Welcome to InsideTSU, the weekly newsletter of Texas Southern University!
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Chase brings TSU students Back 2 the Yard for financial literacy, career resources
Providing TSU students with practical financial literacy tools, along with career-enhancing resources, Chase Bank sponsored a well-attended "Back 2 The Yard" event in Sawyer Plaza.

During the event, students competed for Back 2 The Yard Bucks, which they redeemed for branded merchandise. Several Tigers also walked away with a brand new tablet. Participants also earned complimentary lunch tickets with several food truck options. The event was organized in collaboration with the TSU Career & Professional Development Center and the Office of Corporate-Community Partnerships and Career Pathways.

The event was hosted by award-winning journalist, actress, and host Jamila Mustafa.

"Back 2 The Yard is part of Texas Southern University’s ongoing partnership with Chase, which began with a generous initial gift and a campus visit last year by JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO, Jamie Dimon," said Melinda Spaulding, Vice President of University Advancement and Communications. "Together, we are giving TSU students a value-added, transformational experience through financial and career opportunities. Not only did they have fun during this outdoor event on Sawyer Plaza, every interaction with the local and national Chase team members provided invaluable exposure to critical life skills. The team in the Career Center did a fantastic job helping to make this experience happen for our students."

Last year, JPMorgan Chase announced a $1 million commitment to Texas Southern University to expand student education, scholarship and recruitment opportunities. Click here for more information about the Chase/TSU partnership.
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TSU & Aflac partner for $200K grant to address health care disparity in minority communities
Aflac and Texas Southern University’s Center for Biomedical and Minority Health Research (CBMHR) announced the awarding of a $200,000 Aflac CareGrant. The grant will help to advance health equity for diseases that disproportionately impact underrepresented communities and will be split between community support/education and health-related research. 

Aflac selected Texas Southern University for its CBMHR, which oversees robust research and community-level initiatives that support underrepresented communities both locally and nationally.

Following a check presentation, Aflac's incoming president, Virgil Miller (pictured above, 2nd from right), and TSU President Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young also unveiled TSU’s Aflac Park Bench, a natural space of rest, reflection, peace and comfort for the Texas Southern University community. The bench, which is bright blue and designed with the famous Aflac duck mascot, is located at the start of the TSU fitness trail behind Durley Stadium.

"The impact of this partnership with Aflac is felt in the lives of our students and also in the life of our community," said Dr. Crumpton-Young. "It gives us an opportunity to focus on transforming the lives of our students and our faculty who will be engaged in the partnership activities. It allows us to tranform the lives of many individuals from the quality research we will conduct. We want to thank Aflac for coming to TSU to join us in the mission of transforming lives."
Aflac’s CareGrants program supports the company's commitment to supporting organizations that are helping close the gap for individuals and communities currently suffering from or highly exposed to medical debt. The program is informed by the Aflac Care Index, a nationwide study examining Americans’ awareness of and exposure to debt resulting from medical bills not covered by insurance. The Aflac Care Index identified 11 U.S. states that over-index for vulnerability to medical debt due to lack of savings; Texas was among the 11 states identified as having the most medical debt exposure.

"We are here today to honor and advance the work of TSU’s CBMHR, including its important research into diseases that disproportionately impact underrepresented populations and its critically important support of the local community," said Miller. "Providing support to organizations like TSU helps ensure people get the care they need, when they need it. This shows the common vision between Aflac and TSU - helping to close the medical gap that many Americans face, especially here in the local community."

View video clips below from the Aflac check and bench presentation:
TSU celebrates 95 years of Excellence in Achievement
Anniversary celebration is opportunity to give back to Tiger Nation
Texas Southern University is celebrating its 95th Anniversary! Graduates have served at all levels, from community grassroots organizations to the highest citadels of government. Texas Southern has prepared students to make a difference using their education to uplift and reform wherever and whenever change is needed. Throughout the past 95 years, the University has never lost sight of its goal to educate and prepare future leaders who contribute to the state, nation, and world.

