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Waste Management makes $300,000 Commitment to Tennessee State University

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Waste Management, a leading provider of environmental services in Middle Tennessee, recently made a three-year, $300,000 commitment to Tennessee State University. The pledge, first unveiled by Dr. Glenda Glover, President of TSU, and Don Gentilcore, Area Director of Disposal Operations for WM, during halftime of TSU’s homecoming football game on Oct. 30 will focus on environmental sustainability research, and providing scholarships and internships for students attending TSU.

“We appreciate the support from Waste Management and the opportunities this partnership will create for the University and our students,” said Dr. Glover. “Scholarships, internships and research will be the main focus of our collaboration as we work for the continued success of TSU students.” 

WM owns and operates Southern Services Construction and Demolition (C&D) Landfill & Eco Park (Southern Services), a 183-acre, more than 30-year-old site located off of Briley Parkway in Nashville. Southern Services is home to both the only C&D landfill and C&D recycling facility in Davidson County. The volume of C&D waste, which includes materials like concrete, brick, metal, and asphalt, has nearly doubled in the last decade as Nashville’s growth and development has accelerated, while the recycling rate has fallen to less than one percent.

To help explore alternative solutions and strategies to address this growing problem, $150,000 of WM’s $300,000 commitment will be directed towards research conducted by students and faculty from TSU’s College of Agriculture in conjunction with the company’s Middle Tennessee staff focused on diversion and recovery of C&D materials to reduce landfill waste. For example, projects may examine the ability of source separation, incorporation of recovered materials for use in new builds and methods and procedures for handling debris generated during catastrophic events in Middle Tennessee.

“We are proud to partner with TSU to undertake innovate research and explore new approaches to sustainability,” said Gentilcore. “WM works with Metro Nashville on multiple solid waste management initiatives, and we are committed to supporting the region’s sustainability goals. But those goals are ambitious. TSU, with its outstanding track record in the environmental sciences, is an ideal partner as we seek to identify long-term solutions to sustainably manage the region’s C&D waste stream.”

The remaining $150,000 from WM will be directed towards primarily need-based scholarships for up to 10 students each year attending TSU from the Nashville area. Beginning in fall 2022, TSU will select eligible students to receive the scholarships and administer the program. Additionally, WM will provide up to four paid summer internship opportunities for TSU students per year across the company’s service functions in the southeast.

To learn more about WM’s sustainability efforts, visit sustainability.wm.com/

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

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tsu high vaccination percentage among employees, students, highlights commitment to safety

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is continuing to prioritize safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 70 percent of its full-time faculty and staff vaccinated, as well as hundreds of students.

As of Nov. 8, TSU officials said 74.5 percent, or roughly 920, faculty and staff have had both vaccination shots. More than 2,300 students have presented proof of vaccination.

“Tennessee State University has worked diligently to keep infections to a minimum,” said Dr. Curtis Johnson, TSU’s associate vice president and chief of staff. “We continue to enforce the guidelines we have in place to protect the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff, along with our visitors. We are grateful for the cooperation we have received from the TSU family. It is encouraging to see the results of our efforts, and it benefits our communities greatly.”

Added Frank Stevenson, associate vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students, “we created a really good vaccination wall on campus which has led to our low numbers of COVID cases in comparison to our sister institutions. We offered vaccinations to our students on campus in partnership with Meharry Medical College and the Metro Public Health Department.”

TSU’s emphasis on safety included a comprehensive plan with a 14-day “safer in place” policy upon arrival for all students in residence halls. The policy required students to stay in their places of residence unless they needed to perform essential activities, such as getting food, or going to medical appointments.

Under the plan, all classes were online for the first two weeks, and there were both in-person and online instruction throughout the semester, which will end by Thanksgiving. Additionally, classrooms were assessed to determine the number of students that can occupy the rooms, based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Other safety measures include wearing of face coverings and social distancing at all times; regular cleaning and sanitizing of buildings; temperature checks upon entering campus and randomly throughout campus; installation of shields throughout the campus; and establishment of a non-emergency COVID-19 phone line and email for reporting concerns.

The university is also offering $100 gift cards to employees and students who show proof of being fully vaccinated.

