NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – Dr. Ronald Barredo,
interim dean of Tennessee State University’s College of Health Sciences, is the
recipient of the highest award given by the American Physical Therapy
Association.
In June, Barredo will attend an award ceremony in Chicago,
where he will receive the Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical
Therapy Association. The award is the highest recognition that the association
can give to physical therapists, and is given to individuals “who have
demonstrated unwavering efforts to advance the physical therapy profession for
more than 15 years,” according to the Association’s website.
Dr. Ronald Barredo
There are more than 100,000 members of the APTA. Of that
number, only 214 have received the Catherine Worthingham Fellow. In Tennessee,
only five have been given the honor.
““We are so proud of
Dr. Ronald Barredo,” said Tennessee State University President Glenda Glover.
“Here at TSU, excellence is our habit, and Dr. Barredo is continuing that
tradition with this prestigious award. We applaud him, and thank him for his service
to our university.”
Dr. Barredo, who is also professor and chair of the Department
of Physical Therapy, is being recognized for his work in professional and
post-professional education, particularly in the area of competency assessment.
He has been actively involved with the Federation of State
Boards of Physical Therapy, with its focus on the assessment of entry-level
competence through the National Physical Therapy Examination; the American
Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, with its focus on the assessment of
continuing competence through specialist certification; the Foreign
Credentialing Commission in Physical Therapy, with its focus on assessment of
educational equivalence of foreign educated physical therapists; and the APTA
Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program, with its focus on education and
credentialing of clinical instructors.
“I am humbled and honored to be recognized as a Catherine
Worthingham Fellow,” Barredo said. “My appreciation goes out to the faculty,
staff and students at Tennessee State University, who make my life interesting,
challenging, and fun every day.”
TSU is currently constructing a new state-of-the-art Health
Sciences Building.
“This
project will not only bring together a number of excellent programs under one
roof – Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Cardiorespiratory Care,
and Health Information Management – but will also be a hub for collaborative
practice, community service, and clinical research,” Barredo said.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – Tennessee
State University Police Chief Gregory Robinson is the recipient of a
prestigious international campus safety award.
Robinson has been selected to
receive the 2019 International Association of Campus Law Enforcement
Administrators (IACLEA) Award for Administrative Excellence. He will be
presented the award in June at a ceremony in Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada.
TSU Police Chief Gregory Robinson
The IACLEA is the leading
authority for campus public safety. Its members represent campus law
enforcement and security issues before law and policy makers, higher education
officials, and members of the public around the globe.
“This award is incredibly
humbling,” Robinson said. “I thank the IACLEA for the selection, and the
officers who make up the TSUPD for embracing a vision that was designed to
enhance the characterization of professionalism and service as a Department. In
addition, a special thanks to TSU President Glenda Glover for believing in me
and choosing me to lead this organization.”
Robinson lauded his officers for their roles in “decreasing crime in and around campus, along with improved methodologies that have proven to be foundational in building the many positive relationships with the students, faculty, and staff members at TSU.”
Crime on college campuses
around Tennessee is down, according to a recent report by the Tennessee Bureau
of Investigation. TSU is one school that saw major improvement from 2017 to
2018.
“We have had record numbers
in decline and we want to keep it like that,” Robinson said in an interview
with Nashville television station WSMV.
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 Spring Commencement speakers, civil rights leader the Rev. Al
Sharpton and bestselling author Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, were presented honorary
degrees.
Sharpton gave the address at
the Graduate Commencement Ceremony on May 3, and Sharpton spoke at the
Undergraduate Commencement the following day.
They received an Honorary
Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of their body of work, and their impact
on society.
Both men encouraged graduates
to continue to better themselves.
“Tonight, you have shown you can achieve something,” said Sharpton, who serves as the host of PoliticsNation on MSNBC. “Only you know … what you went through to get here. But through it all, you got here tonight, which proves that you can achieve something, and it proves that you can keep achieving if you use the same discipline and determination you did to graduate here tonight. You can keep going higher and higher if you push yourself to do that.”