Our past has strengthened and prepared us for unprecedented and exciting opportunities. Under the leadership of the 13th President, Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, the University is primed and ready to take on many new challenges and never thought of opportunities to launch Texas Southern into a new realm.

We thank you for your past support and invite you to continue with us on this transformational journey. Make your 95th Anniversary donation a monthly gift. Join the list of supporters who will be acknowledged throughout the year in our 95th Anniversary Transformational Giving Circle. Help us celebrate our 95th Anniversary and invest in the future of Texas Southern University.
"TSU in the News" snapshot:

Texas Gubernatorial debate issues discussed in Texas Tribune article, including perspective from Dr. Michael Adams with TSU's eMPA program (September 30):

TSU professor Dr. Howard Henderson is interviewed for a News21 "In Pursuit" feature on police reform (October 3):

TSU professor Dr. Michael Adams comments on the November Gubernatorial race (page 18; Oct. 2022 issue):

TSU football team gets a new locker room, thanks to Houston Texans partnership (October 5):

Dr. Bullard provides input on Bloomberg's investment to fight petrochemical expansion (October 4):

TSU among HBCUs recognized by Fulbright program (October 3):

Dr. Robert Bullard provides perspective on lack of safe drinking water and its impact on minorities (October 7):

TSU President Lesia Crumpton-Young featured in Houston Business Journal (September 30):
TSU prominently mentioned in "Top 10 Reasons HBCUs Deserve More Love" (September 27):

New TSU, UH poll examines 'Texas trends' on gun safety reforms (September 27):
Political Science professor Dr. Michael Adams co-authors op-ed on common sense gun laws (September 25):

Reporter interviews TSU students who participated in famous 1960 sit-in (September 30):
Homecoming 2022 events finalized
Alumni, current students, community invited to "Destination Tiger Nation"
As Homecoming 2022 nears, events are being planned across the university for returning alumni, current students, faculty, staff and community members. 

This year’s theme of “Destination Tiger Nation” reflects the unity of all Tigers. The week kicks off with the annual midnight breakfast. Other events include a pep rally, Homecoming concerts, the 20th Annual Tiger Paw Scholarship Golf Classic, and the inaugural Alumni Under 40 Brunch.
The week also includes special acknowledgements of the classes of 1972, 1997, and 2012 who are observing their 50th, 25th, and 10th anniversaries, respectively, of graduating from Texas Southern.
The week of events will culminate on Saturday, October 29, with the Homecoming parade, tailgates, and football game vs. Lincoln University (California) in Alexander Durley Stadium. The game begins at 2 p.m.

All Homecoming events – at the request of TSU students and alumni – will be held on campus.

For all things Homecoming 2022, including the up-to-date schedule of events, click here.
TSU named 2022 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader
Texas Southern University has been named as a Fulbright Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Institutional Leader for 2022.

For the third consecutive year, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is recognizing selected HBCUs’ strong engagement with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders have demonstrated noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years and have promoted Fulbright program opportunities on campus.

During the academic years considered as part of this recognition, TSU averaged more than 250 international students. The top five countries of origin for international students at TSU are: Nigeria, the Bahamas, Saudi Arabia, Angola, India, and Qatar. 

The announcement of the 19 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders was made by the State Department as HBCU leaders gathered in Washington, DC and virtually for the White House Initiative on HBCUs National HBCU Week Conference, and Fulbright opportunities will be highlighted in events such as the career and recruitment fair during this week.


“Texas Southern University is proud to partner with the Fulbright Program to bring bright students from around the world to our campus where they receive an outstanding education,” said TSU President Lesia L. Crumpton-Young. “International students commence from TSU into the workforce ready to thrive in the career of their dreams. We’re proud to support them from orientation through graduation and beyond.”

For the complete story, click here.
TSU President Lesia Crumpton-Young appointed to United Way of Greater Houston Board
Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, President of Texas Southern University, has been appointed to the United Way of Greater Houston Board of Trustees.

