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

March 30, 2023
TSU Hosting Second Annual 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 this Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. CST in the H&PE Arena. It 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 Division Research and Innovation Hosts Successful Research and Innovation Week
Research and Innovation Week, hosted by TSU's Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) will conclude Friday with a closing keynote address from Shannon Bugs, Founding Director of of the City of Houston Mayor's Office Office of Complete Communities.

The week has commenced with the theme: “Transdisciplinary Research and Innovation: A Crucial Driver for Discovery and Development Towards Tier 1 Status.”

To begin the week, Dr. Victor McCrary, vice president of research and professor of chemistry at the University of the District of Columbia, presented a thought-provoking talk entitled "HBCUs: America's National Security Asset." Day one concluded with Researchers' Recognition and Networking Reception at the University Museum.

This has been a week of discovery that included opportunities for student, faculty and staff researchers to present their studies that have the University poised to be one of the first to achieve Carnegie R1 status. They put their studies on display during the annual poster presentations in the Tiger Room. One new addition to the Research and Innovation Week this year was the Community Education, Research Engagement, and Outreach Expo on the TSU Yard and the Tiger Walk. The expo included health and health education and screenings, community resources, music, food trucks, and more.

Click here to see more photos from Research and Innovation Week events.
Dr. Victor McCrary discussing "HBCUs: America's National Security Asset" during opening session
TSU researchers and administrators enjoying the Researchers' Recognition and Networking Reception at the University Museum
Sydney Merieux performs with the TSU Jazz Ensemble during Researchers' Recognition and Networking Reception
Dr. Toneisha Taylor is interviewed during Researchers' Recognition and Networking Reception
Members of the SWAC Champion TSU men's basketball team spent some time at Research and Innovation Week.
Researcher explains her study to attendee at the much-anticipated poster presentations
A student researcher explains her study to President Crumpton-Young
Community Education, Research Engagement, and Outreach Expo
TSU alumna Rochell Overstreet, who works in senior leadership for NASA's Office of Procurement, shares expertise on how to become more competitive as a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI).
Community Education, Research Engagement, and Outreach Expo
Texas Southern University Hosts STEAM Academy for Female Scholars of Color
Texas Southern University hosted the STEAM Academy, “Improving the Pathways to STEM Education and Careers for Girls,” Sunday, March 26. The STEAM Academy is presented by the Dallas (TX) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated’s STEAM Academy.

The STEAM Academy is an umbrella program focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Launched in 2012, the purpose of the STEAM Academy is to cultivate self-confidence, communication, critical thinking and leadership capabilities by engaging 7th to 12th grade female scholars of color in exciting activities. It aims to promote and support innovation, creativity and problem-solving skills; increase STEAM awareness and career readiness; and empower scholars to compete a STEAM college education and compete in the global STEAM workforce.

The Dallas (TX) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated partners with middle school counselors primarily in nine Dallas southern-sector school systems to recruit girls of color entering the 7th grade. During their visit to Texas Southern, coordinated by TSU Regent Dr. Mary Evans Sias, dozens of STEAM Academy scholars heard from TSU STEM leaders and experts, as well as TSU students majoring in STEM disciplines from biology and chemistry, to engineering and computer science, and aviation. There was also a Higher Education STEM Leaders Panel that included Dr. Michelle Penn-Marshall, TSU’s Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Dr. Pamela Obiomon, Dean of the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering at Prairie View A&M University. 
TSU aviation students Katherine Cabrera (left) and Lubianka Lanza (right) speak to STEAM Academy scholars during panel discussion
STEAM Academy students listen intently to presentations about futures in STEAM
TSU Regent Dr. Mary Evans Sias speaks to STEAM Academy scholars
Texas Southern University Concludes Women's History Month with Women of TSU
March is designated worldwide as Women's History Month. For the entirety of the month, Texas Southern University has recognized history-making women who are affiliated with TSU as alumnae, professors, administrators, and students in the Women of TSU campaign.

Click here to read more about the Women of TSU.
Dr. Robert Bullard to be Recognized by Harvard Law School's Environmental Law Society
Texas Southern University professor Dr. Robert Bullard has been selected to receive the Horizon Award from the Harvard Law School’s Environmental Law Society. The Award is presented annually to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to environmental law and policy. The recognition is a means of acknowledging great people who are accomplishing extraordinary works in the field of environment and natural resources law, and to provide a forum in which to discuss those achievements.

Dr. Bullard will be presented with the award during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. 

For more information about this prestigious honor, click here.
Tiger Ball Countdown Begins
We are now less than a month away from the President's Tiger Ball, presented by the TSU Foundation Board of Trustees.

Join the Foundation Board, 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.
Monterey Jazz at TSU Returns with World-Renowned Jazz Vocalist and Musician Chris Walker
Texas Southern University (TSU) and the Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF) are proud to announce the continuation of a partnership that has broadened the reach of the MJF’s education programs to many more young people while leveraging TSU’s commitment and legacy of jazz excellence.

The partnership, which was established with KTSU 90.9 FM, and includes TSU’s College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences (COLABS) and the School of Communication, features a free two-day intensive music symposium, Monterey Jazz @ TSU, March 30-31, 2023. Thursday, March 30, is designed for all greater Houston-based high school music students and programs. Friday, March 31, will be geared toward college-aged students. 

Led by TSU faculty from the music, communications, and music industry degree programs and featuring the 2023 MJF Artist-in-Residence, Chris Walker, the symposium includes master classes, panel discussions, recording sessions, workshops and more. The symposium provides students the opportunity to network with professionals and peers, learn insider secrets in the music industry, spark lifelong collaborations, build foundations for a career in the music industry, and prepare students to audition for the Monterey Jazz Festival’s national bands and combos, which tour nationally and internationally.

