By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University is offering a course on the history of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their impact around the world. The course starts this fall and is available to undergraduates and graduates. It provides a chronological and thematic study of the history of HBCUs in the United States from 1837 to the present, paying close attention to the ways they have influenced the social, economic, political, and intellectual life of African Americans in the U.S. and the impact their graduates have had on Modern America and the…
Author: Lucas Johnson
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Returning Tennessee State University students can spend more time focusing on their studies and less time worrying about finances after TSU announced it will be paying off their account balances. Instead of visiting the financial aid office, desperately seeking funds to cover previous school debt, the institution is wiping the slate clean. School officials say this will allow students to return to campus with their full attention on academics and campus life since being away because of COVID-19. It’s important to note that this account balance forgiveness initiative applies only to…
NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — As Tennessee State University approaches the start of the 2021-2022 academic year, students currently enrolled have a succinct message for their peers pondering whether to return: Join us! “Don’t allow COVID, or anything, to jeopardize your HBCU experience,” said Maya McClary, a junior mass communications major from Orlando, Florida. “We’ve allowed COVID to rob us of so many things. But college, being young, is something that we can’t take back.” TSU officials announced a few months ago that the university will be open and fully operational for the fall 2021-22 academic year, with continued enforcement of federal and state health and safety regulations.…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Many turned out for a memorial service in honor of Dr. Frederick Stephen Humphries, a stalwart of higher education and President Emeritus of Tennessee State University and Florida A&M University, who inspired the “ordinary to become extraordinary.” Dr. Humphries, who was TSU’s fourth president, passed away on June 24 at the age of 85. The memorial service on July 18 was held at TSU’s Avon Williams Campus near downtown. A number of those who attended recalled his leadership and staunch support of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). But they also…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University will receive part of $1.2 million from Baxter International Inc., a leading global medical products company, to support Black students pursuing health and science degrees and ultimately help expand the pipeline of Black healthcare professionals. Baxter recently announced the introduction of three scholarship and grant programs. Over a three-year period, the funds will be distributed to TSU and two other historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs): Meharry Medical College and Morehouse School of Medicine. Last year, TSU and Meharry Medical College announced a new partnership focused on establishing…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University is mourning the loss of Dr. Frederick Stephen Humphries, a trailblazing educator and President Emeritus of TSU and Florida A&M University. Dr. Humphries, who was TSU’s fourth president, passed away last Thursday at the age of 86. Humphries remained close to the University and continued his financial support of the institution. In 2017, President Glenda Glover presented him with a Special Presidential Recognition during TSU’s homecoming. “Dr. Humphries was a stalwart of higher education, and more importantly a staunch advocate for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs),” said…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University has been named a Fulbright Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Institutional Leader for the 2019-2020 academic year. For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is recognizing the noteworthy engagement that selected HBCUs have achieved with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. TSU has been named one of 20 HBCUs to receive this distinction. Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader status has been conferred on this group of 20 HBCUs, including TSU, because they have…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University recently co-hosted a virtual conference to address food insecurity in communities across the country. The first annual 1890s Multi-state Conference was May 18-20. TSU hosted the conference with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and Alabama A&M University (AAMU). Each university hosted one day of the conference: TSU on May 18, UAPB on May 19, and AAMU on May 20. The conference featured community-focused conversations on addressing the adverse impact of food insecurities, as well as provided opportunities to network, engage and chat with community partners,…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Christion Abercrombie has not ceased to amaze. It was considered a miracle when the former Tennessee State University linebacker rapidly recovered from a severe brain injury and began taking online courses to complete his degree. On Saturday, Abercrombie inspired once again, as he walked across the stage to receive his diploma. “I feel very happy and blessed to be graduating with my undergraduate degree from TSU,” said Abercrombie. “I thank my parents, and everybody for their prayers and support.” He was among more than 900 graduates and undergraduates who received degrees in…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — When Christian Bond walks across the stage on May 1 to receive her biology degree, the determined future doctor says she will be thankful to some special professors at Tennessee State University who helped her reach this major milestone in her life. Bonds remembers a period where she struggled and needed guidance. She believes those tough times make receiving her degree even more rewarding. “There was a period where I lacked motivation and considered dropping out,” says Bonds. “But professors in the classes that I was having difficulties assisted in getting…