NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – As the nation honors our fallen heroes on Memorial Day, Tennessee State University is remembering alumnus and Medal of Honor recipient, Lt. William McBryar. McBryar graduated from Tennessee State Agricultural & Industrial College in 1934 with a degree in agriculture.
President Glenda Glover, and Lt. Col. Paul Coakley, a U.S. Army veteran and President of the Nashville Chapter of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers, unveil the historical marker honoring Lt. William McBryar. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
A Buffalo Soldier, McBryar was awarded America’s highest military decoration for his actions on March 7, 1890, during the Cherry Creek Campaign in the Arizona Territory. According to his citation, McBryar was distinguished for “coolness, bravery and marksmanship” while his 10th Cavalry troop was in pursuit of hostile Apache warriors.
Dating back to the Civil War, there have been 3,473 Medal of Honor recipients – 90 of which were Black, including Lt. McBryar.
In 2017, TSU posthumously honored McBryar at a special Veterans Day program on campus. The following year, on March 20, TSU unveiled a historical marker in front of Kean Hall honoring McBryar. TSU and military officials, as well as lawmakers, federal, state, and local officials attended the ceremony. Representatives from the Nashville chapter of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers were also present for the historic moment.
At the event, TSU President Glenda Glover called McBryar “a role model for all of us.”
“We’re pleased that we can recognize him as our own, and honor him in this manner,” Glover said during the 2018 event. “This unveiling is historical. There are so few African Americans who have made this type of achievement.”
Lt. Col. Paul Coakley, a U.S. Army veteran and president of the Nashville Chapter of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers, said he, and other soldiers, are where they are today because of soldiers like McBryar.
“They sacrificed … so that we can do what we do today,” Coakley said. “
McBryar went on to serve with the 25th Infantry in the Spanish-American war and fought at El Caney, Cuba. He also saw action in the Philippine Insurrection before demobilizing in San Francisco.
In 1906, after leaving the military, McBryar moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, as a civilian and there he married Sallie Waugh, a nurse. Three years later, he worked as a watchman at Arlington National Cemetery and as a military instructor at what is now Saint Paul’s College.
In 1933, with a desire to complete his degree, McBryar attended Tennessee State Agricultural & Industrial College. He graduated the following year, at age 73, finishing his college education that started at Saint Augustine’s University prior to enlisting in the military.
McBryar died in 1941 at the age of 80. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University alumna Debbi Howard has returned to her alma mater as the new Director of Alumni Relations after nearly 30 years with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Debbi Howard
Howard, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and lifetime member of the Tennessee State University National Alumni Association, and the President’s Society, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from TSU in 1994. She also holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Before assuming her new role at TSU on March 1, Howard spent 26 years as a civil/structural engineer with TDOT. During that time, she maintained active relationships with TSU by participating in events to increase alumni awareness and engagement, as well as outreach campaigns to raise funds for deserving students.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work with Debbi Howard,” says Jamie Isabel, TSU’s associate vice president of Institutional Advancement, Corporate Relations and Foundations. “She brings a fresh new set of eyes, and her exposure and experience will be a great benefit to Tennessee State University alumni. I am quite sure she will do great at solidifying and strengthening TSU’s alumni base.”
With a long lineage of more than 20 family members who have attended TSU, Howard says she is glad to be back to serve.
“I’m extremely excited and honored for the opportunity to be able to come back to my prestigious alma mater, Tennessee State University, to serve as your new director of alumni relations,” says Howard. “My goal is to not only recommence all of the wonderful traditions and alumni engagement events that are currently in place, but to galvanize our alumni base by creating partnerships, community engagement opportunities and incorporating exciting, innovative ideas and events that alums would enjoy and be proud of.”
In her other roles with the TSUNAA, Howard is co-chair and committee member of TSU’s Alumni Greek Society, and executive board member and event planner for the TSU Alumni Deltas (Absolutely AX) Greek Affinity Chapter.
Howard replaces Cassandra Griggs, who served in the position for eight years, and left TSU recently after serving the university in different positions for 25 years.
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 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.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. (TSU News Service)
– With just a few days to go, TSU’s historic push to raise $1 million in February
for student scholarships is all but certain, thanks to a huge showing of Big
Blue spirit on Sunday.
