TSUAlumniLife 2011

AlumnilifeTennessee sTaTe UniversiTy alUmni and Their achievemenTs

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Vol. 10, No. 1

Oh, Omega!Fraternity sets tone for greek giving

50 Years Later:A Freedom Rider’s Journey

Before Woods, there were tsU tigersUniversity’s golf story hits big screen

Inside Pullout: Homecoming 2011 schedule of activities, 9

SOUTHERN HERITAGE CLASSICLiberty Bowl Memorial StadiumMemphis, Tenn.Saturday, September 10, 2011TSU Tigers vs. JSU Tigers6:00 p.m. (CST)

Host Hotel: Memphis Marriott Downtown1-800-266-9432 Rate: $114.00 Purchase tickets at the TSU Ticket Office or call 615-963-5841 for more information.

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Time is short! Make your permanent mark. Reserve your brick today.

Although limited, the chance for you to purchase a custom engraved brick is here again. For $50 you can permanently share in this once in a lifetime celebration.

Your investment of $50 entitles you to one line up to thirteen characters. A second line of thirteen characters can be purchased for an additional $25. You may inscribe your name, family name or business ONLY (i.e. John Smith, J. Smith, Smith Family, Smith’s Cafe´). Spaces and punctuation count as a character. Special requests cannot be granted for specific locations. ALL bricks will be engraved before the Centennial Celebration.

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$50 CENTENNIAL BRICKSJUNE 19 – AUGUST 19, 2011

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Save-the-Date!Tennessee State university is turning 100!

“Sustaining the Legacy of Excellence, Resilience and Unity”

Founders’ Day ConvocationSeptember 13, 2011

Keynote SpeakerRev. Dr. Gerald Durley (’64)

CAllinG All GEnERATiOnAl Alumni!Join us for a special kick-off celebration commemorating

Tennessee State University’s 100 years of scholarly excellence.

If you are a generational TSU graduate, special information is needed from you for the Souvenir Journal. All families with at least three (3) siblings as TSU graduates or at least three (3) generations of graduates are asked to send your full names, years of attendance and graduation date information by August 1, 2011 to:

Dr. Sandra Holt, ChairCentennial Founders Day Committee

[email protected] 9545

3500 John A. Merritt BoulevardNashville, TN 37209

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Join TSU for its official Centennial

Celebration!April 15-21, 2012

ALUMNIlife | 2011 �

This issue...

Tennessee State University Alumni Life MagazineVolume 10, Number 1

University PresidentPortia H. Shields, Ph.D.

Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development

Michelle Viera

Office of University PublicationsDirector

K. Dawn Rutledge

PhotographerJohn S. Cross

Design/LayoutAll Girl Press, LLC

Special ThanksCassandra Griggs

Communication Strategies, LLC

The Tennessee State University Alumni Life Magazine is produced by the Office of University Publications. The magazine is

published annually for alumni, friends and family of Tennessee State University.

Copyright © Tennessee State University

Alumni address changes should be sent to:Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving

TSU Box 95343500 John A. Merritt Blvd.

Nashville, TN 37209

Advertising inquiries should be sent to:Office of University Publications

McWherter Administration Building, Suite 2603500 John A. Merritt Blvd.

Nashville, TN 37208www.tnstate.edu

Tennessee State University is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution. Tennessee State University

does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age or other categories as set forth in the university’s

anti-discrimination policies in its programs or activities. The following person has been

designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policy: Director of Equity, Diversity

and Compliance and TSU’s Affirmative Action Officer, 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd., Nashville, TN

37209, 615-963-7435.

Publication No: TSU-11-0010(B)-13c-34000

Page 8

A JOURNEY OF CHANGE

50th anniversary of historic Freedom Rides observed

COVER STORY: Page 16

QUE QUESTOmega Psi Phi sets tone for Greek giving

Page 12

BIG TIME PRODUCERMichael Johnson finds success with Encore Entertainment

Page 29

NFL HONORS DENTFormer TSU defensive lineman makes Hall of Fame

ALUMNIlife | 2011�


My first six months at Tennessee State University have been exhilarating. I have met so many wonderful faculty, staff, students, alumni and administrators all with one mind; and that is to improve the institution they truly love. While many changes are being made, I have quickly discovered exciting programs and activities already in place that make this a premier university.

Proudly, the TSU family is moving at warp speed implementing innovative recruitment and retention efforts to achieve our ultimate goal of graduating an empowered generation of scholars able to work and serve. Our graduates are accomplishing great things. One graduate, a young woman, is now at NASA in the astronaut program. A May 2011 graduate is joining another on Wall Street in August. A vice president at General Motors is one of our own and a brand manager at NIKE is stealing the show.

Our Freedom Riders retraced their journey towards civil rights in America and were joined by proud TSU students who listened to their stories, sang the freedom songs and danced together in celebration. Please know we are extremely proud of all of our alums’ accomplishments in the armed services, education, business and industry. While traveling throughout the country with recruiters and students on our Believe in Blue college tour, I have met so many positive and enthusiastic supporters. They keep the team encouraged and working hard.

TSU’s Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) graduated its 10,000th student on campus this past April. This national award winning project has been recognized as one of the 18 most innovative government programs in the nation, and was honored by the 110th U.S. Congress with a Congressional Record acknowledgment as one of the nation’s premier K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education programs.

We are happy to tell you that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded TSU a $789,031 grant. The university will use the funds to launch “Go Green North Nashville,” a project that provides energy evaluations to 50 homes and energy improvements to 30 low and moderate income families in the North Nashville Community. This is the fourth year TSU has received HUD grants to assist in our community revitalization.

In addition, we received a $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create the Tennessee State University Interdisciplinary Graduate Engineering Research (TIGER) Institute, which will be a state-of-the-art graduate level research facility for the College of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science. And, while enjoying this news, we were pleased to learn that the NSF again selected TSU to receive $195,200 in support of a project to attract, retain and promote women faculty engaged in STEM disciplines.

Using our upperclassmen as mentors and counselors, TSU is hosting 18 summer programs for children in elementary grades through high school. These outstanding programs involve youth in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Research, Music, Art, Writing and Drama.

As you can see, the strong tradition of excellence continues at TSU. There’s an air of excitement, a palatable momentum, and many are breaking out with Big Blue fever. I just love it!

I encourage you to continue your commitment to TSU. Visit us on tour, spread the word that we are accredited and fully engaged; and, plan to attend Homecoming this fall. As our 100th anniversary fast approaches, make a pledge to give a little more--more time, more energy, more expertise and yes, more donations. Someone sacrificed for you to succeed. Make a sacrifice for these our worthy students.

God bless you!

Sincerely,

Portia H. ShieldsPresident

Letter from the President


What are the defining strategies that will take our institution from its con-tinuing infrastructure, enrollment and funding challenges to a sustainable world class socially responsible uni-versity? That is the question I posed to faculty and staff six months ago when assuming the interim presidency role at TSU. It’s an ongoing discussion I have with students. It’s a question I now ask you, alumni, the civic and finan-cial contributors to your communi-ties through skills you acquired at Big Blue. In this article, I will lay out our collective dilemma and suggest that it will take all of us to meet these chal-lenges. One person may lead, but only with the help of thinkers, contributors and “doers,” can TSU move forward. Before I begin; however, let me assure you that TSU remains a mighty insti-tution, welcoming and wonderful. In my letter to you, some of our recent ac-complishments let you know that well, and I encourage you to proclaim it to the world.

Reaffirmation challengeI was brought in to help TSU ad-dress two standards that were imped-ing TSU’s unconditional reaffirmation from the Southern Association of Col-leges and Schools (SACS). While we remain fully accredited, the university was given a year to provide documen-tation that we are, in fact, meeting these standards. In a nutshell, TSU faculty, staff and students had been engaged in planning strategically and implementing skillfully as required by SACS, but the various assessment measures used across the campus were not centrally managed. These strategies were acceptable in the past; however, SACS changed the benchmarks and, quite simply, TSU did not immediately

modify its processes to address the new standards. Now, as a result of our SACS study, we do plan as a university, bas-ing those plans on verifiable assessment data. We do design outcomes we wish to reach with key performance indica-tors and milestones. We do implement strategies, assess the efficacy of our ef-forts against university, state and Ten-nessee Board of Regents (TBR) plans and, based upon the new evidence, be-gin the process again. We get it. We are doing it well and are currently putting finishing touches on a 163-page report to SACS. This document is now in the editing and comment stage (with faculty engaged). Our report is due in September; so, we are well ahead of schedule. We await our latest assess-ment data and, after placing this infor-mation into the report, we will hand-deliver it to the SACS office in Atlanta on Sept. 1.

Changing the ParadigmState appropriations to TSU have been reduced by approximately $13.3 mil-lion since 2009. The school now earns financial support, not on how many enroll in TSU, but how many graduate from TSU in four to six years. Our six-year graduation rate is less than 40 per-cent, which is both unacceptable and unnecessary. In comparison, out of 83 Historically Black Colleges and Uni-versities’ (HBCU’s) reporting, only 22 have a six-year graduation rate above 40 percent (Spelman-78 percent, Howard University-69 percent and several are in single digits). The state mandate, “Complete College Act,” has become a major challenge due to yet another directive, one that disallows remedial courses at four-year institutions. In addition, the Tennessee Higher Edu-cation Commission (THEC) posted

its latest report (Jan. 27, 2011), cit-ing TSU as having 20 low-producing program majors over a 10-year time period. For example, the Physics de-partment graduated only 23 students in 10 years, and the Africana Studies program graduated only 46 students over the same 10-year period.

A review of several national reports and models, as well as information on program consolidations and closures throughout Tennessee and the rest of the nation, and backed up by expert consultants who visited the campus, made it clear that discontinuing some programs was the only recourse for TSU’s overall academic and financial well-being. Therefore, six program ma-jors were eliminated: B.S. in Africana Studies; B.S. in Foreign Languages; B.S. in Physics; M.A. in English; M.S. in Music Education and M.S. in Math-ematics. The institution also eliminated remedial studies as mandated. No one lost a job at the institution, all students currently enrolled in these programs will be allowed to remain until they graduate and the three B.S. degrees were changed to minors. By combin-ing one of the minors with a major, Africana Studies and History, for ex-ample, graduates have a better chance of not only getting a job in their field but also a marketable career.

During this reorganization, TSU strengthened some existing retention programs and initiated a variety of new ones to help students persevere to college completion. We encouraged participation with catchy titles such as X-treme Spring Break, Maymester, SUNsational Summer School, Aca-demic Boot Camp and Excel-O-Rate. These efforts allow students to get ahead of, or catch up with graduation

A Presidential PerspectiveMeasuring our success: one challenge at a time By Portia H. Shields, Ph.D.



requirements. One summer program targets entering freshmen to prepare them for the rigors of college life. An-other gives incoming honors students a course so they get ahead in their stud-ies. These programs engage students not only academically, but physically and socially.

Because we no longer offer remedial courses, TSU now provides one stop shopping for academic support, seven days a week. In this, the new Success Center, in which students receive individual or small group help from our excellent faculty and students, meet with counselors and advisors, participate in the Man and Women’s Center projects, take part in the Hon-ors Program and study together. It’s a true student meeting place. And, our Career Development office has been redesigned to help all students iden-tify majors early in their academic quest while gaining job skills through internships and co-op opportuni-ties. Students receive assistance in developing resumes reflecting strong academic and incremental work re-lated skill development, in addition to community service and leadership experience.

Adjusting to Fiscal RealitiesEnrollment has been flat for the past three years. The nation has been in a fiscal downturn for five. In addition to reduced state funding, TSU is mandat-ed to raise tuition by 9 percent this aca-demic year. These realities converge and impact each other in a domino effect because just as most families have had to reduce spending not having enough funds at TSU established the imperative to cut somewhere. Most of our students are on financial aid and come from homes where raising tuition causes an additional and significant financial bur-den. The majority of students respond by taking jobs, wherever they can find them and, this action, while providing some temporary financial relief, has had a deleterious effect upon their educa-tional experiences, grades and ability to stay on target to complete college in four to six years. Thus, immediate questions

for TSU became: How do we manage operations at optimum levels without threatening employees’ jobs?; How do we hold on to the students we have, re-cruit more and give them outstanding instruction and support?; and How can we keep all of this going with no impact upon the quality of the curriculum and our SACS accreditation? The straight-forward answer is: we cannot.

Because the Complete College Act is an unfunded mandate, the university looked everywhere to find funds to operate its retention programs. Mon-ey had to be found for faculty and stu-dent tutors, program support, tuition assistance and recruitment. Funds were also needed for the redesign of the Success Center. As important, funds were also needed to expand successful programs, such as nursing, that had a waiting list of students and needed additional instructors.

Consequently, by eliminating state-funded travel and funds from all va-cant positions, by closing a number of low-producing programs and by reducing the number of administra-tive positions, the institution claimed these resources for the students. It was also very important to reposition departments and schools in order to share resources and produce further cost savings. Therefore, the follow-ing realignments took place: moved the B.S. in Early Childhood Educa-tion to the College of Education; moved the Department of Biology and the Department of Chemistry to the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Sciences; moved the Department of Mathematics to the College of Engineering, Technology and Computer Sciences; moved the Department of Sociology and Social Work into the College of Public Ser-vice and Urban Affairs; combined the School of Nursing and the Col-lege of Allied Health to become the College of Health Sciences; joined the Departments of Civil Engineer-ing and Architectural to become the Department of Civil and Architec-tural Engineering; and moved the Department of Human Performance

and Sport Science to the College of Health Sciences.

The mergers and realignments prompt-ed some name changes, made mostly by the faculty themselves: Department of Urban Studies became the Depart-ment of Sociology, Social Work and Urban Professions; the School of Ag-riculture and Consumer Sciences be-came the College of Agricultural, Hu-man and Natural Sciences; and, the College of Arts and Sciences became the College of Liberal Arts.

Finally, an internal report noted that TSU was “top heavy” in higher level administrators. Thus, TSU eliminated several top administrative positions. To date, from all these austerity mea-sures, the university has recouped $763,712.00. These funds will be used to hire needed faculty and address “Complete College” initiative needs.

The Courage to Change I came to TSU full of enthusiasm be-cause of the excellent potential of this place. After reviewing a number of reports and documents, I met with the TSU family on Jan. 6, 2011 and promised that change was “gonna” come. The response I received was positive and, with the help of most of the faculty and staff, change is here. I meet with the university family about once monthly and I host “Drop in on the President” sessions for individuals to meet with me almost weekly. The overwhelming majority of faculty, staff, students, alumni and commu-nity members are participating in the change, but not all. One alumna from the Memphis Chapter who wrote to congratulate me when I arrived, pro-vided a list of seven employees for me to fire. When I did not follow her di-rective, I became persona non grata, and she wrote a letter to SACS com-plaining and making accusations that are untrue. Another in Nashville has done the same by writing to the Gov-ernor, Tennessee Board of Regents, the Chancellor and a host of other digni-taries and state representatives. A few faculty have also jumped into the fray, Continued on page 33



When Lucretia Collins (‘61) came to then Tennessee State A&I University in 1957, her purpose was to obtain an education. But along the way the Augusta, Ga. native became an agent in a movement that eventually changed the nation. Collins was a senior when she decided to take part in the Freedom Rides.

