NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU
News Service) – Frank Stevenson, TSU’s associate vice president and dean of
students, has been selected to participate in the 2019-2020 class of Leadership
Nashville. Stevenson was one of 44 individuals selected from among 280 applicants
to participate in the program’s 44th class, which starts in
September.
Frank Stevenson
For more than 40
years, Leadership Nashville has organized an intensive program that assists
community decision-makers. Over nine months, participants learn about pressing
issues affecting their community and gain an in-depth understanding
of the nature of those problems. The nonpartisan group refrains from
taking positions on issues, and does not endorse political candidates.
Stevenson said he is excited to be
selected for this year’s class.
“I am honored to be chosen out of a very
competitive process,” said Stevenson, who recently reinstituted
Leadership TSU, a top training program that has received national recognition. “I
believe I will benefit immensely from this cohort of amazing leaders from
across the city.”
Jerry Williams, executive director of
Leadership TSU, said selection for the 2019-2020 class was “especially
difficult” because of the large number of very qualified applicants.
“We do not attempt to pass out
solutions,” Williams said. “In fact, our participants are so diverse that they
would never agree with each other. Instead, we expose them to various
viewpoints on each issue, believing that Nashville will be stronger because
decisions these leaders make in the future will come from a broadened,
enlightened perspective.”
The nine-month program aspires to cultivate community leaders. Participants are educators, doctors, bankers, artists, business people, rabbis, ministers, lawyers, and representatives of labor, public service, international communities and the volunteer sector.
In January, Stevenson, a longtime Nashvillian and senior pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, reinstituted Leadership TSU in partnership with FedEx. The program trains and develops students with top leadership skills to help them be more competitive in the workforce. Forty students – from freshmen to seniors – with demonstrated ability to lead, are participating in the program.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee
State University Department of Athletics has announced a new multi-year
agreement with Nike through BSN SPORTS beginning with the 2019-20 season.
“I am very pleased to have TSU Athletics in a new partnership with BSN/Nike for the provider of equipment and apparel for our sport programs,” said Director of Athletics Teresa Phillips. “We had enjoyed a good relationship for a decade with another major player in sport apparel and simply sought to discover what brand would be best for our student-athletes moving forward. We feel that the Nike brand will bring a superior branding opportunity for our programs and the university community at large. Our entire staff is working feverishly to get our teams ready to represent the swoosh this fall. We can’t wait for our alumni and supporters to be a part of this awesome new look.”
The agreement between TSU and BSN SPORTS is for
five years and makes Nike the official athletic apparel, footwear, accessory
and equipment brand for all 15 Big Blue programs.
“We are looking forward to partnering
with Tennessee State University and NIKE in providing the finest
apparel and athletic products,” said Todd Northrop, Collegiate Select senior
vice president. “This agreement affirms our highest aspirations for BSN’s
Collegiate Select program: delivering elite, customized products and services
to our college customers. We are excited to partner
with Tigers to elevate the performance and impact of their
tradition-rich and growing athletic program.
“Additionally, we can’t wait to get to know all
of the coaches associated with this great program and work tirelessly to put
time back into their day so they can spend more time impacting lives on the
field of play.”
TSU COACHES’ COMMENTS ABOUT THE NEW PARTNERSHIP
Donika Sutton, Head Volleyball Coach:
“I am excited about the move with Nike. Volleyball is one of the first sports
to introduce the transition this fall and we are honored to lead the way.
This move allows Tennessee State University, Athletics and our recruiting to
expand to another level. My favorite part will be watching our girls’ faces on
gear day.”
Brian “Penny” Collins, Head Men’s
Basketball Coach: “This is a great time to be a Tiger… joining the BSN/Nike
Family will be vital to our student athletes’ experience. The swoosh will give
us instant credibility in recruiting potential future Tigers. I’m looking
forward to growing our TSU brand as well as bringing value to Nike as well!”
Jessica Kern, Head Women’s Basketball
Coach “The Nike brand has been an ambassador for social change, promoting all
facets of every athlete and is propitiatory to staying within the
guidelines of being trendsetters while staying loyal to classic looks and
comfort for all shapes and sizes. I am elated and honored to be donning the
swoosh daily.”
Rod Reed, Head Football Coach: “I’m
excited about our new partnership with Nike. I think that this is a brand that
will be big in our recruiting efforts, and it has also created a buzz among our
student athletes.”
