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TSU initiative Engages Kindergarteners at Kipp Kirkpatrick Elementary in Day of Activities
March 29, 2019 Emmanuel Freeman
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – A group of Tennessee State University freshmen recently visited Kipp Kirkpatrick Elementary and posed this question to curious kindergarteners: "What is College?"
On March 22, about 20 students from the Freshman Innovation Council visited the elementary school and engaged four kindergarten classes in activities around the question, as part of a TSU Student Activities outreach initiative.
Students in four kindergarten classes at Kipp Kirkpatrick Elementary participated in the TSU "What is College?" initiative. (Submitted Photo)
Organizers said the goal was to be able to give the young kids an early feel about going to college.
"Putting on this program for the kindergarteners about college was an amazing experience for us, just as much as it was for them," said Malik Meadows, a freshman early childhood education major from Atlanta, who is the chair of FIC.
In a full day of events, the group taught the kids TSU chants, vocabulary words, and lessons on studying, making friends, and having good behavior. Activities also included a puppet show of a lost Tiger who meets new friends, as he finds his way across the Tennessee State University Tigers' campus.
Meadows said preparation for the visit and activities started in January with several meetings among FIC members in consultation with Kipp teachers and staff "to ensure excellence in our presentation."
Tasha Andrews, TSU director of student activities, who organized the visit, said the interaction between FIC students and the kindergarteners was very educational and entertaining.
"Our students really shocked me with their presentation to the kindergarteners at Kipp Kirkpatrick," Andrews said. "I was so impressed with how they used the school mascot and created their own coloring sheets, storyline, and games that incorporated so many things about the TSU culture, but on a level for the children to understand."
According to Andrews, Dean of Students and Associate Vice President Frank Stevenson kicked off the "What is College" initiative for first-year students, with the creation of Freshman Innovation Council. The group is comprised of students who formerly served as class or student government association presidents at their respective high schools, or are a part of the freshman class council here at TSU.
FIC is scheduled to take their kindergarten presentation to two more local elementary schools before the semester ends, Andrews said.
For more information on TSU Student Activities, go to http://www.tnstate.edu/activities
With more than 7,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville's only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor's degree programs, 24 master's degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
Emmanuel S. FreemanfeaturedFrank StevensonFreshman Innovation CouncilStudent AffairsTasha AndrewsWhat Is College?
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TSU Receives Top Recognition at 15th Annual 'Kings' Leadership Conference and Competition
February 15, 2019 Emmanuel Freeman
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University had a big showing at this year's HBCU Kings Leadership Conference and Competition in St. Louis, Missouri.
Mister TSU, Darian McGhee, middle, participates on a panel with kings from other HBCUs. (Submitted Photo)
Mister TSU, Darian McGhee, placed in the Top 10 in the rigorous competition that included representatives from 22 historically black colleges and universities.
The five-day 15th Annual Kings' Leadership Conference and Competition also gave participants an opportunity to learn more about personal growth, leadership, and manhood.
The conference and competition started in 2000 as an annual event to support, honor, and strengthen the role of HBCU campus kings. Throughout the event, the kings attend workshops moderated and taught by notable speakers on various expert topics. In the evening, contestants participate in preliminary competitions to earn their placement in the pageant.
For Mister TSU, he was judged on his oratory delivery, talent, ease of manner, and an on-stage question and answer. In the talent portion, Mister TSU received high recognition for his performance of an original monologue he wrote entitled, "First 48," based on the life of a black police officer regulating crime in Memphis, Tennessee.
"I was very grateful to attend the Mister HBCU competition, especially since we haven't been represented in recent years," said McGhee, a senior electrical engineering major from Memphis. "I was honored to represent my institution on a national level. This experience allowed me to develop lasting relationships and personal development skills that have made me a better leader."
Tasha Andrews, TSU director of student activities, who accompanied McGhee to the conference and competition, said, "Mister TSU came ready."
