Welcome to InsideTSU, the weekly newsletter of Texas Southern University! |
|
KTSU turns 50!
Backyard Party celebrates half century of broadcasting excellence
|
|
More than 1,000 people came to support TSU’s KTSU 90.9FM as it celebrated 50 years of on-air excellence with an on-campus Backyard Party on Friday, June 24.
In addition to a 50th anniversary birthday cake (shown above, with current and past KTSU staff surrounding it, singing "Happy Birthday"), the crowd was treated to an all-star lineup of musicians, many of whom got their start with KTSU.
|
|
Performers included Houston artists James Boogaloo Bolden and Friends, Mary Griffin (pictured above), Spud Howard, Trudy Lynn, Melanie Covington, and Werner Richmond, as well as DJ performances by Chilly Bill Smith, Paul “PD” Davis, and Michelle McKnight. Dorian Paul, formerly with the Gap Band, performed his new hit single "9 to 5," as well.
The TSU Board of Regents was issued a license by the Federal Communications Commission in 1972. KTSU first hit the air the following year with just 10 watts of power, becoming the first African-American FM station on Houston’s airwaves. The first song ever played on KTSU was “The Funky Worm” by the Ohio Players. To date, KTSU remains a source of local music of all genres, and a destination for Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Rhythm and Blues, and more.
|
|
“KTSU has been a beacon in the Houston community since its inception,” said KTSU general manager Ernest Walker. “From the beginning, the station has been committed to the greater good of Houston. Not only is KTSU a source of entertainment, but it is a major component of outreach as a source of news and public affairs information that ensures our listeners know what’s happening in the community around them. We are thankful for the members who support us, and for every listener who makes KTSU a part of their daily routine.”
KTSU is also a training platform for students enrolled in TSU’s School of Communication. In 2019, the station launched KTSU2 “The Voice,” a student-run streaming radio platform. KTSU expanded further with the launch of The Vibe in 2020. The Vibe is the digital and innovative Urban Alternative station, powered by KTSU, that appeals to Millennials and Generation Z, offering the latest in Hip Hop, R&B, and Neo-Soul on the FM dial and through 24-hour streaming.
“KTSU continues to evolve to meet the growing needs of an ever-expanding audience,” said Melinda Spaulding, TSU’s Vice President for Communications and Advancement. “As we celebrate 50 years of being a leading public radio station and a fixture in our community, we look forward to all KTSU will accomplish and all the students who will launch into successful broadcast careers over the next 50 years.”
Anniversary events began in June 2021 and will continue throughout the upcoming year.
For more photos from the KTSU's Backyard Party, click here. The video link below provides highlights from the event.
|
|
Interim dean named for Thurgood Marshall School of Law |
|
Dr. Okezie Chukwumerije has been named Interim Dean of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law effective immediately.
Chukwumerije has served as a faculty member with TMSL since 2003, and has also served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs since 2020.
|
|
"TSU in the News" snapshot: |
|
TSU is featured in multiple articles previewing BET's College Hill: Celebrity Edition (June 26-27):
|
|
TSU takes the lead in establishing a statewide Juneteenth events calendar is profiled by local NBC affiliate (June 19):
|
|
TSU student is named as HBCU Scholar for White House HBCU Initiative (June 10):
|
|
Yates H.S. photography instructor retires after decades of service to Third Ward and beyond (June 26):
|
|
Dr. Courtney Flowers, TSU professor of sports management, quoted in article on 50th anniversary (and status) of Title IX (June 22):
|
|
Dr. Flowers also co-authored a prominent opinion piece in Street & Smiths Sports Business Journal (June 20):
|
|
Dr. Karen Kossie-Chernyshev provides Juneteenth expertise for article in Victoria Advocate (June 19): |
|
TSU included in post-Juneteenth article about Houston-area activities (June 22):
|
|
TSU featured on "College Hill: Celebrity Edition"
“College Hill: Celebrity Edition” premieres on BET+
|
|
Texas Southern University is featured on the BET+ reality series “College Hill: Celebrity Edition,” which premiered on BET Sunday, June 26, immediately following the BET Awards.
The eight-episode series follows eight celebrities (photographed above on the Tiger Walk with Mister and Miss Texas Southern University, Montgomery Morris and Mariah Campbell) as they are fully immersed in an HBCU experience set against the backdrop of the campus of Texas Southern University. TSU was chosen in a national search for the opportunity to highlight the campus, academic programs, and students. The cast includes NeNe Leakes, Ray J, Lamar Odom, Big Freedia, Stacey Dash, India Love, DreamDoll and Slim Thug AKA Big Slim. During the series, the cast will work toward completing a specialty certificate program to walk across the graduation stage.
|
|
“Having the cast and crew of ‘College Hill: Celebrity Edition’ on our campus was a special experience for Texas Southern University and a unique opportunity to introduce TSU to new audiences,” said Texas Southern University vice president for communications and advancement Melinda Spaulding. “The multiple positive interactions with students and the highlighting of our president and faculty will show the world what we already know about Texas Southern. BET also partnered with the University for scholarships and gifted our students with an amazing Culture Fest culminating experience. We hope our participation will enhance the interest in not only the Texas Southern University, but all HBCUs.”
The series is produced by Edmonds Entertainment, founded by award-winning executive producer Tracey Edmonds, Sean Rankine and Mark Seliga for This Way Out Media and Tiffany Lea Williams for BET+. “College Hill: Celebrity Edition” is a reimagining of the “College Hill” series that initially ran in the early 2000s following the lives of students at different HBCUs.
Photo courtesy of David “Odiwams” Wright/BET.
|
|
Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) student receives $15,000 grant |
|
The Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program recently celebrated a $15,000 grant that was awarded to EMPA student Joseph Washington.