Jeremy Taylor, Director of Equipment: “I believe that this partnership with BSN/NIKE opens up some new roads for us. We now have a one-stop shop for over 95 percent of our apparel, equipment, footwear, and product embellishment needs. It allows us to outfit our incoming student-athletes, in all sports, with the same brand of apparel and footwear that they have been wearing during their prospective high school careers, which should help us in recruiting as well.”
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is the latest HBCU recipient of financial support from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. On Wednesday, the service organization continued its commitment of creating a $100,000 endowment at each of the nation’s four-year historically black colleges and universities with a donation to TSU President Glenda Glover.
President Glenda Glover admires a commemorative bench dedicated in her honor by the AKA Sorority, Inc. (Submitted Photo)
An initial gift of $25,000 was presented to
Glover during a bench dedication in her honor by the sorority. She was
joined by Horace Chace, vice president of Business and Finance; Terry Clayton,
member of the TSU Foundation Board; and Iris Ramey, associate vice president
for Corporate Partnership and Strategic Initiatives.
“One meaningful part of the AKA Leadership
Seminar in Nashville is the $100,000 commitment for an endowment from
Alpha Kappa Alpha to Tennessee State University,” Glover said.
“It begins with this initial donation of $25,000 to assist with
student scholarships. I’m extremely appreciative to the sorority for this
gift.”
The gift coincides with AKA’s HBCU Endowment initiative, which looks to award $10 million to these institutions by 2022.
“We are trying to assist students and help retain them to continue with their education,” Chase said. “This funding from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is definitely going to be a big plus in helping to accomplish that goal.”
The Commemorative Bench was unveiled and dedicated on the TSU main campus on June 29. The honor recognizes President Glover’s exemplary leadership and service. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
The Executive Director of the TSU Foundation, Betsy Jackson-Mosley, added, “The TSU Foundation is very grateful for the support received from the AKA Foundation for student scholarships. Scholarships are very important to attract the best and brightest and to help students stay in school.”
The financial support and bench dedication were two of several service projects taking place during the AKA’s 2019 Leadership Seminar – June 27-30 – being held at Opryland Hotel.
In a litany at the
dedication, led by Dr. Norma S. White, 25th international president
of AKA, the group acknowledged the significant contributions of Dr. Glover in
leadership, education, community service and philanthropy.
“As we dedicate this commemorative bench in honor of the 30th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. Glenda Glover, we take pride in her leadership and the many contributions that she has made to the sorority, Tennessee State University and other noteworthy organizations,” the group said. “May this bench be a permanent reminder of the significant accomplishments of Dr. Glover.”
Glover, a native
of Memphis and the eighth and first female president of TSU, became the 30th
international president of AKA in July 2018. Immediately upon taking the
helm, she sent a clear message that education would remain a priority for the
organization, especially supporting the nation’s HBCUs. She launched HBCU for
Life: A Call to Action and signature program College Admissions Process, also
known as #CAP, to promote and market HBCUs.
Saying that she leads by example, Glover donated $50,000 to the sorority’s Educational Advancement Foundation to further emphasize her commitment. She made that same commitment to TSU when she became president of her alma mater in 2013.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. (TSU News Service)
– Severe thunderstorms caused damages on the Tennessee State University campus
over the weekend. No one was injured, but high winds Friday night tore down a
114-foot section of the fence around Hale Stadium. A mural depicting some TSU historical
events that hung on the fence was also badly damaged.
In front of Kean Hall on the main campus, several branches of a large tree were seen scattered about. There was no damage to the building.
Workers were Monday expected to repair a 114-foot section of the fence around Hale Stadium that sustained wing damage during a thunderstorm Friday. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
TSU Facilities
Management engineers gave no immediate cost estimate, but said repairs to the
fence would begin and be completed Monday.
“Contractors
should be here today to attempt to put this back in place,” George Herring,
engineer and senior project manager said. “They may have to get some pieces and
parts, but it should be back up today.”
Herring said he
received a phone call Saturday morning and came out immediately to survey the
damage. He said the torn portion of the fence was found several feet from the
wall.
“It was all out on
the road so we pushed it against the sidewalk so nobody would get hurt,” he
said.
Most of Middle Tennessee was affected by the storms. More than 10,000 Nashville
residents were without power for several hours.
