August 6, 2024

Texas Southern University (TSU) has received a $5 million donation, making it part of a small number of HBCUs (Historically Black College and University) to reach the $100 million endowment mark. An endowment is a crucial determinant and measure of a university's resilience, impact, and flexibility in an ever-changing global landscape. This significant gift marks the beginning of the next step in the history of Texas Southern University as it moves toward its 100th year.

Read the full story here.

President James W. Crawford III Hosts Engaging Events Across Campus in First Weeks

Members of the Texas Southern University community have had the chance to get to know President James W. Crawford through multiple events and roundtables since his arrival in June.

Included below are images from the following events:

• Interfaith Prayer Breakfast
• Internal Community Meet and Greet
• President Crawford's First Board of Regents Meeting

Click here for more information on President Crawford and the transition plan.

The TSU National Alumni Association hosted its annual convention in the vibrant city of New Orleans from July 25-28, 2024. This year’s event took place at the Le Meridien Hotel, where alumni gathered for a series of enriching activities, community service, and celebrations.

Event Highlights:

• Enriching Workshops: Attendees participated in a variety of workshops designed to enhance professional skills and personal development amongst alumni.
• Service Projects: Alumni participants rolled up their sleeves and gave back to the New Orleans community through impactful service projects.
• Alumni Awards: Outstanding alumni whose achievements exemplify the spirit and values of our institution were awarded
• Panels and Discussions: Engaging panels provided insightful perspectives on current issues of our university and future opportunities for growth.
• Gala: The convention culminated in a glamorous gala, where Alumni, Faculty and Staff celebrated our collective achievements and enjoyed an evening of fellowship.

The convention was a remarkable success, due to the enthusiastic participation and support of our alumni community. 

Awards List:

• Yvette Wilson Scales - President’s Award
• Curtis Watson - Excellence In Achievement Award
• Kamau Marshall - Excellence In Achievement Award
• Rev. Dr. Michael Bowie - Excellence In Achievement Award

(Full list of names can be found on TSUNAA Facebook Page).



Please join us in extending a warm TSU welcome to Officer Jorge Adame, who was sworn in to our Campus Police Department yesterday. With over 13 years of law enforcement experience, Officer Adame brings a strong commitment to safeguarding our campus and its surroundings.

In his own words, Officer Adame expresses his dedication: "With over 13 years of experience in law enforcement, I am privileged to serve and safeguard the campus of Texas Southern University and its neighboring areas. My commitment is to foster a secure environment through education, collaboration, and continuous improvement, aimed at enriching the safety and overall experience of our students."

Thank you for your continued support as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our beloved Texas Southern University.

The All Star Procurement Staff Training Trials will be a mandatory training for all TSU end user. These trainings will be held for two days (August 6th and August 7th). Trainees must attend three session each day. Training sessions will cover, How to enter a Requisition in Self Service, Procurement training, Accounts Payable training, Budget training, and Travel/Travel Voucher training. Please see the registration link below for session dates and times.

Please see the Training Registration link (https://forms.office.com/r/t3kjhWvqdh?origin=lprLink).



The All Star HUB Vendor Showcase (August 7th) is a premier networking event that provides a fantastic opportunity to maximize Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) vendors visibility through displays of their products and services and connect with potential TSU end users.

Texas Southern University is deeply saddened by the passing of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. The Congresswoman represented the 18th Congressional District of Texas from 1995 until her transition, a seat previously held by TSU alumni Barbara Jordan, George Thomas “Mickey” Leland, and Craig Washington.



“I never had the privilege of meeting Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in person. However, during my decades of military service I watched with deep respect from afar as she served her district, the State of Texas, and the nation with great distinction and effectiveness. Texas Southern University, an institution she loved and assisted on so many occasions, is the poorer for her loss. We mourn with her family and extend our deepest sympathy and sincere gratitude, as we acknowledge a life well lived,” said TSU President J.W. Crawford III. 

While most knew her as "The Congresswoman," many in the TSU community are standing with her family in prayer, knowing that her most important roles existed at home where she was a cherished wife and mother. 

Read the full tribute here.