Dyson, professor of sociology at Georgetown University, said to
impact the world graduates must be literate, interconnected and transformative.
“You
must be ‘LIT,’” he said, attributing the acronym to the young generation’s
reference to something fun, good or exciting. “You might think classes are over
so you don’t have to read. But you have to be literate in the world we live in
because it is important. When you go into the world as proud Tennessee State
University graduates they know you come from a great place. You got to be
morally and psychologically literate.”
Georgetta
Harris-Wyatt received a doctorate in psychology. She said Sharpton’s speech was
motivational, that it “encouraged all the graduate students to see beyond where
they are now.”
She said Sharpton’s words inspired her even more to use her
degree to help youth.
“Ultimately, I hope to work with children and adolescents in the
juvenile justice system, and help them to rewrite their stories,” said
Harris-Wyatt.
Charles Alexander Hill, who received his bachelor’s degree in
business, said Dyson gave him and his fellow graduates “just what we needed to
hear.”
“I am very prepared to face the world,” Hill said. “TSU has given me all the tools I need to succeed in my life, and the speaker was very dynamic with his words of encouragement and wisdom.”
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) – Civil
rights leader and activist the Rev. Al Sharpton urged Tennessee State
University graduates to continue to build on their achievement.
Sharpton gave the address at
TSU’s graduate commencement ceremony Friday evening in the Howard C. Gentry
Complex. On Saturday, bestselling author Dr. Michael Eric Dyson will address
undergraduate students in the Complex. The ceremony will begin at 8 a.m.
The Rev. Al Sharpton and TSU President Glenda Glover. (TSU Media Relations)
Before Sharpton’s speech, TSU
President Glenda Glover welcomed attendees and lauded the graduates.
“I applaud you for having reached
this milestone,” said Dr. Glover. “Today is only a stepping stone. We thank
you. We salute you.”
Sharpton, a community leader,
politician and minister who serves as the host of PoliticsNation on MSNBC,
challenged graduates “to be the head of your own fan club.”
“Tonight, you have shown you
can achieve something,” he said. “Only you know … what you went through to get
here. But through it all, you got here tonight, which proves that you can
achieve something, and it proves that you can keep achieving if you use the
same discipline and determination you did to graduate here tonight. You can
keep going higher and higher if you push yourself to do that.”
Following his speech, Sharpton, who is a longtime friend of Dr. Glover, was presented an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, an honor he said he will always cherish.
Sharpton’s address, which was
interrupted with applause several times, seemed to move the audience.
Georgetta Harris-Wyatt received
a doctorate in psychology. She said Sharpton’s speech was motivational, that it
“encouraged all the graduate students to see beyond where they are now.”
2019 TSU Graduate students .(TSU Media Relations)
She said Sharpton’s words
inspired her even more to use her degree to help youth.
“Ultimately, I hope to work
with children and adolescents in the juvenile justice system, and help them to
rewrite their stories,” said Harris-Wyatt.
Sharpton is no stranger to TSU. In 2014, he came to the university to take up the cause to have TSU’s 1957- 1959 Men’s Championship Basketball Team, the first-ever to win three national titles back-to back, inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
He joined university officials and staff, including President Glover,
state officials, community leaders and stakeholders, as he presented his cause
during a ceremony in Kean Hall.
As a result of Sharpton’s efforts and that of many others, including TSU alumnus Dr. Richard “Dick” Barnett, a member of all three teams, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced last month that the Tennessee State men’s basketball championship teams of 1957-59 will be one of 12 honorees in this year’s Class of 2019. The class will be celebrated at this year’s enshrinement festivities in Springfield, Massachusetts.
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) – Alexius Dingle graduated from Tennessee State University at the top of her class, but the agricultural sciences major has even loftier goals.
“I’m going to grad school to pursue a Ph.D. in genetics,” said Dingle, who graduated on May 4 with a 4.0 GPA.
Alexius Dingle
She was one of more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students who received degrees in various disciplines in this year’s dual graduation ceremonies at T’SU.
