Welcome to InsideTSU, the weekly newsletter of Texas Southern University!


Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice receives $5 million grant from Waverley Street Foundation
The Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University has been awarded a $5 million grant from the Waverley Street Foundation (WSF).

The grant will be used to support Bullard Center personnel and current research, policy and advocacy initiatives, the HBCU Climate Change Consortium, the HBCU-CBO Gulf Coast Equity Consortium, the HBCU Climate Change Conference, and the planning of a newly developed Environmental and Climate Justice Green Learning Center.

“We are excited about this grant that will enhance the important leadership role our HBCU-based center and team play in building, strengthening, and growing the global environmental and climate justice movement,” said Dr. Robert D. Bullard, who is often called the Father of Environmental Justice. “With these resources the Bullard Center, in collaboration with our HBCU Climate Change Consortium, will continue to punch above our weight in training the next generation of diverse environmental leaders, scientists, policymakers and community-university partnerships in pursuit of justice for those who historically have been forgotten, left out and left behind.”

Texas Southern University will provide matching funds with an endowment for a portion of the gift.

To read the full story, click here.
TSU Debate Team Wins Second Place in Tokyo
Nine students from the Texas Southern University Debate Team spent their spring break competing in the 33rd Annual International Forensic Association (IFA) Speech & Debate Championship Tournament in Tokyo. TSU’s team came in second place out of 30 teams from around the world.

The tournament was conducted in English and consisted of team debates in National Parliamentary Debate Association and British Parliamentary formats; individual debates in International Public Debate Association format; five interpretation of literature events, four platform speaking events, two limited preparation speaking events, two online events, and a nuance event designed to honor the host nation. In addition to the team placing second overall, Brynn White won first place in Dramatic Interpretation. 

To read more about the Debate Team's experience in Tokyo, click here.
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Receives Proclamation from the City of Houston
March 21, 2023 has been declared TSU College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) by Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City of Houston.

During Tuesday's City Council meeting, Councilwoman Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz presented the COPHS Dean, faculty, staff, students and alumni with a proclamation in celebration of the Class of 2022 NAPLEX Board Exam Passage Rates and other achievements across all of the departments and programs in the college.

To read more about this outstanding COPHS accomplishment, click here.
Tiger Ball Returns April 29
Join the celebration with the TSU Foundation Board of Trustees, Board of Regents, and President Lesia L. Crumpton-Young on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

The Tiger Ball is the largest single fundraiser to support scholarships and transformation at TSU.
Sponsorship opportunities remain available. There is also a limited number of $3,000 tables that remains available.

For more information, visit: President's Tiger Ball (tsu.edu).

For a recap of the inaugural President's Tiger Ball, click here.
COLABS to Host Boots & Bling Festival to Raise Funding for Scholarships
Boots & Bling After the Rodeo is a family and community-friendly cultural festival at Texas Southern University to garner support of student scholarships. The event features live musical guest Koray Broussard and the Zydeco Unit.

It is the first scholarship fundraiser supporting undergraduate students majoring in the liberal arts and behavioral sciences. The afternoon festival will include a host of contests and prizes, two-step dancing, food trucks, a children-friendly area, a mechanical bull ride, student performances, along with multiple vendors, and more. Additionally, a silent auction of faculty art works will be a highlight during the event. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 years old and under.

To purchase tickets or make a donation, click here.
Research and Innovation Week Returns March 27-31
Texas Southern University’s Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) will host Research and Innovation Week March 27-31, 2023. The theme is “Transdisciplinary Research and Innovation: A Crucial Driver for Discovery and Development Towards Tier 1 Status.”
 
This week is an open opportunity for students, faculty, and staff researchers to present their studies during a week of discovery that includes the Research Engagement Expo, a free event open to the public, on Wednesday, March 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
“Research at Texas Southern University is multifaceted and designed to be transformative,” said Dr. Michelle Penn-Marshall, vice president for research and innovation. “TSU is a premier academic institution with faculty, staff and students who are solving 21st century challenges and providing research-based solutions nationally and internationally. Research and Innovation Week is a special time set-aside to share findings, celebrate accomplishments, while continuing to engage the community at-large. As a result of the dedication and commitment of faculty, staff, and students, TSU is well positioned to reach Research 1 status and I am grateful to all who contribute.”