President Crumpton-Young is one of six new members confirmed to the Board that provides direction to one of the leading charitable organizations in the Houston region. For 100 years, United Way of Greater Houston has brought together diverse partners and approaches to get to the root of complex challenges holding people back. Guided by research and data, United Way invests in high-quality programs to create the opportunity for individuals and families in the Greater Houston community to thrive. The organization does this by leading, serving, influencing and convening the nonprofit social services sector to deliver quality services with exceptional outcomes.

“It is an honor to be selected to serve on the United Way of Greater Houston Board of Trustees,” said President Crumpton-Young. “The men and women on this board embody United Way’s mission of working together to improve lives, build a stronger community, and create meaningful opportunities for people to prosper. That is work we do daily on the campus of Texas Southern University as we transform lives of our students. I am excited about the opportunity to serve the Houston region, which has welcomed me with open arms, in this capacity.”

President Crumpton-Young joins trustees from the financial, medical, legal, energy, religious, and journalism communities as the only trustee from the education community. In addition to this new role, President Crumpton-Young serves on the board of the Greater Houston Partnership. She is also a member of The Links Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. In addition, she is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Beta Gamma Sigma, Alpha Kappa Mu, and Golden Key International honor societies.
TSU, UH survey focuses on school safety initiatives
Everyone agrees schools should be places of safety, but conversations about how to reach and maintain that vision rarely end in consensus.
 
Texas Trends 2022 – School Safety, a new survey from the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston and Barbara Jordan–Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs
at Texas Southern University, reveals broad support for most of the nine proposed actions it presents. It finds differences, too, including some strong divisions along politics and race.
 
“At least three-fourths of the survey’s participants supported two of the survey’s nine proposals: Increasing mental health support for students drew support from 76% of respondents, and increasing school drills for active-threat situations was supported by 75%,” said Hobby School senior research fellow and Rice University professor Mark P. Jones.
 
Almost as many said yes to having armed police officers (71%) and/or armed security guards (68%) inside schools. Metal detectors at school entrances were favored by 69%.
 
A little over three-fifths (61%) agreed that antibullying campaigns would be effective.
 
“Opinion gaps were widest around the idea of firearms-trained teachers carrying guns inside classrooms. At 48%, almost half believed the presence of armed teachers would increase school safety, while more than a third, 35%, believed the opposite – that guns in the classroom would end up making schools less safe,” said Michael O. Adams, founding director of the Executive Master of Public Administration Program and professor of political science and public administration at Texas Southern University.

For the full report, click here.
S&P Global begins partnership with TSU featuring $100,000 investment
Texas Southern University’s Jesse H. Jones School of Business recently hosted S&P Global to kick off what one S&P official called “a very deep partnership.” Along with that announcement, the company pledged $100,000 for student scholarships.

“We’re really looking to come at this in a very holistic way understanding what students really need to thrive and be job ready,” said Annette O’Hanlon, S&P Global Chief Corporate Responsibility and Diversity Officer. “Some of that is the internship element, some of that is the financial support for students themselves. Some of it is just deeper skills and knowledge and expertise that they just want to carry forward as they begin their job search. So, it’s really opening that door so they can learn about S&P Global, we can learn about them and what they need, and approach this in a much more holistic way.”

S&P Global is a financial data and analytics firm with products that include the S&P 500. The company is based in New York but has a large commodities business based in Houston.

To read the entire story, click here.
Law school students claim championship in Mock Trial competition
The inaugural Tex-ABOTA Best in Texas Mock Trial Competition, held in San Antonio, TX, featured students from every law school in Texas, with rounds judged by state and federal judges. After three days of competition, TSU's Thurgood Marshall School of Law was crowned champion, defeating University of Houston, Texas Tech University, Southern Methodist University, South Texas College of Law, and the University of Texas.

TSU's winning advocates (Cynthia Martinez, 3L; Lauren Gonzales, 2L; and Valerie Wilson, 3L, pictured above) walked away from Bexar County with the first-ever Tex-ABOTA Best in Texas Mock Trial Competition trophy. Gonzales was also voted “Most Professional Advocate” by the competition judges.
TIGER DAY set for prospective students
Oct. 28 is filled with activities for future Tigers
The Texas Southern University Division of Enrollment & Student Success is hosting a Tiger Day for prospective junior and senior high school students, and transfer students on Friday, October 28, 2022. This is an opportunity to learn about the admissions process, how to apply for scholarships, student activities, the history of the University, and more. The event will give prospective students a snapshot of what life is like as a TSU student.
 
