All posts by Emmanuel Freeman

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TSU College of Business Students Give Back During Fall Break

December 8, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

IMG_2102 (1) — Tracy Pleasants, interim director of the Supply Chain Management Program, left; graduate student Ambiobola Akimya; and a community volunteer help prepare food for the homeless in the Samaritan Ministries’ soup kitchen. (Courtesy Photo)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Like many students, Starr Ambrosia Muslim usually spends her fall break relaxing with family and friends or studying for the upcoming final exams. For fall 2015, the Detroit junior Business Administration major had something else in mind – put herself aside and help others most in need.

“Doing something that puts a smile on another person’s face just makes me happy,” Muslim said. “Many of us take for granted how fortunate we are when there are people who wish they had just a fraction of the things we enjoy.”

IMG_2120 (1) — Amine Samoudi, left, and Sarita Criswell help a Samaritan Ministries’ volunteer set up at the soup kitchen. (Courtesy Photo)

On Nov. 24, Muslim, five other students and staff of the Tennessee State University Supply Chain Management Program in the College of Business spent the day feeding the hungry. They volunteered with the Samaritan Ministries, an outreach program of the Temple Church, to help serve lunch to the homeless.

“Volunteering to serve food to the homeless was an excellent experience I will not soon forget,” said Amine Samoudi, also a junior Business Administration major. “I believe volunteering is like a glue that holds the community together because the feeling keeps us connected and makes the community a better place for everyone.”

In addition to feeding the homeless, the students helped with set-up as they welcomed guests with “smiles and kind words.”

image1 (1) — Supply Chain Management students Zenan Li, left, Akimbiobola Akimya, Starr Muslim, interim director Tracy Pleasants, Amine Samoudi and Sarita Criswell spent a full day of their fall break helping to feed the homeless in Nashville. (Courtesy Photo)

For more than 30 years the Samaritan Ministries has been a mainstay in providing services to the homeless of Nashville, according church officials. With support from the Second Harvest Food Bank and other donations, the ministry provides food, clothing and other services to needy residents of the community.

“It’s not enough for students to receive a great education,” said Tracy Pleasants, interim director of the Supply Chain Management Program. “They must also learn to give back to the communities in which they live. This emphasis on academic excellence and social responsibility are core values of the College of Business.”

The Supply Chain Management Student Organization decided to volunteer with Samaritan Ministries as part of their community involvement commitment, Pleasant said. “These outstanding students not only want to be known for their academic excellence but also for their community leadership,” she added.

Other students who participated in the community service were graduate students Zenan Li, from Luoyang, China; Ambiobola Akimya, from Akure, Nigeria; and Sarita Criswell, a senior from Nashville. They are all Business Administration majors with concentration in Supply Chain Management.

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About Tennessee State University

With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. 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.

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TSU’s Gloria Johnson to Receive Award for Community Involvement

December 3, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Dr. Gloria Johnson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, will be among those receiving awards Sunday, Dec. 6, when the Jefferson Street United Merchant Partnership honors six community leaders during the group’s 16^th Annual Christmas Extravaganza.

Johnson will receive “The Candlelight” award given to individuals who have shown leadership in the African-American community. According to a JUMP release, Johnson was chosen for active community involvement and service for more than 40 years in Nashville.

“The Candlelight award is an attempt to show appreciation to those individuals who have shown leadership in the African-American community,” said Sharon Hurt, president/CEO of JUMP and at-large member of the Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County Council. “It is a small award in comparison to the value of the service that Dr. Gloria C. Johnson has provided to the Nashville community for so many years.”

Johnson, a Nashville native and 1970 graduate of Tennessee State University, has been a faculty and administrator at TSU for more than 44 years. Before becoming dean she served in various capacities including professor, associate dean, department chair, student adviser, and coordinator of pre-college programs such as Upward Bound, INROADS Nashville, and the Delta Academy. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

“I am extremely honored to be recognized by JUMP,” Johnson said. “As a person who grew up near the university, I have seen many changes on Jefferson Street and in the entire North Nashville community. I am very pleased that JUMP exists and emphasizes the need to support businesses in the community.”