Chris Walker is a Houston native, having attended the High School for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). Walker began singing before he began speaking, getting his start as a member of his family gospel group, The Walker Brothers, and started playing the bass at eight years old. After graduating from HSPVA, he moved to New York to pursue his musical dreams. He attended the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. While at the New School, he played with such jazz greats as Ornette Coleman, Bob James, Cassandra Wilson, and more. He toured with Ornette Coleman and served as Musical Director for R&B singer Regina Belle. He released his first solo project, First Time, in 1991. His second release, Sincerely Yours, included the classic How Do You Heal a Broken Heart. Soon after, he began working with R&B legend Al Jarreau as his Musical Director, bassist, and co-vocalist until Jarreau’s passing in 2017. 

For more photos from the first day, click here.
School of Communication Hosts
Annual Communication Week
Communication Week, also known as Comm Week, is one of the most highly-anticipated events in the School of Communication. This year featured workshops and panels with journalists, filmmakers, and and industry professionals from around the world.

Students participated in networking and professional development sessions on leveraging LinkedIn and maximizing their degree from the SOC. They also had the opportunity to speak with and gain career advice from SOC alumni.
Professor Jasmine Drake Reappointed to the Texas Forensic Science Commission
Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed TSU professor Dr. Jasmine Drake to the Texas Forensic Science Commission. The commission provides oversight over Texas crime laboratories and other entities conducting forensic analyses for use in criminal proceedings and provides an accreditation mandate responsible for establishing procedures, policies, and practices to improve the quality of forensic analyses conducted in Texas.

Dr. Drake is an associate professor and interim chair of the Department of Administration of Justice in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs.
"TSU in the News" snapshot:
TSU Professor Dr. Michael O. Adams Provides Expertise for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee entering Houston Mayoral Race Coverage (March 27/28)
Dr. Michael O. Adams: Crime reveals to be biggest issue in 2023 Houston mayoral race (March 29)
Housing and Urban Development Department Gives $5.5 Million to Texas Southern and NC A&T for Centers of Excellence (March 29)
TSU Debate Team Takes 2nd Place at Japan Competition (March 27)
Texas Southern University Hosts Boots and Bling After the Rodeo Festival to Raise Scholarship Funding for Students (March 23)
Texas Southern Pro Day: 8 NFL Teams Attended, Solid Player Performances (March 24)
Honors Day Convocation Coming April 5
The annual Honors Day Convocation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 12 p.m. The convocation will take place in H&PE Arena.

The Honors Day Convocation recognizes the academic achievements of TSU students. This year, 3,198 students will receive recognition for earning GPAs of 3.0 or better.

Retired Thomas F. Freeman Honors College Dean and professor of theatre Dr. Dianne Jemison Pollard will deliver the keynote address.
Office of Student Retention & Matriculation Success Provides Tutoring and Study Hall Opportunities Available for Students
New Membership Intake Showcase Coming Soon
The National Pan-Hellenic Council will be hosting their New Membership Intake Showcase on Thursday, April 6. All tickets are $5!! 
‌
Former Miss TSU Spreads her Wings at CBS/Paramount in New York City
Mariah Campbell is a media maven in the making. After graduating from TSU in May 2022 with a degree in journalism, she went straight into the media industry. Campbell is part of the coveted Page Program at CBS/Paramount in New York City. She’s done work for the Drew Barrymore Show and The Late Show audience team, and she’s currently working with CBS Mornings.

Prior to landing at CBS, Campbell completed an internship with HBCU in LA, but her journalism journey didn’t start there. As a student at TSU, she worked as a freelance writer for Hearst Magazines working on their editorial series “Project Tell Me.” That led to her being invited to write a story about Juneteenth that was published in Cosmopolitan – the magazine. She interviewed Dionne Warwick, Opal Lee – widely known as the grandmother of Juneteenth, and Dr. Clarice Freeman. She joined Oprah Winfrey on her Oprah Daily show, along with Opal Lee, to discuss Juneteenth and her experience writing the story.

This budding history-maker aspires to produce documentaries or become a news anchor. 
TSU Alumna Selected to CDC Board
TSU alumna Zuri Dale has been selected to serve on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Editorial Board for the CDC Preventing Chronic Disease Journal. Preventing Chronic Disease is a peer-reviewed open access medical journal established by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, covering research on all aspects of chronic diseases. The PCD Collections are articles grouped together that feature a common theme.

Dale graduated from TSU with a bachelor's in biology. She was named a 2017 distinguished alumna in biology. She serves as the campus epidemiologist and the Executive Director of the Center for Transformative Health.
TSU Alumna Featured in Law360 Story highlighting HBCU Law Schools
TSU Men's and Women's Golf to Participate in 2023 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship
PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, announced the field for the 2023 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC). The Texas Southern men's and women's golf teams will both participate in this year's event which will be played May 8-10, at Shoal Creek Club and Bent Brook Golf Course in Birmingham, Ala.

Click here for more information on the Championship.
Men's and Women's Track Track and Field Post Strong Results at Two Weekend Meets
Chaunzavia Lewis won the 100-meter dash as the TSU men's track and field team had seven top-10 performances at the annual Prairie View A&M Relays. TSU also had two top-10 outings at the Victor Lopez Classic at Rice.
 
Lewis won the 100-meter dash in a time of 10.68 for his first career outdoor title at TSU.

For a recap of the men's meet, click here.

The TSU women's track & field team posted 18 top-10 finishes at the Prairie View Relays and two from Phylan Perkins at the Victor Lopez Classic this past weekend.
 
TSU walked away with four individual titles at the Prairie View Relays.

Click here for a full recap of the women's meets.