The National Weather Service said the storm may have been a derecho, a rare weather event classified by strong, straight line winds sustained over a wide path.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU
News Service) — Tennessee State University professor Dr. Ankit Patras has
received two grants totaling $650,000 from the USDA National Institute of Food
and Agriculture, Trojan Technologies of Canada, and California-based Aquafine
Corporation. The grants will fund research to make food safer by eliminating
harmful viruses and bacterial endospores in juices and other beverages.
Dr. Ankit Patras
In the NIFA grant, Patras, as principal investigator, and his research team at TSU, including Dr. Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge and Dr. John Rickettes, are collaborating with researchers at the University of Tennessee, and the Institute of Food Safety and Health at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Together, Patras and his fellow researchers will study the effect of highly energetic photons at 253.7 nm wavelength for the inactivation of viral particles, bacterial spores, and mycotoxins.
Dr. Chandra Reddy,
dean of the College of Agriculture, said TSU is glad to partner with USDA and
private industry in a research project that is aimed to make food safe for
consumers without worrying about bacterial or viral contamination and
illnesses.
“Dr. Patras is one of the
national leaders in this area of research and he and his team are exploring
some novel ways to contain or eliminate bacteria and viruses in foods through
these grants,” Reddy said. “As our new Food Science building comes online in a
year or so, we will intensify the food science research at TSU.”
Dr. Ankit Patras demonstrates the thin film pilot UV system, a novel pasteurization technology for inactivating viruses and bacterial endospores in liquid foods. Research Fellow Dr. Brahmiah Pendyala looks on. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
According to
Patras, who is research assistant professor of agricultural science, the
ultimate goal of this project is to develop new and improved non-thermal
technologies to inactivate viruses and bacterial endospores. He said one of the
unique aspects of the project is the use of novel approaches for ensuring
uniform UV exposure to bacterial and viral particles in fluids, without any
arbitrary fluence rate distribution and uncertainty in the delivered UV fluence
within the UV systems.
“Another important
aspect of the study is to create science-based knowledge and bridge existing
knowledge gaps by assessing the sensitivity of target foodborne viruses and
spores to this treatment,” Patras said. “We want to identify markers of
oxidative stress, which can be correlated to microbial inactivation.”
Madison Purifoy, a graduating senior participating in a science summer program for exceptional high school seniors, explains her findings in an experiment where she tested e coli in synthetic fluid using UV radiation to see if it will grow or create mutations. Purifoy is from Plano West Senior High School in Plano, Texas. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
The team will
develop chemical and biological sensors (biodosimeters) to quantify the UV dose
delivered to pathogenic targets ensuring accurate dose delivery. The overall
integrated approach will generate fundamental knowledge on the inactivation of
viruses and bacterial spores on bench and commercial UV systems. Members of
federal agencies including USDA-ARS, US-FDA, and Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada are on the advisory board. Patras’s grant is one of the few awarded by
the AFRI Foundation and Applied Science Program in the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
Among Patras’ team
at TSU is Taylor Ribeiro, a third-year Ph.D. student in biological sciences,
who is working on the inactivation of bacterial in blue berry-flavored
functional beverage. She said it feels good to be working with something that’s
in the forefront of technology because “current pasteurization methods are
starting to fail us.”
Some members of Dr. Patras’ research team in the Meats Processing Lab at TSU (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
“We are starting
to see outbreaks left and right. So, to be at the forefront of something that
is going to be global pretty soon is a big deal for me,” said Ribeiro, who is
from Chesapeake, Virginia. “I am enjoying it. I enjoy working with Dr. Petras
and the rest of the team.”
In the second
grant, Patras and Co-PI Dr. Hongwei Si will evaluate the cytotoxicity of
irradiated liquid foods. Cytotoxicity of irradiated liquid foods must be
evaluated to ensure the novel food processing techniques do not produce
cytotoxic chemical compounds.
UV photons can break chemical bonds and could result in modifying compounds in foods. UV disinfection itself is the result of forming dimers (bonds) between adjacent pyrimidines in the nucleic acids of bacteria and viruses. The team aims to evaluate the cytotoxicity against normal colon, blood cells and study the protein expression of these cells. Experiments will be conducted mimicking the human gastric system.
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Thirteen-year-old Carlile Burgess wants to one day be a technician at Verizon, and he thinks a summer program at Tennessee State University has opened the door for him.