JUMP is a local Nashville community partnership created to advocate for community, economic and workforce development of the Jefferson Street Corridor. The annual Christmas Extravaganza will be held at 15th Avenue Baptist Church, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

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TSU Alum Robert Covington Excelling in Second Season with NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers

December 2, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

Courtesy: Tennessee State Sports Information

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Former Tennessee State men’s basketball star Robert Covington is excelling on basketball’s biggest stage as a starter for the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.

After battling injury early in the season, the 6’9, 215-pound forward is averaging 14.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while leading the NBA with 3.2 steals per game. Now in his second season with the 76ers, Covington netted a career-high 28 points to go with a career-best eight steals on Nov. 28 versus the Houston Rockets.

In the 76ers final three games in November, Covington secured six-plus steals, making him the first NBA player to accomplish the feat in three-consecutive games since Alvin Robertson in 1986.

A 2013 graduate of Tennessee State University, Covington split time between the NBA’s Houston Rockets and the NBA D-League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers in his first season as a professional in 2013-14. The Illinois native played his way to NBA D-League Rookie of the Year accolades, earning a spot on the 76ers roster the following season.

Covington was a decorated player for the Tigers during his four-year career, securing First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference accolades in 2012 and Second Team All-OVC honors in 2011 and 2013.

Current TSU Head Coach Dana Ford coached the now-NBA player during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, when Ford served as an assistant coach. Covington scored 1,749 career points for TSU, good for the eighth most in school history.

Covington and the 76ers were back in action Tuesday with a home game versus the Los Angeles Lakers.

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TSU Announces Updates From Its 10-Point Safety Enhancement Plan

December 1, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University continues to implement its 10-Point Safety Enhancement Plan by working with a consultant to review and make recommendations about the campus police department.

August Washington, a longtime law enforcement expert, will serve as a consultant to the university’s police department for 60 days. Washington is charged with developing an attainable policing plan and providing guidance on personnel, training and organizational restructuring.

“The university is pleased to have an individual of Mr. Washington’s caliber and level of expertise in this capacity to assist us with such an important area as public safety,” said TSU President Glenda Glover. “In addition to Mr. Washington’s experience, he is familiar with local law enforcement and works with the same agencies as our police department in his current role.”

“One of my first actions will be to bring in a team of law enforcement professionals to review current policies, procedures, and practices of the TSUPD,” explained Washington. “This group will be responsible for developing a strategic plan of goals and objectives by utilizing best practices in IACLEA and CALEA standards.”

President Glenda Glover

Washington, currently chief of police and associate vice chancellor at Vanderbilt University, previously served as police chief for the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He was selected the 2015 Middle Tennessee Chief of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. The Louisiana native holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Grambling State University. He has 36 years of experience in law enforcement working in higher education at seven universities.

“Tennessee State University is taking the necessary steps to enhance safety with the 10-point plan that calls for immediate action and accountability,” said Chancellor John Morgan of the Tennessee Board of Regents. “President Glover has sought out and received assistance from local law enforcement agencies to move the institution forward in the area of public safety, and TBR supports this effort.”

TSU also continues to increase staffing with police officers and security guards. More personnel have been added through the Metro Nashville Police Department Secondary Employment Unit, while additional security personnel have been hired through the security firm Allied Barton for 30 days while the consultant review takes place.

The additional staffing helps to fulfill the component of the 10-Point Safety Enhancement Plan that calls for more visibility and increased manpower. Earlier this month, TSU opened a police satellite office in the student center and established a Student Safety Patrol.

Visit http://www.tnstate.edu/police/safety/washington.aspx for a comprehensive list of the safety plan and a complete bio on August Washington.

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TSU Alumnus, Michael D. Johnson, Jr., Focuses on Helping Youth Reach Their Greatest Potential

October 28, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

Michael D. Johnson, Jr. has made a career of empowering, connecting and marketing youth culture by exposing his peers and young adults to their untapped potential and unchartered opportunities.

Currently, he is employed with the United States Department of Defense as a Student Training & Academic Recruitment Representative. In this role, he works with students and veterans interested in internship, co-op, scholarship and job opportunities with the federal government.