Dr. Kimberly Triplett, TSU’s Faculty Senate chair, said the university’s attention to safety reflects the commitment to excellence it strives to uphold each day.

“This is great news for the TSU community,” said Triplett of TSU’s high vaccination percentage, and its continued safety measures. “To our faculty and staff, this means we are committed to safety and the overall public health of our TSU community first, while at the same time creating a safe environment not only for our students, but everyone campus-wide. Our vaccination percentage rate among faculty allows for us to continue to provide education at the highest level, conducting research, and service to the university while protecting each other.”

Student Government Association President Derrick Sanders said TSU’s safety measures made it possible for alumni and other visitors to be comfortable during last month’s Homecoming, which had in-person festivities after they were canceled last year because of the pandemic. 

Sanders said he, and his peers, are going to continue to make the campus as safe as possible.

“We want everybody to wear a mask, protect one another,” said Sanders, a senior English major from Cincinnati, Ohio. “We just want to make sure that everybody stays safe.”

To learn more about TSU’s COVID-19 safety measures, visit  https://www.tnstate.edu/return/.

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

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Congresswoman Nikema Williams to deliver TSU’s fall commencement address Nov. 20

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – U.S. Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) will be the commencement speaker when Tennessee State University holds its fall graduation ceremony on Nov. 20. More than 700 undergraduate and graduate students will receive degrees in various disciplines.

The commencement will be held in hybrid format with the live ceremony in the Gentry Complex, where U.S. Rep. Williams will address the graduates. University officials say COVID-19 guidelines will be followed, including the wearing of masks, social distancing, as well as encouraging all adults to be fully vaccinated. Additionally, each student will receive only five invitations for family members and friends, to avoid overcrowding.

“Giving the current challenging condition brought on by the pandemic, we are taking every precaution to ensure that the ceremony is conducted safely,” says Dr. Curtis Johnson, associate vice president and chair of the graduation committee.  “We are limiting the facility capacity to between 60-70 percent, and encouraging family members and invited guests to sit together.”

TSU reportedly has one of the lowest virus infection rates and one of the highest vaccination rates when compared to other Tennessee universities.

Williams, who represents Georgia’s 5th congressional district in the House of Representation, is in her first term and serves as president of the freshman class of the 117th Congress. A former state senator, union member, and special needs educator, Williams has been a fierce advocate for social justice, women and families throughout her political and professional career.

The lawmaker “always centers” the voices of the marginalized and how “women and people of color continue to fight for racial and social justice in our country.” In Congress, she serves on the House Financial Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, as well as the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. She has membership in several caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus, Democratic Women’s Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Voting Rights Caucus, LBGTQ+ Equality Caucus, and the HBCU Caucus.

Congresswoman Williams has been recognized as one of Georgia Trend magazine’s 100 Most Influential Georgians, Forty under Forty, Power 30 Under 30, Outstanding Atlanta, and Who’s Who in Black Atlanta. Born in Columbus, Georgia, Williams attended Talladega College where she was initiated into Chi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

The commencement, to begin at 9 a.m., will be live streamed for those who cannot attend in person. The stream link will be announced later. For more information on Fall Commencement, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/records/commencement/

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

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Amazon investing $800,000 for TSU professor endowment

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Amazon is investing $800,000 to endow a professor at Tennessee State University and equip computer science students with the skills they need to one day work for the company or elsewhere in the technology space.

The idea originated in 2018 as a part of announcing Amazon Nashville, which is expected to ultimately create 5,000 jobs in Nashville. Over the next two years, Amazon and TSU discussed the endowment in greater detail and it was mutually decided that the “Amazon Endowed Professorship Chair” would be in the university’s Computer Science Department. The funding will support the endowed professorship for four years — $200,000 per year.

“We appreciate this partnership with Amazon and applaud them for making this investment in Tennessee State University,” said TSU President Glenda Glover. ”The Amazon Endowed Professorship Chair will expand the knowledge of our students, and allow them to gain important workforce skills to utilize at Amazon, and in the corporate marketplace. Partnerships like this between the business community and TSU show the concern companies like Amazon have for the future of our students. Working together, we will continue to expand corporate collaborations that ensure student success.“

As a part of the curriculum, the professor will be trained to teach the 12 to 16-week course created by Amazon. This course will be taught to computer science students in their junior and senior years. It will be based on important Amazon knowledge, skills, and abilities to equip TSU students with the skills necessary to interview and work at Amazon. In addition to the course, Amazon leaders will guest lecture to the class, as well as serve as adjunct professors.