Jamie Isabel, left, Chairman of the TSU $1 million campaign, talks to NBC local affiliate Channel 4 about the telethon and the overall goal of the campaign. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
A four-hour celebrity telethon, “Dialing for Dollars,” raised more than $63,000. It was well over the telethon’s $25,000 initial goal, bringing total campaign contributions to nearly $938,609. Within two hours of the telethon, volunteers had already surpassed the $25,000 mark, organizers said.
“Today is a good
day. This showing of support is very tremendous,” said Campaign Chairman Jamie
Isabel, a TSU alum. “We exceeded our goal, which I knew we were going to do.
The excitement and sheer commitment to the cause by all who participated are
responsible for the success we achieved.”
Volunteers, including prominent local TSU alums, make calls to personal friends and acquaintances to contribute to the telethon. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
In a historic,
long-term partnership with the Nashville Predators, TSU announced the
campaign on Feb. 2 to raise $1 million during Black History Month for student
scholarships. Since then, activities have included a “TSU Night” at the
Bridgestone Arena, with appearances by the Aristocrat of Bands and the New Direction
Gospel Choir, as well as a Big Blue Old School Concert at the Gentry Complex.
The telethon, live
streamed from Jackson Hall on the main campus, included guest hosts and alumni,
students, staff, faculty, community leaders and supporters manning telephones
and taking contributions from supporters. TSU President Glenda Glover, who was
on travel, called in to thank organizers and volunteers.
TSU alums State Rep. Harold L. Love, Jr., and his wife Leah Dupree Love volunteer at the telethon. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
Several prominent
local TSU alums and supporters stopped by to help man telephones. They included
TSU Board of Trustee member Richard Lewis and his wife, Delores, a former TSU
administrator; Criminal Court Clerk Howard Gentry, Jr., State Rep. Harold Love,
Jr., and his wife, Leah; Barbara Murrell, longtime TSU supporter and former
administrator; TSU National Alumni Association President Joni McReynolds; and
Vivian Wilhoite, Nashville and Davidson County property assessor, among others.
Dr. Frederick S.
Humphries, president of TSU from 1975-1985, who could not be present in
Nashville, was among many who joined in from home and made calls to friends and
acquaintances to contribute to the telethon.
Miss TSU Jada Crisp, left, and Head Football Coach Rod Reed, middle, were among many students and staff who volunteered at the telethon. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
According to Isabel, some major contributors were: Dr. William F. Pickard, chairman of Detroit-based Global Automotive Alliance, a supporter of HBCUs, who contributed $10,000; and Nashville businessman Joe Davis, who sent in a check for $5,000.
“We had some large
checks, but we also had some small checks and all those small checks added up
to get us to where we are,” said Isabel.
Mr. TSU Damyr
Moore, a senior mass communications major from Atlanta, and Eukirah Pennyman, a
junior film and television major, also from Atlanta, were among many students
who volunteered at the telethon. Moore helped with making calls, while Pennyman
served as technical director.
Telethon hosts Grant Winrow, left, Seanne Wilson and Michael McLendon make a pitch at the four-hour long fundraiser. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
“The experience today
has been a great one; to be among your peers and alumni toward one good cause
that benefits the entire student body is just great,” said Moore. “To give my
time and be able to help someone else come to school as I have been fortunate
to do is really a great feeling.”
Pennyman agreed.
“I am from Atlanta, and I have been fortunate to have a few scholarships from
TSU,” she said. “It was a good experience to have this telethon, which I think
should be done every year because it helps to bring in more majors and more
students.”
Cassandra Griggs is TSU’s director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, and co-chair of the $1 million campaign committee. She is very thankful to the many alumni who came out to make phone calls.
“They called
individuals who were in their personal cellphone contacts, asking them to
support TSU, and that was very admirable,” said Griggs. “I feel very good
that not only have we exceeded our goal for today, but we are going to meet our
goal for the $1 million.”
Grant Winrow, a
member of the campaign committee and one of the hosts of the telethon, called
the day a “Big Blue Victory.”
“We went in with the idea of raising $25,000 and we more than doubled it. And that’s a phenomenal success,” said Grant, who helped organize the telethon. “This is in the last few days of our campaign, and we thought having a celebrity telethon by bringing in some of our most notable TSU influencers here to make some calls, was a great idea. It turned out very well.”