Dingle was the first in her immediate family to attend college. She said she looked forward to seeing the expression on the face of her mother, who pretty much raised her by herself in the small town of Manning, South Carolina, about an hour from Columbia.
“She sacrificed so much,” said Dingle.
When she arrives at Texas A&M for her Ph.D. program, Dingle said she will be ready, mainly because of the preparation she has received at Tennessee State University, particularly the College of Agriculture.
“One thing that the College of Ag has been very good with doing is making sure that their students are exposed to research, and it’s paid research,” said Dingle, whose concentration is in biotechnology. “It’s a way for you to get exposure, put something on your resume, so you don’t leave without experience. And it also helps you financially.”
Ag professor De’Etra Young, a mentor to Dingle, said she was impressed with her maturity and assertiveness.
“She set her goals, was extremely focused, and sought out any opportunity that was given to her,” said Young. “Her success has paid off. She will be attending Texas A&M, and she will be going from a bachelor’s to a Ph.D. program.”
Dingle said she encourages her peers, as well as incoming freshmen, to take advantage of opportunities that are available.
“Network, talk to your advisors,” she said. “They have opportunities to help you that you may not know about.”
TSU has received a million dollars from
the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Natural Resources Conservation Service to bolster undergraduate students’
interest in agriculture, as well as science, technology, engineering and math,
or STEM.
In addition to scholarships,
TSU officials said the funds will aid students’ professional development by allowing
them to “travel to different professional conferences and meetings to gain
exposure” to the latest research.
Earlier this year, TSU
President Glenda Glover surprised 20 students who visited the university with
scholarship offers if they planned to major in a STEM course and have a good
GPA.
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 Tennessee State University School of Graduate and Professional Studies recently had a special program commemorating its 75th anniversary.
Dr. Robbie Melton, dean of the Graduate School, said the program on May 1 at the Avon Williams Campus downtown provided an opportunity to recognize two former deans who made significant contributions to the school, as well as showcase the school’s “next evolution.”
The late Dr. Camelia Taylor, who served in many administrative positions at TSU including interim dean of the Graduate School, and Dr. Helen Barrett, who served as the school’s dean from 1998-2008, were honored during the event, which was a precursor to the graduate school commencement ceremony on May 3.
The school also paid homage to Martha Williams Wheeler, the first graduate student at Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State College to earn a master’s degree.
Melton said the graduate school is excited to recognize these women of impact, as well as celebrate 75 years of conferring degrees. She said the school’s innovation will continue under its new theme, “Everyone can code, and everyone can create,” which is indicated by TSU C².
Dr. Robbie Melton
“This theme reflects our new delivery systems hybrid online and on ground formats that incorporates technology, innovation, social media tools and our new global outreach to targeted communities nationally and internationally, and it permeates throughout our entire programs, courses and curriculum,” Melton said. “To reach the global market we must have the entire process online, including student services, courses, library services, mentoring, etc. Everything must be online.”
According to Melton, many of the marketing ideas that will
be shared at the program stem from a research project conducted by doctoral
students in a marketing class taught by Dr. Eric Vogel, graduate director for
the Higher Education Doctoral Students
“Instead of doing hypothetical, we did a problem-based
action research project in which the class had the task of finding ways to
increase graduate enrollment through marketing,” Melton said. “The class will
present marketing research and strategies to enhance the graduate school and
all graduate programs”
Minzi Thomas, a student in Vogel’s class who is pursuing her Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, was one of five students who shared strategic ideas focused on areas such as research, digital marketing, recruitment and enrollment, international groups, and finance.
Thomas, a Memphis-native who teaches public speaking at
Nashville State Community College and works as a reconnect navigator with the
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, said the composition of Vogel’s marketing
class is perfect for this project.
“It’s really a unique experience and a unique opportunity
because a lot of students in the class actually work in the graduate school.
What you have is students who work in the graduate school and students who are
enrolled in the graduate school coming up with a marketing plan to increase
enrollment and increase engagement on social media and other additional
marketing strategies,” she said.
