Tag Archives: service-learning

Alumni, EVENTS, FACULTY, FEATURED, NEWS, SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, Uncategorized

TSU Hosts Kick-Off for Annual Day of Service Honoring Dr. King

January 20, 2019 Lucas Johnson

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) –Hundreds of students eager to volunteer gathered in Kean Hall at Tennessee State University on Saturday for the kick-off of the annual Joint Day of Service in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Students from various universities throughout Nashville listen to inspiring messages at kick-off for Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A panel of university leaders from various institutions addressed the crowd which included students from TSU, Meharry Medical College, Fisk University, Lipscomb University, Vanderbilt University, Belmont University Trevecca Nazarene University and Nashville State Community College.

Charlene Oliver, president of Equity Alliance

“At the essence of service is doing selflessly with little recognition or monetary gain,” said Charlene Oliver, guest speaker for the kick-off and president of Equity Alliance. “Dr. King told us that ‘we need leaders not in love with money, but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity.’”

Shirley Nix-Davis, director of outreach for TSU’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, said bringing the students together for this service activity gives students an opportunity to consider the importance of service and how they can help others.

TSU President Glenda Glover(center) with Charlene Oliver(left), president of Equity Alliance and Shirley Nix-Davis(right), director of outreach for TSU’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement.

“The goal is not only to engage in acts of service, but for each individual to think about how well they complete the service – to do it to the best of their ability and be proud of what they have done,” Nix-Davis said.

After the program, organizers bused students to various locations where they participated in volunteer service projects.

Sparrow Haynes, a junior human performance sports science major with a concentration in exercise science at TSU, volunteered with a group of students who assisted staff at Hadley Park Regional Center by sanitizing various areas of the facility and setting-up for a father-daughter banquet scheduled for Saturday evening.

Sparrow Haynes, a junior Nashville-native, volunteers at Hadley Park Regional Center as part of Joint Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“For me, being part of the African community, I feel like it is important for us to keep Dr. King’s legacy going,” said Haynes, a Nashville-native. “I feel like we should give back just like he did for us.”

Alonzo N. Rhodes Sr., program coordinator of Community Recreation at Hadley Park Regional Center, said he hopes the day will inspire students to continue volunteering throughout the year.

Alonzo N. Rhodes Sr., program coordinator of Community Recreation at Hadley Park Regional Center, gives volunteers instructions during Joint Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Those students who are dealing with wanting to get out and knowing they need to do services in the community can come to places like this and do those services for their classes and for their internships,” he said. “The small gestures you do really have a great impact. Just coming in and helping us means I’m able to keep my staff at home one time and have the community come out and do it.”

Rhodes, who graduated from TSU in 2001 with a major in human performance and sports science with a minor in criminal justice, said he believes community service helps students get rid of biases and walk in love and understanding.

“When you have a multicultural group it brings a different type of energy. Everybody is involved and engaged in doing something to uplift every community. Everybody is geared towards making Nashville a better community and an inclusive community.”

Darian McGhee, a senior electrical engineering major from Memphis, Tennessee who serves as Mr. TSU, echoed Rhodes sentiment.

“I just think it’s an amazing opportunity anytime you can get a lot of college students together around a united goal, and today that just so happens to be for the MLK Day of Service here at Tennessee State University,” he said.

Nix-Davis said the students volunteered at over 20 sites including the Second Harvest Food Bank, Feed the Children, Grace Eaton Early Learning Center, the Preston Taylor Boys and Girls Club, Trevecca Towers for Seniors, Room In The Inn and The Nashville Food Project.

For more information about TSU’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, visit http://www.tnstate.edu/servicelearning/

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.

Alumni, EVENTS, FACULTY, FEATURED, GRANTS, NEWS, SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

TSU Receives $447,000 Federal Grant to Mobilize Students Across 10 HBCUs in MLK Day of Service Activities

September 23, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

Students plant — A group of TSU students plant trees as part of their assignment during a community service day in metro Nashville. (Submitted photo)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University students will be part of newly established collaborations that will engage more than 50,000 student volunteers and stakeholders, and 17,000 community members in service activities during the observance of the MLK Day holiday. This is the result of a $447,000 grant that the TSU Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement received from The Corporation for National and Community Service to undertake programs geared toward the Day of Service held each year across the nation in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The total amount of the grant is a combination of federal and matching funds.

Established in 1993, the CNCS is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through different programs each year. The funding is intended to mobilize more Americans to observe the MLK Federal Holiday as a day of service in communities. The goal is to encourage those who serve during the holiday to make a long-term commitment to community service, and to bring people together to focus on service to others.

According to Shirley Nix- Davis, director of the Youth Empowerment Program- College Access Now at TSU, and one of the project directors for the grant, the funding will be used to implement a one-year Spread the Service Mini Grant Competition through collaboration with the Center for Service Learning and the HBCU Coalition, beginning in October.

“The project seeks to align the missions of HBCUs and The Corporation for National and Community Service’s mission with MLK Jr.’s legacy to invest in community solutions, create collaborations that value diversity, and improve educational outcomes for the economically disadvantaged,” Nix-Davis said.

