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 charge to Clemmons and Chambers. “Taking on the responsibility of Mr. TSU and Miss TSU is steeped in tradition, as many are looking up to you,” she said. “Be reminded that this is serious.”
Clemmons, a senior communications major with a concentration in theater from Brownsville, Tennessee, aims to become an actor and has maintained a spot on the Dean’s List during his tenure at TSU. As a former Mister Freshman, he views himself as a servant leader committed to the idea that knowledge is power.
Chambers, a senior communications major from Atlanta, aspires to work in higher education with a focus on student engagement and leadership development. With a 3.7 GPA, Chambers plans to pursue a master’s degree in mass communications, striving to create inclusive and empowering experiences within the HBCU community.
This year’s coronation also included introduction of the Mister and Miss TSU Court, including Mister Freshman DeShawn Swanson, Miss Freshman Chasity Groves, Mister Sophomore Jontay Jones, Miss Sophomore Alexis Segura, Mister Junior Treveon Ely, Miss Junior Aamiya Washington, Mister Senior Reginald Ponder II, and Miss Senior Kennedy Glover.
In addition to the coronation, TSU’s Homecoming celebration will culminate on Saturday with a festive parade and the highly anticipated football game between the TSU Tigers and the Howard University Bisons. The theme, “Forever True, Forever TSU,” shines a light on honored alumni who embody the excellence of the university.
Notable honorees include posthumous recognition for Anthony McClain, ’97, a distinguished U.S. Air Force veteran and former commander of the Metro Nashville Police Department North Precinct, along with grand marshals Frank Pillow, Sr., ’67, and Ted “The Hound Dog” McClain, ’71, both revered for their contributions to TSU sports history.
Additionally, this year’s honorees feature prominent alumni such as Don Hardin, ’90, founder and CEO of Don Hardin Group; Dr. Katie Kinnard White, ’52, a retired educator; Dwight L. Beard, ’74, founder of Beard Property Maintenance; and Kevin W. Williams, ’83, president and CEO of GAA Manufacturing Global.
Adding to the Homecoming excitement, TSU is partnering with SiriusXM and Pandora for their annual HBCU Pop Out celebration, featuring a Grammy-nominated rap icon set to perform at the pep rally on October 17, alongside the TSU’s Grammy Award-winning Aristocrat of Bands.
