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TSU Alumnus and Trustee Dwayne Tucker named Interim President

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is pleased to announce that alumnus Dwayne Tucker is the institutions new interim president. The TSU Board of Trustees made the appointment on Friday, December 13, during a special called meeting.  Tucker, who was a member of the Board of Trustees, relinquished his seat to assume the position until a permanent president is named. He takes over the role without accepting a salary. 

“I am both honored and humbled by this appointment,” Tucker said. “As a proud TSU alum, I care deeply about securing the strongest possible future for my alma mater and for the students who entrust us with their education. This is why I have served all along. We have serious and important work to do, and I look forward to joining the board in doing that work transparently and with integrity. It’s the TSU way.”

The appointment comes while TSU students and faculty are on winter break for the holidays. However, Student Government Association President Chrishonda O’Quinn was quick to respond and shared that she is eager to work with the new interim president.  

“I am confident that Interim President Tucker’s deep understanding of the university’s culture and history will enable him to make a meaningful impact during his six-month tenure,” O’Quinn stated.  

“The leadership and administrative transitions that our students have navigated this semester alone have been incredibly challenging for them. With Interim President Tucker officially being seated in the role, I am hopeful that we can strengthen student morale and overall experience, advocate more effectively for state support and accountability, and enhance the university’s reputation and brand.”

“As faculty we are glad to see a proud TSU alum take over the role as interim president,” added Dr. Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi, chair of the TSU faculty senate.  “Mr. Tucker has a distinguished career in academia and the corporate sector. He is a man of honor and accepted this role gratis. I am sure with his outstanding experience and leadership TSU can overcome the current challenges.”

Prior to Tucker’s selection as interim president, he served as the CEO of LEAD Public Schools, a network of six public charter schools in the Metro Nashville area.

Tucker’s diverse business background and turnaround work with underperforming business units has resulted in a broad understanding of core corporate functions, including sales, operations, marketing, public relations, information technology, legal, human resources, and finance/accounting.

Serving as both a leader of human capital and an operations executive in the financial services and transportation industries, he has held the titles of CEO, chief human resource officer, chief administrative officer and president with companies including First Data, Northwest Airlines and Alliance Data.

The Board will continue its search for a permanent president during Tucker’s interim tenure. This leadership transition is part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the university and address its financial issues, which have been a significant concern for state lawmakers and the TSU community.

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TSU Board of Trustees Completes First Year; University Marks 106th Anniversary

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The Tennessee State University Board of Trustees recently wrapped up its first year, and celebrated the university turning 106.

At its third meeting June 21 on the main campus, Board members, along with President Glenda Glover, cut a cake to mark the founding of the university. TSU’s actual birthday was on June 19.

Cake marking the 106th birthday of Tennessee State University. (Photo by Michael McLendon, TSU Media Relations)

“One hundred and six years is a long time to be around,” said Glover, herself a 1974 graduate of TSU. ” We’re still growing, and we don’t plan to stop anytime soon,” Glover said.

Chairman, Bishop Dr. Joseph Walker III, lauded the achievements of the Board of Trustees and the university in the last year.

“It’s been a great first year,” Walker said. “I think the university is moving in the right direction. For me, it’s an honor to serve as chair, because I’m able to see firsthand the spirit of the school, and to see the resilience of these students. The students are really the customers. At the end of the day, it’s really about the students. It’s about the quality of experience you provide for them.”

Glover said the university has accomplished a lot under the new Board.

“We’ve accomplished quite a bit this first year,” Glover said.” This new structure has worked for TSU. We’re raising the academic bar.”

At Thursday’s meeting, Board members recognized the seating of Braxton Simpson, who replaced Sydnie Davis as the student representative on the Board. Simpson is a rising junior majoring in agricultural sciences, with a 4.0 GPA.

“I feel really great being a part of the Board,” Simpson said. “As a student, I feel like my role is to be able to represent the student voice and to try to get students’ concerns brought to the table. I think that’s very important.”

Before adjourning, Board members, President Glover, cabinet and all in attendance gave retiring Vice President of Business and Finance Cynthia Brooks a standing ovation and congratulations for her years of service to the university. Brooks, whose last day is June 30, joined TSU in 1992 after working with the state for several years.

To learn more about the TSU Board of Trustees, visit http://www.tnstate.edu/board/trustees.aspx

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About Tennessee State University

With more than 8,000 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, 25 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.