The next push to
the finish line in the $1 million campaign is a celebrity courtside dining at
the TSU men’s basketball game on Saturday in the Gentry Complex.
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
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 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) – Kevin W. Williams, a
Tennessee State University alum and member of the TSU Foundation Board of
Trustees, is the new president and CEO of Detroit-based GAA Manufacturing and
Supply Chain Management. Williams is a former senior executive of General
Motors.
In announcing Williams’ appointment, GAA Chairman Sylvester L. Hester described him as a “game changer” for the company.
“Kevin Williams’ proven leadership
capabilities at GM, including a strong track record of growing revenues,
managing global operations and delivering quality-driven processes and products,
will be key as we continue to diversify and expand our global network of
resources to meet the demands of our supply chain customers,” Hester said.
GAA Founder and Executive Chairman
William F. Pickard said adding Williams to “our team” demonstrates the company’s
commitment to its customers and its seriousness about market growth.
“Kevin is one of America’s most
talented executives and we are absolutely delighted that he chose to join us,”
Pickard said. “His arrival is simply momentous.”
A native of Lexington Park,
Maryland, Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from TSU
in 1983 and a master’s in business administration from Central Michigan
University in 1989. In 2002, Williams completed the GM Senior Executive
Development Program.
Over the course of his 31-year
career at GM, Williams accumulated extensive experience where he held numerous
global roles. Most recently, he served as board chairman, president and
managing director of GM of Canada Ltd, with revenues of $38.7 billion. Prior to
that, Williams served as GM vice president and general manager, service and
parts operations, where he oversaw all GM global aftersales businesses with annual
revenues of $24.5 billion. He also served as president and managing director of
GM de Mexico, and GM Central American and the Cayman Islands.
A native of Lexington Park,
Maryland, Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from
Tennessee State University in 1983 and a master’s degree in business administration
from Central Michigan University in 1989. In 2002, Williams completed the GM
Senior Executive Development Program.
In addition to the TSU Foundation Board of Trustees, Williams is vice chair of
the board of directors of the United Negro College Fund, a member of the board
of trustees of the American Medical Association, and a former trustee of
Genesys Health System of Michigan.
GAA Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, one of the country’s largest African-American-owned businesses, provides contract logistics, procurement, quality containment, warehousing, freight forwarding and contract assembly services.
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 100 volunteers are expected to gather at Tennessee State University on Friday to assist with campus renovations funded by the $50,000 Home Depot’s Retool You School Grant the university secured in the spring.
A 20-person camera crew from Home Depot will be on hand to record the volunteers, who will assist with mulching and power washing, as well as light installation in the university amphitheater and the exterior of the Floyd-Payne Campus Center.
Tennessee State University received “Campaign of the Year” honors in Home Depot’s Retool Your School- HBCU Campus Improvement competition in the spring. 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 award.
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.
Home Depot gave the final approval of the project, which begins
Friday.
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 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 Department of Dental Hygiene received special recognition at the university’s “Sweet Talk” event, along with the Office of Events Management and the Department of Residence Life.
Each area achieved 100 percent participation in the university’s annual faculty and staff giving campaign, which raises money to benefit TSU students.
Sonya Smith, assistant director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, thanks ‘Sweet Talk’ attendees for giving as part of faculty and staff giving campaign.
“Some made direct deposits. Some made one-time gifts. But what matters most is the sacrifice,” said Sonya Smith, assistant director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving and chair of the campaign. “Whatever your sacrifice is, we just ask you to be a part of the faculty and staff campaign.”
The event, which took place Feb. 14 on the Avon Williams Campus, provided an opportunity for campus employees to enjoy delicious pastries and discuss the importance of supporting students beyond the classroom.
Smith expressed her gratitude to the campaign co-chairs and various contributors for exceeding their goal of $155,000 for the 2017-2018 fiscal year by raising $161,763. She said the goal for the current fiscal year is to raise $175,000. The campaign has raised $136,000 of that amount.
Rosalyn Word, a faculty member in the Department of Dental Hygiene and a co-chair of the faculty and staff annual giving campaign, expressed excitement about the effects of increased giving in dental hygiene.