In September 2015, Johnson participated in Tennessee State University’s Career Development Center’s Fall Career Fair providing information to students on how to hone the skills necessary to bolster their academic and career opportunities. The informational session welcomed all majors and classifications to participate.

He is the founder and president of the National Brotherhood Chain, Inc., an organization focused on linking high school and collegiate men with successful professionals striving to propel African-American men into economic, social and political spheres of brotherhood and power worldwide.

“It is our duty and purpose to keep young brothers encouraged, focused and inspired to keep pushing themselves pass their potential,” according to comments on Johnson’s website. “Programs such as the Brotherhood Chain are specifically designed to grant young brothers those opportunities that are not commonly provided to them.”

Johnson is a Flint, Michigan native who made his way to Tennessee State University in 2010 after being recruited as part of the Men’s Track & Field team, where he later became an Ohio Valley Conference finalist and champion. In addition to his athletic achievements, high scholastic achievement has always been his top priority. In 2014, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Prior to graduating, he served as Mr. Tennessee State University for the 73^rd Administration of the Student Government Association. In 2015, he earned a master’s degree in Criminal Justice, also from TSU. He hopes to enroll in law school in fall 2016 with the goal of establishing his own law firm and becoming a sports/entertainment attorney.

He is an active member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, 100 Black Men, the Golden Key International Honor Society, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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TSU Honors Students Prepare for Research, Networking Opportunities at NAAAHP Conference

October 28, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

Students from Tennessee State University will join more than 400 top Honors students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities around the country to share their research and engage in networking opportunities during the 24^th Annual Conference of the National Association of African American Honors Programs to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Nashville.

TSU, along with Fisk University, will host this year’s four-day event, which will bring together HBCU representatives at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Under the theme, “The Audacity of Vision: Dare to Dream,” the conference will feature a debate, quiz bowl, model U.N., and scholarly research presentations.

Chase Richard, a sophomore from Little Rock, Arkansas, will be among the students who plan to present research at the conference. He has worked with mentoring support and collaboration from TSU professor, Dr. Michael Ivey, on research focused on the feeding behaviors of sea anemone, for nearly two years.

“I will be sharing how sea anemones react to different stimuli in their environments and how it affects physiological factors such eating habits,” Richard said of his research. The 4.0 Biology major plans to pursue further studies toward his goal of becoming a medical doctor specializing in neuroscience. He is currently active with the TSU Chapter of the American Medical Student Association.

This is not the first time Richard has made conference presentations. He also presented research at the 2015 Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (TLSAMP) Conference, geared toward increasing undergraduate retention and graduation rates of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. Additionally, he participated in TSU’s annual University-Wide Research Symposium last April. NAAAHP attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about his research finding on Saturday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m.

“I wanted to meet other people and gain more experience in researching and building on my presentations,” he said. “After this semester, I will probably go more in-depth with studying sea anemones and their reproduction stages.”

Also joining the NAAAHP conference will be TSU student Anthony Moreland, a sophomore from Knoxville, Tennessee. With a 3.5 GPA, Moreland is also a Biology major who plans to go into the field of dentistry with a concentration on oral surgery. Moreland said he wanted to be involved in the NAAAHP Conference, which brings together Honors students, faculty, staff and professionals, as a volunteer as a way to expand his network.

“I wanted the opportunity to meet other Honors students from the different schools and get to know some new people,” Moreland said.

Founded in 1990, the NAAAHP addresses the “specific” needs of honors education for African-American students. Dr. Coreen Jackson, interim dean of TSU’s Honors College, was elected to head the organization as president last October.

Among a few conference highlights include:

Presidential Address – Dr. Coreen Jackson, President, NAAAHP Saturday, Oct. 31, 3:30 p.m.

Inspirational Address – Dr. Glenda Glover, President, Tennessee State University
Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.

Career Fair and Graduate Expo
Monday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-Noon

Awards Banquet – Dr. Bobby Jones, gospel artist and host of Bobby Jones Gospel, BET Network; and representatives for title sponsor, Kroger Co. through the African American Association Resource Group
Monday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $75

“We are extremely excited to be working with TSU and Fisk to bring this conference to Nashville,” Jackson said. “We expect this conference to be one of NAAAHP’s biggest and best because of the various elements we are bringing together. We invite businesses, corporations and graduate schools to participate in the various fairs showcasing some of the best and brightest students in the nation.”