Activities include:
  • Campus tour
  • Admission and financial aid/scholarship presentations
  • Academic department showcases
  • Campus organization displays
  • And much more!

To register, click here for the registration form.
Former TSU photographer, alumnus earns lifetime recognition from Houston Art League
Art League Houston (ALH) has announced its 2022 awardees for the Texas Artist of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award in Visual Arts, and Texas Patrons of the Year. TSU alumnus and longtime staff photographer Earlie Hudnall Jr., of Houston, will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hudnall has documented Black communities, including TSU, since the late 1960s, when he served on the TSU yearbook staff, later becoming the University's chief photographer.

ALH Director, Jennie Ash, stated, “ALH has a long history of supporting artists and artistic practices in our state. For almost 40 years, our annual Arts Awards have recognized the creative visionaries who inspire us, engage us, and create transformational change in our communities.”
 
The artist honorees were selected by a large committee of artists and art professionals from across Texas, which included: Vicki Meek (Dallas, TX); Celia Álvarez Muñoz (Arlington, TX); Rigoberto Luna (Co-Founder and Director of Presa House Gallery, San Antonio, TX), Patrick Kelly (Executive Director and Curator of Exhibitions at The Old Jail Art Center, Albany, TX), and Allison Glenn, (Independent Curator and Writer, Houston, TX and Detroit, MI). 
 
ALH will celebrate the awardees at its annual gala on Friday, October 14, 2022, at POST Houston. Additionally, ALH will present a solo exhibition by and will produce limited-edition catalogs for Hudnall later this fall.

To read more about Hudnall's honor, click here.
TSU music major is first recipient of newly-established alumni scholarship
The members of the TSU Music Alumni Scholarship Committee are proud to announce Julian A. Rivera as the first recipient of the Bennie Creswell Memorial Music Alumni Endowed Scholarship for the 2022-23 academic year.

Rivera (pictured above with Clarice Evans Gatlin, treasurer of the scholarship committee) is a cellist and aspiring orchestral conductor who is currently majoring in Music Education at TSU. Raised in Sugar Land, TX, he graduated from Kempner High School before enrolling at Houston Community College. Upon graduating from TSU, Rivera plans to pursue advanced degrees in orchestral conducting.

An essay was required in applying for the scholarship and Julian wrote: “It is an electrifying experience to contemplate the vastly unknown spaces which remain unexplored in the landscape of music, let alone be on the cutting edge of relevant research."
 
Bennie Creswell, sister of Barbara Jordan and Rose Mary McGowan, and a music alumna of TSU, bequeathed money to the department of music upon her death in 2000. Because of her generosity and the work of the Music Alumni, TSU was able to create this endowment that will provide financial assistance to music students in the future.
 
The committee chairperson, Virginia James, and the entire team have worked tirelessly since 1985.

The scholarship was established November 28, 2016, between the Music Alumni and TSU for a permanent endowment of $50,000. TSU matched the $50,000 from the Office of Civil Rights Endowed Scholarship Matching Fund, for a final value of $100,000. Income distributed from the endowment will be awarded to students who are TSU music majors and meet the established guidelines and requirements.
Field house renovation nears completion
New lockers, other amenities donated by Houston Texans
The Texas Southern University football team is gearing up to move into new lockers inside the team’s field house. The renovation, which features enhanced ventilation and new flooring in both the locker room and player’s lounge, is courtesy of the team’s partnership with the Houston Texans.

“We’re excited and thankful for the partnership with the Texans and the McNair family for providing the locker room renovations for our student-athletes,” said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Kevin Granger. “It’s always a big day for us at TSU when we are able to provide our players with a first-class experience. We look forward to the ways in which experience will be enhanced further in the future through the investment the team has made in our student-athletes.”

