a Nashville resident interested in growing hemp, said the meeting she attended at TSU was beneficial.
“It helped me understand where the state is in regards to research on hemp, and how to go about getting everything from a license to actually grow hemp, to looking at the benefits of it statewide, as far as economically,” Lewis said.
Farmer Michael Walls talks to local television reporter at TSU hemp workshop in September. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
Anand Kumar is a research assistant in TSU’s College of Ag. He said the College has extension programs that allow researchers to visit individuals who are growing hemp and assist them as needed.
“We designed our program so we can be responsive to the demands of farmers in Tennessee,” Kumar said. “We try to reach all counties throughout the state.”
Michael Walls is one farmer who has benefited from TSU hemp researchers. His family has a 140-acre farm in Hardeman County that is using an acre to grow hemp.
“There’s a lot of potential for what hemp can do,” said Walls, adding that his family plans to broaden their hemp growth. “I’m just trying to get more information to see what other possibilities there are.”
In addition to hemp legalization, the Farm Bill also provides TSU and the other 18 historically-black land-grant institutions the following funding over the next five years:
$95 million for student scholarships and grants
$50 million to support three HBCU Centers of Excellence in agricultural workforce development, nutrition and food security, economic development and emerging technologies
$15 million for HBCU cooperative extension and research
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With more than 7,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – TSU student-athlete Christion Abercrombie continues to amaze following a severe head injury in a football game. He may be back in the classroom soon.
His mother, Staci, recently stated at a press conference in Abercrombie’s hometown of Atlanta that he intends to return to Tennessee State University to complete his degree in sports management. She did not say exactly when.
The linebacker was injured in a game against Vanderbilt University on Sept. 29. But since then, he has made an incredible recovery.
In October, Abercrombie was transferred from Vanderbilt University Medical Center to the Shepherd Center, a rehabilitation facility in Atlanta. He was released from there last month, and continues to make progress. He spent some time with TSU President Glenda Glover when she visited Atlanta earlier this month.
Abercrombie’s mother has said her son’s improvement to where he is now is a “miracle.”
“We’re very grateful to God for what He’s already done and for what He is going to continue to do,” she said.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With more than 7,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday with a convocation that featured prominent civil rights activist, Dr. William Barber II.
The annual event at TSU’s Gentry Complex is in collaboration with the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship and the Nashville community. Leading up to the convocation, hundreds of people gathered in front of Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist church and marched to the Complex.
TSU President Glenda Glover, Nashville Mayor David Briley, participate in MLK Day march. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relationss)
Before Barber spoke, attendees heard from TSU President Glenda Glover, newly-elected Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Congressman Jim Cooper, Nashville Mayor David Briley, and American Baptist College President Forrest Harris, among others.
“I greet you in the name of excellence and in the name of service,” Glover said. “Service is what this holiday is all about. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, ‘Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.’”
In his speech, Barber said that Dr. King was “more than just words,” but action. And like King, people should actively look for ways to address racism, poverty, and other social ills, instead of just talking, or preaching, about them.
Dr. William Barber II and TSU Student Trustee Braxton Simpson. (Submitted photo)
“We make a dangerous mistake to suggest that his words were just soaring oratory,” said Barber, national co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign. “He preached … not only within the quarantine of a sanctuary, but he preached and acted in the streets of the nation. So when we remember Dr. King, it’s not enough to talk about celebration or his oratory. And it’s not enough to say Dr. King just wanted everybody to come together. No, he didn’t. He wanted folks to change. His articulation was turned into liberation.”
Even though Barber is national co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, the Goldsboro, North Carolina, pastor is probably best known for his Moral Monday alliance of more than 200 progressive organizations. Over the past six years, that statewide movement has fought for voting rights, public education, universal health care, environmental protection, the rights of women, labor and immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ community.
“What Dr. King wanted was for us to get away from left verses right, conservative verses liberal, and to find a moral center,” Barber said Monday.
Sparrow Haynes, a junior Nashville native, volunteers at Hadley Park Regional Center as part of Joint Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo by Michael McLendon, TSU Media Relations)
On Saturday, TSU hosted the MLK Joint Day of Service with seven other universities and colleges that performed service projects across Metro Nashville.
Sparrow Haynes, a junior human performance sports science major with a concentration in exercise science at TSU, volunteered with a group of students who assisted staff at Hadley Park Regional Center by sanitizing various areas of the facility and setting-up for a father-daughter banquet scheduled for that evening.
“I feel like it is important for us to keep Dr. King’s legacy going,” said Haynes, a Nashville native. “I feel like we should give back just like he did for us.”
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With more than 7,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – The Tennessee State University family is mourning the loss of former coach and director of athletics William “Bill” Thomas who passed away on Friday, Jan. 18.