For more information or questions on the 2015 NAAAHP Conference, contact Patricia Grace at (615) 730-1829.

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Metro Police Join Forces with Tennessee State University

October 25, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has increased campus patrol with the addition of Metro Nashville Police officers. This comes following a shooting on campus Thursday night involving two males not enrolled at TSU. The combination of TSU Police Department and Metro law enforcement is part of the on-going relationship between the University and NPD.

“I want to thank Mayor Megan Barry and Metro Police for this

TSU Dr Glenda Glover Fam Port 090513 — President Glenda Glover

alliance to help provide a safe and nurturing environment for our students and peace of mind for their parents,” TSU President Glenda Glover said. “The last 48 hours have been a trying time for our University family, especially our students. My first priority is to assure them and their families that they are safe and will remain safe on campus. TSU’s partnership with Metro Police is not new. Chief (Steve) Anderson and I have talked in detail on many occasions regarding a strategic crime prevention initiative and have implemented phases of this plan to enhance what we are already doing on campus.”

Metro PD’s North Precinct began patrol Friday night with three walking teams of two officers under the supervision of a sergeant. The officers provided coverage around the residence halls and the immediate inner campus area. This included the student courtyard where Thursday’s shooting occurred. The increased walking patrol with the North Precinct officers will continue until a definite timetable has been established. The precinct will provide Flex Teams to increase visibility starting next week.

“This additional display of manpower should send a clear message to those individuals not associated with TSU that the University and City of Nashville will not tolerate you coming onto our campus to commit crimes or behave in an unlawful manner,” President Glover added.

TSU continues to assist Metro with the investigation. The University has turned over four-mounted surveillance cameras in addition to a thumb drive with video footage from the courtyard and adjacent areas. Metro released a portion of that video that showed two gunmen firing weapons into an open area near the courtyard. NPD has erected a “Sky Cop” camera until the cameras are returned and remounted.

“We are hopeful that the release of this video will encourage eyewitnesses to contact Metro Police via their tip hotline,” TSU Assistant Vice President of Public Relations and Communications Kelli Sharpe said. “The TSU Student Government Association organized a town hall meeting on Friday where they asked fellow students to be a part of the University’s crime prevention measures. This means coming forward with any information regarding this heinous crime and to report any suspicious or unlawful activity when they see it occurring. Like Metro, TSU has confidential systems in place to report suspicious activity before it escalates into something more.”

One of the biggest concerns for the University has been controlling and monitoring non-TSU student traffic coming onto campus, University officials said. Over the past year, $1 million was spent on surveillance cameras and equipment, lighting, IT and TSU PD personnel, mobile application technology, emergency notification equipment and transportation. The University also erected a new physical barrier, a wrought iron fence, on the east side of campus that begins at Boyd Hall, a male residence, and ends at the Performing Arts Center.

“Reassuring students and parents that we are committed to their well-being is important,” President Glover added. “The University’s collaboration with Metro PD, along with our upgrades, helps us to fulfill that priority.”

Students are asked to install the TSU emergency app on all their mobile devices and program the TSUPD dispatch number in their phones. Any information regarding the campus shooting should be reported to Crimestoppers at 615-74CRIME. There is a $6000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

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Tennessee State University Marks 103rd Birthday With Procession, Speeches and Music

October 22, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is 103 years old today.

Harold Love-2 — State Rep. Harold M. Love Jr.

President Glenda Glover, accompanied by keynote speaker State Rep. Harold M. Love Jr., led a procession of faculty for a Founders’ Day celebration in Kean Hall, with cheers from the audience and selections from the University Wind Ensemble.

“This is a great day for Tennessee State University,” said President Glover, as she recounted events in the University’s history from its founding in 1912 to the role it plays today as a major center of education in the nation.

“From 1912 when the then-Agricultural and Industrial Normal School for Negroes, built to provide educational opportunity for blacks, opened its doors to the first 247 students, TSU has maintained a tradition of excellence in education for a diverse population,” Glover said.

