The following is a statement issued by the University on the passing of Nelson Mandela:
Tennessee State University President, Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, joins hundreds in paying tribute to former South African President Nelson Mandela. The 95-year-old Mandela died Thursday evening. He rose to national prominence during his 27-year imprisonment for treason due to his opposition to the country’s stringent segregation laws.
“The world has truly lost an iconic figure who represented the very essence of humanitarianism,” says Dr. Glover. “Former South African President Nelson Mandela was a selfless individual who took on the role of leadership in his country long before becoming its first Black president . Mandela dedicated his life not only to dismantling apartheid in his native land, but stood against global injustice for all people.”
President Glover adds, “The greatness he embodied as visionary leader to promote a multi-cultural society is the basis of our world today and he is recognized rightfully so as a historic figure in our History and Africana Studies courses at Tennessee State University.
“A few years ago, I had the life-changing experience of visiting Robben Island where Mandela was held as prisoner. His transformative life leaves a restored nation and an enriched world.”
With profound sadness, TSU honors Nelson Mandela’s commitment to world unity, and we pray for God’s blessings on the Mandela family.
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.