“The TSU family and community mourn the passing of Coach William ‘Bill’ Thomas,” said TSU President Glenda Glover. “We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Gayla, his daughter, Tosha, and his entire family. We were so delighted that we got a chance to honor him as one of our honorees during the 2017 Homecoming festivities. His memory and legacy will live on.”
Thomas was an assistant football coach under the legendary Big John Merritt and served as head coach from 1984-88. He led TSU to an 11-0 record in 1984 and guided the Big Blue to a 10-2-1 finish and to the second round of the NCAA Championships during his tenure.
He compiled a career record of 34-20-3 at Tennessee State and coached current head coach Rod Reed.
After transitioning to the role of Athletics Director, a position in which he held for eight years, Thomas hired Teresa Phillips as the head women’s basketball coach. Phillips, who now serves as TSU’s Director of Athletics, won two OVC Championships at the helm of the Lady Tiger program
“I’ll be forever grateful to him,” Phillips said. “My heart goes out to his wife Gayla and their daughter as well as his TSU teammates and the student-athletes whose lives he touched. We’ve lost one more of our great Tigers.”
Thomas, who played on the Tennessee State football team from 1967-70, also served as the head coach at Texas Southern from 1994-2003.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With more than 7,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) –Hundreds of students eager to volunteer gathered in Kean Hall at Tennessee State University on Saturday for the kick-off of the annual Joint Day of Service in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Students from various universities throughout Nashville listen to inspiring messages at kick-off for Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A panel of university leaders from various institutions addressed the crowd which included students from TSU, Meharry Medical College, Fisk University, Lipscomb University, Vanderbilt University, Belmont University Trevecca Nazarene University and Nashville State Community College.
Charlene Oliver, president of Equity Alliance
“At the essence of service is doing selflessly with little recognition or monetary gain,” said Charlene Oliver, guest speaker for the kick-off and president of Equity Alliance. “Dr. King told us that ‘we need leaders not in love with money, but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity.’”
Shirley Nix-Davis, director of outreach for TSU’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, said bringing the students together for this service activity gives students an opportunity to consider the importance of service and how they can help others.
TSU President Glenda Glover(center) with Charlene Oliver(left), president of Equity Alliance and Shirley Nix-Davis(right), director of outreach for TSU’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement.
“The goal is not only to engage in acts of service, but for each individual to think about how well they complete the service – to do it to the best of their ability and be proud of what they have done,” Nix-Davis said.
After the program, organizers bused students to various locations where they participated in volunteer service projects.
Sparrow Haynes, a junior human performance sports science major with a concentration in exercise science at TSU, volunteered with a group of students who assisted staff at Hadley Park Regional Center by sanitizing various areas of the facility and setting-up for a father-daughter banquet scheduled for Saturday evening.
Sparrow Haynes, a junior Nashville-native, volunteers at Hadley Park Regional Center as part of Joint Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“For me, being part of the African community, I feel like it is important for us to keep Dr. King’s legacy going,” said Haynes, a Nashville-native. “I feel like we should give back just like he did for us.”
Alonzo N. Rhodes Sr., program coordinator of Community Recreation at Hadley Park Regional Center, said he hopes the day will inspire students to continue volunteering throughout the year.
Alonzo N. Rhodes Sr., program coordinator of Community Recreation at Hadley Park Regional Center, gives volunteers instructions during Joint Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Those students who are dealing with wanting to get out and knowing they need to do services in the community can come to places like this and do those services for their classes and for their internships,” he said. “The small gestures you do really have a great impact. Just coming in and helping us means I’m able to keep my staff at home one time and have the community come out and do it.”
Rhodes, who graduated from TSU in 2001 with a major in human performance and sports science with a minor in criminal justice, said he believes community service helps students get rid of biases and walk in love and understanding.
“When you have a multicultural group it brings a different type of energy. Everybody is involved and engaged in doing something to uplift every community. Everybody is geared towards making Nashville a better community and an inclusive community.”
Darian McGhee, a senior electrical engineering major from Memphis, Tennessee who serves as Mr. TSU, echoed Rhodes sentiment.
Darian McGhee, Mr. TSU
“I just think it’s an amazing opportunity anytime you can get a lot of college students together around a united goal, and today that just so happens to be for the MLK Day of Service here at Tennessee State University,” he said.
Nix-Davis said the students volunteered at over 20 sites including the Second Harvest Food Bank, Feed the Children, Grace Eaton Early Learning Center, the Preston Taylor Boys and Girls Club, Trevecca Towers for Seniors, Room In The Inn and The Nashville Food Project.
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With more than 7,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
