Tag Archives: Rep. Brenda Gilmore

EVENTS, FACULTY, FEATURED, NEWS

Tennessee State University Marks 102nd Birthday With Procession, Speeches and Cheers

Unknown

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is 102 years old today.

President Glenda Glover, accompanied by keynote speaker, State Rep. Brenda Gilmore, led a procession of faculty, staff and students for a Founders’ Day celebration in Kean Hall, amid cheers from the audience and renditions from the University Marching Band.

“This is a great day for Tennessee State University,” said Dr. Glover, as she recounted events in the University’s history from its founding in 1912 to the role it plays today as a major center of education in the nation.

“From 1912 when the then Agricultural and Industrial Normal School for Negroes, built to provide educational opportunity for blacks, opened its doors to the first 247, TSU has maintained a tradition of excellence in education for a diverse population,” Dr. Glover said.

In her keynote address, Rep. Gilmore, a 1984 graduate of TSU, emphasized “Think, Work, Serve,” the University’s motto and its relevance in achieving success, but quickly pointed to pitfalls many face for misusing that success.

“TSU has helped to better the lives of so many and opened doors for countless others,” Gilmore said. “But many, including elected officials and others in key positions have failed because they end up hurting the very people they are supposed to help.”

Gilmore, a noted advocate for abused and special needs children, and a strong supporter of women’s cause, said many officials suffer what she called ethical lapses, either out of greed for power, wealth, disrespect for others or lack of integrity.

“As TSU graduates we are responsible to pass our good fortune to help those unfortunate ones in our community,” said Gilmore, who earned a B.S. degree in Business at TSU, before going on to earn a master’s degree in Human Resource Development at Vanderbilt University.

“Get involved in fruitful endeavors that improve your community; give back to the community that nurtured you; and reconnect yourselves to the TSU motto to make this world a better place,” added the four-term member of the Tennessee General Assembly from the 54th District in Davidson County.

Mr. and Miss TSU, accompanied by their Royal Court, and faculty members dressed in full regalia, added to the pomp in celebration of the founders and birthday of the University, which now boasts more than 9,000 students, up from 247, one hundred and two years ago.

 

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 42 undergraduate, 24 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.

NEWS

TSU Day On the Hill Gives State Lawmakers Look into Tennessee State University Programs, Successes

Dr. Glenda Glover (center) joins state legislators, TSU students, faculty and staff, along with community supports, during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to declare "TSU Day on the Hill." (photo by John Cross, TSU Media Relations)
Dr. Glenda Glover (center) joins state legislators, TSU students, faculty and staff, along with community supporters, during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Senate Chamber to declare “TSU Day on the Hill.” (photo by John Cross, TSU Media Relations)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Coming just hours before President Glenda Glover’s third Town Hall Meeting tonight where she will report on progress at Tennessee State University, the institution was celebrated today with proclamations and presentations during a special program at the State Capitol.

Called TSU Day on the Hill, the program recognized the institution for its outstanding academics, research, athletics, and importance to the education goals of Tennessee.

State legislators joined key stakeholders, including alumni, community leaders and friends of TSU to thank President Glover, faculty staff and students for making the University one of the best.

“Tennessee State University is a very critical component of our effort to develop educated citizens for our state and nation,” said Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson), Senate Speaker Pro Tempore, who acquainted the TSU visitors with the legislative process.

“We encourage you to make these visits frequently to see what we do here,” Sen. Watson said, adding, “When you come here you bring us information that makes us work better along with you to develop citizens who are more informed and educated.”

During a special ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Senate Chamber to officially declare “TSU Day on the Hill,” President Glover said she was glad to bring the University community to the State Capitol.

“By us coming here, we want our people to see what you do, and for you, our lawmakers, to see how the decisions you make affect what goes on at Tennessee State University,” said Dr. Glover. “We thanked you for this opportunity and the recognition you gave TSU.”

Dr. Glover encouraged the lawmakers to continue support for the Complete College Tennessee Act, which she said, determines funding level for TBR institutions.

Also speaking in the Chamber were Devonte Johnson, president of the TSU Student Government Association; Rep. Brenda Gilmore (D-Nashville); Sen. Thelma Harper (D-Nashville); Rep. Larry Miller  (D-Memphis), president of the State Black Caucus; Rep. Harold Love Jr. (D-Nashville); and Sandra Hunt, president of the Nashville Chapter of the TSU National Alumni Association.

Later, Rep. Love, on behalf of his fellow legislators, presented the TSU Women’s Track and Field Team with a special proclamation for becoming the 2014 champions of the Indoor Ohio Valley Conference.

“The General Assembly finds it necessary to recognize these outstanding young women of the Tennessee State University Tigerbelles who have, through their hard work, dedication and determination, achieved this success as champions of the Ohio Valley Conference,” the proclamation said.

Also receiving a special recognition with a proclamation was the TSU football team for their outstanding performance in the 2014 season. TSU, which went 9-3, finished the season second in the Ohio Valley Conference. It also had a record 12 players selected to all-conference teams.

The TSU Day on the Hill, which brought together more than 200 administrators, students, faculty and staff, also included displays of different programs, giveaways, free lunch for at least two members from each legislator’s office, and visits to various committee hearings, and discussion with some key lawmakers.

 

 

 

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.