"Darian worked very hard to prepare for this competition," Andrews said. "We started practicing in November. He pushed himself and definitely represented the greatness that we produce here at TSU."
For more information on student activities at TSU go to http://tnstatenewsroom.com/wp-admin/post-new.php.
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TSU, FedEx Partner to Conduct Top Leadership Training Program
January 28, 2019 Emmanuel Freeman
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is partnering with FedEx to reinstitute a program that trains and develops students with top leadership skills to help them be even more competitive in the workforce.
Called "Leadership TSU," 40 students – from freshmen to seniors – with demonstrated ability to lead, have been selected as the first cohorts of the program, which kicked off Jan. 20.
LTSU, considered the highest level of leadership training at the university, with 27 learning outcomes that have been modeled around the nation, closed out about seven years ago, according to Frank Stevenson, TSU's dean of students.
"We are bringing it back under the same idea of developing top leaders at the university. We secured the funding and created the opportunity," he said. "We pitched the idea to FedEx about creating an opportunity for students to learn some of their best practices, they immediately were on board."
He said in addition to material and other support, FedEx will expose the cohorts to "some of the company's leadership practices that fit in with what they do." TSU faculty and national leadership training experts are also participating in the training.
Dr. Joseph Walker III, Chairmain of the TSU Board of Trustees, right, meets with Dean of Students Frank Stevenson during the LTSU cohorts' visit to Dr. Walker's residence. (Submitted Photo)
A component of the training program, Stevenson said, is to connect cohorts to successful individuals and groups "to share with our students and cohorts the habits of successful people."
For instance, on Jan. 19, TSU Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Joseph Walker III, and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Walker, hosted the inaugural class of LTSU at their home. Dr. Joseph Walker, pastor of Nashville's Mt. Zion Baptist Church, is presiding bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, as well as chairman of the TSU Board of Trustees. His wife, Dr. Stephanie Walker, is a top pediatrician. They are authors of several books and publications.
"Leadership TSU is a game changer," Bishop Walker said. "Dr. Stephanie and I were honored to host this group of extraordinary students. Their stories are powerful and their drive for success is contagious. The future looks bright and this program will be a major contributor."
LTSU is a one-year program. To be nominated, students must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average. Stevenson said the current cohorts have a combined average GPA of 3.2, and were nominated by their deans, vice presidents, and the president.
"We wanted them (nominators) to identify those students who had already exhibited incredible leadership skills, and who really celebrate the best of TSU culture in terms of how they carry themselves. We asked them to also nominate those students, who in their mind, would best benefit from this training or this opportunity," Stevenson said.
Donovan Stewart, the current Mr. Sophomore, is a member of the reinstituted LTSU. He said he is serious-minded and happy to be a part of such a diverse group of fellow students.
"It is a great feeling to be selected," said Donovan, a nursing major from Birmingham, Alabama. "It is a great feeling to be acknowledged, not only for academics, but also leadership. And it is a good thing to get people from different backgrounds."
As part of their initial activities, the group will visit the Tennessee State Capitol on Feb. 1 to hear about law and policy making from top elected officials, Stevenson said. In March, they will "make a social justice learning trip" to Washington, D.C.
TSU Assistant Dean of Students, Erica Gilmore, who is also at-large council member; and Tasha Andrews, director of student activities, coordinate LTSU along with Stevenson. Andrews spoke about the caliber of students in the program and why they were selected.
"As student affairs practitioners, we really understand that being a student leader goes beyond academic excellence. It is more about being well rounded and well cultivated," she said. "We have students with 2.7 or 2.8. Some of them may have a low GPA, but they excel in other ways. It was important that we had a very diverse group. All of those students bring leadership traits that we admire and that are unique to each of them."
Students interested in being selected for the 2020 class of Leadership TSU should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at (615) 963-2154 or fsteven1@tnstate.edu.mailloc.