Minzi Thomas
Thomas, whose presentation focused on digital marketing, said the class is excited about launching the #TSUSONASHSVILLE social media campaign.
“The whole premise of that is that while Nashville is
experiencing all of this growth from gentrification, Tennessee State is still
very much a part of that rich cultural aspect of Nashville, and it doesn’t
matter how big Nashville gets, that’s not going to change,” Thomas said.
During Melton’s tenure as dean she has incorporated numerous
technological strategies to advance the graduate school.
“We have reorganized and brought in technology enhancements
and tools to automate the graduate school in terms of admission using GradCAS,
in terms of curriculum improvement using Curriculog, in terms of automating a
searchable graduate catalogue using Actualog, becoming a paperless environment
through the use of DocuSign, and conducting our graduation audit using DegreeWorks,”
she said.
Thomas, whose research topic explores gentrification and its
impact on North Nashville, said Melton’s leadership plays a great role in the
graduate school’s current success.
“Dr. Melton continues to ignite a fire underneath us. Every time you think you have done the best
that you can do, she always says or does something that lets you know that you
can do or be better. It can be done,”
she said. “She makes you feel like it is possible, and when you think it is
possible, that’s when you continue to try to reach your greatest potential.”
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) – A number of
graduates in Tennessee State University’s spring commencement will go right
into the workforce once they get their degrees. And they have TSU to thank.
“Tennessee State University has definitely prepared me
professionally,” says T’Anna Williams, a computer science major headed to Northrop
Grumman. “It’s really awesome having a job lined up after I graduate. That’s
one less stress.”
More than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students will
receive degrees in various disciplines in this year’s dual graduation
ceremonies.
The graduate commencement ceremony is Friday, May 3, at 5
p.m. in the Howard C. Gentry Complex, where Civil Rights leader Al Sharpton
will give the keynote address. The undergraduate ceremony will take place the
following day in Hale Stadium at 8 a.m. Bestselling author Dr. Michael E. Dyson
is the speaker.
Williams says part of her success is due to the nurturing
attitude of the administration and faculty at TSU. The Nashville native says
they’re always looking for ways to help students grow, like bringing in dynamic,
motivational speakers like Sharpton and Dyson.
“If you’re willing to learn and put in the effort, they’re
willing to help,” says Williams of TSU’s faculty.
Graduating senior Alexis Clark agrees. The mass communications
major from writes for the student newspaper, The Meter. She credits her
experience at the newspaper with preparing her for an internship at The Tennessean,
one of the state’s top newspapers, when she graduates.
“It was probably the best experience I had at TSU,” says the St. Louis native. “The networking and the connections I’ve made through The Meter have brought me to what I’m doing today. “
Most of the students who have jobs lined up say the
university’s Career Development Center helped them find employment, and prepped
them for it.
“The Career Development Center serves as the bridge between
education and employment for the students,” says Charles Jennings, Jr.,
director of the Center/Division of Student Affairs. “We provide services and programs
that allow students to apply the knowledge that they gained in the classroom
toward meaningful internship and employment opportunities.”
Jennings says the Center also has onsite conferences that let students interact with the university’s employer partners, like Bank of America, Boeing, Google and IBM.
Electrical engineering major Tarence Rice of Detroit says
it’s partly because of opportunities at the Center that he has job offers from
Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Texas Instruments.
“They helped me get in contact with employers, and get the
exposure to build me up to be able to interview for some of these top
companies,” says Rice.
Because of the preparation it provides students, TSU officials
say the university is poised to produce strong candidates for Amazon’s new
executive operations center, which is expected to bring about 5,000 jobs to the
Nashville area.
“As the
only public university in Nashville, Tennessee State University stands uniquely
poised to support these corporate giants, their employees, family members of
the employees, and the businesses that support them with highly-skilled human
capital, workforce training opportunities, research partnerships and more,”
says TSU economics professor Dr. Achintya Ray.
