Welcome to InsideTSU, the weekly newsletter of Texas Southern University! |
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Friday, December 9, 2022
SPECIAL COMMENCEMENT EDITION
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689 Tiger graduates to cross stage at Fall Commencement |
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Saturday, December 10, marks Commencement Day at Texas Southern University. It is it a day of transformation for our graduating students. For this special Commencement edition of InsideTSU, we take a look at our our valedictorian and salutatorian, the ceremony speaker, Mayor Sylvester Turner, and a few things everyone needs to know before attending the ceremony.
There will be one ceremony on Commencement Day. The procession is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., and the ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Health & Physical Education Building.
Congratulations to all of our graduates, as well as the faculty, staff and administration who contributed to their success.
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TSU fall valedictorian is a history maker who is set to march from campus to the classroom |
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Juggling a full course load, while marching around the country in the Ocean of Soul Marching Band, and serving in a leadership role in the band is not easy. But for the fall 2022 valedictorian, Jennifer Guzman, the challenge was worth it.
The Houston native attended Ross Sterling Aviation High School and has been interested in music since middle school.
“The Ocean of Soul was definitely a driving force behind why I came to Texas Southern,” Guzman said.
She made history as the Ocean's first female tuba section leader.
“That was definitely new. But also, it was great being able to lead a group of young people who are also my peers. The experiences, the hard work, everything, I completely loved it.”
Guzman is a music education major with plans to become a band director after graduation.
“I love to teach. I just love the impact educators have on youth. I know the impact my previous band directors had on my life and I want to be able to share that knowledge and passion for music and help others experience life through music the same way I did.”
She was surprised to learn she was the fall graduating class’s valedictorian.
“I had to sit there for a second and say is this really true? How? Because all I did was go to class and handle business. I did not know that would mean I would be valedictorian because I was also valedictorian in high school.”
Guzman was a Freeman Scholar in the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College. She was also a member of Tau Beta Sigma.
InsideTSU asked what TSU taught her.
“It taught me how to get uncomfortable. Nothing worth having comes easy. So that to me, just the entire experience of putting in work. That’s what TSU taught me. That in order to be successful, you have to put in work.”
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One email changed the fall salutatorian's path, and it's paying dividends |
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Judnie Michel is a first-generation American. Saturday, she will graduate as the second highest ranking academic scholar representing the fall Class of 2022.
“My parents are from Haiti. So, we kind of grew up with ourselves within our culture. So, African-American history is not something we talk about often because we’re so deeply rooted in our history. But learning about it and seeing the parallels is something that’s definitely going to help me for my future.”
Michel, a biology major and scholar from the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College, has plans to go to nursing school to become a nurse practitioner.
Michel says she was initially planning to go to the University of Houston until she got an email from the Honors College inviting her to a scholars night. That email changed everything. She says she did not grow up with the knowledge of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in her Haitian environment but is grateful for the experience and the family-like culture that she encountered while at TSU.
“TSU taught me a lot about inclusion and the importance of learning about different cultures,” said Michel. “TSU also taught me resilience, integrity and building something from nothing.”
Michel worked full-time while enrolled full-time which taught her to work under pressure and push to reach higher heights. She was also a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, as well as the Public Relations Officer for MAPS (the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students).
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Houston mayor Sylvester Turner to deliver keynote address at TSU's fall commencement and receive Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters |
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Houston mayor Sylvester Turner will be the keynote speaker at Texas Southern University’s Fall Commencement exercises.
“Texas Southern University is honored to feature Mayor Sylvester Turner as the Fall 2022 inspirational commencement speaker,” said President Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young. “Just as TSU is committed to transforming the lives of its students, Mayor Turner has demonstrated his commitment to transforming the lives of the citizens of Houston, as well as those in Texas, and throughout the nation. It is our pleasure to recognize his outstanding achievements during commencement by bestowing upon him the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree.”