Tequila Johnson, project assessment coordinator in the CSLCE, who along with Nix-Davis procured the grant, said the project will bring together about 10 HBCUs in the southeast region through community service and capacity building initiatives that strategically address disaster services, economic opportunity, education, and capacity building. TSU students, who participate in several service activities as part of course requirements, and area community participants, will be integral to the implementation of the project, Johnson said.

Last year, through 156 community partnerships, 4,013 TSU students logged a total of 47,316 hours in the classroom and in various activities around the metro Nashville area. Many students say the experience has given them a better outlook on life.

“The Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement has allowed me to connect with the community in many capacities throughout my collegiate career,” said Jalen Hussey, a senior Computer Science major from Memphis, Tennessee. “As a mentor for the YEP/CAN (Youth Empowerment College Access Now Program), I have had the opportunity to assist young at-risk males with college access and academic success. This experience has instilled a commitment to service within me.”

Dr. Linda Guthrie, director of the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, said the MLK Day of Service connects students with their community by challenging them to think critically about issues going on around them.

“Tennessee State University has a long history of service to others, which is central to the institution’s mission and academic curriculum,” Guthrie said. “Our students come to TSU with the expectation to serve. They often find opportunities to do that through day-ofservice events, community organizations or in the classroom. Through events such as this our students have the opportunity to not only serve, but to create and lead projects that change their lives and the lives of others. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to engage several HCBUs in service.”

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.

EVENTS, NEWS

Tennessee State University Recognized in Mayor’s Workplace Challenge

May 7, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

Challenge Recognizes Organizations for Being Green, Healthy and Involved in Community

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has once again been recognized by the city for service to the community when Mayor Carl Dean announced the 2015 recipients of the Mayor’s Workplace Challenge Awards.

The University received platinum recognition for community involvement and as a local well-being healthy advocate, and gold recognition for activities and attentiveness to the environment.

“It’s wonderful to receive the environmental and community involvement recognition from the Mayor’s office,” said Dr. Linda Guthrie, director of the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement. “We have a long history of service to our local community, promote an active and healthy workplace, and strive to become a leader in sustainability while reducing our environmental footprint. These awards recognize the hard work and dedication of the entire TSU community to make the city we live in a better place.”

Started in 2012, the Mayor’s Workplace Challenge encourages and recognizes places of work to excel in three areas that contribute to a high quality of life: being green, healthy and involved in the community. It is the first three-tiered challenge of its kind in the country, and other cities are replicating this initiative in their own communities. This year, over 235 workplaces representing more than 105,000 employees in Nashville participated in the challenge.

“I applaud the continued success of these workplaces in being environmentally friendly, promoting healthy choices among its employees and encouraging a culture of service through volunteerism,” Mayor Dean said. “The responses to the Workplace Challenge continue to be impressive and further exemplify why Nashville is such a great city to live and work.”

New to the challenge for this round was the Diamond level, which 20 workplaces achieved. Nearly all the participating workplaces, including TSU, were honored with either a diamond, platinum, gold, silver or bronze seal of recognition for their success in one or more of the three categories this past year.

The Mayor’s Workplace Challenge builds on the momentum of other city initiatives to improve the quality of life in Nashville, including health challenges like Walk 100 Miles with the Mayor, the Mayor’s Challenge 5K Walk/Run and Kids’ Fun Run, and Mayor’s Field Day; green efforts such as the Nashville Open Space Plan and Nashville Energy Works energy-saving initiative; and community engagement through the Cities of Service Impact Nashville program to increase volunteerism and Excellence in Volunteer Engagement.

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 45 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.

EVENTS, NEWS

TSU, Sister Institutions to Hold Joint MLK Day of Service Jan. 17

January 8, 2015 Emmanuel Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – More than 300 student volunteers from area colleges and universities will join forces at Tennessee State University Saturday, Jan. 17 for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

Students from TSU, Belmont, Fisk, Trevecca Nazarene and Vanderbilt Universities will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by helping to alleviate hunger in Middle Tennessee, around the nation and throughout the world through sorting food at Second Harvest Food Bank and Feed the Children, sorting medical supplies at Project C.U.R.E., and sorting recycled building materials at Habitat ReStore.

Dr. Linda Guthrie, director of the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, said the goal of the day of service is to make sure that students are able to connect with their community by challenging them to think critically about issues going on around them.

“Tennessee State University has a long history of service to others, which is central to the institution’s mission and academic curriculum,” said Guthrie. “Our students come to TSU with the expectation to serve. They often find opportunities to do that through day-of-service events, community organizations or in the classroom. Through events such as this, our students have the opportunity to not only serve, but to create and lead projects that both change their lives and the lives of others.”

According to planners, the day’s activities begin at 11 a.m. with sign-in, registration and kick-off rally at Kean Hall. Guest speaker Andrew Maraniss, author of Strong Inside: Perry Wallace and the Collision of Race and Sports in the South, will address the volunteers at noon.