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TSU Students Honor President Glenda Glover for Receiving HBCU President of the Year Award
November 6, 2018 Emmanuel Freeman
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University President Glenda Glover is HBCU President of the Year, and TSU students are letting everyone know they are proud of her.
The students celebrated Dr. Glover's accomplishment in a party-like atmosphere on Wednesday in the Floyd-Payne Campus Center with hundreds of faculty, staff and students watching. There was a cake decorated with an image of Dr. Glover, balloons, music, cheerleaders, and even Aristocrat the Tiger made a special appearance. The New Direction Choir, the University's flagship gospel group, also joined in with a selection to honor the president.
Representatives from campus organizations, including Mr. and Miss TSU, and the student government association president, took turns congratulating the president for receiving the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Education Leadership Award.
Campus organization and student leaders take turn to congratulate President during a ceremony in the Floyd-Payne Campus Center. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
The award was presented to Glover at the TMCF's 31st Anniversary Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 29. It recognizes Dr. Glover's commitment to historically black colleges and universities, and her bold leadership and achievements in higher education.
Glover described the students' "surprise" party in her honor as one of the happiest moments of her life.
"I have been fortunate to receive many accolades and recognitions in my career and life, but this is perhaps one of the best coming from my students," she said. "My students are always first on my mind. At the banquet when I received the award, the first thing I did was give recognition to the talented students here at TSU, and what it means to be the president of such hard-working students. From the student leaders to the New Direction Choir and to all the organizations, I want you to know I deeply appreciate this. This means so much to me. Thank you for all you do to make my day special."
Kayla McCrary, the SGA president, said the students are honored to be a part of Dr. Glover's legacy of excellence.
"We just want to show that we're proud of her and that we are honored to be a part of the legacy that she's leaving at TSU," McCrary said.
Tasha Andrews is the director of Student Activities. She said the preparation, promotion and the honoring ceremony were all the students' idea.
A cake decorate with an image of Dr. Glover was among items students presented the President for her accomplishment.
"As soon as the press release went out that Dr. Glover was named the HBCU President of the Year, the students – the SGA, the Royal Court – were all excited and wanted to do something about it," Andrews said. "I said, if you are this excited about it, then let's put together resources and energy to give you guys the opportunity to celebrate her. And they jumped right on it. They pulled together their teams; they took care of the promotion on social media and everywhere. They are just super, super happy to take pride in our president."
The Dean of Students, Frank Stevenson, called the evening "a tremendous opportunity to honor our president" for her achievement.
"We are so excited to celebrate her," Stevenson said. "Out of all the more than 100 HBCU presidents, she was selected as President of the Year because of her leadership. It is just fitting that the student body elected to pause to honor and salute her leadership."
The President of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Dr. Harry Williams, congratulates five of the TSU students who attended the TMCF Leadership Institute, and Tina Reed, Associate Director of the TSU Career Development Center. Pictured, from left, are Robert Turner, Giordan Rose, Hailee Roye, Reed, Dr. Williams, Tiara Hudson and Tarence Rice. (Submitted Photo)
At the gala in Washington, seven top TSU students who participated in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund's 18th Annual Leadership Institute, a four-day award-winning conference that culminates with the gala ceremony, joined President Glover. The students were among 400 scholars selected from across the nation to learn leadership skills, as well as help them make meaningful connections that will hopefully lead to successful internships, fellowships, and careers at Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.
One of the highlights of the conference was the recruitment fair, where major companies, government agencies, and graduate program representatives identify top talent and offer jobs, internships and continuing education opportunities.
The TSU students were: Robert Turner, Detroit; Giordan Rose, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Hailee Roye, Pittsburgh; Tiara Hudson, Knoxville, Tennessee; Tarence Rice, Detroit; Ryan Smith, Atlanta; and Kristin Day, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Tina Reed, associate director of the Career Development Center, accompanied the students.
Dean of Students Frank StevensonEmmanuel S. FreemanfeaturedKayla McCraryTasha AndrewsThurgood Marshall College FundTina ReedTSU President Glenda Glover