“As a growing employer in Nashville, we have a responsibility to continue developing local talent pipelines and creating career opportunities for our neighbors,” said Courtney Ross, Amazon’s Sr. Manager of External Affairs in Nashville. “TSU is a natural partner in this endeavor and we’re excited to formalize this program and get it off the ground.” 

Students will also have the opportunity to visit Amazon facilities and the corporate office for hands on learning, and Amazon will host job fairs with TSU specific to Nashville hiring.

The course is expected to launch in the 2022-2023 academic school year. Amazon will participate in a check presentation at TSU’s October 30 homecoming game.

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

EVENTS, Featured, FEATURED, NEWS, SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

Crowning of new Mr. and Miss Tennessee State University continues Homecoming tradition

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – After a virtual event last year due to the pandemic, the Mister and Miss TSU coronation returned live Wednesday with the crowning of the new Tennessee State University king and queen. Mark Timothy Davis, Jr., and Mallory Rian Moore were invested during an elaborate ceremony in Kean Hall, as part of the 2021 Homecoming festivities. 

President Glenda Glover congratulates the new Mr. TSU Mr. Mark Davis, and Miss TSU Mallory More. (Photo by Daniel Adkins)

Hundreds of people — including parents, relatives, friends, and fellow students — packed a jubilant Kean Hall to witness the coronation of the two students and their court. 

TSU President Glenda Glover congratulated the new king and queen after giving them the oath of office. Frank Stevenson, associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, followed the president. He charged the two students to take their roles seriously. 

“It is my pleasure to charge the new king and queen and this royal court with the expectations of this office,” Stevenson said. “You must lead with integrity and help enhance student experiences in the Land of Golden Sunshine. You are charged as the first historic pandemic transition from quarantine to excellence as king and queen. You must always act with love and respect for each other.” 

Miss TSU 2021-22 Mallory Moore is a senior health sciences major from Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Daniel Adkins)

 Davis, a senior mass communications major from Cincinnati, plans to help male students develop into men with good character traits that others can emulate. With a five-point plan focused on sexual assault awareness, mental health, campus engagement, creating a definition of what a man is, and embracing your difference, Davis’ goal is to change the stereotypical view people have of “our young males” because of the way many carry themselves. 

“We must try to change the way the world looks at our students, especially the black males, and TSU is doing a very good job in that area,” says Davis.

The new Mister TSU Mark T. Davis, Jr. is a senior majoring in mass communications. He is from Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Daniel Adkins)

After graduation, Davis plans to pursue a master’s degree in psychology. His career goals are to become a director of student activities at TSU, and ultimately manage artists, and be the CEO of his own record label. 

Moore, who becomes the 92nd Miss TSU, is from Birmingham, Alabama. She is a senior health sciences major. She wants to use her position to implement a program built around mentorship and providing opportunities for fellow students.  

Escorting Little Miss TSU Aset Dolorne Seaton-Terry is Little Mister TSU Connor Alexander Bean. Aset is the daughter of Antonio and Aleshia Seaton-Terry. Connor is the son of Dr. Andre Bean and Dr. Keisha Bean. (Photo by Daniel Adkins)

“I want to do a mentorship initiative because I know for me coming in as a freshman, I didn’t have that and it made things a lot difficult for me,” says Moore. “I don’t want other students to face those difficulties. So, I want to create this program for the freshmen, and I am including the sophomores because the sophomore class didn’t get one because they were home due to the pandemic.”  

In addition to being Miss TSU, Moore is active in many campus organizations and programs. For two years, she served on the university’s cheerleading team. She is a member of the TSU choir, and the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. She was initiated into Chi Psi chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity Incorporated, Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and Order of Omega National Honor Society for Greek Leaders. Moore’s career goal is to become an occupational therapist. 