Turner was elected Houston’s 62nd mayor in December 2015. He is currently serving his second four-year term. As mayor, he has managed Houston’s recovery from seven federally declared disasters, championed historic pension reform, and launched Houston’s first Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, meet the Paris Agreement goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, and lead the global energy transition. In February, he released his One Safe Houston initiative to combat crime. Prior to being elected mayor, Turner served for 27 years as the Representative for Texas House District 139. He worked on the House Appropriations Committee for 21 years and served as Speaker Pro Tem for three terms. One of his greatest legislative accomplishments, HB 109, expanded access to the children’s health insurance program. It was passed in 2007.
Nationally, Mayor Turner is widely-respected for his leadership and experience. He currently serves as , Chair of Climate Mayors and Board Chair of the Resilient Cities Network. He is a trustee with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and is immediate past president of the African American Mayors Association.
“To have a speaker of Mayor Turner’s caliber who excelled at the highest levels of academia and public service is an excellent opportunity for our graduates,” said Dr. Lillian B. Poats, acting Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “It is especially poignant that the graduates will hear from someone who is from a similar background as so many of them, who has worked hard to achieve great success. We are excited about the encouragement, motivation and enthusiasm he will provide our graduates as they move from college to career.”
Mayor Turner was born in Houston’s Acres Homes community. He is a lifelong resident of Houston, graduating from Klein High School, the University of Houston, and Harvard Law School. He began practicing law at Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. and later founded Barnes & Turner Law Firm.
"As one of the nation's largest historically black universities, Texas Southern University provides students with a solid foundation to excel academically and exceed global expectations. It also holds a special place in my heart because I taught at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law for many years," said Mayor Turner. "I am honored to provide the commencement speech and humbled to accept an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree. The moment will stand out as one of the highlights of my life in public service."
Fall commencement takes place on Saturday, December 10, at 9:30 a.m. in the Health & Physical Education Building.
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Bronze Bust of legendary TSU professor Dr. Thomas F. Freeman unveiled |
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This Commencement week is special for another reason: it featured the unveiling of a lasting tribute to legendary TSU professor Dr. Thomas F. Freeman.
Dr. Freeman served TSU for more than 70 years. He was an esteemed debate coach, faculty member, and founding dean of the Honors College that now bears his name.
Thomas F. Freeman Honors College Dean Diane Jemison-Pollard and family commissioned artist and TSU alumnus Jesse Sifuentes to produce a bronze bust of Dr. Freeman. This work was commissioned as her gift to TSU as she prepares to retire on December 31.
The bronze bust was unveiled outside the Honors Suite in the Library Learning Center on December 8, 2022. In addition to the bust, Dr. Jemison-Pollard arranged for the Freeman Archives to be in room 303, next to the Honors College. When people visit the archives, not only can they see artifacts, papers, books important to Dr. Freeman, but his original desk from the Debate office, which has been refurbished, can be viewed.
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"TSU in the News" snapshot: |
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Astros Foundation announces inaugural HBCU Classic; TSU to participate (Dec. 8) |
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TSU to host 2023 HBCU All-Stars Basketball Game (Dec. 7)
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Megan Thee Stallion makes history as first Black woman on the cover of Forbes' 30 Under 30 (Nov. 28)
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Baker Hughes gifts total of $1 million to four HBCUs, including TSU (Dec. 7) |
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Mayor Sylvester Turner to deliver commencement address and receive honorary doctorate degree (Dec. 7):
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From Student to Pilot to Instructor (Nov. 30)
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Dr. Robert Bullard leads delegation from Texas to COP27 Climate talk in Egypt (Dec. 2)
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Dr. Robert Bullard receives AASHE Lifetime Achievement Award (Dec. 7)
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Texas Southern University Museum hosting exhibition of world-renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat’s earliest works (Dec. 7)
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Texas Southern University’s Center for Justice Research Awarded $351,000 grant to launch HBCU Criminal Justice Research Hub |
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Texas Southern University’s Center for Justice Research has received a $351,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation through the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity to form the HBCU Criminal Justice Research Hub. The Hub will facilitate a two-year collaboration between HBCU researchers, community organizations, and community members working toward reducing mass incarceration and violent crime.
“The Walmart Foundation grant will open up new opportunities for collaboration, strengthening our partnerships here in Houston while widening our reach and impact across other U.S. cities and crime-impacted communities,” commented Dr. Howard Henderson, Director of the Center for Justice Research. “Community input will be vital to this work, and Hub meetings will necessarily involve community members with lived experience of the impacts of violent crime and mass incarceration.”