Department of Dental Hygiene Faculty and Staff Members
“One of the things that we have been able to do in the Department of Dental Hygiene is establish a dental hygiene academic scholarship. The first year we were able to award one $1,000 scholarship to a deserving student,” Word said. “This year we were able to award two $1,000 scholarships to our dental hygiene students. I am really excited about that initiative, and we hope to be able to carry this legacy on, and keep this scholarship going.”
Eloise Alexis, associate vice president for Institutional Advancement, said Sweet Talk provides an opportunity for her staff to say thank you to participants and ask attendees to rally others to support students.
“The amazing thing about faculty and staff in this initiative is that, not only do they give of themselves all day and everyday in the classroom and as staff by supporting our students in the campus environment, they also give back to Tennessee State University from their hard earned resources to Tennessee State,” Alexis said.
Office of Events Management and Conference Services Administration and Staff Members
Trudie Thomas, coordinator for the Honors College and a co-chair of the campaign, said Sweet Talk helps a lot of students who really need support to attend the university.
“I like to give because it helps the university, and it has an impact on some child’s life. When I was in school tuition was $65 a quarter,” said Thomas, who graduated from TSU in 1972. “I give because I see the need, especially with black students right now. Education is an investment.”
“Sweet Talk” Committee Members show off variety of tasty desserts prepared by TSU Alum Alexis Hughes-Williams, Owner of Something Sweet, LLC.
TSU Alumna Alexis Hughes-Williams, owner of Something Sweet, LLC, provided a variety of colorful desserts for the event. Hughes-Williams, who graduated in 2011 with a degree in business/marketing, said Sweet Talk provided the perfect opportunity for her “virtual pop-up shop” to collaborate with the university.
With the deadline for reaching this year’s goal being June 30, Smith encourages faculty and staff to continue giving. For more information about how to participate in the campaign, call (615) 963-2936.
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 President Glenda Glover has announced the appointment of Eloise Abernathy Alexis as the new associate vice president for Institutional Advancement. Alexis will serve as the University’s chief advancement officer providing strategic advocacy and leadership for alumni relations, annual giving and development.
“We are delighted to welcome Eloise Alexis to TSU in her new role as associate vice president for Institutional Advancement,” President Glover said. “She is an accomplished advancement professional with a wealth of campaign experience. Her successful career in alumni engagement, maximizing fundraising and outreach efforts and developing a culture of giving will advance TSU’s vision and priorities.”
Eloise Abernathy Alexis has extensive experience in constituency relations, campaign execution, program development, giving and volunteer management. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
With more than 20 years of experience in advancement and development roles, Alexis previously served as vice president for college relations at Spelman College, where she served in various capacities for nearly 24 years.
“It is an honor to have been chosen to lead the development efforts at Tennessee State University,” said Alexis, a Nashville native with a long list of family members who attended TSU. “TSU has always been central to Nashville, the nation and the world in research, academics and scholarship. I look forward to working with the alumni, Foundation and donors who are integral to the university’s success. It will be a particular pleasure to work with the talented people in advancement; they have played such a large part in TSU’s growth over the years.”
Alexis has extensive experience in constituency relations, campaign execution, program development, giving and volunteer management.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Spelman College and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, where she is an appointee to the CASE Commission on Alumni Relations and served on the CASE District III Board. Her civic and social memberships include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Chautauqua Circle, Kiwanis Club, and the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The Pre-Alumni Council at Tennessee State University will present The TSU Faces of Success: Then and Now Thursday, Feb. 20 in conjunction with Black History Month.
The seminar begins at 7 p.m. in the Forum in the Floyd Payne Campus Center, and is free and open to the public.
Panelists include former Freedom Riders Dr. Ernest Patton, Dr. Mary Jean Smith, and Patricia Jenkins-Armstrong, who will share their experiences during the Freedom Riders Movement of the early 1960s. Additionally, former and current TSU students Trehon Cockrell-Coleman, Jasmin Garmon, Olivia Buford, and Khamaria Wright, will share their personal and professional experiences. Lauren Thomas, Miss Pre-Alumni Council, will serve as moderator.
Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations, the Pre-Alumni Council is a students’ first exposure to alumni activities. The primary purpose of the council is to stimulate the interest and participation of students enrolled at the University in alumni activities prior to and after graduation.
For more information on the seminar, call Seanne Wilson, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Coordinator at 615.963.5831.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