Members of the new Royal Court:

Mister Senior – Shaun Anderson
Miss Senior – Destiny Pennington 


Mister Junior – Tre’veon Hayes
Miss Junior – Sa’Mariah Harding 


Mister Sophomore – Alex Brooks
Miss Sophomore – Anasia Strickland 


Mister Freshman – Gary Richardson
Miss Freshman – Brookly Gordon 

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

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TSU Students, officials bury COVID-19 pandemic in time capsule, to be unearthed in 2041

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – A TSU-inscribed face mask, a letter from the university president, and a Homecoming banner were among items recently laid to rest in a time capsule to remind those who open it 20 years from now of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

President Glover, Associate VP Frank Stevenson and student leaders bury the time capsule on the main campus. From left, are Mr. TSU Mark T. Davis, Jr.; Miss TSU Mallory Moore; SGA VP Jevaria Jefferson; SGA President Derrick Sanders; Dr. Glover; Tiara Thomas, Student Trustee; and Stevenson. (Photo by Andre Bean)

President Glenda Glover, along with student leaders and university officials, buried the time capsule during a lively, socially-distanced ceremony on the main campus on Oct. 26. It will be unearthed in 2041. Tiara Thomas, Student Trustee on the TSU Board of Trustees, conceived the idea for the capsule. She said it will tell future students about what it was like to live during COVID-19. 

“The time capsule is to make sure people know and have our firsthand account of how we dealt with this moment,” said Thomas, to a loud cheer from the crowd, including the Aristocrat of Bands, that provided entertainment. Her presentation was in the form of a letter to fellow students summarizing the events of the time. 

President Glover places an envelope in the time capsule containing a letter, a mask and an AKA pouch. (Photo by Andre Bean)

“There are going to be so many people writing history books, making documentaries, but we want to leave something that tells our story, to make sure it is as true and accurate as possible,” Thomas added. “We have been through so much and so many stories to be told from so many angles, and I just want to make sure we capitalize on that moment because, indeed, we are history makers.” 

Like many students at the ceremony, Terrian Jefferson and Kershaun Barksdale agreed with Thomas.

Tiara Thomas, Student Trustee on the TSU Board of Trustees, conceived the idea for the time capsule. (Photo by Andre Bean)

“This means a lot to me because future students can actually see what we dealt with in today’s time,” said Jefferson, a junior health sciences major from Memphis, Tennessee. “And for even those of us here today, this will remind us that this really did happen.” 

Barksdale, a psychology major from Holly Springs, Mississippi, added: “I feel like this burial is necessary because it puts us in a unique position to be able to accurately tell the story of what took place during this time.” 

Besides the mask and students’ messages, the time capsule contains a banner from the AOB, an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. pouch from Dr. Glover, who is also international president of the sorority, press releases, news articles, and memorabilia from the Black Lives Matter Movement, among others. Tuesday’s event also marked TSU’s weeklong 2021 Homecoming, which kicked off Sunday with a gospel explosion. 

AOB Drum Major Travion Crutcher places a banner from the marching band in the time capsule. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)

Frank Stevenson, associate vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students, thanked President Glover for her leadership, Thomas for her foresight in conceiving the idea for the time capsule, and the campus family for their support. 

“As we bury this time capsule, let’s celebrate the brilliant leadership of President Glover during this pandemic; she was very intentional, and she required that out of all of her staff,” Stevenson said. “During the pandemic, we were left in the care of 2,200 students who stayed on our campus. We were the frontline workers. While other personnel were working from home, we had to be intentional about our presence. From our police department, health services to our residence hall staff, we were here, and we did it and we are excited to make this moment.”   

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

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TSU President Glenda Glover nominated for 2021 inclusive leader award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – TSU President Glenda Glover is a nominee for the GlobalMindED 2021Inclusive Leader Awards. Glover is among leaders from across 15 industry sectors nominated for this year’s awards. Winners will be announced virtually on Nov. 3.

President Glenda Glover

The awards recognize the “most inclusive” leaders in key industries for their innovations and bold actions to promote access and equity for women, people of color, and underrepresented populations in their recruiting, development, and in their pipeline strategies from education to employment.