The HBCU Swingman Classic, presented by T-Mobile & powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF), is an annual All-Star experience for baseball student-athletes from Division-I programs at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU).

The philanthropic & educational event, which centered around an HBCU “All-Star Game,” held during 2024 MLB All-Star Week on Friday, July 12, at Globe Life Field, home of the World Champion Texas Rangers.

The HBCU Swingman Classic highlighted the history and legacy of HBCU baseball programs while also providing 50 HBCU players with the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage. The student-athletes were selected by a committee that included YDF Ambassador and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., representatives from MLB and MLBPA, and scouts.

In addition to a National Anthem performance by 20-time GRAMMY-winning artist, producer, songwriter, and music icon Kirk Franklin, the Battle of the Bands featured a captivating performance from our band, the 'Ocean of Soul'.

"Meet Kohl Crawford! A young historian committed to exploring the legacy of slavery and its impact on Black communities and a 2024 Du Bois Scholar from @texassouthern

Driven by the desire to dismantle systems of racism and oppression by equipping himself with academic research, Kohl is working with Dr. Jerome Offord Jr., a proud @lincolnuniversityofpa and Harvard alum & Associate University Librarian for Antiracism, on a project at the HBCU Library Trust.

Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative launched the Du Bois Scholars program with the goal of strengthening partnerships between Harvard and historically Black colleges and universities for collaboration and intellectual exchange."

TSU hosts Verizon Learning STEM Achievers Summer Program

This summer, the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program successfully brought a free enrichment opportunity to middle school students on TSU's campus. The program, designed to inspire and educate, included hands-on experiences in:

• Design Thinking
• 3D Printing
• Augmented Reality
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Mentorship

The program's goal was to foster a more diverse pipeline for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). With no prior knowledge or experience required, students embraced these learning opportunities and expanded their horizons.

For a video recap, click here.

The Thomas F. Freeman Honors College held its annual fundraiser. This year's event was Honors Mardi Gras: "Celebrating Life in Education."

This year's honorees were:

• Dr. Angela Riley (COPHS '98) - Director of Community and Provider Engagement for the American Academy of HIV Medicine
• Hon. Edward Pollard (TMSL '12) - Houston City Councilman (District J), owner of Pollard Legal Group LLC, and son of longtime Thomas F. Freeman Honors College Dean Dr. Dianne Jemison Pollard.
• Atty. Brendetta Scott (TMSL '99) - Owner/Attorney/Mediator/Receiver for the Anthony Scott Law Firm, PLLC and co-founder of D&B Unlimited Enterprises LLC.
• Anaya Valentine (COSET '18) - Forensic Analyst for Houston Forensic Science Center Inc.
• Tracy Clemons - Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Texas Southern University

Proceeds from the event support scholarships for Freeman Scholars.

Mapping the Future: The Bullard Center's Pioneering Environmental Justice Internship (Aug. 6)

Spring nonprofit Angels Nest houses foster care youth near UH, TSU (Aug. 5)

Do Texans support school vouchers? New UH/TSU survey breaks down what parents think (July 29)

COVID-19 cases rising again? (July 24)

How I See It: Young Black voters on current political landscape (July 22)

How Black voters could change the 2024 presidential election (July 22)

Texas Southern University’s e-sports team taking collegiate gaming world by storm (July 5)

Dr. Kevin Granger Receives A Five-Year Contract Extension From Texas Southern University (June 30)

Texas Southern University ushers in new era under recently appointed president James Crawford III (June 25)

KTSU Welcomes Legendary Broadcaster Uncle Funky Larry Jones (June 17)

This summer, our newest Tigers have been exploring the campus, getting to know Texas Southern University as they prepare to embark on their exciting college journey. 🌟

Check out the highlights below to see how new tigers have been diving into life at TSU and making the most of their first steps as part of the Tiger family!

Congratulations to Texas Southern alumnus Kamau Marshall on his latest appointment to Senior Advisor to the "Harris for President" campaign.

“Vice President Kamala Harris has tapped Kamau M. Marshall – formerly a senior adviser and spokesperson for the Biden-Harris ticket – as a 2024 senior adviser for her new presidential campaign.