As part of the historic Freedom Riders, Collins and other stu-dents like Catherine Burks-Brooks (‘62), were fed up with the injustices of segregation and joined the 1961 rides departing from Nashville and traveling across the South.

The Freedom Riders were student members of the Nashville Student Group, a local group of students who also successful-ly desegregated the city’s lunch counters and movie theaters. Their contribution of community activism amplified the na-tional presence of Tennessee State University and its motto “Think. Work. Serve.”

Collins said her involvement in the historic rides began when a friend told her about a meeting.

“Catherine [Burks-Brooks] told me about a meeting and I went,” said Collins, who added TSU students and American Baptist College seminary students provided the bulk of the foot soldiers who participated in picketing, sit-ins and the rides from Nashville to Birmingham to Montgomery and finally, Jackson, Miss.

“I was very conscious that we were making history.”

This year, 2011, marked the 50th anniversary of the demonstration which helped to end segregation on public transportation, allowing pas-sengers, regardless of race, to sit in an open seat on interstate buses and trains. Additionally, their acts led to integration inside the terminals, including the elimination of separate drink fountains, lavatories, waiting rooms and lunch counters. The milestone was met with much fanfare and cel-ebration, including national telecasts on The Oprah Winfrey

Show, a special PBS documentary and local observances in cities such as Montgomery, Ala. and Jackson, Miss.

Along their travels in a hostile South, the journey to Mont-gomery was the first night the bus was attacked. Collins and other riders were jailed.

“I remember putting my name and information in my bra so that if anything happened, my parents would know where I was because they could identify me,” Collins said.

While a student at TSU, Burks-Brooks, an elementary ed-ucation major and member of the Elementary Education Club, said there were times when they feared for their lives, but something compelled them to keep going because it was the right thing to do.

“I felt, as long as I could remember, we were not treated right and when I had an opportunity to do something about it, I did,” said Burks-Brooks , who became an active participant in the sit-ins, protests and Freedom Rides.

“The group of us in Nashville were the first to have the suc-cess that we had in being well-organized and integrating the lunch counter. We knew from the beginning that we were put-ting ourselves at risk, but we had been trained well.”

Burks-Brooks, a native of Bir-mingham, recalls an encounter with then-Birmingham Police Commissioner Eugene “Bull” Connor. She said she witnessed violence against her fellow riders, including U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., and she was later arrested in Jackson, Miss.

During the uncertain journey, she also recalled a couple in Art-

more, Ala. who helped the riders by stowing them away in their home and feeding them. It was only later that she found out they were one of only six black families in the entire town. “It was very risky for that family to help us,” she said.

50 Years Later: Journey of a Freedom RiderCollins and Burks-Brooks share thoughts on their place in history

By K. Dawn Rutledge

TSU student Catherine Burks arrested in 1961.


Burks-Brooks also thinks back to an in-cident during her time participating in the movement, in which a white man threatened her.

“We were standing in front of one of the theaters and he said he was going to put a cigarette out on my face,” she said.

As a child, Burks-Brooks said walking the sidewalks of Birmingham was met with hostility from whites. She said, “I would bump white folks and not move out of their way. I guess, even at that early age, it was a form of protesting for me.”

Collins said she was also headstrong as a child, a trait she inherited from her

grandmother, who often challenged the cruelty of racism and segregation in her own unique way.

“I remember my grandmother being re-bellious like that. I remember her one day sparing off with a white police officer. Nobody can put their hands on their hips like a black woman,” Collins laughed.

Like Burks-Brooks, Collins was an active student while on cam-pus. She participated as head majorette. With an interest in fashion, she helped to design ma-jorette uniforms and soon joined

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Despite pulling herself away from her studies to take up the freedom rides, she proudly graduated with honors in 1961.

Today, Collins enjoys life in New York. She also lived in Ghana for several years. While her activism tactics have evolved since the 1960s, she is still quite involved in educating about the sacrifices that she and others made in that era, and what Af-rican-Americans today should be doing in the continuous struggle for equal rights.

“Black people have no idea how we are admired. A lot of people copy our tac-tics,” Collins said. “I teach my daughter

and other children to stand up and be a woman, be a man.

“Overall, I think we are failing our chil-dren. They are not failing us. I know they get it, but I think old people just don’t give them a chance.”

Currently, Collins is working on a black history puzzle book of unsung heroes and said, “these are the people our chil-dren need to know.”

After leaving the Freedom Rides behind and graduating from TSU, Burks-Brooks spent time in Chicago, Nashville and the Nassau, Bahamas working in the school system. In 1980, she returned to her hometown of Birmingham to work for Avon as a district sales manager, retiring at the age of 58 after 16 years of service. She also returned to her love of education as a substitute teacher. She was also among the Freedom Riders 14 who returned to the university in 2008 to receive an honorary doctorate degree.

“Our children have to be taught pride and the only way they are going to learn it is by knowing who they are and where they come from, and it should not start with slavery,” Burks-Brooks said. “We had a civilization long before that. We were the

TSU student Lucretia Collins proudly celebrates graduation.

Freedom Rider Mary Jean Smith with student Aaron McGee at the Freedom Riders picnic at Tougaloo College.

ALUMNIlife | 201110

ancient Egyptians and our children need to know that and understand what they need to do in their community.”

Burks-Brooks has two daughters and one grandson, already on his own path of excellence. “He made straight A’s all year and had perfect attendance,” the proud grandmother said.

To commemorate the Freedom Rides, on May 22, a group of current TSU students traveled on newly unveiled Greyhound buses from Nashville to Jackson, Miss. in an observance of the 50-year anniversary. Once arriving in Jackson, the 22 stu-dents met Mayor Harvey Johnson (’68) and the wife of slain Civil Rights leader and NAACP head, Myrlie Evers, and participated in a commemorative march. Along with TSU President Dr. Portia H. Shields, students attended a picnic in

which the university’s commercial music students offered a lively performance at Tugaloo College. More than half of the original riders returned to celebrate with community leaders and students, includ-ing TSU Freedom Riders Drs. Catherine Burks-Brooks, Alan Cason, Jr., William Harbour, Larry Hunter, Pauline Knight-Ofosu, Etta Simpson Ray, Mary Jean Smith, Joy Leonard and Frances Wilson Canty.

Ebony Arnett, a rising senior from Atlanta, Ga. majoring in Fashion Design, was one of the students who had an opportunity to experience the re-enactment and travel the route of those courageous riders.

She said, “It was exciting to be part of the 50th celebration for the Freedom Rid-ers. I was actually riding with remarkable people who fought against segregation

and racial discrimination in the deep South. It should definitely be our duty as young people to continue to spread their journey because if it wasn’t for them, we would probably still be fighting for equal rights. The overall experience was amaz-ing and such an honor to meet and spend time with the freedom riders.”

Adding to their accolades, the Freedom Riders will be inducted into the 2011 National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame on Sept. 23 in Atlanta for their lifelong contribution in changing the landscape in America.

While most college students concerned themselves with exams and social activi-ties with friends, these students took up the mantle of non-violent protest, risk-ing their lives in the pursuit of justice. Each accomplished in their own right, the professional and community in-volvement of the Freedom Riders in the fields of education, religious and civic responsibility, military service, the arts, politics and law, will have a lasting im-pact on generations to come.

“I learned to love my people,” Collins said. “The experience sort of snatches the fear out of you – you simply become fearless.”

(L-R) Elizabeth McClain, Joy Leonard, Catherine Burks-Brooks, Frances Wilson Canty, Mayor Harvey Johnson, Larry Turner and Charles Harbour.

TSU students lead the Freedom Riders March in Jackson, Miss. during the 50th anniversary celebration.

ALUMNIlife | 2011 11

Barbara Jones Slater (‘61) was only 15 years old when Jesse Owens visited the housing project in Chicago where she lived. He inspired her to do nothing less than fulfill her dreams, and she did just that.

Slater was inducted as a distinguished member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame at a special ceremony held Feb. 11, 2011 at the Renaissance Ho-tel in Nashville.

Slater graduated from Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Edu-cation. She also has a master’s degree in Physical Education from Georgia State University. Slater became the youngest female of any nation to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field, and she still holds this distinction which is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. In the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, she and her teammates captured the gold medal, breaking the world record in the 4 x 100 relay. In the 1955 Pan American Games, she struck gold again, winning the gold in the 100m and breaking the world record. Later in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, she was a member of the TSU Tigerbelles 4 x100 winning relay team.

Slater remembers the lessons she was taught by her parents, and tries to instill

them in the youth she works with today. Her mother involved both Slater and her brother in the Girl and Boy Scouts, stressing the importance of doing good

for the community, and learning at home what it means to get along with other people to pursue your dreams. Her father was a hard worker, who instilled in his children the values of precision, skill and the perfectionist attitude.

Her life’s work has been in educa-tion, and although she is now retired,

Slater is the current spokesperson for the Double Dutch program with the U.S. Department of Health and Hu-man Services. She firmly believes that

children are our greatest fortune, and she put it best when she said, “We must give them all they need to grow and reach their fullest po-tential, and it is in this capacity that I find my life rewarding and challenging, as I speak to stress the importance of consistent guidelines, structure and self-control. All themes in the success of education, I have learned as an Olympian.”

In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded her the “Presiden-tial Champions Medal on Fitness,” and in 2010, she was awarded President Barack Obama’s “Life-time Achievement Award” from the Council on Health & Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. The PCFSN Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals whose careers have greatly contributed to the

advancement or promotion of physical activity, fitness or sports nationwide. Winners are chosen by the members of the President’s Council based on the span and scope of an individual’s career, the estimated number of lives they have touched, and the impact of their legacy.

TSUTigerbelle inducted into

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

ALUMNIlife | 201112

One of the most respected and recognized marching bands in the country was saluted for the first-time at a special Spring Charity Gala. The gala helped to raise funds to support the historic band, which in recent years has seen its numbers and

funding decrease due to budget cuts and other economic and competitive factors.

The event held April 24 at the Gaylord Opryland Springhouse in Nashville was hosted by The Tennessee State Collective Alumni featuring a semi-for-mal dinner and dance affair and salute to the band and its director.

During the evening, guests had an opportunity to hear firsthand why the Aristocrat of Bands is considered among the best in the nation. A special performance by its 30-member Pep Band featured a selection of classic and contemporary tunes.

“My vision is that we are able to continue the tradition that the band pro-gram at TSU has always been about and that we can continue to bring qual-ity students into the university and graduate them,” said Professor Edward L. Graves, band director.

Prof. Graves, as he is affectionately known, has served as Tennessee State University’s director of bands for more than 30 years. During the event, he was presented a check for $4,500 signaling the beginning of a $1 million campaign to establish a scholarship endowment for the band in the TSU Foundation.

“While our outstanding band has accomplished a lot over the last few years, it has done so with very little. Band members need new uniforms, the program needs scholarship funds to continue to attract talented musicians, a budget to assist in musical development opportunities for students and funds to support travel to performances,” said Antonio “Push” Terry, event organizer.

Michael Johnsonfrom uncertainty to top producer/director

As with many students entering their freshman year of college Michael Johnson (’84) was uncertain about what would be his major. He flirted briefly with business: too boring. He dabbled in agriculture: not for him. But one day an encounter with a friend leaving the campus radio station sparked Johnson’s curiosity.

Unaware that such a facility even existed on campus, and after spending time at the station, Johnson realized this was for him. He decided to major in mass communications and the journey to his future began.

He immersed himself in his major, gain-ing basic experience that led him to se-cure a student internship with one of Nashville’s top television stations – CBS-affiliate WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5. The opportunity opened up avenues for Johnson to assist with and learn about entertainment programs and talk shows. He was also able to help build sets for the station and learn how to light them to television standards. His strong desire to learn and work hard would pay off in a big way.

“It never felt like to work me,” Johnson said. “I don’t mean to sound cliché, but it felt like a labor of love.”

Johnson had found his calling. After graduating from TSU, WTVF offered him a full-time job. He began his career in an entry level position as a studio tech-nician. His drive, enthusiasm and contin-ued hard work propelled him further up the ladder ultimately landing him the job of a producer and director at the station.

But even with his achievements as pro-ducer and director for television shows, Johnson was thirsty for more. His en-trepreneurial drive pushed him to es-tablish Encore Entertainment in 1989, a small business he operated away from WTVF. During his off hours Johnson helped produce local entertainment events.

“I started out doing work on the side as a freelancer,” Johnson said. “It was over-whelming [juggling three jobs] but I’m a workaholic,” Johnson laughed. “It’s a condition I’m not proud of, but I just like to stay busy.”

Johnson’s story began in a single-parent home. Raised by his mother, he learned early the meaning of hard work as he watched the example she set as a par-ent and professional. He also credits the tough environment at Tennessee State University for helping to prepare him for the real world of work.

“At TSU, it’s just a different atmosphere. I truly believe if you can get through TSU, you will be ready for anything life brings you,” he said. “There are so many integral parts there to help you identity with being a leader – nothing was really given to you, you had to earn it. TSU was different. You worked for it and prepared for it.”

It wasn’t long before Johnson earned his master’s degree at Tennessee State as well. And with all his success, Johnson’s path continued to intersect with TSU. While a student, he was taught by gos-pel great Dr. Bobby Jones (’59), even-tually receiving the opportunity to both direct and produce “The Bobby Jones Gospel Show” on BET, one of the top-rated shows on that network. Johnson also produced and directed the “Black

ALUMNIlife | 2011 1�

College Quiz” show, broadcast from the campus of Chicago’s Harold Wash-ington College for six years. When the opportunity surfaced, Johnson had the show moved to Nashville and produced it on the TSU campus.

“It just made sense to bring it to a HBCU campus. I felt it would be great for my alma mater and what better place for a show to be done.”

The success with Encore has enabled Johnson to work with major national media companies, such as ABC, BET, CBS, ESPN, NBC, TV One and oth-ers. Through his production company, he connected to the Stellar Awards, the first gospel music awards show in the country honoring gospel music art-ists, writers and industry professionals for their contributions to the industry. Johnson has been involved with the awards program since 1995, and direc-tor since 1999.

He landed another major coup when he joined as director of The Trumpet Awards. For five years, he worked with the pro-gram, which acknowledges those who

have contributed to enhancing the quality of life of others. The show is the brainchild of TSU alumna, Xernona Clayton (’52).

