TOUGALOO THIS WEEK (TTW)
E-NEWSLETTER
MAY 30, 2020
GRADUATES, LOOK FOR YOUR ELECTRONIC GIFT CARD
In lieu of the annual Graduating Seniors' Luncheon, all graduates will receive a Virtual Graduation Celebration eGift Card by email. Be safe and enjoy your meal!
SPOTLIGHT: DIVISION OF HUMANITIES
The Office of Academic Affairs is pleased to feature the Division of Humanities and its commitment to academic excellence and shaping the next generation of Tougalooians and global change agents. Dr. Miranda Freeman, Dean of Humanities, notes that the faculty and staff in the Division are proud to highlight Tougaloo's scholars and graduates for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Look for a spotlight of students, faculty and staff from the other Tougaloo divisions in future issues of the Touglaoo This Week eNewsletter.
Class of 2020 Co-Valedictorians Named
Kriston Gordon
Makalah Hampton
Kriston Gordon and Makalah Hampton are named the Class of 2020 Co-Valedictorians.
Gordon, a native of St. James, Jamaica, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music and has been accepted to a Ph.D. program in ethnomusicology at Florida State University. Gordon was active in the Tougaloo College Concert Choir, belonged to a number of student organizations and was a member of the Gamma Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Hampton, a native of Memphis, TN, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, with emphasis in Advertising, and has been accepted into a Master's program in Media and Film Studies at Georgia State University. Hampton was a member of the Tougaloo College Cheerleading Squad, belonged to a number of student organizations and was a member of the Gamma Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Gordon and Hampton are both graduates from the Division of Humanities. Congratulations, Kriston and Makalah!
The Spotlight continues.
STUDENT-ATHLETES FINISH STRONG IN THE CLASSROOM
The Department of Athletics is pleased to salute 20 student-athletes who earned degrees from Tougaloo College in May 2020. Click here to view the full list of student-athlete degree recipients.
Amid practices, games, travel and the COVID-19 pandemic, Tougaloo student-athletes persevered through it all maintaining a 3.04 Grade Point Average (GPA) for the Spring 2020 semester and 3.03 GPA for the 2019-2020 academic year. Thirty-four out of 73 student-athletes maintained a 3.0 GPA and 10 of the 34 student-athletes maintained at least a 3.5 GPA. The national average for student-athletes is a 2.5 GPA.
LADY BULLDOGS INK JAKIA HARPER
Jakia Harper, a sophomore guard at Pearl River Community College, has decided to bring her talent and further her education at Tougaloo College. Harper, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, is a product of Provine High School, where she was Most Valuable Player for four years. Harper will officially join the Lady Bulldogs in the fall of 2020.
TOUGALOO VOLLEYBALL SIGNS TWO NEW PLAYERS
Tougaloo College head volleyball coach, Erika LeFlore, has signed two new players to close out the 2020-2021 recruiting class. Brusly High School (LA) freshman, Hayleigh Harrison, a 5’10 middle blocker, and Easton High School (LA) freshman, Eden Brisken, a setter, will join the Lady Bulldogs in the Fall of 2020. Both signees bring plenty of talent, hard work and dedication to the Lady Bulldogs’ program.
Hayleigh Harrison
(seated center)
Eden Brisken
KUDOS TO OUR ALUM!
The Eagle Queen is proud to announce alumna Dr. Whitney McDowell-Robinson ’10, Director of Career Pathways/Career Services and Director of International Studies, as a National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) honoree. McDowell-Robinson is the 2020 NACE/Spelman Johnson Rising Star Award recipient, which is awarded annually to an individual, in the nation, who demonstrates strong leadership potential and contributes to the career services profession and the NACE organization. In honor of her recognition, she received a trophy and the organization will share her achievement with all NACE members, and feature her in a future issue of the NACE Journal. NACE represents almost ten thousand four-year and two-year college members and over 3,500 employer members who hire college graduates. McDowell-Robinson was also recently elected as “Director-College” for the 2020-2021 NACE Board of Directors.
VIRTUAL NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION BEGINS IN JUNE
Tougaloo College is hosting virtual orientation each Tuesday and Monday in June for new students enrolling this fall. We want our new students to know that their educational experience and safety are our top priority. Please watch for additional information coming soon.

Prospective students can still apply to Tougaloo using the Common Black College Application or visiting Tougaloo’s website.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER FOR SUMMER AND FALL SEMESTER CLASSES
Summer semester classes begin June 1, 2020 so there is still time to contact your advisor and register. Click here for complete registration information. To select courses, view the course schedule for Summer 2020 and Fall 2020.
