NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – When Steffanie Rivers walked across the graduation stage at Tennessee State University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications, she viewed the world through the lens of a traditional storyteller. Decades later, she is looking at the world from an entirely different angle – hundreds of feet in the air, captured by the high-tech sensors of unmanned aircraft systems. St photo) As the fAs the first Black woman to launch and register a commercial drone academy in Texas, Rivers has built a trailblazing career at the intersection of emerging technology, journalism, and workforce…
Author: Emmanuel Freeman
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State’s Aaron Nkruma has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Denver Nuggets, earning an opportunity to compete for an NBA roster spot after completing one of the most accomplished seasons in program history. The agreement comes immediately following the 2026 NBA Draft and marks the next step in a pre-draft journey that transformed Nkrumah from an overlooked prospect into one of the most compelling stories of the offseason. An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, non-guaranteed NBA agreement that allows players to compete during training camp and can be converted into a two-way contract. For…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has officially launched its summer-long New Student Orientation program, running weekly from May 19 through August 11, amid an unprecedented surge in incoming enrollment. Driven by an aggressive, university-wide recruitment strategy, TSU is currently projecting a Fall 2026 incoming freshman and transfer class of between 1,600 and 1,800 students if current trends hold, a massive leap from the nearly 500 students at this time last year. Dr. Eric Stokes The excitement surrounding this historic turnaround is best felt through the voices of the incoming students. Among the new class is a tight-knit…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News) – Tennessee State University marked a historic milestone April 21 as university officials, state legislators, and community stakeholders gathered in the heart of campus for the groundbreaking of a state-of-the-art $60 million engineering facility. Designed to elevate the student experience through immersive, hands-on learning, the nearly 70,000-square-foot building is intended to be an interdisciplinary hub for innovation and workforce readiness. President Dwayne Tucker says the new facility will give students hands-on experiences that mirror what industries offer. (Photo by Aaron Grayson) The facility, funded by the State of Tennessee, will be constructed on the site of the…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – When the processional music begins at Tennessee State University’s Spring 2026 Commencement on May 1, one graduate will embody the university’s motto of “Think. Work. Serve.” In a way, that spans nearly nine decades. Dr. Charles Whitman Dabbs Charles Whitman Dabbs, 85, will walk across the stage at the Gentry Center Complex to receive his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership, proving that the pursuit of knowledge has no expiration date. Dabbs is one of nearly 1,400 graduates, the university’s largest class in several years that will be honored during the two-day ceremony on…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – For the first time in more than three decades, Tennessee State University men’s basketball is headed to the NCAA Tournament. President Dwayne Tucker, middle, and Athletics Director Mikki Allen, left, congratulate Coach Nolan Smith on winning the OVC championship. (TSU Athletics) The Tigers (23-9) captured the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship on March 7 with a commanding 93–67 victory over Morehead State at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, securing the league’s automatic bid to March Madness and ending a 32-year drought for the program. The TSU community will have an opportunity to celebrate…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of War to establish a Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Visualization, and Simulation (RAIVS) Laboratory. The initiative aims to fulfill an urgent national need by enhancing educational programs that train students in Human-Machine Teaming (HMT) skills, preparing them for key roles in a technology-driven workforce. Dr. Charles D. McCurry The RAIVS Laboratory will integrate advanced robotics and artificial intelligence into existing curricula, with the goal of equipping students with hands-on experience and essential skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Engineering…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is deeply saddened by the passing of distinguished alumna Brenda Wills Otis, whose impactful legacy in media and education will be cherished by many. Brenda’s unwavering dedication to student success and her pioneering efforts in advocating for equality have left an indelible mark on TSU and the broader community. Brenda’s passing on Feb. 22 follows closely after that of her husband, Amos Otis, on Nov. 14, marking a profound moment for a family that has significantly contributed to the university and the community. Brenda and Amos Otis made history as the first…
Tennessee State University continued its rich Homecoming tradition on Wednesday night with the coronation of Jeremiah Clemmons as the 35th Mister TSU and Kennedy Chambers as the 96th Miss TSU, in a jubilant event that filled Kean Hall with hundreds of supporters including parents, relatives, friends, and fellow students. TSU President Dwayne Tucker welcomed the new royal duo, as he administered the oath of office, emphasizing the importance of their roles. “Congratulations to both of you! Your leadership and dedication are vital to our vibrant student community,” Tucker said. Dr. Bridgett Golman, vice president for Student Affairs, followed with a…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – In a historic step forward for health education, Tennessee State University announces the official launch of its Ph.D. program in Public Health in the College of Health Sciences. At a ceremony on the Avon Williams campus, university officials and faculty members welcomed the inaugural cohort of eight students, nearly all of whom are graduates of TSU’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Dr. Mohamed Kanu, Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences, congratulates members of the inaugural class of the Ph.D. program in Public Health. (Photo by Aaron Grayson/TSU) “This is not just an…