Founders15 — Members of the Student Government Association celebrate during the 2015 TSU Founders’ Day program in Kean Hall. (Photo by John Cross, TSU Media Relations)

In his keynote address, Rep. Love, a 1994 graduate of TSU, reminded administrators, teachers and students that they have a special role to play in maintaining the institution’s legacy of excellence. Teachers, he said, must learn to understand the special needs of each student to help that student succeed.

“Don’t be quick to give up on a student because he or she misses a class or two,” Love said. “That student may just grow up to become a state representative one day,” the Tennessee 58^th District representative added, referring to his own path as a student.

Speaking on the theme, “Honor Our Legacy,” Love said those who laid the foundation for TSU, although under tough circumstances and with scarce resources, were determined to ensure that their students were well prepared for the world ahead of them.

“To honor that legacy, university administrators must learn to go the extra mile to help that student who may be late registering or in meeting his or her requirements for class,” said Love who has long ties to the university.

Love earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from TSU before going on to earn a master’s degree in Theological Studies at Vanderbilt University. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Administration at TSU. His late parents, Harold Love Sr., and Mary Y. Love, also attended TSU and was an administrator at the university for many years.

He thanked President Glover, also an alumnae, for the invitation and her own legacy of excellence in earning multiple degrees. He called on students to be more focused and away from the “gadgets.”

“Students, don’t rely on TV and all the gadgets out there. Be focused on your learning as your way of honoring the legacy of this great institution,” Love said.

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Tennessee State University joins Consortium to Improve the Nation’s Cyber Security in Energy Delivery Systems

October 22, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University will participate in a five-year, $28.1 million U.S. Department of Energy initiative to improve computer/communication networks for energy delivery systems like power grids and pipelines, the agency announced recently.

TSU researchers will join a consortium of 11 universities and national laboratories led by the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign to improve the resilience and security of the cyber networks. These networks serve as the backbone of the infrastructure that delivers energy to the nation – known as energy delivery systems – for the electric power, oil and gas industries.

The university will receive $930,000 to conduct studies in security risk assessment, software-defined networking, robust control systems, and detection and classification of the impact of attacks on cyber-physical systems. TSU researchers will also design controller procedures to protect against specific attack categories.

Dr. Sachin Shetty, associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a cyber security and networking systems expert, will lead the effort as project director. He will be assisted by Dr. L.H. Keel, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, as co-PI.

“The security of critical infrastructure, such as power grids, oil and gas refineries, nuclear power reactors and pipeline operations has attracted tremendous attention,” Shetty said. “There is growing awareness in the industry to safeguard cyber and physical resiliency and move beyond cyber security to ensure the nation’s energy delivery systems can operate in the presence of attacks caused by adversarial actions.”

The DOE has determined that the cyber network that supports many important functions within energy delivery systems is vulnerable to disturbances, Shetty added. He said the Cyber Resilient Energy Delivery Consortium (CREDC) is intended to identify and perform cutting-edge research and increase the resiliency of energy delivery systems. This includes helping industry identify reasons for investing in technology that increases cyber resiliency in EDS; developing, validating, and verifying high-impact solutions in partnership with industry advocates; and making developed solutions commercially available through development of open-source communities and licensing arrangements.

Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, dean of the College of Engineering, called the partnership with the CREDC part of his college’s “strategic initiative” to train and educate a more diverse workforce in cyber security.

“The Cyber Resilient Energy Delivery Consortium will respond to the Department of Energy ‘s demand for detection, analysis, monitoring, and risk assessment technologies to protect energy delivery systems,” Hargrove said. “It also will further enhance TSU’s capacity in cyber security.”

As part of an outreach effort, during the study, TSU will also focus on enhancing curriculum to incorporate EDS cyber security and cyber-resiliency issues, Shetty said. “The (TSU) team will focus on workforce development at undergraduate and graduate levels to provide a pipeline of well-trained engineers for these sectors.”

In addition to TSU and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, the consortium includes research experts from Argonne National Laboratory, Arizona State University, Dartmouth College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Rutgers University, University of Houston and Washington State University.