The Criminal Justice Research Hub is part of a broader network of community leaders, nonprofits and policymakers working together to advance criminal justice prevention initiatives, made possible by the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity.
“We must be more intentional about creating meaningful opportunities for young people at the highest risk of becoming justice-involved and providing resources to communities that will help to break the cycle of incarceration for Black young adults,” said Dr. Marvin Carr, Director, Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity. “We’re excited to support Texas Southern as they launch the HBCU Criminal Justice Research Hub to further this work.”
The Hub will leverage the strength of these collaborations to work toward solutions to rising violent crime rates. Hub researchers will also conduct need assessments in Houston and researchers’ respective cities to determine culturally responsive, data-driven interventions and policy solutions.
The Hub will also focus on researcher development, incorporating the Center’s Researcher Development and Training Institute and focusing on cultivating a diverse cohort of criminal justice researchers and social engineers.
“CJR’s work continues to support and diversify the field of criminal justice researchers by providing opportunities to engage in solutions-oriented projects in the community,” Dr. George Kieh, Dean of the Barbara Jordan–Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs said.
The HBCU Criminal Justice Research Hub aims to expand the capacity of HBCUs to provide solutions for the crime and incarceration problems facing communities around the country and seeks to address the root causes of mass incarceration and violent crime.
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Texas Southern University and Regions Bank Announce Partnership to Elevate Student Programming, Scholarships |
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Texas Southern University and Regions Bank announced a $50,000 community partnership to support programming and scholarships for TSU’s Jesse H. Jones School of Business (JHJ). In addition to Regions’ $50,000 grant to TSU, bank associates will support the new collaboration by participating in educational and mentoring activities with students.
“The community partnership between TSU and Regions Bank will be invaluable for our students and faculty,” said Melinda Spaulding, vice president for advancement and communications. “Our university is a premiere producer of diverse talent. We are excited that Regions Bank recognizes the value of our TSU students and the difference this collaboration will make in their lives.”
The gift will support TSU’s Future Bankers Leadership Program (FBLP). FBLP was established in the fall of 2021 to give TSU business students direct exposure to commercial banking and introduce them to the industry through a formal curriculum, interaction with executives and industry mentors, and commercial banking internships. The contribution aligns with Regions Bank’s strategic focus on elevating education and workforce readiness initiatives.
“TSU’s Future Bankers Leadership Program is preparing students for successful financial services careers by combining classroom learning with interactive experiences,” said John Stacy, Commercial Banking leader and market executive for Regions Bank in Houston. “Regions Bank is proud to support this program with our gift and through the support of our associates. We view this community partnership as a way to not only shape tomorrow’s banking leaders, but to shape Houston’s future community leaders.”
For two consecutive semesters, FBLP students achieved a 100% passage rate on the Risk Management Association Credit Essentials Certificate, giving them a distinct advantage as they pursue careers in the finance and banking industry.
To read more about the wonderful things happening in the Jesse H. Jones School of Business, read the latest newsletter.
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TSU School of Communication students travel to Washington D.C. to cover inaugural Democracy Summit at the Center for Journalism and Democracy |
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Students from TSU’s School of Communication were recently given a seat at the table on reshaping American media and examining threats to democracy.
Four journalism students, along with their professor, were invited to attend the inaugural Democracy Summit at the Center for Journalism and Democracy at Howard University in Washington, DC. KTSU2 multimedia journalists, Mario Dunham, Amber Land, Matthew Parker and Jayhlin Rodgers, were selected by Serbino Sandifer-Walker because of their commitment to the field of journalism.
“I primarily selected the students based on their skill set, enthusiasm and their desire to be journalists,” said Sandifer-Walker, interim assistant dean. “I see their commitment to the tenets of journalism, holding people accountable and finding the stories that matter in the community.”
The Center covered the costs of transportation and lodging, which allowed students to engage in conversation with journalists from across the country at the day-long Summit.
Professional journalists, scholars, and student journalists from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) gathered at the Summit to discuss racial injustice, policy, fairness, and the threats of democracy as it relates to how professional journalists report the news.