Following lunch, students will fan out across Nashville starting at 1 p.m. to not only help at local food banks around the city, but also partner with Soles4Souls to sort shoes at their warehouse, and have the opportunity to prepare and distribute disaster preparedness kits to senior citizens at the Hadley Park Towers and I.W. Gernert apartment complexes. Volunteers will return to the TSU campus at 3 p.m. for reflection and celebration.

For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/MLKJointDayofService2015 or call 615.963.5383.

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 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.

EVENTS, NEWS

TSU Holds Annual Tradition of Freshman Service Day Saturday, Aug. 23

August 18, 2014 Emmanuel Freeman

TSU freshmen work at one of the community gardens in Nashville last year as part of the Annual Freshman Service Day. This year's service day, The Big Blue Blitz, takes place Saturday, Aug. 23. (photo by John Cross, TSU Media Relations) — TSU freshmen work at one of the community gardens in Nashville last year as part of the Annual Freshman Service Day. This year’s service day, The Big Blue Blitz, takes place Saturday, Aug. 23. (photo by John Cross, TSU Media Relations)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Incoming students at Tennessee State University will take part in an annual tradition Saturday, Aug. 23 that has become part of the freshman experience. Termed the “Big Blue Blitz,” more than 500 students will spread out over Nashville in an effort to give back to the community and build relationships with those in need.

According to Dr. Linda Guthrie, director of the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, the Day of Service is an opportunity for first-year students to get out into the community and experience its needs and culture beyond the TSU campus.

One of the goals is to help students connect with their new community and each other.

“This is basically neighbors helping neighbors,” said Guthrie. “This is a good way to introduce our new students to serving the community and become a part of their everyday life. We have a rich tradition of service at the University and try to instill in our students an strong ethic of caring and a sense of responsibility for making our community and world a better place.”

During the day, the University will see volunteers from around the campus including not only students, but also faculty, staff and alumni, pitch in at more than 20 different organizations that help needy, hungry and homeless people in the Greater Nashville area.

Volunteers will not only help at the University, but also Safe Haven, Project CURE and Nashville CARES, White’s Creek Community Garden, Earth Matters, and ThriftSmart in both Nashville and Franklin. Volunteers will also help out at the Nashville Food Project, Kirkpatrick Elementary School, Feed the Children and the Andrew Jackson Boys and Girls Clubs.

The service-day event takes place from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Volunteers will gather at the Gentry Center for transportation to area work sites, departing at approximately 7:30 a.m. and begin returning by noon. TSU officials encourage volunteers and students who are required to complete service learning hours aged to sign up at http://bit.ly/1sZ0Uty.

For more information, contact the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement at 615.963.2920.

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 Student Recognized with President’s Volunteer Service Award

April 30, 2014 Emmanuel Freeman

Ryan Gammon, a junior majoring in Criminal Justice, displays his letter from Barack Obama congratulating him on his President’s Volunteer Service Award along with an award citation. (photo by John Cross. TSU Media Relations)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Imagine going to the mailbox to retrieve your mail and discover a non-descript manila envelope with two words, “White House” and no return address, all written with a ballpoint pen. Upon opening it you discover that you are the recipient of an award signed by the President of the United States.

That is exactly what one Tennessee State University student found in his mailbox recently.

“I don’t know anyone in Washington, D.C., and found it very odd,” said Ryan Gammon, a junior majoring in Criminal Justice. “What I found inside both surprised and shocked me.”

Opening the envelope, he found another plain white envelope. Inside, it contained a letter signed by Barack Obama congratulating him on his President’s Volunteer Service Award along with an award citation.

“I was just amazed that someone here in Nashville recognized all my efforts and nominated me for the award,” said the Memphis native. “To be recognized by the President is quite an honor.”

According to the citation, the president thanked Gammon for his devotion to service and for doing all he can to shape a better tomorrow for the nation.

“Your volunteer service demonstrates the kind of commitment to your community that moves America a step closer to its great promise,” the letter said.

Since arriving at TSU, Gammon has been taking on volunteer projects that range from picking up trash around campus to larger projects in conjunction with the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement. Some of the volunteer projects he has been involved in include the March of Dimes Walkathon, and the MLK Service Day projects.

But the two biggest and what he is most proud of are working with The Little Pantry that Could, a small food pantry associated with the West Nashville United Methodist Church, and Adopt a Stream, a program initiated by Gammon and the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, to keep a section of the Phillips Branch of the Cumberland River clean.

“I just think it is important to give back,” added Gammon. “My ultimate goal it to leave TSU with a legacy of giving to this community and to make it a better place.”

So who did nominate Gammon for the award?

“It was us,” said Dr. Linda Guthrie, the Director of the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement.

According to Guthrie, Gammon was nominated for his hard work and commitment, and his ability to find worthwhile projects that help the University and the community.

“Ryan is an organizer and really gets people motivated to get involved,” Guthrie said. “I wish we had more students like him that don’t mind getting their hands dirty and getting involved.”

Guthrie was also quick to point out that Gammon does not volunteer for the notoriety or the recognition.

“We have a lot of students like Ryan, at the University, who do a lot of great work in the community,” she said. “Sometimes they fly under the radar while volunteering throughout the community, and they do it not for the recognition, but because it is the right thing to do.”

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.