By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — As Tennessee State University reopened this week, President Glenda Glover assured employees that TSU has taken steps to make sure students and the campus community are safe amid the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Glover spoke during a virtual Fall 2020 Faculty-Staff Institute on Monday, August 10. Students moved into residence halls on Tuesday, August 11, and officially begin the fall semester on August 17. “Our number one issue is your safety,” said Glover. “We have built in some safeguards to ensure your safety. We’re facing external challenges like never before. I remain…
Author: Lucas Johnson
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The pandemic is preventing Tennessee State University from having a traditional graduation, but graduates say they will still be thrilled when they are recognized virtually on Saturday, Aug. 1. The University’s 746 spring graduates are being honored with a 2020 Virtual Commencement at 9 a.m. CDT. The ceremony will be live streamed on the TSU homepage (www.tnstate.edu), YouTube (www.tnstate.edu/youtube) and Facebook (www.tnstate.edu/facebook). “While we recognize the importance of a traditional commencement for our students and their families, we must balance it with the associated risks at this time of COVID-19,” says…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University officials say they are looking forward to welcoming new and returning students back this fall. TSU will reopen under a comprehensive plan that will provide additional COVID-19 safety protocols to protect the public health and safety of the campus community, along with student discounts. Currently, the plan is to begin the fall semester on August 17, with all classes online for the first two weeks. Due to COVID-19, there will be both in-person and online instruction throughout the semester, which will end by Thanksgiving. “This innovative and…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — A Tennessee State University alumna and 2020 Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Award recipient is using her position to turn high school students Big Blue. While she’s thrilled to have been chosen by Amazon, Shasta Charlton says she’s even more excited about the number of students she’s convinced to attend TSU in just her first year of being a teacher. “I’ve really been trying to connect my students with TSU as much as possible,” says Charlton, a computer science teacher and Robotics Club staffer at Whites Creek Comprehensive High…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University is giving its alumni and others affected by the coronavirus an opportunity to retool. The University is partnering with Apple to help those individuals learn how to code and design apps. The “Everyone Can Code and Create” course will be offered online in the fall through TSU’s National Center for Smart Technology Innovations, which is supported by the tech giant. Scholarship applicants must show how they have been impacted by COVID-19. Dr. Robbie Melton, the center’s director, says many people have lost their jobs or been furloughed as…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University is using a $50,000 grant from Regions Bank to purchase additional digital devices to ensure students have the tools they need to complete their coursework as a result of COVID-19. In March, TSU students had to transition to remote learning because of the coronavirus. The University purchased laptops and tablets for those students who needed them. TSU is planning to resume classes on campus in the fall, but has an alternate plan that includes students continuing to learn remotely if there’s a surge in COVID-19 cases. “TSU is…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University has exceeded its research awards’ goal with more than $54 million from various funding agencies and sponsors. TSU officials say the amount is even more impressive considering faculty are continuing to receive awards despite financial hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic. With a month still to go in the fiscal year, the university has so far received $54.2 million, which exceeds its 2019-2020 goal of $50 million. TSU is on pace to go beyond the most the university has received, which was $54.5 million in 2016. “This is…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University is making college more affordable for high school and community college graduates looking to major in food and agricultural sciences. The College of Agriculture will use its portion of a $14 million federal grant to provide full and partial scholarships to undergraduate students. The funding is made possible through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s 1890 Scholarship Program, authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill. TSU President Glenda Glover says the University is extremely pleased to receive this funding that comes at a critical…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Over 10,000 Nashville families can put more food on their tables today because of a generous grant donation from the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation. The funds were made available through a partnership between Tennessee State University and Mt. Zion Baptist Church that grew out of Ms. Winfrey’s strong desire to help Nashville. Ms. Winfrey said TSU President Glenda Glover and Bishop Joseph Warren Walker III of Mt. Zion were recommended to her because of their great work in the community. Particularly in the case of President Glover, Ms. Winfrey said representatives…
By Lucas Johnson NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University is planning to start classes in the fall, but under additional safety protocols to protect the public health and safety of its students and employees. In addition to a Pandemic Task Force that currently meets every day to address COVID-19 related issues, TSU President Glenda Glover is appointing a Fall Course Delivery Task Force to help develop the best strategy for classes this fall. “We are evaluating and developing operational safety measures, best practices, and academic related logistical options to prepare for the return of students in the…