In 2011, Johnson became the first Af-rican-American to both produce and direct the Dove Awards program in its 42-year history. His was the first black production company to be solely in-volved in producing the show. His work led to the show receiving its best ratings in history and its best return for audi-ence satisfaction and quality of show. He has also extended his talents to MTV programming directing “Unplugged.” Additionally, during the entire Super Bowl Weekend, he handled program-ming for ESPN, and he is also currently the director, producer and consultant for BET’s highly-popular late night talk show, “The Monique Show,” in which he wrapped up 150 shows in its second season and is preparing for a third.

Johnson said his career path has not al-ways been smooth. In fact, he admits he has had his share of “no’s” along the way.

“It’s been very difficult, but I just stuck to the process of growing,” he said. “I

learned that no does not necessarily mean a negative direction, it can be a character builder – if you do your research and really study where you’re going and what you’re doing. The key is you have to keep going.”

And keep going he has. Johnson’s “posi-tive thinking” strategy has been his approach to managing the disappoint-ments encountered in his career.

“To this day, I try to stay humble and treat people how I want to be treated,” he said. “I work harder as I get older and respect people and the profession. I am always open to anyone who is interested in this industry.”

He continued, “I just want people to know that whatever someone wants to do, they just need to never give up and work hard at it. Simply do what you love and the rest will come. You have to work on finding out the process of what you need to do to be the best at it. That’s the key to happi-ness, quality of life and success.”

K. Dawn Rutledge contributed to this article.


Mayor A.C. Wharton (’66)Memphis, Tenn.The themes that bind together A.C. Wharton’s life – and his public service – are about overcoming hardships, inspired leadership, courage of convictions and a compelling confidence in a better future. They culminated in his election in 2009 as mayor of the city of Memphis with a 61 percent mandate for his gospel of “One Memphis” and his bold vision to make Memphis a true city of choice for all people.

His early life began in Lebanon, Tenn., in the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains, where it was assumed that he was destined to the life of a farm laborer. And yet, through the life-altering encouragement of two student teachers from Tennessee State University and his personal dream for a better life, he was accepted to Tuskegee Institute, where he had initially hoped to pursue a degree in veterinarian medicine.

However, he could not afford to attend college, and at the moment when his ambitions for a college degree seemed shattered, his high school principal unexpectedly visited with him and presented him with a scholarship to Tennessee State University. At TSU, he excelled in a major that foreshadowed his future – political science – and he graduated with honors in 1966.

Six years later, he entered the University of Mississippi Law School, where he was one of the first African-American students to serve on the Moot Court Board and the first African-American to serve on the Judicial Council. He graduated with

honors in 1971 and later became the university’s first African-American professor of law, a position he held for 25 years.

His record of leadership is well-known among national organizations dealing with issues facing cities. He has testified before the U.S. Congress and has spoken at numerous major conferences, including those of the Brookings Institution, CEOs for Cities and the National Association for Counties. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg invited Wharton to help review his city’s anti-poverty plans, and Wharton is a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition headed by Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. (’68)Jackson, Miss.Harvey Johnson, Jr. was born in the River City of Vicksburg, Miss. He received his early education in the Vicksburg Public School District, where he graduated from Rosa A. Temple High School.

He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in political science from Tennessee State University and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Cincinnati. He has done additional study toward a doctoral degree in public administration at the University of Southern California’s Washington Public Affairs Center. Johnson was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Tougaloo College.

tsU: The Foundation for Mayoral Success

The Honorable A. C. WhartonMayor, Memphis, Tenn.

Reprint from The Tennessee Tribune’s Big Blue issue, Feb. 17-23, 2011


Johnson served as the founding executive director of the Center for University-based Development at Jackson University. The center, housed in the Office of the President, facilitates development partnerships aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods adjacent to the university campus while providing service learning experiences for students and research opportunities for faculty and students.

In 1997, Johnson made history by being elected the first African-American mayor in Jackson, Miss. More than 70 percent of voters chose him to lead Mississippi’s capital city. In 2001, Jackson voters again chose Johnson for a second four-year term as mayor.

Johnson’s work while mayor of Jackson is apparent today throughout the city. The city’s train station, Union Station, was renovated, transforming it into a beautiful state-of-the-art multi-modal transportation center, accommodating trains, buses, taxies, limousines and spaces for retail shops, restaurants and offices. Farish Street, one of the nation’s oldest African-American neighborhoods, had fallen into a state of decay and decline. Part of it is now being developed into a premier entertainment district that will rival Beale Street in Memphis, due to Johnson’s efforts while in office.

The construction of the Metro Parkway is transforming the area around Jackson State University, removing dilapidated houses and blight that have surrounded the campus for years, and creating a new entrance into the state’s “Urban University.” Additionally, Johnson led the effort which resulted in voters approving the construction of the city’s first Convention

Center, located adjacent to a new state-of-the-art, high-tech Telecommunications Training and Conference Center, the location of which in downtown Jackson was spearheaded by Johnson.

Mayor Daniel T. Brown (’79)Knoxville, Tenn.Native Knoxvillian Daniel T. Brown became the first African-American to lead the city of Knoxville, the third largest city in Tennessee. During a special called City Council meeting, Sixth District Councilman Daniel T. Brown was selected as the interim mayor of Knoxville. Brown was sworn into the mayoral office by magistrate Mark Brown at the Jan. 10, 2011 Knoxville City Council meeting.

Brown is a graduate of Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in history. He is retired from the U.S. Postal Service and is a Vietnam veteran. He served as councilman of the Sixth District prior to becoming mayor of Knoxville and is a former member of the Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals.

Brown is active in many civic organizations in Knoxville, including the Dandridge Avenue Neighborhood Association, NAACP, Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Inc. He is also active in his church, First A.M.E. Zion Church. His goals for the city of Knoxville are stronger, safer neighborhoods, cost-effective and reliable city services, an energized downtown and better jobs.

The Honorable Daniel T. BrownMayor, Knoxville, Tenn.

The Honorable Harvey Johnson, Jr.Mayor, Jackson, Miss.


CoverStory

Oh, Omega!Rho Psi Affinity Chapter receives Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy

When Larry Brown (’67) returned to his alma mater in the 1980s, during a visit to one of the male residence halls, the un-sightly deterioration and trash he saw sparked the urge for him to want to give back to Tennessee State Uni-versity in a major way.

Every year, members of Brown’s Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. would return to TSU and gather at Kean Hall for a re-union meeting of the Rho Psi Chapter. But this time, Brown would add a new challenge to the agenda.

“It evolved from just fraterniz-ing with one another to starting to figure out what we could do for the university,” Brown said. “Just seeing the campus the way it was, was embarrassing.”

Brown got creative and suggested the frater-nity began by building a monument on campus to honor the chapter. There began the vision for Proj-ect 2000. This was the hook that led to the development of four important objectives: build a monument, establish an endowment, celebrate the chapter’s 70th anniversary and write a book on the chapter’s history. The members have ac-complished each of its objectives, with only the completion of the history book remaining.

“The response was overwhelming,” Brown said, who added at the time TSU had no monuments for Greek organizations. He said the project was not without its challenges and took nearly seven years to erect the monument and get the endow-ment going. Among the first order of business was to become chartered an alumni chapter under the Tennessee State Uni-versity National Alumni Association and then to establish

By K. Dawn Rutledge


two levels of giving – a $1,000 and $500 level toward the monument and brick project.

The fundraising effort, led by David Saunders (‘70), has been

highly successful for the brothers of purple and gold.

In 2010, the chapter presented a $103,000 check to the university as

part of its continuous fundraising efforts toward its established endowment, which

it plans to eventually grow to $500,000.

“We are strictly ambassadors to the university just like any other alumni chapter,” Brown said.

“We want to make certain that our university is able to thrive and function. It’s not just about the then or now gen-eration, it’s about future generations as well.”

The Rho Psi Affinity Chapter’s tremendous giving efforts have also been recognized by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). The group received the 2011 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy. Recipients of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy are individuals and or-ganizations who have generously given resources to a TBR institution or have outstanding volunteer efforts in raising money for the institution.

The fraternity was the first black Greek-lettered organiza-tion at TSU to establish an alumni affinity chapter, the first to erect a monument, the first to establish an endowment

for scholarships and is the first to be recognized for its long-standing philanthropic support with the Chancellor’s Award.

The idea to give back was spun from the fraternity members’ desire to dedicate a monument on campus to recognize the chapter’s history and achievements, but it helped position the fraternity of brothers as trailblazers — not only among TSU greeks and alumni, but nationwide.

“We have to ensure our university maintains its mission and that we work to sustain it,” Brown said. “We have to accept that much of what we are and what we have achieved in our lifetime has a lot do with TSU whether you felt the university did all it could or not. It is our responsibility as alumni to give back and to continue to voice the importance of this respon-sibility of giving to the next generation.”

The Rho Psi Affinity Chapter’s efforts have set the pace for other black Greek-lettered organizations and alumni chapters at Tennessee State University, and across the country, to begin a more collaborative and concentrated focus on fundraising for their alma maters, particularly historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs.).

“It was always our intent to get everyone to follow us. We wanted to be the first, but we never wanted it to end with us,” Brown said.

“We have to ensure our black universities maintain and are able to sustain. We have to accept that much of what we are and what we have achieved in our lifetimes has a lot to do with TSU.”


Save the Date!Join Us for the

2011 Breakfast of Champions

November 11, 20118:00 a.m.

Jane Elliott BuildingJane Elliott Hall

Ticket Cost:$15 in advance

$20 after 10/21/2011*

*Tickets will not be sold at door.

For more information, call (615) 963-5763 www.tnstate.edu/alumni

ALUMNIlife | 2011 1�Mrs. Barbara Murrell Mr. Richard Dent Dr. Charles Fancher

Schedule of EventsNovember 6 –12, 2011Co-Grand Marshals: Barbara Murrell & Richard Dent

Honoree: Dr. Charles Fancher

Removable

Homecoming

Insert

ALUMNIlife | 201120

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 63:00 P.M.Robert N. Murrell Oratorical ContestFloyd-Payne Campus CenterRobert N. Murrell Forum

6:30 P.M.Gospel Explosion CompetitionWalter S. Davis Humanities BldgT.E. Poag Auditorium

9:00 P.M.Students’ Caravan (walking)Immediately following the Gospel ConcertUnder the airplane on 33rd Street

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 77:00 P.M.Battle of the Residence HallsFloyd-Payne Campus Center Kean Hall Gymnasium

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 87:00 P.M. Blue and White CaféJane Elliott BuildingJane Elliott HallFeaturing Mr. Jonathan Blanchard

9:00 P.M.Tent PartyMain CampusWelton Plaza TSU Student ID Required

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 911:00 A.M.Metro Counselors LuncheonJane Elliott Building Jane Elliott Hall

7:00 P.M.Mr. and Miss TSU Coronation and BallWalter S. Davis Humanities Bldg.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1011:00 A.M.President’s Society LuncheonBy invitation only

NoonStudent ActivityFloyd-Payne Campus CenterMidday Court Yard

3:00 P.M.Miss TSU Tea and Mr. TSU LuncheonBy invitation only

7:00 P.M.Grand Marshal & Honoree DinnerSheraton Music City Hotel Cost: $40.00 per person (Limited Seating) Deadline: 10/21/11 Tickets will not be sold at the event.

7:30 P.M.Christine Sharpe Distinguished Lecture SeriesFarrell-Westbrook Agriculture Research Extension Complex

8:00 P.M.Homecoming Comedy ShowGentry Complex Doors open at 7:00 P.M.

9:00 P.M.Alumni Blackout MixerSheraton Music City HotelCost $10.00Call (615) 963-5831 to purchase tickets in advanceATTIRE: All Black

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 118:00 A.M.Breakfast of ChampionsJane Elliott Building Jane Elliott Hall Cost: $15.00 (In advance); $20.00 (after 10/21/11)Tickets will not be sold at the event.

10:30 A.M.Pre-Pep Rally Caravan Floyd-Payne Campus Center

11:00 A.M.Charles Campbell Fish FryGentry Complex Lawn

NoonStudent Pep RallyHale StadiumInclement weather – Gentry Complex

NoonAlumni Open Houses - Schools & CollegesGentry Complex LawnInclement weather – Gentry Complex

7:00 P.M.Step ShowGentry ComplexDoors open at 6:00 P.M.

7:00 P.M.12th Annual Agriculture & Home Economics Hall of FameFarrell-Westbrook Agriculture Research Extension Complex

tsU Homecoming 2011

ALUMNIlife | 2011 21

tsU Homecoming 20118:00 P.M.An Evening with Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Scholarship MixerJane Elliott BuildingJane Elliott HallCost: $1�

9:00 P.M.Football Alumni MixerSheraton Music City Hotel

9:00 P.M.Class Reunions Party BusClasses of ’��, ’�1, ’��, ’�1, ’��, ’01, ‘0�Depart from Sheraton Music City HotelCost: $�0.00 (Deadline 10/21/11)

10:00 P.M.Reunion Hospitality SuitesSheraton Music City HotelSee Reunion list

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 129:00 A.M.Homecoming Parade21st Ave. & Jefferson Street to ��rd Ave. & John Merritt Blvd.

Tiger Town Tailgating at L.P. FieldDowntown NashvilleL.P. Field Eastside Parking Lot$15 in advance w/game ticket; $20 at the gate w/game ticket Call (�1�) ��-��1

11:00 A.M.Alpha Phi Alpha BrunchJane Elliott BuildingJane Elliott Hall

11:30 A.M.Showcase of Bands Hale StadiumCost: $10.00

NoonRho Psi Reunion MeetingFloyd-Payne Campus CenterRobert N. Murrell Forum

4:45 P.M.Pre-GameL.P. Field-Downtown NashvilleTickets: $1�- $��

5:00 P.M.Kick Off (TSU vs UT Martin)L.P. FieldDowntown Nashville

10:00 P.M. The Official TSUNAA Homecoming After PartyFeaturing SILKSheraton Music City HotelPlantation BallroomGo to www.tsu-alumni.org for details

Schedule of Events

ALUMNIlife | 201122

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.Contact: Harry Taylor (202) 546-0527 or [email protected]

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.Contact: TBA

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.Contact: Tiffany Dobson [email protected]; or Dr. Gloria Johnson: [email protected]

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.Rho Psi Alumni ChapterContact: David Saunders (615) 876-6306

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.Contact: Michael [email protected]

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.Contact: Terry Clayton [email protected]

Band Alumni ChapterContact: Michelle Allen [email protected]

Basketball Alumni ChapterContact: Rossie Johnson, III(619) 924-0439

Baseball Alumni ChapterContact: Greg Goodwin [email protected]

HOST HOTelSheraton Music City Sheraton Hotel: SOLD OUT!777 McGavock PikeNashville, TN 37214(615) 885-2200Rate: $139 + tax

OveRFlOw HOTelSEmbassy Suites10 Century Blvd.Nashville, TN 37214(615) 871-0033Rate: $129 + tax

Millennium Maxwell House Hotel2025 Rosa Parks BlvdNashville, TN 37228(615) 259-4343Rate: $129 + tax

HOMECOMING REUNIONS


TSU Homecoming After Partyfeaturing SILK

Sheraton Music City HotelSaturday 10:00 p.m. • Doors open at 9:15 p.m.