“I am delighted and honored to be nominated for this prestigious award, along with other distinguished leaders who are impacting our world in very positive ways,” Dr. Glover said. “GlobalMindED’s work to close the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline with programs for students from the least resourced background is highly commendable.”

According to its webpage, GlobalMindED serves low-income students, returning adults seeking badges/credentials, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them. The organization’s goal is to reach 25,000,000 First Gen college students, graduates, those who work with them and those who want to hire them algorithmically connected to role models, mentors, internships and jobs. 

Students and the general public are invited to attend the awards ceremony on Nov. 3, beginning at 5 p.m. Central/6 p.m. Eastern. To attend you must register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wcSRBKoARb-5d75rLrp8yw

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

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Gospel explosion featuring Grammy winner Tye Tribbett kicks off TSU’s 2021 Homecoming week

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University kicks off its 2021 Homecoming with a gospel explosion featuring Grammy and Stellar awards winning gospel legend Tye Tribbett. Known for such hit albums as “Greater Than” and “The Bloody Win,” the singer, songwriter and keyboardist headlined the show in the Gentry Center Sunday, Oct. 24.

Other big-name stars and groups that took part in the concert included gospel notables Earnest Pugh, winner of Best Gospel Album at the 6th Annual Independent Music Awards; Stellar Award nominee Lisa Knowles Smith; the renowned TSU New Direction Gospel Choir; and the legendary Nate Bean & 4Given gospel group.

Themed “The Return,” this year’s homecoming is buzzing with excitement as the university returns to normal celebration, following the cancellation of homecoming last year and the scaling down of many other activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers say all safety protocols will be observed.

Jeia Moore is excited about The Return.

“I am pretty excited to have homecoming in person. It’s going to have many surprises and excitement,” says Jeia Moore, a senior information systems major from Memphis, Tennessee. “Lots of expectations are riding on this homecoming. The student body is really excited that we are keeping the tradition of the gospel explosion, which brought artists that have literally raised us from little kids in the church to who we are now.”

 Derrick Sanders, president of the Student Government Association, says, “This is going to be a homecoming to remember.” He’s glad the university is keeping safety in mind, and hopes homecoming participants will be responsible.

Derrick Sanders says Homecoming will be one to remember.

“We want everybody to stay safe; to wear a mask, protect one another,” says Sanders, a senior English major from Cincinnati.

Besides the big game against Murray State at Nissan Stadium on Oct. 30 and the parade that morning, another major highlight of TSU’s homecoming is the Annual Scholarship Gala, TSU’s signature fundraising event. It will take place on Oct. 29 at the Music City Center. This year, the gala welcomes Grammy award-winning artist Howard Hewett, and for masters of ceremony, award-winning radio personality Jasmine Sanders and comedian and actor Rodney Perry.

Other homecoming activities this year include the Robert N. Murrell Oratorical Contest on Oct. 24; the Coronation of Mr. TSU and Miss TSU on Oct. 27; the homecoming concert featuring rappers Chief Keef, Sada Baby, Dreezy, and Big Scarr on Oct. 28; the Breakfast of Champions, the Charles Campbell Fish Fry, and the National Pan-Hellenic Step Show on Oct. 29; and the legendary Homecoming Parade on Oct. 30.

The parade will be from 14th and Jefferson Street to 33rd and John Merritt Boulevard.

For more information about TSU’s 2021 Homecoming, visit https://bit.ly/3aBoV7M.

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

EVENTS, FACULTY, FEATURED, Featured, NEWS, SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

Student mentorship, retaining excellence focus of new Miss TSU Mallory Moore

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News) – As the 2021-2022 Miss Tennessee State University, Mallory Moore is using her unique position to implement a platform built around mentorship and providing opportunities for fellow students.  

Miss TSU Mallory Moore

To achieve her goal, she has initiated “Our Turn – Doing M.O.O.R.E,” or Making Opportunities Open to Retain Excellence, aimed at continuing TSU’s legacy of scholarship, leadership, and service; as well as “Shadowing a Tiger,” a mentoring program for freshmen and sophomores. 