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2015 TSU Homecoming offers Plethora of Exciting Events, activities and Fun

October 16, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

Kappas Unveil, Dedicate Alpha Theta Monument on Campus

President Glover, accompanied by several university officials, receives a check for $100,000 from Alpha Theta Network Affinity Chapter President Stephen C. Harvey, third from left, toward the Chapter’s endowment fund. (Photo by Courtney Buggs, TSU Media Relations)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – With thousands expected to watch the parade along Jefferson Street, and the football game in Nissan Stadium against conference rival Eastern Illinois on Saturday, the weeklong 2015 Homecoming celebration at Tennessee State University is offering more excitement each day. There is no shortage of activities to keep the throng of returning alumni, students, faculty, staff and visitors busy on or around campus or in the Music City.

IMG_9467 (1) — The new Alpha Theta Monument, called the Kappa Colonnade, was dedicated on the main campus Oct. 16. (Photo by Courtney Buggs, TSU Media Relations)

The festivities kicked off on Sunday, Oct. 11 with the Robert N. Murrell Oratorical Contest, followed by a gospel concert in Keane Hall. On Monday, student housing held their annual Battle of Residence Halls. Tuesday was the much anticipated “Blue Sapphire Awards,” the students’ version of the Emmy Awards. Wednesday’s highlight was the coronation of the new Mister TSU and Miss TSU. That honor went to Delvakio Brown, a senior Mass Communications major; and Tyra Laster, also a senior Mass Communications major, respectively. The coronation followed the Non-Greeks Organizations Yard Show.

IMG_9496 (1) — The TSU Alumni Cheerleaders perform during the 2015 Homecoming Student Pep Rally at Hale Stadium. (Photo by Courtney Buggs, TSU Media Relations)

Class reunion, a key aspect of Homecoming, saw the reuniting of returning students from the Classes of 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010. The reunion, along with the invitation-only Miss TSU Reception, and the Homecoming Concert with hip-hop superstar “Future,” rounded out the activities for Thursday.

On Friday, with the Ralph Boston Gold Tournament concluding after an early start, attention shifted to the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Its Alpha Theta Network Affinity Chapter of the Tennessee State University National Alumni Chapter unveiled and dedicated their new Alpha Theta Monument on the main campus.

Nearly 200 people, including TSU President Glenda Glover, other university officials and staff, as well as members of the 84-year-old chapter, were on hand to dedicate the monument called the Kappa Kolonade.

Crowd estimated at more than 5,000 packed Hale Stadium Friday for the Homecoming Student Pep Rally. (Photo by Courtney Buggs).

Recognizing President Glover, a TSU alum herself, for her commitment to excellence and helping deserving students stay in school, Stephen C. Harvey, president of the ATN Chapter, said the monument is more than a “granite and concrete edifice.”

“it is a tribute to the hundreds of men initiated through the Alpha Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. since the chapter’s founding in 1931,” Harvey said. “It is also a continuation of our primary mission as a TSUNAA Affinity Chapter to grow our membership and raise money in support of TSU and its students.”

As part of their continuing financial commitment to scholarship and student support at TSU, the group presented a check for $100,000 to President Glover and thanked her for her vision to make TSU the best it can be. They also presented scholarships of $2,000 each to three students who are members of the chapter.

President Glover thanked the Kappas for their generous contribution to TSU over the years and for their dedication to helping students stay in school.

“We gather here to thank you for doing so much for TSU,” President Glover said. “We see you as dedicated people who, through this monument, have expanded their vision on this campus to ensure the continuing growth of this university and its students.”

As the dedication ended, attention shifted to the Student Pep Rally at Hale Stadium, where nearly 5,000 had gathered for music, dancing and a show like no other. The Charles Campbell Fish Fry on the President’s Lawn, another regular of Homecoming, went on simultaneously with the pep rally.

The evening rounded out with the annual Scholarship Gala at the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville. Grammy-nominated and Tony Award winner Melba Moore was the featured guest, along with comedian, actor and entertainer Jonathan Slocumb, who was making his second straight appearance as celebrity host.

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