• DJ and Line Dancing in the McGavock Ballroom• $50 Wobble Contest Prize

Donations:$35 in advance, July 1 — September 31, 2011

$40 in advance, October 1 — November 1, 2011$45 at the door

Table Sales on a first reserve basis up to October 1, 2011$160 table of four (4) includes personal cocktail waitress

$400 table of 10 includes personal cocktail waitressCall 703-408-5831 or 615-364-5197 for $1,000 table sponsorship details.

Checks or money orders for all reservations will be taken

by U.S. mail up to November 1, 2011. Mail to:TSUNAA

3500 John Merritt Blvd, Box 1261 • Nashville, TN 37209

For additional information, e-mail [email protected] orgo to the TSUNAA Website at tsu-alumni.org.


Alumninews BriefsWILLIS NAMED GM Hosea Willis (‘88) has been named general manager of Lux-ury Imports of Bowling Green, Ky., a dealer-ship offering

new, used and certified pre-owned vehicles.

• • • • • •• • • • • •

POOLE TO OPEN MEDICAL PRACTICEDr. Kenneth G. Poole (’03) will open his own medical practice in Clayton, Mo. His specialty is general internal medicine and his areas of clinical interest include fitness, preventive medicine and hypertension.

Poole is a native of St. Louis, Mo., a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry at TSU. Poole earned his M.D. from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Ill.

• • • • • •• • • • • •

STOkES LANDS GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENTRodney Stokes (‘74) was appointed by Michigan Governor Rick Synder as director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Stokes brings a great depth and breadth of experience in natural resources, out-door recreation, policy development, and civic engagement, anchored on the bedrock of public service.

• • • • • •• • • • • •

SINGLETON ELECTED COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Sonna Singleton (’84) has been sworn in as Clayton County Com-missioner in Morrow, Ga. A native of Snow Hill, N.C., Singleton is actively involved in her community serving as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a member of Travelers Rest Missionary Baptist Church, past PTSA vice president at Morrow High School, past membership coordinator for Adamson Middle School PTSA and was one an original member of the Historic Rex Village Preservation Association.

• • • • • •• • • • • •

BLUNT JOINS THE RLJ COMPANIES

Traci Otey Blunt (’90), a veteran media, political, and public affairs specialist, has been promoted at The RLJ Com-panies as senior vice president of corporate com-

munications and public affairs. Blunt has been with the company since 2008, after serving as a deputy com-munications director to now Secre-tary of State Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential campaign.

In her new role, Blunt leads a team responsible for communications, media strategy and planning, government relations and issues management.

• • • • • •• • • • • •

FREGIA RE-ELECTED TO ISMS BOARD Dr. Adrienne L. Fregia (’84) has been re-elected to the Illinois State Medical Society Board of Trustees. A board certified internist specializing in gastroenterol-ogy, Fregia is in private practice in Matteson, Ill. She is on staff at Ingalls Memorial Hospital, St. James Hos-pital and Advocate South Surburban Hospital.

An ISMS member since 1993, Fregia currently serves as board liaison to the Council on Communications. She holds membership with the American Medical Association and the American Gastroenterological Association.

• • • • • •• • • • • •

TAYLOR RECOGNIzED FOR LIFE-SAVING PROCEDUREJoseph Taylor (’78) has been saluted for his innovation in the develop-ment of the Taylor-Chism Cardiac Restoration Tub Procedure with Scuba Gear. This procedure, which has been registered with the United States Register of Copyrights, helps to extend the life of victims suffer-ing from cardiac arrest allowing more time to receive proper medical care. Taylor was recognized for his achieve-ments by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson with a certificate of con-gratulations and acknowledgement.

• • • • • •• • • • • •

ALUMNAE CELEBRATED DURING WOMEN OF LEGEND & MERIT AWARDSDuring its fifth anniversary celebration, aptly themed, “Celebrating the Power of Women,” the 2011 Women of Leg-end and Merit Awards saluted several alumnae for their life achievements both


professionally and in the community.

Among the alumna selected as honorees for this year included: M. Inez Crutchfield (’47, ’49) in the category of “Government/Politics,” Dr. Tommie Morton-Young (’51) in the category of “Education,” Wyomia Tyus (’68) in the category of “Athletics,”

and the surprise “Woman of Strength, Courage and Commitment” award to Margaret C. Whitfield (’55).

• • • • • •• • • • • •

JOHNSON RECEIVES AAFCS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Dr. Gearldean Johnson (’67) CFCS, received the “2011 AAF-CS Distinguished Service Award” at the closing banquet during the annual meeting of the American Association of Family and Con-sumer Sciences (AAFCS). She was nominated by AAFCS members of the National Coalition for Black Development in Family & Consumer Sciences.

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) was established by the American Home Economics Association (AHEA) Foundation in 1979 as a living tribute to members of AHEA (now AAFCS) to recognize superior achievements in family and consumer sciences, outstanding contribu-tions to the family and consumer sciences profession, and sustained association leadership at both state and national levels.

• • • • • •• • • • • •

MortonCrutchfield

WhitfieldTyus

75th AnniversaryALPHA CHi CHAPTER

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Thursday, November 10, 2011Welcome & Registration

7:00 p.m. – TBD • Music City Sheraton, Delta Hospitality Suite

Friday, November 11, 2011Alpha Chi Welcome Reception

11:00 a.m. – Noon • TSU CampusAlpha Chi 75th Anniversary Celebration & Dinner

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Music City Sheraton, Plantation BallroomAlpha Chi 75th Anniversary Celebration Dance

9:30 p.m. – TBD • Music City Sheraton, Plantation Ballroom

Saturday, November 12, 2011Serenade

Noon • TSU CampusAlpha Chi Monument Unveiling

12:30 p.m. • Welton PlazaTSU Homecoming Game

5:00 p.m. • LP Field

For more info, visit the official 75th Anniversary website at www.alphachianniversary.blogspot.com or e-mail the Absolutely AX Affinity Association at [email protected].


Her quiet, no nonsense demeanor says nothing Hollywood, but her powerful story of tenacity and turning challenge into opportunity is what blockbuster movies are made of.

The challenges and triumphs of Tennessee State University alumna and faculty member, Dr. Catana Starks’ journey, as the first female head coach of an NCAA Division I men’s golf team, has been captured and will be shared with the world in an upcoming feature film, From the Rough.

The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Academy Award nominee for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, as Starks; Tom Felton,

from the Harry Potter series; Michael Clarke Duncan,

an Academy Award nominee for The

Green Mile; and LeToya Luck-ett, a platinum recording art-ist and original member of the Grammy-win-ning R&B group,

Destiny’s Child.

The film’s portray-al of Starks, and

the team she built, will provide audienc-es a glimpse into how

an unlikely roster of multiethnic

players, with only one thing in common, overcame their dif-ferences to nab a NCAA Regional Championship invitation and a Division I-record win for the National Minority Cham-pionship in golf.

“I was determined to make a film about her life to show that women like [Starks] deserved to prove their ability to succeed in a man’s world,” said the film’s producer Michael Critelli, former CEO of Pitney Bowes.

Critelli’s Gyre Entertainment, based in Burbank, Calif., is producing the film and has a mission of “focusing on an Afri-can-American audience that has historically been underserved by Hollywood, and emphasizing positive, uplifting, forward-thinking ideas and stories.”

Before inheriting the responsibility of leading a golf team, Starks served as coach of TSU’s men’s swimming and diving team. Only in her spare time, did she work on honing her skills at another sport she enjoyed—golf.

Shortly after TSU joined the Ohio Valley Conference in 1984, then-Athletics Director Bill Thomas learned that no swimming teams were sanctioned. At that point, he decided to trade the university’s swimming program for a new team sport.

Knowing of her love for golf, and now without a team to coach, Thomas turned to Starks to guide the program. Not one to shy away from challenges, she accepted her new title of “golf coach” and began the process of fielding a team of winners.

If TSU was to spare itself humiliation during its initial years on the golf course, a reasonably talented team needed to be assembled. Those early years were by no means spectacular. But neither was it an embarrassment to the university. And the only place available for golf team practice was the Ted Rhodes Golf Course, a public facility not far from the Ten-

nessee State campus.

From zero to national championshipCatana Starks’ inspiring story hits Hollywood


“My first golf team consisted of two injured football players, two other guys and one girl who was permitted to play with us. I started out with that and they were all African-Ameri-cans. It continued on and then I started getting other inter-ested players from other ethnic groups. Eventually, it evolved into having some international students,” Starks told journal-ist Donald Hunt, a columnist for The Philadelphia Tribune and contributor to ESPN.com’s golf coverage.

As she continued to build the program, Starks recruited Sam Puryear, now head golf coach and the first African-American golf coach at Michigan State University, and several other quality players to the team. She also provided much of the team’s transportation. Despite heavy wear and tear on her personal car, she transported the team where they needed to be. Most important, Starks knew access to superior golf courses was important to recruiting the caliber of young golfers she coveted.

Without hesitation she approached officials at Gaylord Springs Golf Course, considered one of the best in the nation, to allow TSU players to practice and play the course. They agreed. Of-ficials at the top-notch Hermitage Golf Course were next to step up and accept TSU’s student golf team. Starks made it a point to bring each prospect out to see the spiffy golf courses where the team could now practice and play.

Her strategy of securing superior golf courses paid off hand-somely. With better practice facilities Starks recruited Sean Foley (now Tiger Woods’ swing coach), and Robert Dinwid-die (now on European Tour), her first All-American. Her mis-sion led her to the recruitment of several experienced foreign students for the team, and soon former president of Meharry Medical College, Dr. Lloyd Elam, stepped up as a major bene-factor providing the team with an annual stipend of $2,000. With all these elements coming together, TSU’s golf team prospects were indeed getting brighter.

Driven to succeed, this TSU graduate never accepted failure as an option. Starks, who holds a bachelor’s (’69), master’s (’73) and doctorate degree (’80) from Tennessee State Uni-versity, coached the team to the National Minority Golf Championship in 2005.

“We set a record,” Starks said in the Hunt interview. “It was so wonderful to have this experience…that was great for us.”

While Starks no longer coaches golf, she remains a lover of the sport and a fan. Today, she heads TSU’s Human Performance and Sport Sciences department, and has been instrumental in updating the curriculum, student enrollment and increased graduation rates in both the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

“We accomplished this feat by making sure students have quality educational experiences in the department,” Starks said. “I am proud to lead a department here at TSU that pre-pares students for leadership, teaching and service.”



By

Just like someone who might be born to sing, born to act or born to lead, those who knew former Tennessee State Univer-sity defensive end Richard Dent best, believes he was born for professional football.

From the moment he hit TSU’s gridiron, most agreed that a superstar was born. An agile athlete with the heart of a cham-pion, Dent’s exceptional performance on the field has now led him to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for 2011, making him the first TSU alum to be inducted.

Craig Gilliam, former defensive coach at TSU, worked closely with Dent during his collegiate playing career, and said “he had all the attributes for the NFL and his consistency as a pass rusher led me to believe he would one day be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“He was very quick and tenacious and he just had that fire,” Gilliam said. “He was quick off the ball and rushed the pass very well. He was self-motivated; he wanted to be a pro.”

Dent was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1983 and played 14 seasons in the NFL with four teams: the Bears (1983-1993), the San Francisco 49ers (1994), the Indianapolis Colts (1996) and the Philadelphia Eagles (1997). While playing with the Bears, Dent was named “MVP” of Super Bowl XX when the Bears defeated the New England Patriots 46-10.

Dent retired after the 1997 season. During his NFL career, he amassed 137.5 sacks and eight interceptions. He made 124.5 of his sacks during his career while playing for the Bears. At the time of his retirement, his 137.5 sacks ranked him third in NFL history as a leading sacker.

Mike Jones, TSU’s current assistant coach, was Dent’s team-mate and played on an undefeated team with him while the two were student-athletes at TSU. Jones recalls Dent being one of the “biggest, friendliest guys who always had his arms open to anyone.”

“Obviously, the career he had here at TSU as well as in the NFL panned out so greatly that you just knew he was destined for greatness. He’s very deserving,” Jones said, of Dent’s selec-tion to the Hall of Fame.

“We are very happy to know that they [Pro Football Hall of Fame] are honoring one of our own. While we think there are many more, we are certainly proud to have him [Dent] as the first.”

Recruited by legendary Coach John A. Merritt, Dent played for the Tigers from 1979 – 1982 and earned All-American honors, including “Defensive Player of the Year” in 1982. While at TSU, he inherited the nickname “Dirty Dent” for his aggressive style of play. Dent finished his playing days at Tennessee State with 39 sacks.

Dent presently resides in Chicago, Ill. and heads the Make a Dent Foundation, a 501(3)(c) organization founded with the primary goal of improving the lives of children. Over the years, the foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to worthwhile organizations such as The Illinois Lit-eracy Foundation, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kentucky, Colin Powell’s America’s Promise, Angels on the Fairway, United Negro College Fund, the Better Boys Foundation and many others.

“It’s been a long time and a long journey. It’s hard for me to believe I’m the first TSU player to make it to the Hall of Fame,” Dent told The Tennessean newspaper. “There have been so many great players through the years that are deserv-ing — Claude Humphrey, Too Tall Jones, Cleveland Elam. The list goes on and on.”

Gilliam added he is extremely proud to have been Dent’s coach.

“He is the best, without a doubt and hands-down, defensive interior lineman I have ever coached in my 32-year coaching career,” Gilliam said.

In addition to Dent’s pending induction into the Pro Foot-ball Hall of Fame, he was inducted into the Tennessee State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

makes Pro Football Hall of FameBy K. Dawn Rutledge

tsU’s

ricHard dent

ALUMNIlife | 2011�0

Our Time to Shine Scholarship Celebration

It’s not Tony or Tigger or Snag-glepuss, even. But the new name bestowed upon TSU’s beloved mascot is fitting of the university’s style, traditions and reputation as a trailblazer.

After receiving dozens of unique names, the winning moniker is AristoKat.

“As Tennessee State University pre-pares to embark on our 100th anni-versary, giving our beloved mascot

a name is long overdue,” President Portia H. Shields said. “We received some very unique names and Aris-toKat revealed itself as the favorite. We are ready for everyone to ride the Big Blue wave as we continue focusing on scholarly excellence and sportsmanship.”

The AristoKat will be part of the cen-tennial celebration as the university gears up for an exciting 100th year anniversary, slated April 15-21, 2012.

tennessee state University’s tiger name announced

TSU proudly salutes its 2011 outstanding donors

The children of Dr. Henry H. Durrell (’51) accept the award on

behalf of the Durrell Family.