The Summit addressed holding investigative journalists accountable in their reporting as a direct result of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol building.
“As journalists we are the gatekeepers for democracy, and it is up to us to be true to the craft of journalism and keep telling the truth even if it’s not trending because there is so much misinformation out there and being truth seekers and story tellers are our superpowers, said Land.
TSU’s multi-skilled journalism students had an opportunity to showcase their competencies by producing videos, photos and conducting interviews.
“We weren’t treated like journalism students,” said Parker. “We were treated like journalists.”
“This experience was great because I got real world application for something I want to do,” said Dunham. “Meeting journalists who have won Pulitzer Prizes and in certain aspects changed the world and created a discussion that makes it openly available to change laws and mindsets was invaluable.”
The Center for Journalism and Democracy was founded by Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and creator of “The 1619 Project” for The New York Times Magazine. The Center will fund investigative reporting courses designed to train journalism students at select HBCUs.
“The Summit taught me that my voice as a Black writer is important and transformational,” said Rodgers.
For more information about the latest and greatest happening in the School of Communication, you can read through the fall newsletter.
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Dr. Merline Pitre retires from TSU after more than 40 years |
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Dr. Merline Pitre, Distinguished Professor of History, has retired from Texas Southern University after 41 years of service. In addition to being a Distinguished Professor, Dr. Pitre is former Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences, and former president of the Texas State Historical Association.
Dr. Pitre published five books over the course of her career, including TSU’s history book: Born to Serve: A History of Texas Southern University (2018). The book won the Summerlee Foundation Award and the Otis Lock Award. She currently serves as the Managing Editor of the African American Handbook of Texas, an online encyclopedia with over 850 entries.
A retirement luncheon was held for Dr. Pitre in November. In attendance were her relatives, longtime colleagues, former students, and Houston community leaders.
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COPHS alumna, Dr. Brandy Williams, gives back to support future pharmacists |
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TSU alumna, Dr. Brandy Williams, is giving back to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) with her time, talents, and major donations to support the next generation of pharmacy students. Dr. Brandy Williams grew up on the southside of Houston, TX and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2007. She is now the owner and CEO of We Care Rx, a Texas-based retail pharmacy located in Memorial City.
In 2022 Dr. Williams returned to COPHS eager to help. With a $100,000 donation, she provided first, second-, and third-year pharmacy students with scholarships to help offset the cost of their education and provided a post-graduate board review class for graduating pharmacy students. In addition to her financial contributions, Dr. Williams is always available to mentor and speak with the students, tutor, and lecture where needed, as well as partner with the College for health outreach initiatives. She also serves as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC), assisting Dean Mosavin in furthering the mission, outreach, and fundraising goals of COPHS.
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TSU alumna named Texas Assistant Principal of the Year, now competing for National Assistant Principal of the Year |
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Texas Southern University salutes alumna LaTrese Smith. This year, Smith was named State Assistant Principal of the Year by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals! She graduated from TSU in 2007 with a degree in airway science, now known as aviation science management.
She came to TSU be a pilot, but after graduation she spent some time teaching and coaching basketball in Texas City ISD and fell in love with education. Smith moved to Austin to get married, earned a Masters in Education from Lamar University, and continued her journey in education. She taught at elementary, middle, and high school levels before becoming an assistant principal in 2016. She was named state assistant principal of the year for her work as Associate Principal at Connally High School in Pflugerville ISD, but this year she was promoted to principal of the largest elementary school in the district. Smith, who is a first-generation college graduate, says TSU provided an environment where everyone was rooting for her, where her professors believed in her, and that prepared her for success.
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TSU Baseball to play in inaugural Cactus Jack HBCU Classic Baseball Tournament hosted by Astros |
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The Astros Foundation is hosting the first annual HBCU Classic, a round-robin collegiate baseball tournament highlighting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs on opening weekend of college baseball, Feb. 17-19, 2023 - and today announce a partnership with the Cactus Jack Foundation as the title sponsor of the event.
The Cactus Jack HBCU Classic will be held at Minute Maid Park and will be a highlight of Division I college baseball's 2023 opening weekend. The six schools participating in the inaugural event include Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas), Prairie View A&M (Prairie View, Texas), Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, La.), Grambling State University (Grambling, La.), Jackson State University (Jackson, Miss.), Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, Miss.).