Nashville Mayor David Briley; and Thomas Francis, Verizon Innovative Learning program coordinator, right, observe students as they work on a program during class. (Photo BY Erynne Davis, TSU Media Relations)
“I love technology in general especially with Verizon because I like working with their equipment,” said the 8th grader from Nashville’s East Middle School. “I want to work with them; if they have a crash or something, I can fix it.”
Burgess has big dreams and he is not alone. On Tuesday, he and about 80 other students in grades 6-8 from the Nashville Metro Public Schools got a chance to show Nashville Mayor David Briley new technology they are learning on the TSU campus as part of the Verizon Innovative Learning Program.
The VIL, a partnership between TSU and Verizon, gives the students a firsthand experience in “the vital role technology plays in today’s world, empowering them to become creators and makers,” a Verizon release said.
Eighth-grader Carlile Burgess, middle, and fellow students work on a circuit board. (Photo by Erynne Davis, TSU Media Relations)
Mayor Briley’s visit allowed him to see students participating in hands-on coursework in virtual reality, augmented reality, 3-D printing, robotics and electronics. He said it was very encouraging to get the students interested early in technology.
“This is clearly a
part of the economy that is growing and we need to make sure our young folks
are ready to compete,” Briley said. “So, having a partnership between Tennessee
State and Verizon and Metro Schools is a great thing to be doing this summer
for these young men.”
Dr. Curtis
Johnson, associate vice president and chief of staff, who welcomed the mayor on
behalf of TSU President Glenda Glover, said the university was excited to be a
part of the training program for the students, he described as future leaders
who could one day become TSU Tigers.
About 80 middle school students are participating in the Verizon Innovative Learning program on the Tennessee State University campus during the summer. (Pohto by Erynne Davis, TSU Media Relations)
“We are excited
that the mayor can come out to see some of the many great things that are
taking place here on our campus with youth from the community who are being
developed for future leaders here at Tennessee State,” Johnson said.
Also, on hand to
greet the mayor was Dulaney L. O’Roark III, from Verizon Government Affairs. He
said Verizon is very proud to sponsor the program.
“It means a lot to
bring these young men to really experience cutting-edge technology to be able
to envision themselves on a college campus learning about virtual reality,
computing and all of the newest innovations,” O’Roark said. “We are really
honored that the mayor would come and be a part of the program and express to
the young men how supportive he is of them being part of this learning
experience.”
According to
Verizon, the three-week program for minority male students is intended to
prepare them for future tech careers through intensive coursework in design and
product development while being mentored by relatable professional STEM role
models. The program helps participants acquire technical and soft skills to
reach a higher level of academic achievement. After summer courses are
completed, students will make monthly visits to TSU for STEM education
courses and individual mentoring with undergraduate and graduate students.
Thomas Francis, a
STEM instructor, is a coordinator of the VIL program at TSU. He said the
students are also developing friendships and learning to work together.
“The students are leaning with other students who are like-minded like them and that’s important in learning technology and in putting math and science together,” Thomas said.
For more information on Verizon Innovative Learning program, go to http://www.tnstate.edu/computer_science/documents/VerizonTSUCampFlyer.pdf
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is a finalist in 11
categories of the 2019 Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ Digest
Awards.
The winners will be announced at the ninth annual
HBCU Awards ceremony to be held on August 2 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of
Maryland African American History and Culture in downtown Baltimore.
TSU is a finalist for University of the Year, and TSU President
Glenda Glover is in the running for Female President of the Year.
Other TSU nominations are:
Best Marching Band: Aristocrat of Bands
Best HBCU Choir: New Direction Choir
Best Fine Arts Program: Department of Music
Best Science, Technology, Engineer and Mathematics (STEM) Program: College of Engineering
Best Business Program: Executive MBA Program
Alumna of the Year: Traci Otey Blunt
Female Coach of the Year: Chandra
Cheeseborough-Guice
Male Athlete of the Year: Christion Abercrombie
Male Student of the Year: Jailen Leavell
The HBCU Awards is the first and only national awards ceremony
honoring individual and institutional achievement at historically black
colleges and universities throughout the country. Winners are selected by a
panel of previous winners, journalist, HBCU executives, students and alumni for
the merit of accomplishment and for generating positive coverage for HBCU
campus communities.
Last year, Tennessee State University received
awards for “Best Student Organization” and “Alumnus of the Year.”
The year before that, TSU’s Aristocrat of Bands and the
university’s College of Engineering received top honors in the HBCU Digest Awards.
In 2015, TSU’s women’s basketball team got Female Team of the
Year, and student activities received Best Student Organization.