Mary Carver-Patrick (’69)

Jacqueline F. Merritt (’87, ’89)

Kevin W. Williams, president and managing director of General Motors

of Canada Limited, accepts award on behalf of GM.

George E. (’68, ’72) and Janie (’70) Ganaway

Leonard (’68) and (not pictured) Angela (’69) Stephens

Sharon Smith Banks (’73)

ALUMNIlife | 2011 �1

Friendship Baptist offers students spiritual, nutritional and personal guidance

The hand clapping, cheering and foot stomping taking place just across John Merritt Boulevard from Hale Stadium each week is not the reaction of students excited about a football game, but the energy emanating from the walls of Tennessee State University’s long-time neighbors, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

The church has gained a reputation, and an ever-growing following, by develop-ing programs and services that cater to the multiple needs of TSU’s student population. The church now offers a col-lege Bible study program each Wednes-day night. In fact, the Rev. James Greer (’72) and his wife, Delores (‘62) have grown so close to some students that many continue to attend the church as adults after leaving TSU.

When the Greers arrived at Friendship Baptist in 2002, they noticed that for a church located at the main entrance to the university, TSU student attendance was sparse at best. While the previous pastor did provide breakfast following morning services, few students accepted the invitation. Perplexed why only a handful of students accepted the invita-tion, the Rev. Greer put a plan in mo-tion to get to the bottom of the problem and orchestrated a very simple solution: he simply asked the students what was required from the church to increase student attendance.

“We started with two college students when we first got there [Friendship Baptist Church] and through word-of-mouth, participating in orientation on campus and being more visible, we were

able to grow our services for the college students,” said Delores Greer.

Students were very forthright. They noted the 11 a.m. service was far too crowded. The church responded quickly replacing breakfast with lunch and estab-lished an afternoon service for students. TSU students were allowed to plan and run the 1 p.m. service and stepped up in roles as ushers and financial committee members, and currently TSU student, Elder Adriane Lewis of Saginaw, Mich., serves as minister of music. Additional-ly, area universities, such as Vanderbilt, had seminary students preach at the ser-vice. Soon, attendance ballooned to a capacity congregation of 700 students. The lunch bunch grew as well with the church now serving an average of 175 for the lunch program.

For the past four years, the church has partnered with the university in support of its annual Community Service Day, a program spearheaded by the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, which encourages students and the cam-pus community to engage in meaningful service to the Nashville area and main-tain positive relationships in the broader community. The church provides meals to students, along with a little “TLC.”

“On average, we serve about 500 students during this activity. This ministry is a pas-sion for us and we see this as a blessing to give back to the students, both spiritually and otherwise,” Greer said.

Dr. Sue Fuller, executive director of TSU’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, said the church has been wonderful to work with and plays a critical part in such an enormous, but important project.

“The staff and membership of the church have joyfully provided lunch to thousands of students for every single service day we’ve had since 2007,” said Dr. Sue Fuller, executive director of the Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement. “We asked them if they could provide lunch and they have done that very well; cooking all of the food, serving it and in-teracting and welcoming all of the new students. It’s been a wonderful partnership with them and we have always been ap-preciative of their generosity.”

The Reverend and Mrs. Greer continue to take a holistic approach to the needs of Tennessee State University students. Knowing students may need advice oth-er than just Sunday, the Greers give their telephone numbers to students so they may call whenever the need arises.

“We just believe you have to be down-to-earth, listen to them [students] and share advice,” Greer said. “The pastor’s approach and mine, along with other members of our congregation, is to sim-ply have a caring attitude.”


Rev. Jimmy and Mrs. Delores Greer with TSU President, Dr. Portia H. Shields (center).

ALUMNIlife | 2011�2

Long after many have turned off their phones and shut down their computers, sitting quietly, yet working feverishly, in a corner office in the academic affairs suite in Tennessee State University’s McWherter Administration Building, is long-time employee and dedicated alumna, Dr. Patricia Crook.

Not long after graduating from TSU with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1973, Crook found herself right back at her alma mater four years later. A loyal employee of the university for 27 years, Crook only took a break in service from 1991-1997 to work for the Tennessee Board of Regents. Along her professional journey at TSU, she has worked in several important capacities, including grants officer, bursar, assistant and associate vice president for business and finance, associate vice president for technology and administrative services, interim vice president for student affairs, interim vice president for academic affairs, interim director of human resources and interim director of financial aid.

“The best part of my job is working with our students and my colleagues, as we jointly create an academic and physical environment conducive to teaching, learning, research and public service,” Crook said, who currently serves as associate vice president for academic affairs.

Her responsibilities include finan-cial management of the division’s $56 million unrestricted budget and budgetary processes; fiscal reporting to internal and external groups; man-

agement of summer school, part-time faculty and overload budgets, person-nel hiring, payment processes; review and approval of all division contracts and agreements; development of all university departments’ organization-al charts; assist deans, department heads, faculty and staff with fiscal and academic issues.

In addition to her bachelor’s degree, Crook earned a Master of Public Administration in 1995 and a Doctor of Education-Administration and Supervision in 1997 from TSU. She also holds a MBA from the University of Tennessee.

Crook’s dedication to her alma mater extends far beyond her professional duties. She is an annual contributor to TSU’s distinguished donor club, the President’s Society, and has been a consistent football season ticket holder for many years. She supports many athletic games, attends and assists with campus activities and is a life member of the TSU National Alumni Association.

“I chose TSU because of the university’s positive reputation in the community for developing, nurturing and graduating students,” Crook said. “I give back because, as alumni, we are responsible for helping the next generation achieve their academic goals and dreams. I strongly believe in the saying ‘to whom much is given, much is required and the more you give, the more God gives back to you for the purpose of helping others.’ I practice being a giver of time, money and other possessions. I believe as alums, giving back is just one way of saying ‘thanks’ to God and

TSU for preparing us for the many successes we have achieved during our life’s journey.”

Her strong faith and belief in God has been the foundation for her success and happiness, and she said only second to that is her 82-year old mother, Mrs. Jane Crook.

“My mother is my greatest supporter, mentor and motivator,” said Crook, the third of six children, in which four other siblings are also TSU graduates.

Crook’s passion for helping people is evident in her other involvements as well. She attends Greater Christ Temple Apostolic Church, serves on the GCT Advisory Board, the Health Care Professionals ministry, and as a superintendent and Sunday school teacher for eight- and nine-year-old students. She is also actively involved in community and professional groups such as Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, is a licensed certified public accountant and affiliate real estate broker.

As TSU approaches its 100th anniversary, she said there are many great things ahead. She sees using cutting-edge technology, data driven decision making, right-size staffing and greater participation in communication networks as opportunities and benefits

Pat Crook remains true bluefor alma mater

By K. Dawn Rutledge

ALUMNIlife | 2011 ��

You’re Invited to Celebrate with UsNASHviLLE ALUMNi CHAPTER

presents

EXCELLENCE, RESiLiENCE, AND UNiTY“An Evening of Pre-Celebration for Our Alma Mater’s Birth”

Friday, October 28, 2011KEAN HALL, TENNESSEE STATE UNivERSiTY

TABLE CONTRiBUTiONS: $1000 • $750 • $450For more information, please contact Janet Merriwether

at 615-865-1086 or [email protected].

for the university. There are also continued opportunities to create and improve on student/customer friendly processes, outreach to and support from alumni and partnerships with public and private entities to more successfully compete in a constantly evolving global economy.

“For there to be a harvest, there has to be sowing,” Crook said. “I am a TSU success because alums, faculty and administrators before me sowed their prayers, money, time, knowledge and belief in me. Now as alums, we must do the same for the current and future generations to come.”

and, the group is visiting churches and alumni meetings misrepresenting the health of the institution.

I cannot change the minds of naysayers, nor will I try. My time, like yours, is bet-ter spent doing something positive for TSU. I ask you to support our beloved institution by sharing this piece with ev-eryone you know; and, if there are any remaining questions, just let me know when and where, and I will respond.

I close with an Aesop Fable you must have heard years ago. The wind and the sun had an argument about who was the most powerful. The wind bragged he

was stronger and the sun disputed this belief. So the wind said: “Watch this. See the traveler coming down the road? Whichever of us causes him to take off his coat will be declared strongest.” The wind went to work, blowing the coat of the traveler; but, the harder it blew, the tighter the traveler held on. When the wind, finally exhausted, gave up, the sun calmly came from behind the clouds and shone in all its glory, causing the traveler to shed his coat. Currently, in this, “the land of golden sunshine,” ill winds cloaked in artificial declara-tions of love for TSU are attempting to blow no good to our institution. Won’t you be her cloak of protection? As we

continue striving to meet our mandates, despite rain and wind and whatever negative forces seek to penetrate her fer-tile shores, won’t you be a ray of golden sunshine, spreading the data presented here and pledging your support for her? Only you can help us meet our mandates with faith that’s true, and the key word is faith because it’s not just about Tennes-see State, it’s about the state of Tennes-see and the rest of the nation. It’s about our public purpose, providing leaders who can “think, work and serve.” And at the last, it’s about the mission of this historically black university to prepare African-Americans and others through excellence, resilience and, yes, unity.

Presidential Perspective (continued from page 7...)

ALUMNIlife | 2011��

ALUMNIZareefa Abdul-Adl, 2010Emanuel J. Abston, 1962Frank Adams, 1952Mary A. Adams, 1954Michele L. Adcock, 1992Isaac Y. Addae, 2004Richard D. Adkisson, 1985Theresa L. Agius-Cowden, 2010Barbara Ann S. Akins, 1966William R. Akins, 1973Vanna M. Albright, 2010Milton S. Albritton, Jr., 1990Milton S. Albritton, Sr., 1964Nathaniel Albritton, 1975Georgia Y. Alexander, 1971Whitley J. Alexander, 2010Gladys R. Allen, 1966Lytle E. Allen, III, 1962Michelle L. Allen, 1998Mount V. Allen, Jr., 1950Niquelle R. Allen, 1999Ebone T. Almon, 2009Roger L. Ammons, 1982Helen M. Anderson, 1959Margaret D. Anderson, 1952Paul E. Anderson, 1953Vivian L. Andoh, 1964Joseph L. Anthony, 1954Marjorie J. Anthony, 1955Danna M. Appleton, 1977Regina F. Armstrong, 1988Gloria Arrington, 1951Nadia L. Artis, 2000Arleshea C. Atmore, 2010Delisa T. Atwater, 2004Dwan D. Austin, 1990Ismaila D. Badjie, 2008Frances N. Bailey, 1955Willie T. Bailey, 1972Izora L. Baker, 1950Julia F. Baker, 2007Louise M. Baker, 1973Debora R. Baldwin, 1987Franklin L. Ballard, Jr., 1985Juanita S. Ballard, 1961

Ruby L. Bankhead, 1979Richard Banks, Jr., 1951Edgaranna Bardwell, 1968John J. Barfield, IV, 1999Pamela A. Barfield, 1991Terry W. Barksdale, 1975Joe E. Barlow, Jr., 1973Beverly B. Barton, 1965Madeline L. Barton, 1961Sherman C. Barton, 1959Eleanor S. Bass, 1975James I. Bass, 1962Velvet C. Bass, 1983Annie J. Batten, 1953James Battieste, 1979Ira C. Baxter, Sr., 1948Nicole L. Baxter, 2010Thelma B. Baxter, 1949Henry E. Beach, 1959Margaret S. Beach, 1959Sophia K. Beamon, 1963Karya Y. Beamon-Evans, 1996Anna V. Beard, 1987Denise M. Beard, 2009Dwight L. Beard, 1974Lorraine A. Beard, 1989Phillip Beene, 1977Edward D. Bell, 1962Eunice L. Bell, 1969Jennifer Bell, 2005John L. Bell Woodrow Bell, 1967Arthur Benjamin, Jr., 1959Chandra Bennett, 2008Eddie L. Benns, 1962Janice M. Benson, 1965Antonio J. Benton, 2009Isaac H. Berry James E. Berry, Sr., 1957Saida Binhazim, 2009Lametric Bishop, 2007Mark A. Bishop, 1971Dorothy F. V. Black, 1958Ida R. Black, 1954Melvin C. Black, 1960Phillip M. Black, 2010Reece A. Black

Samuel A. Black, 1965Dallas Blackman, 1965Olivia P. Blackman, 1965Rosie K. Blakemore, 1968Doris Blue Clyde W. Bolds, 1959Carol G. Bompart, 1984Andrew Bond, 1948Bonetta J. Bond, 1976Clyde L. Bond, Jr., 1987Reginald L. Bond, 1979Rasheed H. Bonds, 2002Sam Bone, Jr., 1958Richard M. Bonner, 1965David Boone, 1963Robert L. Boone, 1970Effie J. Boothe, 1997Jerold D. Borden, 1998Sarah F. Borders, 2010Anita M. Bourne, 1981Phillip H. Bourne, 1971Melanie C. Bowers, 1992Harvey W. Bowles, 1973Alma J. Bowman, 1961Gaynell R. Bowman, 1993Lillie D. Bowman, 1945Barbara W. Boyd, 1959Clinton C. Boyd, 1972Lily T. Boyd, 1944Mary S. Boyd, 1969T B. Boyd, III, 1969William M. Boyd, 1945Yvette J. Boyd, 1973Everett L. Boyer, 1969Shirley M. Boyer, 1969Robert L. Brack, 1966Bruce D. Bradford, 1970Patricia Bradford, 1971Yolanda B. Bradley, 1992Xernona C. Brady, 1952Clarence Branch, Jr., 1983Merlton Brandenberg, 1965Iris A. Brandon, 1945Katie P. Brandon, 1957Sandra S. Brauch, 1988Rosie M. Brewster-Crowder, 1966Larry B. Bride, 1996

Latisha Bridges, 2003Revlon S. Briggs, 1991Eleanor F. Bright, 1955Charles H. Brinkley, Sr. Frank D. Brinkley, 1963Velma S. Brinkley, 1965Harvey L. Brinson, 1961Patricia H. Brock, 1971Judith A. Brock-Mack, 1986Irma C. Brookins, 1954Gertrude N. Brooks, 1971Stephen C. Brooks, 1987Virginia L. Brooks, 1959Doris F. Broome, 1970Myron D. Broome, 2000Elbert D. Brown, 1955Elizabeth Brown, 1991Freda D. Brown, 1999George A. Brown, Jr., 1971Hodari P. Brown, 2008Howard H. Brown, 1970Karl R. Brown, 1978Lorethia B. Brown, 1954Sue J. Brown, 1958Terressa A. Brown, 1969Virgenia S. Brown, 1991William R. Brown, 1967Terry R. Browne, 1996Micah W. Bruce, 1983Burnece W. Brunson, 1936Jewel E. Bryant Latoyia G. Bryant, 1998Famitah Q. Buchanan, 2007Lloyd Buchanan, 1965Scott A. Burchyett, 2007Glenn A. Burke, 1970Shirley J. Burke, 1965Eura L. Burks, 1965Harold Burks, 1988Delores J. Burrus, 1958James S. Burton, 1974Genetta C. Butler, 1979Joan Butler, 1968Joshua Butler, 1965Tasha Butler, 1989Crystal J. Byrd, 2010James W. Byrdsong, 1965