RESERVE YOUR ROOM
There is still time to reserve your room on campus for the 2020-2021 academic year. Complete the Office of Residence Life's Room Selection Form. Mail your $50 Housing Reservation Fee (include your name, phone number and Tougaloo ID number) to: Tougaloo College, Office of Residence Life, 500 West County Line Road, Tougaloo, MS 39174.
THE RESIDENT ASSISTANT APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MONDAY
The Office of Residence Life is still accepting applications for Resident Assistants until Monday, June 1st. Scholars must meet specific criteria: have and maintain a 2.8 GPA, be registered as a full-time student and exhibit a pleasant personality. For the complete list of qualifications and to apply, click here. Email all questions and concerns to Ms. Sametra Gardner.
THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FUNDS BIOLOGY CURRICULUM
The Tougaloo College Biology Department's Implementation Program is using nearly $150,000 from the National Science Foundation to enhance the curriculum for first year biology students. As faculty redesign core classes for increased engagement, the expected outcomes include increased course pass rates among first year students and increased retention of Biology majors. Ultimately, more Tougaloo students are expected to enter careers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math.
HONOR COACH LAFAYETTE STRIBLING
Tougaloo College needs your support to honor basketball legend Coach Lafayette Stribling during a day-long celebration and fundraiser Saturday, July 11th. Beginning at 8 a.m. (CST) on Facebook Live and Instagram Live, you will have the opportunity to support the Tougaloo College athletic program while witnessing testimonials of students and coaches who have been positively impacted by Coach Stribling and Tougaloo College. Beginning at 6 p.m. (CST) on Tougaloo’s WLOO-TV35 as well as Facebook Live and Instagram Live, watch  Lafayette Stribling: Life on the Full Court, a tribute to Coach Stribling and virtual fundraiser, benefitting Tougaloo College athletic programs and scholarships. Click here to become a virtual event sponsor.
OBTAIN A MASTER OF ARTS IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Tougaloo College offers the Master of Arts in Child Development, a 30-unit, graduate program for educators currently in careers relating to children and families. The program, which is made up of developmental theory, research and application, focuses on the field of early childhood education, with an interdisciplinary understanding of intellectual, social, emotional and biological development of young children. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Dr. Thea H. Williams-Black, Dean, Division of Education, Supervision and Instruction, at 601-977-7757 or by email.
HEALTHY LOO & YOU:
JUNE IS MEN’S HEALTH MONTH
Men’s Health Month is observed in an effort to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases that affect men. It is recommended that men begin regular health screenings as early as 40 years old. Do you know the factors that increase health risks? Are you aware of current prevention strategies? If not, please schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider so you can follow the blueprint for men’s health. Touglaoo College also encourages the campus community to remain fit through participation in virtual fitness classes.  Click here to view the June 2020 schedule.
TRANSITIONING TO A NEW ONLINE WORK ORDER SYSTEM
The Office of Facilities & Real Property Management is now using a new online work order system called Facilities Management Express, LLC (FMX). This work order system has been implemented to help Tougaloo prioritize and track all building maintenance requests. Now, instead of emailing your maintenance requests to Office of Facilities & Real Property Management, all directors or managers, in each of their respective buildings, are asked to designate one to two employees who will be responsible for submitting work orders via the FMX system. Transitioning to this new online system will increase our campus productivity and maximize our services for the entire campus community.
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY
TO GIVE
Special thanks to our benefactors for your unwavering support during this unprecedented time. Now, more than ever, we need your continued support. Click here for ways in which to give to the Eagle Queen. Text TOUGALOO to 41444 to give using your mobile device.
KEEPING THE FAITH: PRAYING TOGETHER WHILE WE'RE APART
In L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz , one of the first things Dorothy says to her dog after a tornado sets them down in a strange place is this: “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” After wrenching us from our routines and stripping us from our norms, COVID-19 has set us down in a very strange place indeed. The writer of Psalm 137 asked how do we sing the songs of Zion in a strange land? For many of us, this strange place has meant living, working, meeting and shopping differently. One of the many effects of COVID-19, besides the lives and jobs lost and businesses closed, was the interruption of congregations gathering together to worship, encourage each other, and pray and bear each other’s burdens, whether in a church or a storefront. It’s tempting to say that COVID-19 closed the church, but that would not be true. COVID-19 sparked creativity in identifying new ways to worship, fellowship and give. Believers refuse to stay separated from the vision and mission of their faith.


College Chaplain Maxine Bolden continues to host Let’s Pray Together each week . Click here for call-in information. If you have an individual prayer request, call 601-977-7758 or send her an email.
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