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a premier, historically black university and land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee State University provides students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The Men’s Initiative, a character and integrity building program at Tennessee State University, is implementing a series of programs aimed to inspire young male students to become better men.
Students who participated in the inaugural Rite of Passage mentoring program covered topics such as personal responsibility, values, communications, relationship building, and health and wellness. (Submitted Photo)
Recently, 23 second-year male students completed a semester-long Rite of Passage mentoring and leadership-training program conducted by the initiative. The students were pinned and honored in a ceremony before TSU administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community members in the Performing Arts Center on the main campus.
“The goal of this
program is to help these students to matriculate and graduate here at the
university,” said Frank Stevenson, associate vice president for Student Affairs
and dean of students. “We want to make sure that they are successful by
engaging them in things that help them in their matriculation, as
it relates to character and integrity, and understanding the principles of
being responsible young men.”
The inaugural Rite of Passage process started in January, with interest meetings for the students and a training for the 13 TSU faculty and staff mentors who helped facilitate student development. It continued with a six-week curriculum that concluded with a final challenge in the seventh week.
According to Robert
Taylor, director of the TSU Men’s Initiative, participants were trained on
personal responsibility, values, communication, relationship building, health
and wellness, and African diaspora history. He said the program culminated with
a mentor/mentee matching ritual that will continue for 15 weeks over the summer. All 23
students are expected to return to TSU in the fall, as certified mentors.
“The Rite of Passage
portion of the Men’s Initiative engages second-year male students in a series
of workshops and mentorship programs to
help them to transition from boyhood to manhood,” Taylor said. “Our ultimate
purpose is to increase student persistence and to help these young men
understand who they are as individuals, and
what their role is in the community, and how they can further that through
their education.”
Travion Crutcher, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Hunstville, Alabama, was a member of the first class that participated in the Rite of Passage training. As a graduate, he returns next semester as a mentor.
“I have always wanted
to be able to help people find their way, because when I first came here, I didn’t know where to start and
someone helped me,” said Crutcher, who plays cymbals in the TSU Aristocrat of
Bands. “I just like to be that person you can ask questions.”
Taylor said in addition to the Rite of Passage, the Men’s Initiative, which is funded by Title III, also includes success coaching, where teams of coaches work with the students to make sure that they are taking advantage of all of the resources that are available to them. There is also the Men’s Empowerment Zone, Taylor said.
“Empowerment Zone,
which we are creating on the second
floor of Boyd Hall, focuses on improving the actual physical environment for
the students,” Taylor said.
When it is completed, Taylor said the empowerment zone will include a gym with
equipment to help the men stay in shape, as well as upgrade the barbershop. He
said a computer lab is also being developed in partnership with the Career
Development Center, and there will be a conference center where students can do
online interviews with potential employers.
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – When Tennessee State University President Glenda Glover traveled to her hometown of Memphis last week, she had one goal in mind: Bring back Tupac Moseley.
Moseley had recently graduated valedictorian of his class at Raleigh-Egypt High School, and received $3 million in scholarships, all while homeless his senior year. This hands-on treatment didn’t go unnoticed by the shy teen.
President Glenda Glover presents Tupac Moseley with his full-ride scholarship letter. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
“For the president herself to drive down to one of the schools to actually assist a student personally, one-on-one, to take him or her up there for a visit, it’s just mind blowing to me,” said Moseley, who will major in engineering.
Dr. Glover personally led a team of senior university officials to Memphis and presented Moseley with a full-ride scholarship, including housing and a meal plan.
“Tupac is not homeless anymore,” Glover
said to the throng of media representatives and a cheering crowd assembled in
the school cafeteria during a celebration for the teen. “He now has his
own room with a meal plan with all the necessary amenities to help him continue
his success as an academically talented student. That’s what we do. We are an
HBCU, we care about our students. It is in our DNA that we can see a student
with this much potential and talent and see what we can do to assist him even
before he starts his academic journey.”
President Glover and Tupac Moseley answer reporters’ question at a press conference in Memphis. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
Moseley’s remarkable story of perseverance
and success amidst homelessness and poverty has made national headlines. The
18-year-old became homeless in his senior year after his father died and the
family could not afford the mounting bills. They moved to a campsite for the
disadvantaged. In the midst of the hardship, the Memphis native found a way to
stay focused in school, and “staying on top of everything that came his way in
class work,” his high school principal said. He graduated with a 4.3 grade
point average.