A highlight of the tournament will be traditional HBCU in-state rivalry games between Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M, Southern University and Grambling State, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, Feb. 18.
The Cactus Jack HBCU Classic week includes a variety of events, highlighted by a college fair featuring over 100 colleges and universities hosted by the Astros Youth Academy at Minute Maid Park.
The partnership with the Cactus Jack Foundation for the tournament supports their longstanding commitment to raising money and providing scholarship opportunities for students to attend HBCUs. It is a cause that is important to Travis Scott given his family’s longtime legacy studying, working and supporting HBCUs: his mother Wanda attended Grambling University, his father Jacques went to Prairie View A&M, where his brother Josh currently studies and his sister Jordan graduated from Howard University last year. His grandfather, Waymon Webster, was an alumnus and dean of Prairie View A&M graduate school and is the namesake for the Waymon Webster Scholarships given out by the Cactus Jack Foundation, which helps HBCU students who are experiencing last-minute financial adversity graduate on time with their class. For the second consecutive year in 2022 and in conjunction with Travis Scott’s Project H.E.A.L. initiative, the Waymon Webster Scholarship Fund granted $1,000,000 in scholarships to 100 graduating HBCU seniors.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to growing the game of baseball and softball for youth and the next generation of players, we are thrilled to partner with these exceptional schools to highlight their baseball programs and give their athletes a chance to compete at Minute Maid Park,” states Paula Harris, Senior Vice President Community Affairs and Executive Director, Astros Foundation. “We are grateful to have the Cactus Jack Foundation support our initiative as they continue to lean in on giving back to HBCU students and programming. We look forward to kicking off college baseball season with this inaugural tournament.”
Travis Scott, founder of Cactus Jack Foundation and Project H.E.A.L., said “I am excited to partner with my hometown team, the World Champion Houston Astros, to showcase the top-tier talents of HBCU student-athletes. Supporting HBCUs are an integral part of my family’s history and present. I want to thank the Astros organization for their commitment to giving HBCU teams the opportunity to compete at one of the best stadiums in the world.”
Tickets for the tournament are on sale now.
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TSU to host HBCU All-Star Game during Final Four Weekend |
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The 2023 edition of the HBCU All-Star game, an event created to showcase college basketball's top talents from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, officially has a time and a place. The event will be played on Sunday, April 2 at 4 p.m. ET at Texas Southern University on the campus of Texas Southern in Houston and will air live on CBS and will be streamed on Paramount+.
This season's event, just like last season's, will be held the day after the Final Four and the day before the national title game, which is set to take place at NRG Stadium in Houston. The game will feature players from the MEAC and SIAC vs. players from the SWAC and CIAA, along with Tennessee State, Hampton, and North Carolina A&T.
In addition to the game, surrounding events will celebrate Black culture, Black excellence, and Black history through the HBCU Experience and will be highlighted by a HBCU All-Stars college admissions fair, community outreach and engagement, Pro Day Combine, Welcome Reception, Awards Ceremony, and Social Justice & Civil Rights panel discussion. Also surrounding the game, HBCU All-Stars LLC will stage the HBCU All-Star Game Experience, a week-long festival that will kick off the week on Tuesday, March 28 and conclude the following Tuesday after the Championship game (April 4).
"Texas Southern University is one of the most prestigious HBCUs in the country and a perfect location for this annual event," said Travis L. Williams, HBCU All-Stars, LLC Founder/CEO and former head coach at HBCUs Tennessee State and Fort Valley State. "We are truly excited about the opportunity to make history once again during Final Four Weekend and host the first ever HBCU All-Star Game on an HBCU campus. This is an unbelievable opportunity to honor HBCUs contribution to the great game of college basketball and showcase the nation's best HBCU student-athletes and brilliant coaches on a national stage during college basketball's biggest weekend. This historic endeavor will continue raising national awareness of our prestigious HBCUs rich legacy of academic and athletic achievement."
Two TSU players are included on the short list: Joirdon Nicholas and John Walker III.
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Thomas F. Freeman Honors College |
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