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) – US News Rankings recently listed the Tennessee State University College of Public Service as one of the best public affairs programs in the nation. The ranking, which is done annually, specifically evaluates masters in public affairs and administration programs based solely on peer assessment surveys completed by deans, directors and department chairs across the nation.
Dr. Michael Harris, dean of the TSU College of Public Service and professor of public administration, said the ranking is a reflection of the world-class work members of the college are doing to educate and serve their students, residents of Middle Tennessee, and beyond.
Dr. Michael Harris
“We work to provide a relevant and current education for leaders in the public sector. We also have a significant impact on the local economy, with regards to economic development because our graduates who work in the public sector all make a difference in our economic development and economic growth, as well as the social infrastructure of the community,” said Harris, a nationally-syndicated columnist.
Dr. Cara B. Robinson, interim chair for the Department of Social Work
and Urban Studies and acting director of the Center For Aging, said Harris’
leadership plays a major role in the college’s success.
“I think this recognition is really built on the fact that we have fostered a culture of innovation that prepares students to be on the front edge of what public service careers really require,” she said. “Dr. Harris has just done a good job of making sure that we are all willing and able to recruit students, help place them when they graduation and reach out to the community to make sure the students are prepared for careers in public service.”
Robinson said the wide array of courses the college offers
as well as conferences like the Conference on Elderly Abuse, which the Center
on Aging Research And Education Services
cohosts in June, have a lot to do with its success.
“We have everything from nonprofit management courses, to executive leadership, public policy and social work, and they all cover things that put us at the forefront,” she said. “In addition, we have reached out to community members to be involved in our classrooms.”
Robinson said the hours they offer classes has also helped attract nontraditional students. Alfred Degrafinreid II, Vanderbilt University associate vice chancellor for Community Relations within the Division of Government and Community Relations, said while he worked for the state Legislature, he would walk from work to the Avon Williams Campus to attend his evening classes.
Alfred Degrafinreid II
Degrafinreid, who earned a BS in Speech Pathology in 2006 and a
MPA in 2008, both from TSU,
also secured his law degree from the McKinney School of Law at Indiana University.
“The program really prepares students for the public service workforce. I have experience on the local, state and federal levels of government, and I credit my success in working on all three levels of government to going through this program, which really prepared me for real life experiences, managing budgets,” said Degrafinreid, who served as deputy campaign manager for former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen’s recent U.S. Senate race. Nearly 100 percent of our graduates in our different programs immediately get jobs. Our graduates are always off to rewarding and meaningful careers.”
Degrafinreid said TSU teaches its students to leave the university and serve the community, state, country and world.
“I’m proud that Tennessee State develops leaders and teaches students to fully embrace the ‘Think. Work. Serve.’ motto. It is very important to enter the university and go forth to serve. That’s something TSU always teaches students from the time they are freshmen until graduation.”
For more information on the Tennessee State University College of Public Service, visit http://www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/
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 took home “Campaign of the Year” honors in Home Depot’s Retool Your School- HBCU Campus Improvement competition. This was the first year for the award, which was created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Retool Your School program. TSU beat out 60 other institutions for the grant award.
“We are extremely
proud to have won this top honor for campaign of the year, and are just as
proud of our students, staff and alumni that mobilized efforts for TSU to have
such a strong showing to get the entire university family involved,” said
Tennessee State University President Dr. Glenda Glover.
TSU finished
second in voting for the large institution category, but walked away with the
campaign of the year award. Judges cited
the overall performance of the campaign that was able to engage students,
alumni and the community, as well as digital media strategies to promote voting.
Dr. Heidi
Williams teaches research and technical writing in the Department of Languages,
Literature and Philosophy at TSU. She turned the Retool Your School campaign
into an assignment for her students.
“I had never seen
students take things so seriously, and work so hard on an assignment,” Williams
said. “They didn’t do it for a grade. They did it for themselves, for each
other.”
Sophomore
Gabrielle Davis is one of Williams’ students. She said she enjoyed working on
the campaign, and is looking forward to how the win will benefit the
university.
“This shines a
great light on Tennessee State University,” Davis said.