Carrie L. Cabbagestalk, 1994Jacquelyn B. Caffey, 1959Bobby L. Cain, 1961King - Caldwell, Jr. Victoria E. Caldwell, 1979Eugenia J. Calloway, 1952Phyllis J. Calvert, 1966Joseph A. Cameron, 1963Charles A. Campbell, 1974Clifton T. Campbell, 1961Jacquelyn Campbell, 1970James A. Campbell James D. Campbell, 1975Jessie G. Campbell, 1962Kira L. Campbell, 2010Mildred M. Campbell, 1964Walter L. Campbell Reginald D. Cannon, 1996Michael E. Carn, 1982Dwight Carnahan, 1981Samuel L. Carney, 1973Yvonne F. Carney, 1973Tanisha D. Carothers, 2009Kenneth A. Carpenter, Sr. Lois J. Carr, 1957Darryl Carter Dennis C. Carter, 1977Felicia D. Carter, 1983Rubye W. Carter, 1952Tracey B. Carter, 2005Warrick L. Carter, 1964Tabitha D. Carthon, 1955Mary Carver-Patrick, 1969Jacqueline Cathey, 1970Gwendolyn M. Chandler, 1963Clifton W. Chapman, 1990Stephanie B. Chase Ardell M. Chatman, 1970Austin E. Chatman, 1973Sarah M. Chatman, 1980Eryka M. Cheatham, 2004Chandra Cheeseborough, 1982Edgar Chism, Jr., 1972Lois A. Chmely, 1999Emmanuel I. Chokuba, 2009Mary E. B. Churchwell, 1964Delphine E. Claggion, 1977

Bertha S. Clark, 1962Gregory A. Clark, 1987Simpson J. Clark, 1958Gilbert E. Clay, 1986Teresa J. Clay, 1998Patricia Clayton, 1976Terry R. Clayton, 1980Donald R. Cleveland, 1984Kina N. Cleveland, 2001Liz M. Cleveland, 1966Sonya D. Cliff, 1998Helen H. Cochran, 1949Trehon Cockrell-Coleman, 2010Madelyn E. Coffey, 1950Danielle Coggins, 2003Charles F. Cole, 1960Charles F. Cole, 1960Claude L. Cole, 1952Deborah A. Cole, 1974Alfred E. Coleman, 1957Rosa H. Coleman, 1967Brenda Y. Collier, 2003Curtis Collier, 1971Larissa N. Collier, 2010Helena R. Collins, 1975Joshua L. Collins, 2009Lawrence F. Collins, Jr., 1966Regina F. Collins, 1965Walter Collins, 1960Sammy Comer, 1972Angela M. Cook, 1995Ralph D. Cook, Sr., 1964Helen P. Cooke, 1952Longino A. Cooke, Jr., 1951Wilmer Cooksey, Jr., 1965Barbara L. Cooper, 1950Mary A. Copeland, 2007Ida S. Corbett, 1948Joe L. Cornelius, 1989Joe L. Cornelius, 1968Gilda T. Cornell, 1984Sally K. Cothron, 1972Alexander Coure, Jr., 1972Jewell B. Cousin, 1958Gwendolyn D. Covington, 1975Terri L. Covington, 1981Charles H. Cox, Jr., 1949

TSU Alumni

HONOR ROLL OF DONORSWe salute the alumni who have so generously provided financial contributions to the Tennessee State University Foundation during the period from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. Each gift is greatly appreciated and put to good use providing scholarships, enhancing academic programs and supporting university operations. * Note: Names in bold/italics are President’s Society donors who contributed $1,000.00 or more during this period. If you have any questions, please contact the TSU Foundation at 615.963.5481.



Christine L. Craig, 1960Evelyn L. Crain Parker, 1966Julia Ma Crain, 1968James E. Crawford, 1973Jewel Crawford, Sr., 1968Lena J. Crinel, 1959Beverly J. Crisler-Dixon, 1970Dominique R. Cromartie Patricia A. Crook, 1973John S. Cross, 1983Josephine D. Crouch, 1959Fannie Crowder, 1975Bemalcum Crump, 1964Lavenia T. Crutcher, 1986Madelyn M. Culp, 1968Darrell K. Cummings, 1990Eddie Cummings, 1972Ronald S. Cunningham, 1968Charles A. Curry, 1969Louis Curry, 1984Pamela Curry, 1972Daisy T. Dailey, 1965Steven D. Dailey, 1964Warren C. Dance, 1954James E. Daniels, 1982Sandra M. Daniels, 1983Hattie C. Dansby, 1943Jesse L. Dansby, Jr., 1964Ida M. Daughtry, 2008Danny R. Davies, 1984Billie J. Davis Brittany K. Davis, 2010Cedric D. Davis, 2004Ernest Davis, 1949Ernest A. Davis, Jr., 1968George L. Davis, Sr., 1958Ivan R. Davis, Sr., 1964Ivanetta H. Davis, 1939Jo Ann Davis Lenora A. Davis, 1990Leroy Davis, 2001Lillian E. Davis, 1949Mary C. Davis, 1966Sylvester Davis, 1955Taurus G. Deberry, 1995Waldine Deberry, 1968Fanniel L. Demarks, 1982Timberly K. Denning, 1991Nancy A. Dennis, 1987Richard A. Dent, 1965Mary F. Derricks, 1971Curtis L. Dillihunt, 1966Curtis M. Dilworth, Jr., 1962Edward Dixon Georgette C. Dixon, 1983Angela V. Dobbins, 1984Barbara A. Dobbins, 1972Howard T. Dodd, 1977John R. Dodds, 1962Kenneth L. Dollar, 1969Virginia S. Donaldson, 1950Larry Dorsey, 1975Amelia J. Dortch, 1965Heyward Dortch, 1966Carmelita L. Dotson, 1986

Willey J. Doughty, 1982Coneva M. Douglas, 1959Jamilla M. Dowe, 2000Lawrence J. Dowe, 1996Johnette S. Duggans, 2001Gregory F. Dulin, II, 2009Deborah J. Dungey, 1975James L. Dunn, 1953Leonard D. Dunn, 1951Gerry M. Dupree, 1982Gerald L. Durley, 1964Henry H. Durrell, 1951Edith M. Duvall, 1966Jonathan D. Eakes, 2010James R. Ealey, Jr., 1966Natasha J. Ealy, 2010Peggy A. Earnest, 1973James M. Eddins, 1967Martha C. Edmondson, 1943Andre C. Edwards, 1995Kelvin C. Edwards, 1960Cecilia I. Ehiemua, 1984Clara C. Elam Morris A. Elam, Jr. Rodney Elam, 2001Constance W. Elliott, 1955Riley W. Elliott, 1955Aerial M. Ellis, 2004Derrick T. Ellis, 2005Susie Elston-Young, 1959Wilson E. Ennis, Jr., 1982James M. Epperson, 1955Godspower E. Erhunmwunse, 2004Mary L. Ervin, 1952Arthur L. Eubanks, 1973Carrie E. Evans, 1950Marvin S. Evans, Jr., 1983Robert L. Evans, 1973Donald K. Everette, 1960Marc A. Ewell, 1995John L. Fair, Sr.Mark Falcone, 1998Ruby J. Fanroy, 1964Ahmed M. Farah, 2010Roosevelt Faulkner, 1989Brenda Fennell, 1976Everett C. Fennell, 1974Fonda Fields, 1999Arthur L. Finley, 1965Maurice Fitzgerald, 1980Charles K. Flack, 1984Fredia E. Flack-Lusk, 1969Sharon W. Fleetwood, 1979Rita E. Fleming, 1975Zekeliah S. Flowers, 2002Michael G. Floyd, 1978Julius K. Foley, 2004Bryant K. Ford, 1991Delphine E. Ford, 1980Faye M. Ford, 1957Nannie P. Fort, 1933Eric L. Foster, 2007Myrna F. Foster, 1989Gracie L. Fowlkes, 1963

Harrison S. Foy, 1971Harry G. Franklin, Jr., 1965Marian Franklin Robert R. Frase, 1989Mary H. Frazier, 1963Carl A. Freeman, 1988Cornelius E. Freeman, Jr., 1967Sylvia E. Freeman, 1968Adrienne L. Fregia, 1984Karl W. French, 1988Louise V. Frierson, 1965Doris J. Frieson, 1955William Fuller Dellanita Fuqua, 1982Shalaurence E. Furlow, 2009Barbara E. Gaines Stanley Gainor, 1953Thomas E. Gaiter, 1979George E. Ganaway, 1968Janie R. Ganaway, 1970Lureada S. Gardner, 1957S L. Gay, 1971Carrie M. Gentry, 1958Iris R. Gibbs, 1980Jacqueline Gibbs, 1962Apperiday Gibson, 2009Harold W. Gilbert, 1972Serina K. Gilbert, 1968Bernice Giles, 1969Walter Gillespie, 1952Evelyn B. Gilliam, 1955Brenda J. Gilmore, 1984William S. Gittens, 1991Revida Glover, 1999Mildred J. Goines, 1949Judy C. Goldthree, 1976Gregory P. Goodwin, 1979Calin D. Goolsby, 1996Alfred H. Gordon, 1972Eleanor A. Gordon, 1956Grace M. Gordon, 1960Henry R. Gordon, 1956Dorothy J. Gore, 1967Margaret E. Goudeaux, 1969Leatrice C. Gradford, 1970Eddie L. Gragg, 1974Andrea A. Graham, 1989Juana L. Grandberry, 1978Madelyn M. Grant, 1977Reginald O. Grant, 1976Edward L. Graves, 1962Juanita Graves, 2010Patricia Graves, 1974Sequoya S. Graves-Battle, 2005Maebrina Gray, 2010Amissa G. Green, 2000Augustine C. Green, 1967Dennis O. Green, Jr., 1963Gene Green, 1970Marlah D. Green, 1994Mary S. Green, 1959Richard L. Green, 1963Terrance L. Green, 1989Candace J. Greene, 2009Robert Greene, 1975

Delores B. Greer, 1962Janice M. Greer, 1985Jimmy D. Greer, 1972William F. Greer, 1959Valeria Greer-Oliver, 1971Nikia R. Grier, 2005Arthur J. Griffa, 1957Betty Griffin, 1966Bobby L. Griffin, 1963Janeen R. Griffin, 2008Cassandra L. Griggs, 1993LaKena L. Grimes, 2005Arena K. Groves, 1960Jay Groves, 1984Doris Gunn-Stevens, 1971Charles E. Haley, II, 1975Charmion L. Haley, 1988D N. Hall Dorothy L. Hall, 1947Joseph A. Hambrite, 1969Jeffery Hamer, 1981Lajuana M. Hamer, 1984Alberta D. Hamilton, 1959Charles F. Hamilton, 1959Herbert Hamilton, 1974Ashton T. Hamme, 1968Natisha T. Hampton, 2002Shenitha S. Hampton, 2000Carolyn B. Hardy, 1994Samuel K. Hargrove, 1985Carletta J. Harlan, 1969Alphonza V. Harper, III, 1969Paul Harper Benjamin R. Harrell, 1970Bernard HarrisJo Carole Harris, 1961Lakishia D. Harris, 2010Lori D. Harris, 1999Marcos S. Harris, 1998Norma L. Harris, 1969Paula Harris, 1976Shea L. Harris, 2003Steven C. Harris, 1971Walter L. Harris, 1975Floyd H. Harrison, Jr., 1959Darlene G. Harris-Vasser, 1980Terreka S. Hart, 2010Ruth E. Harwell, 1949Warner C. Hassell, Jr., 1982Ruth J. Haston, 1976William T. Haston, 1970Linda C. Hatchett, 1996Anita H. Hayes, 1990Sherrae M. Hayes, 2008Veronica Y. Hayes-Johnson, 2002Madeline A. Haynes, 1951William F. Hayslett, Sr., 1973Kemba N. Heard, 1998Susie B. Heard, 1959Mary F. Helm, 1966Walter L. Hemphill, 1971Doris B. Henderson, 1952Franklin J. Henderson, 1960Richard L. Henderson, 1975George H. Hendricks, 1993

Rafael Hernandez, Jr., 1963Larry W. Herring, 1967Victor E. Herrmann, III, 1990Brenda Hester Christine S. Hicks, 1959Thelma B. Hicks, 1959David P. Hightower, 1985Andre R. Hill, 2007Bertha R. Hill, 1965Carolyn M. Hill, 1970Deretha Hill Fred A. Hill, 1963Helen C. Hill, 1960Jacqueline E. Hill Lester M. Hill Logan M. Hill, 1966Kenneth J. Hillsman, Sr., 1974Andre Hines, 2000Alvin Hinkle, 1967Barry K. Hobbs, 2010Drucilla G. Hogans, 1963John E. Hogans, III, 1961Ruby D. Holeyfield, 1959Belinda F. Holland, 2005Laverne H. Holland, 1947Marilyn C. Holloman, 1972Billie B. Holloway, 1965Thomas F. Holloway, Jr., 1966Angela C. Holmes, 2002Michael G. Holmes, 1973Chiquilla M. Holt, 1989Daniel L. Holt, 2005Sandra Holt, 1971Trevor J. Holt, 1991William R. Hoosier, 1954Charles E. Hopkins, III, 1981Napoleon Hornbuckle, 1964Jesse B. Horne, 1949Walter R. Horton, 1980Harvey E. Hoskins, 1973Carl E. House, 1963Capree R. Houston, 1999Louise G. Houston, 1974Mary Houston, 1968Vance L. Houston, 1975Benjamin F. Howard, 1970Ralph A. Howard, Jr., 1987James Hubbard Charles R. Hudson, 1956Frances M. Hudson, 1947Frances W. Hudson, 1939James Hudson, Jr., 1949Nelle C. Hudson, 1956Ola G. Hudson, 1951Robert J. Hudson, 1946Ramona Hudson-Pulse Evelyn B. Hughes, 1961George M. Hughes, 1961George Hull, Jr., 1949Jewell N. Hull, 1954Claude B. Humphrey, 1968Ralph M. Hunt, 1974Yashica N. Hunt, 2002Bertha E. Hunter, 1957Walton Hunter, 1969