Marshall, who led then-candidate Joe Biden’s strategic communications during his 2020 bid for the presidency, started as a senior adviser for the Biden-Harris campaign earlier this month after more than a year as a senior adviser under Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

Marshall said now is the time for unity with just over a 100 days until the 2024 election.

“We often say that each election is the most critical of our lifetime, but this one is at all costs,” “I cannot emphasize the urgency of the upcoming election and how many achievements could be undone, rolling back all of the progress the Biden-Harris administration has made,” he added.” Source: ABC News

Texas Woman’s University has named TSU alumna Monica G. Williams the inaugural president of its Houston campus in the Texas Medical Center, selecting a leader with a deep history in the region and years of experience fundraising and forging partnerships in higher education.

Williams begins her role August 26.

“Texas Woman’s has a distinct role in producing outstanding professionals in health care and business for the Houston region, and I am honored to serve as the inaugural president of the Houston campus,” Williams said in a news release. “I look forward to working with the university community and building on a legacy of excellence by producing more talented professionals who will make our community and the state of Texas stronger.”

The higher education leader will be tasked with directing the Houston campus’ strategy and working to extend its influence in Houston higher education and the Texas Medical Center, Texas Woman’s officials said. 

Williams will arrive in Houston after nine years as foundation president and vice president of advancement at the University of North Texas at Dallas. While there, she helped increase enrollment by 60% and served as the lead architect of the university’s strategic plan.

Williams received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism/English and a master’s in communications at Texas Southern University. She holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Prairie View A&M University.

In Memoriam Coach Robert Moreland

The Texas Southern family lost a legend as former head men's basketball coach and professor Robert "Bob" Moreland passed away on Monday, July 29th. As the all-time winningest head coach in TSU history with 406 wins, Moreland served as TSU's Head Men's Basketball Coach from 1975-2001 & 2007-08.

Read the full tribute to Coach Moreland here.

For the second time in history, and the first time in nine years, the Texas Southern University Department of Athletics claimed the Southwestern Athletic Conference C.D. Henry Award. The award is presented to the top men's program in the SWAC. TSU last won the award in the 2014-15 season.

TSU finished with 67.5 total points with three SWAC Championships, including cross country, and indoor and outdoor track & field. The TSU baseball team also finished first in the SWAC West, while the men's basketball team finished third in the regular season and advanced to the finals of the SWAC Basketball Tournament.

Read the full story here.

Dr. Kevin Granger, vice president of intercollegiate athletics at Texas Southern University, has received a five-year contract extension from the Texas Southern University Board of Regents.

"It feels great," said Dr. Granger. "I'm thankful to our Board of Regents and President Crawford for the confidence shown in the work that we are doing. I'm excited about the opportunity to push the Texas Southern University Athletics Department forward and see our student-athletes, coaches, and staff continue to do great things."

Dr. Granger has been associated with the university for 31 years, serving as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator.

More Athletics Highlights

• Texas Southern's men's track and field team completed the trifecta by winning the 2024 SWAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The win marked the first time since 2011 that one SWAC men's program has won all three track and field seasons in a calendar year, as TSU claimed titles in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track and field. Head coach Clyde Duncan, Sr., won three SWAC Coach of the Year awards.

• Texas Southern baseball had three student-athletes participate in the second annual HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile and powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation on Friday, July 12, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

• The Texas Southern golf program officially unveiled its state-of-the-art golf simulator room inside the H&PE Arena in front of national golf industry leadership. Texas Southern University was one of 10 HBCUs selected for the HBCU Golf Consortium initiative, a pilot program under the leadership of Make Golf Your Thing that focuses on the business of golf, research and agronomy, and career pathways.

• The Texas Southern baseball team won the 2024 SWAC Baseball Western Division Championship in May, finishing 18-6 overall in conference play. It marked the program's first division title since 2018. In addition to the title, head coach Michael Robertson was also named the 2024 SWAC Co-Head Coach of the Year, as the Tigers were awarded the SWAC West’s top seed at the SWAC Tournament.

• For three consecutive years, TSU has been awarded an NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program grant ($100,000). We have applied for this grant for the 2024-2025 academic year.