The grant was awarded by the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation, which, for over 40 years, has helped to recognize business leaders in the private sector making significant contributions in their respective field and through their humanitarian efforts.
Washington presented to a panel of business leaders from the Foundation. He was selected from the group of three finalists, which include graduate students from TSU’s Jesse H. Jones School of Business. His presentation and work in the community won him the prestigious award. Washington operates a nonprofit organization in Houston’s Lakewood community, one that uses the performing arts as a conduit to mentor young people and another to support veterans.
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank God and Dr. Adams for suggesting I apply for the award and helping write a successful application," Washington said. "I look forward to the work this grant will allow me to do in my community. The EMPA program has been a blessing to me and instrumental in my ongoing success. Beyond the fundamentals in the classroom—this program has continued to place me in the flow of opportunity and has offered me the support to see so many victories through. I am just grateful.
For over 40 years, the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation has helped to recognize business leaders in the private sector who are making significant contributions in their respective field and through their humanitarian efforts.
Washington is the first TSU EMPA student to be awarded this grant.
|
|
TSU offers meningitis, flu, COVID vaccines for new and returning students |
|
Texas Southern University has partnered with the Houston Health Department (HHD) to make three vaccines – including the meningitis vaccine that is required for students under the age of 22 who live on campus – available free of charge to new and returning students.
In addition to meningitis, the flu and COVID vaccines will also be offered on five separate dates this summer (July 12, July 14, July 23, August 2 and August 4) via HHD’s mobile vaccine unit. The clinics will take place outside the Ernest S. Sterling Student Life Center (3100 Cleburne St., Houston, TX 77004) on the TSU campus from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on each designated date.
“Offering these vaccines for our students, especially our under- or uninsured students, removes a barrier impeding enrollment opportunities,” said Dr. DeNeia Thomas, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success. “The meningitis vaccine is required by state law for students to enroll and live in the residence hall. We are elated about the initiative of our Enrollment Completion Advisor, Avery Hartwell, and leadership of Dr. Erin Gilliam, Associate Vice President for Student Retention and Matriculation Success, for initiating the partnership with the Houston Health Department to provide its mobile unit on campus throughout this summer to ensure the vaccines are accessible to our Tigers.”
|
|
Summer internships for TSU students provide valuable experience as they work toward their degree and career aspirations. Throughout the summer, we are featuring just some of our Tigers who are interning at a variety of businesses and organizations - both locally and across the nation. This includes Shaun Stevenson (pictured above), a Biology major who is interning as a research technician with Houston Methodist Research Institute.
Stay connected to TSU's social media channels on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the latest "Eye on our Interns" posts.
|
|
TSU alumnus and partners launch vodka distillery |
|
Michael Williams, who is a TSU alumnus (pictured second from right above), is one of 10 Black entrepreneurs who have joined forces to launch General Orders No. 3. (GO3) — a new vodka brand that is named after the order which freed enslaved people on on June 19, 1865, in Galveston. GO3 debuted at an HBCU Alliance Music Fest held at 713 Music Hall during the Juneteenth holiday weekend in Houston.
The enterprise is donating 8.65% of its profits to support HBCUs across the U.S. According to the company's website, HBCUs "have been pillars for change and staunch advocates for individual freedoms, equality, and economic freedom. Their doors have always been open to all Americans searching for a high-quality education and a sense of belonging and inclusion."
Other partners in the venture are alums and peers from Prairie View A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin, Wiley College, University of Houston, and Cornell University.
To read the full article, click here.
Photo courtesy of Jubilee Spirits.
|
|
Photographer, alumnus shoots San Antonio's Black history |
|
Allee Wallace, 87, is the epitome of a TSU alumnus on the move. Armed with his camera and a keen sense of capturing the perfect moment, Wallace was recently recognized by the San Antonio Report for his decades-long commitment to documenting major events, culture heritage and history throughout the Alamo city, including the African American communities.
Wallace, who grew up in Sugar Land just outside of Houston, attended TSU in the late 1950s, first studying dance, but switching to music and photography. He also joined the Army, and eventually moved to California before settling in San Antonio in the early 1980s. Within a few years, he had become the city's official photographer of the annual MLK parade.
To read Wallace's story, click here.
Photo courtesy of Allee Wallace.
|
|
Astros provide 'field of dreams' with summer internships for TSU student athletes |
|
Several students within the Texas Southern University Department of Athletics are spending their summer on the diamond as interns with the Houston Astros.
The internships are a result of a recently-announced partnership between the Astros and TSU that focuses on scholarships and Sports Management initiatives. A total of five students from the department are interning in various departments within the Astros organization ranging from Marketing & Communications, Community & Foundation (including the Youth Academy) and Baseball Operations.
Each intern went through an extensive interview process and was placed in areas based on the results of the interview or previous experiences. They will have an opportunity to experience how the organization runs both on and off the diamond as they'll split their time between daily office duties, community initiatives and home baseball games at Minute Maid Park. As an intern, the opportunity for full-time employment within the organization or other professional organizations increases, as nearly 20 percent of the Astros' full-time staff have completed an internship with the organization.
Houston Astros/TSU Athletics 2022 Interns:
Marketing & Communications
Isaiah Thornton (TSU Athletics)
Baseball Operations
Tyrese Clayborne (Baseball)
Community & Foundation (and Youth Academy)
Adedeji Iyyanuoluwa Adeyeye (Men's Track & Field)
Kyira Porch (Volleyball)
Zy'Riah Simmons (TSU Athletics)
|
|
TSU National Alumni Association: |
University Counseling Center: |
TSU COVID Prevention Center: |
|
Office of Student Financial Assistance: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