This year's activities will start and end with distinguished speakers. Dr. Victor McCrary, vice president of research and professor of chemistry at the University of the District of Columbia, will present "HBCUs: America's National Security Asset" during an opening speech. Shannon Buggs, founding director of the City of Houston Mayor's Office of Complete Communities, will deliver the closing address. For more information, click here.
TSU to Host HBCU All-Star Game During Final Four Weekend
Texas Southern University will host the HBCU All-Star Game comprised of the top 24 players from HBCUs across the nation making up the two rosters for the contest. The game is set for Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. CST in the H&PE Arena and airs live on the CBS Television Network and will be available to stream on Paramount+.

Some of the best basketball players in the four HBCU NCAA Division I and II conferences will take to the court. The player selections will be split into two teams of 12 for the historic annual game, which are named after a pair of HBCU legends – Team Willis Reed versus Team Dick Barnett.
TSU will be represented on Team Willis Reed (SWAC and CIAA HBCU All-Stars) by native Houstonians Joirdon Karl Nicholas, a power forward and center majoring in sports studies and leadership, and John Walker, III, a power forward and center majoring in health studies.

With a mission to advocate, educate, expose, mentor and invest in HBCU students, student athletes and coaches across the country, the event aims to showcase the “Best in Black College Basketball.”

To purchase tickets, visit https://hbcuallstargame.com/
"TSU in the News" snapshot:
Advocates' Equity Tool Adds Race to Help Near-Miss Communities (March 21)
Texas Southern University gets $5 million grant from foundation backed by Laurene Powell Jobs (March 16)
Texas Southern Celebrates TSU Day at the Capital (March 10)
TSU enters $1 million collaboration with Ping x Hideoki
(March 10)
Why a 20-loss Texas Southern team deserves an NCAA Tournament Watch (March 14)
Community Wellness Pop-Up Clinic Now Open
Our vaccination clinic has transitioned to a wellness clinic! In addition to vaccinations, you may also receive blood pressure screenings, blood glucose tests, and medication therapy management.

The campus community wellness clinic is open to our campus and the public each Thursday from 12-2 p.m. in the Nabrit Science Building, first floor Room 152. Follow the signs!
TSU Alumna Named Vice President for Student Affairs at Alabama State University
TSU alumna Dr. Malinda Swoope has been named vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Alabama State University. In this role, Swoope is the lead administrator of two key areas: student activities and organizations, and the retention, admissions and recruitment of students. Prior to assuming her new role at ASU, she was associate provost of Academic Affairs at Edward Waters University.

Dr. Swoope is a chemist by profession. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Texas Southern. She earned Ph.D. in Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry from the University of California-Davis. Her academic accolades also include a research fellowship with the internationally acclaimed Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, as well as a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
TSU Alumnus Named Dean of the School of Social Work at Norfolk State University
TSU alumnus Dr. Isiah Marshall Jr. is the new dean of the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work at Norfolk State University in Virginia. Dr. Marshall is a Houston native. He graduated from TSU in 1996 with a bachelors in psychology. He earned a master of social work and a Ph.D in Sociology with a concentration in Urban Sociology and Criminology from Howard University.

His journey to leading the School of Social work at NSU included stops as associate dean for the School of Social Work at Jackson State University, Masters of Social Work program director at Damon College (now Damon University) in New York, and undergraduate program director for social work at Winston-Salem State University. At TSU, Dr. Marshall was a member of the world-renowned Debate Team. He was also involved with several honor societies, as well as research projects and mentorship through the department of psychology.
Dr. Kevin Granger and Kimberly Evans honored by SAFE Diversity
Texas Southern Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Kevin Granger and Assistant Athletics Director for Academic Enhancement Kimberly Evans were recently honored by SAFE Diversity for their efforts in supporting the organization.
 
Founded by Mrs. Thelma Scott and formerly named Barbara Jordan Endeavors, the purpose of the SAFE Diversity is to reduce the drop-out rate and increase suicide prevention awareness training that support students with "Unique Abilities" in high school to help them complete their education.

Click here for the full story.
Men's and Women's Track and Field Enjoy Successful TSU Relays
The TSU women's track & field won nine titles and posted 26 top-five performances at the 71st annual TSU Relays last weekend.

For a full recap of the women's performance, click here.

The men's team won five titles and posted 20 top-five performances. For a full recap of the men's performance, click here.
Honors College