“I want to do a mentorship initiative because I know for me coming in as a freshman, I didn’t have that and it made things a lot difficult for me,” says Moore. “I don’t want other students to face those difficulties. So, I want to create this program for the freshmen, and I am including the sophomores because the sophomore class didn’t get one because they were home due to the pandemic.” 

Moore is a senior health science major from Birmingham, Alabama. She won the coveted Miss TSU title in April after a fierce election process that also ushered in a new Mr. TSU (Mark T. Davis, Jr.), a new Royal Court, and other Student Government Association officers. 

As a former Miss Junior, Moore says she understands the challenges students coming to college for the first time face, such as coping in a new environment, developing new study habits, and making new friends. She wants to help them overcome potential pitfalls that could hinder their progress. 

“I am very determined, and I see that a lot of people see that I am very confident, and as a leader, I want to pass that on to them,” says Moore. “I want them to understand that college is fun, but to also remind them that there is a greater goal and an expected end, which is their eventual graduation.”  

Moore says although coming to TSU was to fulfill her mother’s dream of attending an historically black college or university (HBCU), she has no regrets about becoming a “Big Blue Tiger.” 

“The reason why I chose to come to TSU is because my mom wanted to go to TSU when she was my age, but my grandmother wouldn’t let her. She wanted her to go to a predominantly white institution. So, she begged me to go on a visit. I took my mom’s advice and came on a visit, and I immediately fell in love the moment I stepped on the campus. It has been the perfect home for me.” 

In addition to being Miss TSU, Moore is active in many campus organizations and programs. For two years, she served on the university’s cheerleading team, whose coach, Dwight Pope, she credits with helping to keep her on track.

“Coach Pope was very hard on , and I was upset with him at times, but looking back, he was teaching things I needed to know for this moment,” she says.

Moore is a member of the TSU choir, and the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. She was initiated into Chi Psi chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity Incorporated, Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and Order of Omega National Honor Society for Greek Leaders. 

The coronation of Mr. TSU and Miss TSU will be part of Homecoming week activities. It will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 27 in Kean Hall, starting at 7 p.m. 

For more information about TSU’s 2021 Homecoming, visit https://bit.ly/3aBoV7M.

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

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Mr. TSU Mark Davis wants to help male students develop into responsible men that impact society

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Mark T. Davis, Jr., the new Mr. Tennessee State University, says his goal is to help male students develop into men with good character traits that others can emulate. The goal, he says, is to change the stereotypical view people have of “our young males” because of the way many carry themselves. 

Mr. TSU Mark T. Davis, Jr.

‘We must try to change the way the world looks at our students, especially the black males, and TSU is doing a very good job in that area,” says Davis, a Cincinnati native. “I came here on an HBCU college bus tour, and immediately fell in love with the university.  ‘No durags, wife beaters, or sagging pants.’” 

A senior mass communications major, Davis has developed a five-point plan called “BLUE IS KING,” where BLUE stands for Building Legacies Upon Existence. The plan focuses on sexual assault awareness, mental health, campus engagement, creating a definition of what a man is, and embracing your difference. He hopes this will leave a legacy that impacts future students. 

“This HBCU is preparing us for the real world,” says Davis, who formerly served as Mr. Junior. “What I want to accomplish as Mr. TSU is to really make sure that by the time I am done with my reign, people will remember how I made them feel as Mr. TSU,”  

As part of his plan, Davis has initiated several events he says help students stay engaged. They include: “Eye of the Tiger Scavenger Hunt,” an informative program with hints that tell something new about TSU; “Tailored Tuesdays,” which challenges males and females to dress up in business casual attire but emphasizes business professional; and “Today’s Quote,” that involves passing out motivational quotes in the courtyard on Wednesdays. 

“I really just am excited about my initiatives, in pushing forward what kings or professionals are supposed to look like, or what’s business casual,” says Davis. “I just want to make sure that when other people come on our campus and see a male, that that male is a good representation of TSU.”

Davis is part of Allure Modeling Troupe, Collegiate 100, and Pep Club.

The coronation of Mr. TSU and Miss TSU will be part of Homecoming week activities. It will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 27 in Kean Hall, starting at 7 p.m. 

For more information about TSU’s 2021 Homecoming, visit https://bit.ly/3aBoV7M.

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.