“Tupac is an amazing individual with excellent math knowledge,” said principal Shari Meeks. “He has taken the highest-level math here that we offer. He has attained college credits. He took a statewide dual credit challenge test in pre-calculus and passed it. He could have gone to any school in the nation. I think TSU will have an asset in Tupac. He is awesome and revered by his classmates – he helps them, he tutors them.”
Tupac Moseley blows the candles on his pre-birthday cake at a send-off reception Raleigh-Egypt High School hosted for the incoming TSU freshman. His birthday was May 23. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
At a sendoff reception for Moseley in the principal’s conference room, the standing room only audience included state and county Who’s Who, such as State Rep. Antonio Parkinson (District 98), who was instrumental in the TSU/Moseley talks; and Dr. Joris M. Ray, superintendent of Shelby County Schools.
Parkinson described Moseley as the “best and brightest talent that has ever been produced in Shelby County.”
“This is just the culmination of a lot of things that’s been going on,” Parkinson said about the reception. “Losing his father, homelessness, that was just too much for anyone. What we have done is just pull resources together to make sure that we provide the stability for him and Tennessee State University was part of the strategy to create that stability for one of our best and brightest talents.”
Superintendent Ray was thankful for the support system at the school – principal, teachers, counselors.
“This young man is a testament of being very resilient and strong,” Ray said. “I am so proud of his hard work, dedication, and he defied the odds with a great support system here at school that helped him to overcome and achieve in the midst of turmoil. I am so proud of Tupac, what he has done here, what he has done for our city and school district.”
As a way of telling his story and helping others facing hardship, Moseley created his own T-shirt based on his quote, “Your location is not your limitation.” He earned 50 scholarships worth a total of $3 million. He said he is majoring in engineering “because I love the smiles I get after helping people with tech issues.”
Moseley is not coming to TSU alone. Two other fellow graduates, including his best friend, Brandon Fontaine, also received scholarships and will attend TSU with him. President Glover included them in the trip back to campus on Wednesday as well. Fontaine is considering majoring in business management or mechanical engineering. The other student, Natoriya Owens, who wants to pursue a career in entrepreneurship, will major in theater arts with a minor in business.
President Glover added that this is what makes HBCUs so special for African Americans, and particularly first-generation college students and communities of color.
“This is the type of hands-on, special attention TSU provides our students, and especially those with unusual circumstances. It also speaks to the holistic approach and nurturing that HBCUs provide to students. Tupac is a prime example of the role TSU and other HBCUs play in addressing the total needs of our students.”
Tennessee State University is currently accepting students for the fall and have scholarships available for qualified students who want to major in STEM.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. (TSU News Service)
– More than 200 students in grades K-8 from Davidson County and surrounding
areas recently took part in a NASA-funded, one-day STEM education workshop at
Tennessee State University.
A parent participates with her children in an activity at Dare to Dream STEM Saturday. (Submitted Photo)
Called “Dare to Dream STEM Saturday,” the workshop in April engaged students in scientific experiments, and engineering design processes, such as robotics, coding, drones, virtual reality, flight simulation and math games.
The TSU College of
Education, in partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools, hosted the
workshop under the Minority University Research Education Project, or MUREP, a
NASA program at the university.
Led by TSU undergraduate STEM students and MNPS teachers, the
workshop included a Family Engagement component that allowed parents to engage
their children in the various projects.
A student controls a robot using a tablet. (Submitted Photo)
“Dare to Dream STEM Saturday was designed to celebrate
minority innovators in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Dr.
Trinetia Respress, director of the TSU MUREP project and interim assistant dean
of Assessment and Accreditation in the COE. “It was very rewarding to see students
and parents engaged in brainstorming in various activities.”
Among some of the activities, students used an engineering
process to build a structure that could handle a load, by testing factors
affecting the strength and stability of the structure. Using a template, the
students also created a rocket that
they launched from a soda straw.
Shaliyah Brooks, a junior English major, from Atlanta, was one of the TSU students who led the workshop. As a technology specialist for the workshop, she exposed the students to robots through demonstrations on how they work, using devices such as parents’ personal phones or tablets.
A mother and daughter celebrate as they complete an activity at the workshop. (Submitted Photo)
“I definitely think
that the students were excited to be there,” Brooks said. “They got a chance to
play all day and in a way that was educational. They were very hands-on working
with their parents.”
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