Derrick M. Hurst, 2006Pamela J. Hurst, 1988Clifford J. Hurston, Jr., 1960Charles R. Hurt, 1954Geraldine L. Hurt, 1955Jamal Hutchinson, 2002Vincent R. Huth, 1989William Hytche, Jr., 2001Krisden N. Ingram, 2010Luster D. Ingram, 1987Ann T. Irvin, 1972Frances Isabel, 1965Marquette R. Isabel, 2000Roy J. Isabel, 1964Janet M. Isat, 1984Juliana I. Iwuagwu, 2003Ada W. Jackson, 1959Dora E. Jackson, 1952Dwight C. Jackson, 2010Herman E. Jackson, 1965Hugh C. Jackson, 1972James C. Jackson James H. Jackson, Jr., 1973Jeanetta W. Jackson, 1997Josephine H. Jackson, 1971Juanita L. P. Jackson, 1963Laurie M. Jackson, 2005M T. Jackson, 1962Maggie K. Jackson, 1946Mary E. Jackson, 1965Nathaniel Jackson Renee C. Jackson, 1986Thomas A. Jackson, 1951Wilbur M. Jackson, 1960Jesse C. James, 1973Andrea E. Jarmon, 1991Carla A. Jarrett, 2004Sylvester Jarrett, 1982Acie J. Jefferson, Jr., 1973Angie K. Jefferson, 1996Keith D. Jefferson, 1996Joseph W. Jenkins, Jr., 1963Betty M. Jennings, 1959Rebecca L. Jennings, 1951Christopher C. Jett, 2003Robert A. Jobe, 2002Bobby G. Johnson Jr., 2010Cuba S. Johnson, Jr., 1965Doretha M. Johnson, 1976Frances S. Johnson, 1983Fred D. Johnson, Jr., 1954Gearldean Johnson, 1967Georgia M. Johnson, 1972Gloria C. Johnson, 1970Harvey Johnson, Jr., 1968Jerry D. Johnson, II, 2008Kenneth L. Johnson, 1987Lacey V. Johnson, 2010Mildred B. Johnson, 1958Mitzy H. Johnson, 2008Mona M. Johnson, 1984Odessa P. Johnson, 1960Robert B. Johnson, 1963Tewanna C. Johnson, 1993William I. Johnson, 1995



Willie F. Johnson, 1977Patricia D. Johnson-Knight, 1973Elease Jolley, 1975Angela G. Jones, 1989Bobby L. Jones, 1959Carolyn C. Jones, 1990Deirdre D. Jones, 1990Edrena D. Jones, 1973Elmer D. Jones, 1965Evelyn G. Jones, 1973Floyd J. Jones, 1953James R. Jones, 1970Janice M. Jones, 1988Joe W. Jones, 1969Kevin B. Jones, 2000Ladale Jones, 1964Laura E. W. Jones, 1950Louise C. Jones, 1971Martin A. Jones, 1989Mary K. Jones, 1954Ricky L. Jones, 1982Rosalind M. Jones, 1971Sandra P. Jones, 1965Verbie M. Jones, 1980William Jones, Jr. William Fuller Jones, 1960Catherine S. Jordan, 1954Cornelious Jordan, 1979Darlynn E. Jordan, 1976Jimmie L. Jordan, 1959John H. Jordan, 1964Valencia L. Jordan, 1997Vanessa C. Jordan, 1981Martha T. Judge, 1969Prem S. Kahlon, 1979Beatrice Keel, 1959Kimberly N. Keeling, 2010Nicole M. Kendall, 2005Titilayo T. Kendrick, 2003Lynn Kennedy, 1953Latassa M. Kent, 1998Paul G. Ketteman, 2005Joni H. Kies, 1995Gary M. Kiev, 1984Brooke Kimbro-Scott, 2004Anthony E. King, 1959Bethany A. King, 1998Brian J. King, 1999Myrtis W. King-Childs, 1959Arthur H. Kinnard, Jr., 1955Connie W. Kinnard, 1994Houston T. Kinnard, 1969Annie R. Kinzer, 1992Douglas E. Knight, 1978Evell Knight, 1955Elizabeth Kunnu, 1991Ernestine K. Kuykendall, 1960Gwinnett M. Ladson, 1980Johnnie Lake Eddie L. Lambert, 1970Nadine G. Lane, 1972Mary B. Lanier, 1958Charles E. Laster, 1960Helen G. Lathan, 1958Archilene T. Lauderdale, 1987

Gary W. Lauderdale Roberta T. Lawrence, 1968Teresa Lawrence-Phillips, 1999Arthur R. Lawson, 1963Burrell Lee Jr., 1959Julius C. Lee, 1969Shirley J. Lee, 1978Wilson Lee, 2007Jennie W. Lemons, 1982Minnie L. Lemons, 1957Susan R. Levy, 2007Angela D. Lewis, 1978Clifton Lewis, Jr., 1969Frank J. Lewis, Sr., 1950Meharry H. Lewis, 1959Otis L. Lewis, 1977Dellcenia W. Ligon, 1975Ella W. Ligon, 1969James H. Lipscomb, 1968Thomas R. Lipscomb, 1985Katherine E. Lisle, 2010Patricia A. Livingston, 1988Rian Livisay, 1997Monique A. Lloyd, 2010Aeolian E. Lockert, Jr., 1949Angela S. Lockridge, 1994Dorothy D. Lockridge, 1968Leandrea C. Lockridge, 1999Malcolm A. Lockridge, 1990William B. Lockridge, 1967Marguerite I. Lofstrom, 2004Ollie R. Lofton, 1961Ronald T. Logan, 1998Hillard London, 1962Arthur L. Long, 1983Deborah B. Long, 1984Joyce A. Long, 1954Clevetta Lott-Evans, 1966Harold M. Love, Jr., 1994Joshua D. Love, 2004William G. Love, 1955Janice E. Lovell, 1995Derek J. Lovett, 2007Nathan Lovett, Jr., 1980Henri A. Lowery, 1959Marcus S. Lucas, 1975Marva S. Lucas, 1999Charlene Luney, 1971Wanda Luper, 1980Fredia E. Lusk, 1969Roosevelt Luster, III, 1997Tiffany T. Luster, 2009Seint-The S. Lwin, 2003Edith M. Lyles, 1970Granville Lyons, 1975Tony R. Lyons, 1980Wilbrena V. Lyons-Thomas, 1989Emma L. Mack Eugene Maclin, 1972Victoria S. Magee, 1979Demetrius A. Malbrough, 1999Shelia R. Manear, 1986Jerrilyn R. Manning, 1979Tommie C. Manning, 1952James H. Manns, Jr., 1967

Alvin W. Marley, 1968Romannie L. Marsalis, 1990Cynthia L. Marshall, 1968Ruthie L. Marshall, 1958David L. Martin, 2005Hardin M. Martin, Sr., 1964Henry L. Martin, Jr., 1969Ida K. Martin, 1951Iona B. Martin, 1982Kenneth F. Martin, 1989Peggy J. Martin, 1972Travis L. Martin, 1998Addie M. Massey, 1968Shawn D. Massey, 2002George E. Matthews, 1976Mal M. Matthews, 1991Theodis Maxey, 1976Vickey B. Maxwell, 1980Helen M. Mays, 1971Shirley A. Mc Clendon, 1985Robert W. McAdory, 1958Reney M. McAtee, 2005Lauvern S. McBee, 1955Michael J. McBride, 1980William S. McCain, 1959Rene C. McCaine, 1965Vera M. McCall, 1970Michelangelo McCallister, 1973James M. McCarroll, 1999Willie McCladdie, III, 1972Annie J. McClain, 1973Bernice M. McClain, 1955Darryl G. McClain, 2001Elizabeth McClain, 1966Rosalind R. McCleary, 1989James F. McClellan, 1944James F. McClendon, 1963William McCloud, Jr., 1960Maria D. McCormick, 2002Aaron J. McCray, 2004Charles D. McCurry, 1995Charles D. McDaniel, 1985Evanda A. McDowell, 1981J W. McGuire, 1978Hattie L. McKay, 1952Kenneth M. McKay, 1951Bryant McKee, 1985Charles E. McKenzie, 1960Doris L. McKinley, 1952Tara McKnight, 2003Kathy L. McMillan, 1984George E. McNeal, 1965Paul E. McNeal, Jr., 1963William H. McNeal, Jr., 1959Jerrold E. McRae, Sr., 1978Joni McReynolds, 1979Lorene McReynolds, 1949Charles L. McTorry, 1973Cleatrice McTorry, 1970Cheryl R. Meadows, 1970Eddie S. Meadows, 1962Luis Melecio, 1983Helena H. Merritt, 1955Jacqueline F. Merritt, 1987Jamye M. Merritt, 1985

Patricia E. Merritt, 1980Vera P. Merritt, 1956Edward D. Merriweather, 1957Susan Messer, 2008Countess N. Metcalf, 1959Fred Metcalf, 1960Benny M. Miles, 1964Tamara Y. Miles, 1987Terry W. Miles, 1987Carolyn T. Miller, 1965Othell J. Miller, 1998Rodric L. Miller, 1997Mary E. Mills, 1950Walter A. Milton, 1992Delmar K. Mitchell, 1976Edith P. Mitchell, 1969Gloria A. Mitchell, 1970Lillian F. Mitchell Linda L. Mitchell, 1993Logan T. Mitchell, 1957Mattie Mitchell, 1955Tavena R. Mitchell, 2010Barbara R. Mitchum, 1958Oneika D. Mobley, 1994Kelli T. Molette, 1987Dillard B. Montgomery, 1962Michael J. Montgomery, 2007Patricia A. Moon, 1991Alfred Moore, Jr., 1997Clara S. Moore, 1958Ernest J. Moore, Jr., 1964Frankie Moore James L. Moore, 1967Juanita G. Moore, 1951Karen B. Moore, 1985Katrina Moore, 2009Leon C. Moore, 1969Marshall Moore, 1966Martez D. Moore, 2001Mary L. Moore, 1967Navery C. Moore, Sr., 1966Nellie F. Moore, 1964Ricky R. Moore, 1994Willie A. Moore, Jr., 1956Horace E. Moorman, 1968Lawrence A. Moorman, 1958Wanda B. Morant, 1969Keith E. Morgan, 2004Tangy C. Morgan, 1981Yvon M. Morris, 1971Harold Morrison, Jr., 1969Janice Morrison, 1968Doje Morrow, 2010Regina C. Morrow, 1976Joanna G. Moss, 1960Alfred L. Motlow, Sr., 1957Barbara S. Mullins, 2005Amani D. Murph, 2005Charlene Murphy, 1966Greta B. Murray, 1955Henry J. Murrell, 1996Jim Murrell Danny Myers, 1970Dollene M. Myles, 1972Elbert L. Myles, 1974

Ronald F. Myles, 1981John L. Nathan, 1960Philip H. Neal Jr., 2010Cindy M. Neal, 1995Jerald O. Neal, 1976Donnie E. Nemore, 2010Harold Nero Jannie D. Nero, 1973Charles Nettles Dennis F. Newbern, 1979Ernest B. Newsom, 1960Lloyd W. Newton, 1966Ann M. Nichols, 1966Lisa N. Nichols, 2008Geraldine L. Nicholson, 1970Rachel A. Norris, 2010Thelma Norris, 1967George A. Northern, 1957Nicole M. Northern, 2002Ashley D. Northington, 2005Ben D. Northington, 1994Richard A. Norville, 1950Addie C. Nunnally, 1959Chinedu A. Nwankwoala, 2007Tracien C. Oates, 1945James D. O’dneal, 1987Peter C. Odom, 1984Ayodeji O. Olojo, 2007Shanika S. Ostine, 2010Inman E. Otey, 1959Jana L. Outerbridge, 2010Alice R. Outlaw Christean B. Outlaw, 1960Betty D. Overton, 1974Daniel E. Owens, Jr., 1969Barbara M. Owings, 1954Yamari Padilla-Collazo, 2010Clarence Palmer, 1972Derrick L. Palmer, 1999Nina M. Palmer-Gragg, 1955Janet S. Parham, 1974Tracy D. Park, 1995Edward Parker, Jr., 1961Marilyn J. H. Parker, 1970Sharon Parker Mary W. Parks, 1974Sally M. Parks, 1950Carole J. Parrish, 1959Sylvia Partridge, 1980Debra R. Pate, 1980Chirag C. Patel, 2005Alfonza J. Patrick, 1966Jo E. Patterson, 1975Harold D. Payne, 1959Damion K. Pearson, 2005Andre Peek, 1979Dorothy Peoples, 1956Maurice C. Pepper, 1973Thomas Perkins Fannie H. Perry, 1972Hazel F. Perry, 1960Henry L. Perry Joseph L. Perry, 1974Pamela J. Peters, 1969Phil Petrie, Jr.

Phil W. Petrie, Sr., 1959Jennifer E. Petrie-Barnes, 1977Patsy C. Petway, 1963James E. Phillips, 1968Annette Pilcher Chassity S. Pillow, 2010Barbara Jean A. Pinson, 1960Harriet J. Pippin, 1948Eddie M. Pirtle, 1971Clinton J. Pitts, 1962Sharon Platt Sandra D. Pleas, 1975David L. Polk, 1971Charlie W. Pope, Jr., 1963Reginald A. Pope, 1978Rodney L. Pope, 1985Walter L. Pope, Sr., 1958Cheryll M. Porter, 2004Verdell Porter, 1973Rodney G. Posely, 2010Aaron A. Powell, Sr., 1958Terence A. Powell, 1983Patricia M. Powers, 1997Martha M. Pratt, 1942Judith A. Presley, 1969Kelly J. Primus, 1990Dorothy Pritchett, 1963Karen L. Pritchett, 1988David L. Puckett, Jr., 1978Joan E. Pugh, 1965Lorenzo Pugh, 1965Raymond W. Pugh, 2005Pamela E. Pullen, 1990Faye D. Pulse, 1992Jerome Puryear, Sr., 1959Tommy B. Pye James E. Ragland, 1967Jonathan Railey, 1984Leon Ramsey, 1972Thomas Ray, 1962Vivian L. Ray, 1962Kimberley R. Rayford, 2009Muriel D. Ray-Taylor, 1984Richard L. Redmon, 1972Eric Reed, 1992Jean G. Reed Kristal N. Reed, 1991Roderick F. Reed, 1990Mary V. Reese, 2002Wayne W. Reeves, 1950Gwendolyn S. Releford, 1959Jimmy L. Reltherford, Jr., 1988Sonja C. Revell, 2000Katie C. Reynolds, 1949Matthew R. Rhoden, 1994Adolph E. Rhodes, 1994Algeleon P. Rhodes, 1965Ernest C. Rhodes, 1957Willie M. Rhodes, 1984James C. Rice, 1958Roscoe N. Richmond, 1971Lesia G. Riddick, 1997Dejuan V. Ridley, 1994Robert D. Ridley, 1987Charles S. Roberts