As part of the partnership that was announced in April, the Texans also donated their artificial playing surface from NRG Stadium. In addition, the team is awarding scholarships to five female student-athletes for each year of the partnership. The Texans are also creating opportunities and programming that will provide access to professional development, internships and mentoring for TSU students, faculty, staff and athletics leadership.

To watch a Fox26 report on the new field house facilities, click here.

For more on the partnership with the Houston Texans, click here. 
Tigers build momentum with win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff
TSU enters bye week before facing Alcorn State
TSU played a back-and-forth game on the road against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, emerging with a hard-fought 24-17 victory and spoiling UAPB's homecoming. The win evens the Tigers SWAC record at 2-2 as they enter the homestretch of the 2022 season.

Jacorey Howard scored on a 1-yard run with 3:31 left and the TSU defense held UAPB to 212 total yards as TSU won its first true road game since 2018 after defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff 24-17 at Golden Lion Stadium (pictured above).
 
The Tiger defense set the tone early with two straight punts but the TSU offense finally had some success as several big pass plays led to a Richard Garcia III 42-yard field goal with 6:40 left in the first quarter.

For a full re-cap of the game, click here.
The previous week, Alabama State scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and relied on its defense to seal the game as TSU dropped its home opener, a heartbreaking 16-13 contest Saturday inside PNC Stadium.

Following this week's bye, TSU is back in action on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Alcorn State with a 2 p.m. kickoff. The Tigers will look to go above .500 with their SWAC record. KTSU 90.9FM will broadcast the game live.
Soccer, volleyball gain momentum with SWAC victories
TSU volleyball fell to Alabama State, Jackson State and Bethune-Cookman (each match went to four sets) during its most recent road trip this past weekend. Overall, the Tigers are 1-5 in SWAC play.

Last week, the Tigers split road matches, earning their first win of the season with a hard-fought, dramatic five-set triumph over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (25-19, 15-25, 25-21, 23-25, 17-15). In the victory, Amber Johnson led TSU with 10 kills followed by eight from Janiya Chapman and seven from Lilley. Cook led TSU with four aces while Collier added eight blocks. Dallas Balanay-Flores (pictured above) had 22 kills while Kaitlyn Scroggins and Britney Ong recorded 20 and 18 digs, respectively. The following day, the Tigers fell to Grambling State 3 sets to 0.
 
TSU is back in action on Sunday, Oct. 16, when the Tigers face Alcorn State at 1 p.m. in Lorman, MS, followed by a match at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, Oct. 17.

For more details, visit the volleyball team website.
Meanwhile, TSU soccer found victory on the road this past weekend. Ayana Noel's goal in the 26th minute was all TSU needed as they held off Alcorn State 1-0 Friday night.
 
TSU was the aggressor early with four shots within the first 26 minutes as Noel had three of the team's shots. Her third shot was the charm as she connected on a goal at the 26:05 mark to up TSU's lead to 1-0. TSU had three more attempts to close out the half while ASU had two.
 
TSU attempted seven shots in the second half while Alcorn State had eight. Goalie Jaidyn Christophe was busy in the second half with five saves as she preserved the shutout.

It was the Tigers third victory in the past four matches. TSU split two matches on its first SWAC road trip of the season, falling to Arkansas-Pine Bluff 5-1 and leveling its SWAC record at 2-2. Last Friday, the Tigers bested Grambling State 1-0 on the road, with Hayden McMillan scoring the game-winning goal in the 84th minute of the match. Jaidyn Christophe (pictured above) protected a goal-free net for the Tigers.

The Tigers, who are currently 4-1-1 in SWAC play, take a break until Friday, Oct. 21, when they play Southern University at Durley Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff. They follow that with another home match on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 1 p.m. vs. Jackson State.

For more information on Texas Southern University Soccer, follow on Twitter (@TXSOTigers), Instagram (@TXSOTigers), and like on Facebook.

Click here to read more about Tiger soccer.

Photos courtesy of Makayla Hayes and TSU Sports Information.