Mon-Cheri
Robinson, TSU’s assistant director of student activities, agreed. She helped
galvanize the university’s student government leadership, as well as the
sororities and fraternities, who used social media to help get the word out
about the campaign, including announcements during the students’ Courtyard
Wednesday activities.
“It’s all about
having them see the big picture, and see how it benefits them, and the school
overall,” Robinson said.
TSU alumni were
motivated by National Alumni Association President Joni McReynolds, who led the
charge for her alma mater on social media. McReynolds even posted a video
outside of her local Home Depot store urging fellow alumni to vote.
“The TSU family,
including students, alumni and friends, came together to allow us to win,”
McReynolds said. “It’s good to see the Tennessee State University Tiger
spirit.”
Student leaders,
including SUB-G, were polled for ideas on how the administration should use the
funds to make campus improvements. They ranged from landscaping, pressure
washing buildings, upgrades to the recreation room, lighting for the campus
amphitheater, and restoration of the courtyard and Welton Plaza. All will see a
makeover with the funds.
Incoming Student Government
Association President Katelyn Thompson said the win makes her proud to be a Big
Blue Tiger.
“This is an outstanding accomplishment,” said Thompson, a junior majoring in criminal justice and psychology. “All of our hard work paid off.”
TSU has participated in the Home Depot program since 2014. Kelli Sharpe, assistant vice president for Public Relations and Communications, said getting the word out early and often was crucial.
“Staff put
together a comprehensive social media campaign and worked to make sure
students, employees, alumni and the TSU community as a whole were included on
all communications regarding our campaign,” Sharpe said. “It was truly a team
effort to see everyone come together for this great cause.”
Home Depot will
have the final approval of the projects, which will start in the fall.
Currently, there are several major construction projects underway on TSU’s campus. They include a new Health Sciences Building, two new residence halls, and an Alumni House and Welcome Center.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State UniversityFounded 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) – Members of the
Professional Football Players Mothers Association will visit Tennessee State
University this week while they’re in the Music City for the NFL Draft.
On April 25, the first day of the Draft, TSU President
Glenda Glover will host a luncheon and tour for the mothers of current and
former professional football players.
Michelle Green is president of PFPMA. She said she’s looking
forward to visiting TSU, as well as fulfilling the association’s main objective,
which is to provide advice and support to families of players entering the
National Football League.
Green is the mother of former NFL offensive tackle Bryant
McKinnie, who played in the league 12 years and won a Super Bowl with the
Baltimore Ravens.
“We want to be there as a support system for them, because
we were there in that position at one time,” said Green, adding that the
association also does a lot of community charity work. “It’s a different world
once you cross over and go into the NFL. You’re entering a whole new game, and
only those in it understand it.”
Member Sandra Atkins agreed. Her son is Geno Atkins, a
defensive tackle who is in his tenth year with the Cincinnati Bengals. She said
her advice to parents whose sons enter the NFL is, “continue to be a parent.”
“The bright lights start shining even brighter than they did
in college, and some parents become fans and let their kids get away with
things,” Atkins said. “Still, tell them what they need to know. If they listen,
they listen; if they don’t, that’s fine. At least you were the parent and you
did your job.”
The mothers’ visit to TSU is just part of the university’s
participation in the NFL Draft. TSU’s famed Aristocrat of Bands is in a
promotional advertising the Draft. And on April 27, Tigers linebacker Christion
Abercrombie will announce the fifth-round pick for the Tennessee Titans.
Abercrombie
made national news last season when he suffered a life-threatening injury in a
football game against Vanderbilt University. Doctors didn’t think he’d survive.
But Abercrombie has made a miraculous recovery since the Sept. 29 incident. On
April 13, he attended the annual Blue and White scrimmage game at TSU.
Also, TSU alum Ed “Too Tall” Jones will announce the pick for the Dallas Cowboys. The defensive lineman, who appeared in three Super Bowls with the Cowboys, was their No. 1 overall pick in the 1974 NFL Draft.
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.