Steven H. Robertson, 1996Tamara M. Robertson, 2003Allen S. Robinson, 1975Deborah S. Robinson, 1979Halloe O. Robinson, 1959Josef W. Robinson, 2006Ruby R. Robinson, 1959Sheilah Y. Robinson, 1982Theo C. Rodgers, 1964William D. Rogan, Jr., 1985Stanley Rogers, 1985Thelma L. Rogers, 1961Melanie L. Roper, 2009Carole B. Rose, 1961Harold M. Rose, 1950Andrew G. Rucker, 1956Bettye J. Rucker, 1955Helen C. Rucker, 1950Martha P. Rucker, 1950Walter Ruffin Cathyne M. Russell, 1947Sylvia R. Russell, 1996William Russell David E. Rutledge, 1967Geraldine Rutledge, 1968Princess Saavedra, 1948Ahmed A. Safeeullah, 2003Verties Sails, III, 2002Hyrm L. Sain, 1994Christa E. Sala, 2005Maurice J. Salter, 1996Emmaline Sanderlin, 1974Edward L. Sanders, 2000Shannon B. SandersYvonne J. Sanders, 2010Nahro Y. Saoud, 1988David W. Saunders, Sr., 1970Jerome C. Scales, 1969Nadine Scales, 1969Arvie Z. Scates, 1968Barry Scott Bernard Scott, Sr., 1971Jamil B. Scott, 2000Jonathan A. Scott, 1987Mack T. Scott, 1958Saundra S. Scott Vonda R. Scruggs, 1971Cleophus Scrutchions, Jr., 1959Glenn C. Seabrooks, 1971Lois Seard, 1959Vincent G. Sessoms, 1987James L. Sexton, 1989Buford D. Shanklin, 1974Jeanette R. Shannon, 1970Robert L. Shannon, 1970Gwendolyn J. Sharp, 1959Judy A. Sharp, 1969Amber C. Shaw, 2010Linda Shaw, 1974Geraldine Shaw-Yarbrough, 1970Paul P. Shearer, III, 1985Kandes D. Sheats, 2008Bianca P. Shelby, 1992Angela F. Shelton Micah T. Shepard, 2005

Alex J. Shuler, 2004Elizabeth Shute, 1959Euley Simington, 1967Eugene Simmons Vivian J. Simmons, 1954Rozalind T. Simon, 1982E R. Sims, 1967Jeannette L. Sims, 1961Harold L. Singleton, 1962Georganna T. Sinkfield, 1978Richard H. Sinkfield, 1968James H. Skinner, 1963Chester Slaughter, 1965Charles S. Smith, 1960Daryal Smith, 1970David S. Smith Geneva F. Smith, 1958George W. Smith Gerard C. Smith, 2001Helen P. Smith, 1969Hugh L. Smith, 1984Landon T. Smith, 1976Lizzie B. Smith, 1963Mary R. Smith, 1954Maurice B. Smith, 1974Quintella G. Smith, 1969Ramone C. Smith, 2010Raynetta J. Smith, 2005Samuel Smith, 1968Thomas H. Smith, Jr., 1950Tina L. Smith, 2008Tyrone Smith, 1966Vandolyn C. Smith, 1993Virgie A. Smith, 1963Wilbert H. Smith, 1956Terri L. Sneed, 1993Charles Sparkman, 2010Teresa P. Speight, 1989Ulysses V. Spiva, 1954Bettye Springfield, 1970Catana R. Starks, 1989Dorothy W. Starnes, 1956Louis A. Steele, 1990Angela H. Stephens, 1969Leonard Stephens, 1968Ariedell S. Stewart, 1966Faye G. Stewart, 1961Irma Jean B. Stewart, 1963Johnny E. Stewart, 1970Preston E. Stewart, Jr., 1956Rhonda D. Stewart, 2000Roy E. Stewart, 1970Derell L. Stinson, 1992Russell L. Stockard, 1949Karen N. Stocking, 2001Nell G. Stott, 1959Fannie G. Stover, 1955Audrey Stradford, 1966Queen G. Stratman, 1959Martha W. Stratton, 1969Raymond Stratton, III, 1970Mary J. Strayhorn, 1960Phillip M. Strayhorn, 1964Alvin L. Street, 1987Matthew Strickland, Jr., 1978

Hugh Strong, Jr., 1960Paul C. Strong, 2001Djuana Stroud, 2002Dorotha J. Stubblefield, 1956Wilbur Suesberry, 1960Fred Summerall Terry N. Sweatt, 2004Shirley R. Sykes, 1975Monica S. Talley, 2008Willie L. Talley, 2005Zetta W. Talley Nicole L. Talley-Dunigan, 1995Ada F. Taylor, 1966Billy J. Taylor, 1967Carmelia G. Taylor, 1973Harry W. Taylor, Jr., 1965Mae G. Taylor Marvin D. Taylor, 1995Teresa A. Taylor, 1988Thelma E. Taylor, 1961Vinnie D. Taylor, 1974Veonie Taylor-Mckinnie, 1958Laura P. Teasley-Farwell, 1946Charlie B. Temple, 1950Edward S. Temple, 1950Antonio D. Terry, 1999Will L. Tharpe, 1954April M. Thomas, 2006Barbara G. Thomas, 1964Darrell A. Thomas Deborah B. Thomas, 1975Dezoral B. Thomas, 1975Donna E. Thomas, 1994Gregory Thomas, 1972Robert R. Thomas, 1960Shirley P. Thomas, 1960Austin L. Thompson, 1977Byron J. Thompson, 1984Evelyn M. Thompson, 1984Grover C. Thompson, Jr., 1975Lillian V. Thompson, 1979Marion S. Thompson, 1964Martha S. Thompson, 1969Mary L. Thompson, 1950Monita C. Thompson, 1982Reno L. Thompson, 2008Vonnie M. Thompson, 1973William I. Thompson, 1965Dorothy M. Thornhill, 1959Erly J. Thornton, Jr., 1985Angela K. Thorpe-Harris, 1983Bridget Y. Tigner, 1998John D. Tiller, 2000Robert L. Tillett, 1959Donald R. Tippitt, 1958Mary W. Tisdale, 1964Leticia W. Towns, 1986Gena D. Townsend, 1980Leon Townsend, Jr., 1993Charles M. Traughber, 1968Carmen Y. Tucker, 1980Dwayne H. Tucker, 1980Louvern G. Tucker, 1963Lucy Tucker, 1970Telpriore G. Tucker, 2006

Andrew C. Turner Everett J. Turner, 1965Lois J. Turner Melvin T. Turner, 1971Rossi B. Turner, 1986Samuel H. Turner, 1989Steve Turner Tracey C. Turner, 1988Kara B. Turrentine, 2005Wyomia Tyus, 1968Bakari Underwood, 2007Ethel M. Van Buren, 1969Phillis W. Varnado Barbara A. Vaughn, 1959Derrick J. Vaughns, 2007Daniel Veiga, 2006Gloria M. Venson, 1959Kennel Venson, Jr., 1959Thelma S. Vestal, 1969Penny C. Vickers, 1974Bene A. Viera, 2006Michelle M. Viera, 1982Gwendolyn H. Vincent, 1956Walter Vincent, 1959Carol E. Wade, 1968Fred S. Wade, 1970Cathy L. Walker, 1990Constance Walker David J. Walker, 2004Gary T. Walker, 1985Gwendolyn G. Walker, 1947James L. Walker, Jr., 1971Jesse P. Walker, Jr., 1956Joe M. Walker, Jr., 1967Mary B. Walker, 1955Mary E. Walker, 2009Myrtle G. Walker, 1972Zeleda B. Walker, 1959Anna B. Wallace, 1997Donna C. Wallace, 1989Malcolm L. Wallace, 1970Benetta B. Waller, 1979Zynthia Waller, 1988Ernest H. Wallick, 1950Albert Walter, 1975Deanna M. Walton, 2004Phillip G. Walton, 1969Clyde Ward Daniel Ward, 1956Benny Washington, 1975Millie E. Washington, 1954Yvette Washington, 1995Farran D. Watford, 2010Monte D. Watkins, 1970Rae H. Watkins, 1949Shirley Watkins, 1984Deborah D. Watson, 1998Gail H. Watson, 1983L M. Watson, 1950Harold E. Wayne, 1960James A. Weddle, 1969Ludie Weddle, 1969Leonard E. Wellington, Jr., 1961Alexander C. Wells, 1955Deatrice A. Wells, 2010

Harold A. Wells, 2004Tony L. Wells, 1992Tracee L. Wells, 1998John E. Wesley, Jr., 1951Martha J. West, 1953Raven V. West, 2000Cecelia Westley, 1954Beverly Whalen-Schmeller, 2006Maresa L. Whaley, 2002Homer R. Wheaton, 1948Vesta R. Wheaton, 1951Dwight Wheeler Cedric G. Whitaker, 1980Darla G. Whitaker, 1991Cederick C. White, 1980Edith B. White, 1954Katie K. White, 1952Walbrey R. Whitelow Margaret C. Whitfield, 1955Fred M. Whitley, Jr., 1995Cecil Whitmon, 1955Samuel R. Whitmon, 1948Raymond E. WhittakerVesta A. Whittaker, 1970Helen E. Whitworth, 1970Major Wilburn, Jr., 1966Minnie E. Wiley, 1961Vivian Wilhoite Anjetta C. Williams, 2009Augustus C. Williams, 1950Bryan R. Williams, 1978Celeste C. Williams, 1995Curtis D. Williams, 1965Damon T. Williams, 1960Derrick S. Williams, 1987Destiny G. Williams, 2010Doris E. Williams, 1960Dorothy R. Williams, 1950Jacquelyn F. Williams, 1960James A. Williams, Jr., 1966Jannie C. Williams, 1992Lillian A. Williams, 1977Lynwood Williams, 1967Mary E. Williams, 1961Ruby S. Williams, 1942Samuel W. Williams, 1960Thomas H. Williams, Jr., 1982Tiffany M. Williams, 2005Tracey E. Williams, 2010Troy A. Williams, 1990Lillie R. Williamson, 1952Randolph L. Williamson, 1977Rita Williams-Seay, 1994Cornelia Wills, 1997Adrian G. Wilson, 1970Alonso O. Wilson, 2010Jamenise C. Wilson, 2010Lakeisha R. Wilson, 2010Pauline Wilson, 2000Seanne G. Wilson, 2009Wanetta J. Wilson Lesa Winfree, 1986Jewell F. Winn, 1988Lois J. Winston, 1968Alvin E. Winton, 1962

Julius R. Witherspoon, 1979Linda R. Witt, 1975Barbara A. Wofford, 1962Amy B. Wood, 1995John E. Wood, Jr., 1962Rudolph Woodberry, 1955Linda G. Woodruff, 1985Clinton Woods, 1968Cynthia G. Woods, 1967Florence K. Woods, 1967Jennifer S. Woods, 1978Kevin A. Woods, 1995Richard A. Woods, 1966Velma D. Woods, 1968Sharita L. Woolfork, 2009Amy M. Woron, 2008Elizabeth Wortham, 1950Aldrothy L. Wright, 1968Annie G. Wright, 1954Donald Wright, 1975Georgia Ann R. Wright, 1959Melvin Wright, Sr., 1958Raleigh W. Wynn, Sr., 1950Dora L. Yates, 1982Evelyn R. Yeargin, 1971Morgan G. Yette, 2010Cleve Yokley, Jr., 1960James E. Young, 1971Leroy Young, Sr., 1986Rebecca V. Young, 1972Robert L. Young, 1970Ruth T. Young, 1969Victoria M. Young, 1998

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS AND CHAPTERSAlpha Theta Network of TSUNNAAristocrat of Bands Alumni ChapterBeta Omicron Alumni AssociationDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Nashville Alumnae ChapterDFW Metroplex Chapter TSU AlumniPhi Mu Alpha Eta Xi Alumni FundTSU Alumni Associate Football ChapterTSU Alumni Association Jackson TN ChapterTSU Alumni South Central ChapterTSU National Alumni AssociationTSU Vintagers ClubTSUNAA - Atlanta ChapterTSUNAA - Chattanooga ChapterTSUNAA - Chicago ChapterTSUNAA Greater Gallatin Area ChapterTSUNAA - Houston ChapterTSUNAA - Los Angeles ChapterTSUNAA MidSouth Regional ConferenceTSUNAA - Nashville ChapterTSUNAA - New York ChapterTSUNAA - Washington D.C. Chapter



IN MeMORIAM

Dr. Thomas e. Lyle (’50) died June 9, 2011.

Lyle was a talented musi-cian and writer who served as director of the Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets band from 1964-1988. He is credited with taking the band to national perfor-mance platforms such as the nationally televised

half-time shows of the Na-tional Football League games during the 1960s and 1970s. After retiring from ASU in 1988, he later be-came the band director at Stillman College.

Samuel F. Yette (’51) died Jan. 21, 2011.

Yette was a respected jour-nalist, teacher, author and photojournalist. He was the founder of Tennessee State University’s student newspaper, The Meter.

Yette’s vast achievements included writing columns and commentaries for several publications across

the country, and was highly engaged in the civil rights discussion through the power of his pen, eventually leading him to write the controversial 1971 book, The Choice: The Issue of Black Survival in America.

2011 VINTAGeRS • SCHeDULe OF eVeNTS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 3:30-4:30 PMCampus Riding Tour

4:30-5:30 PMWesterm Registration Dinner Jane Elliott BuildingJane Elliott Hall Program begins at 5:00 PM

Self-Tour of Hiram van Gordon Art Gallery Jane Elliott Building

5:45-6:30 PMvisit to the TSU Bookstore

8:00-10:30 PMSouthwestern Mixer The Hutton Hotel-Vista Ballroom

FRiDAY, AUGUST 12 10:00-11:00 AMReunion Class Pictures and Class Meetings Walter S. Davis Humanities Building T.E. Poag Auditorium

11:30 AM-2:00 PMvintagers Luncheon Jane Elliott BuildingJane Elliott Hall • Induction Class of 1971• Recognition Classes of 1941, 1946, 1951 and 1956

8:00-10:00 PMAll-White Mixer The Hutton HotelVista Ballroom• Recognition Class of 1966

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 7:00-8:15 AMPresident’s Breakfast Floyd-Payne Campus Center Students’ Cafeteria, 1st floor

*All 50-year reunion Vintagers MUST attend the President’s Breakfast to participate in Commencement.

9:00-11:30 AMCommencement Gentry Complex Recognition Classes of 1936 and 1959

*Registration deadline is Friday, July 22, 2011. You may register online at www.tnstate.edu/alumni. All late registrations received after the postmarked date of July 22 will be assessed a $�0 late fee. Full Registration is $1�0 per person. Please make checks payable to: TSU FOUNDATION. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at (�1�) ��-��1.

The host hotel is The Hutton Hotel, 1�0� West End Avenue, Nashville, TN at �1�-��0-��. Ask for the “TSU Vintager” block to receive the special rate of $12� plus tax per night. Self-parking is complimentary. Valet parking is available at a discounted rate of $12 per night. The cut-off date for hotel reservations is July �, 2011.

TSUAlumniLife 2011

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Transcript of TSUAlumniLife 2011