The awards dinner will be held Thursday, March 15, 7 p.m. at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville. Tickets to the event are $75 per person and may be purchased online at www.tnstate.edu/womenscenter or by calling 615-963-5481.

“We are looking forward to having Congresswoman Norton share with us her experiences and vision,” said Portia Holmes Shields, TSU president. “While I’ve had the privilege of knowing her my entire life, there are many things she brings to the table that will inspire and encourage us. She, along with the outstanding accomplishments of the honorees we will highlight and celebrate, will no doubt make for an uplifting and stellar evening as the university celebrates is 100-year anniversary this year.”

Norton, now in her 11^th term as Congresswoman for the District of Columbia, is the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. She serves on two committees: the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Before her congressional service, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to serve as the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She came to Congress as a national figure who had been a civil rights and feminist leader, tenured professor of law, and board member at three Fortune 500 companies.

Norton has brought significant economic development to the District of Columbia throughout her service in Congress, creating and preserving jobs in D.C. and helping to end the city’s most serious financial crisis in a century. She received her bachelor’s degree from Antioch College in Ohio, and simultaneously earned her law degree and a master’s degree in American Studies from Yale University. Yale Law School has awarded her the Citation of Merit for outstanding alumni, and Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences has awarded her the Wilbur Cross Medal for outstanding alumni, the highest awards conferred by each on alumni. She is the recipient of more than 50 honorary degrees.

The Women of Legend and Merit Awards is held annually during March, Women’s History Month, and seeks to bring awareness and raise funds to support Tennessee State University’s Women’s Center and its programs, as well as salute dynamic women leaders in diverse fields. The program plays a significant role in exposing the university’s female student population to positive role models, networking opportunities and resources to assist in their academic, personal and professional growth as women.

This year the Women of Legend and Merit Award will honor seven women in various categories. They are:

• Athletics: Catana Starks, Ed.D., the first African-American woman to coach a men’s NCAA Division I golf team and retired university professor;
• Business: Mignon Francious, owner, The Cupcake Collection;
• Community Service: Mary Carver-Patrick, entrepreneur, retired educator and active volunteer;
• Education: Karen Brown Dunlap, Ph.D., president of The Poynter Institute;
• Leadership: Sharon Gentry, Ed.D., Metropolitan Nashville Public School Board member, District 1 and health care IT manager, HCA;
• Legal: Stacey A. Garrett, founding member and board chair of Bone McAllester Norton; and,
• Media: Paula Lovell, president, Lovell Communications.
  

About Tennessee State University’s Women’s Center

The Women’s Center envisions a safe, diverse environment that will help to improve the lives and working environment of all women at Tennessee State University as well as the surrounding community. Students, faculty and staff can learn about resources available on campus and in the community, receive assistance in a crisis, engage in intellectual and stimulating discussion, or simply enjoy a place of meditation and relaxation.

The center will develop and sponsor programming that enhances the skills of women and assist in their development as scholars and professionals. Lastly, the center will work closely with the university’s Women’s Studies Program to provide academic courses that explore issues of gender, sexuality and inequality through examination of the lives and efforts of women.

Department of Media Relations
Rick DelaHaya: 615.963.5312

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1912 after its organization in 1909 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School, TSU became the four-year teachers’ college in 1922, and elevated to full land-grant university status in 1958. TSU absorbed the University of Tennessee at Nashville in 1979. Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2012 Tennessee State University will celebrate 100 years in Nashville. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University will present An Evening With Wintley Phipps, world-renowned gospel artist, Sunday, March 18 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church in Madison, Tenn.

Phipps, one of the most watched gospel artist on You Tube, will headline this special concert, and will be joined by Grammy Award wining gospel singer CeCe Winans and the reigning Miss America Laura Kaeppeler,  along with special guests, the Tennessee State University Orchestra and University Choir.

Tickets for this one-night only performance are $50 VIP, $35 General Admission and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the Gentry Center Complex, online at www.tnstate.edu/wintleyphipps, or by calling the TSU Foundation at 615.963.5481 between 8 a.m. until 4:30 pm. and 615.963.5000 from 4:30 until 8 p.m. (Mon-Fri). Proceeds from the concert will benefit the TSU Centennial Scholarship Fund and the U.S. Dream Academy.

Born in Trinidad, West Indies and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Phipps has been the featured speaker and performer for many notable occasions around the world.  On January 21, 2009 his celebrated rendition of “Amazing Grace” was performed for the 56th Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service attended by President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joseph and Dr. Jill Biden at the Washington National Cathedral. By special request of Oprah Winfrey, he delivered an inspirational address and prayer for the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. He has performed for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, William Clinton, and George W. Bush at the annual National Presidential Prayer Breakfast events and other distinguished celebrations.

Phipps is also a pastor, motivational speaker and education activist.  He is the founder, president, and chief executive officer of the U.S. Dream Academy Inc., a non-profit, national after-school program that provides mentoring and tutoring around the country to children of incarcerated parents and children falling behind in school.

Founded in 1998, this organization has grown from one center in Washington, D.C. to 10 learning centers located across this nation.  The Dream Academy program offers skill-building, character-building and dream-building activities in a safe after-school environment utilizing both one-to-one mentoring as well as state of the art technology to deliver on-line academic enrichment.

Phipps attended Kingsway College, a Christian Academy; Oakwood College in Huntsville, Ala., where he received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Theology; and earned a Masters of Divinity Degree from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich. He holds an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Waynesburg University and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Oakwood University. Phipps is married to inda Diane Galloway Phipps (an RN) and has three sons: Wintley Augustus, II, Winston Adriel, and Wade Alexander.

One of the most recognizable and incomparable voices in gospel music, CeCe Winans has sold millions of albums during her 25-year music career. The beautiful charismatic singer has garnered eight Grammy Awards, twenty-one Dove Awards, gold and platinum albums, a host of #1 Gospel and Top Ten R&B hits and numerous awards and recognitions. Despite her undeniable popularity she has maintained a reputation as one of the friendliest people in the music industry.

The eighth of ten children, Winans was raised in Detroit with a strong church foundation. She sang her first church solo at the age of eight. In 1987, BeBe & CeCe signed an unprecedented gospel-recording contract with Sparrow Records that allowed Capitol Records to promote BeBe & CeCe’s music in the urban market. Over the next eight years, they enjoyed R&B chart smashes including “Lost Without You,” “Heaven,” and “It’s Okay.” Their tunes “I’ll Take You There” and “Addictive Love” both reached number 1 on the R&B charts. BeBe & CeCe released their much-anticipated reunion CD – their first full project in fifteen years – titled Still. The smooth single “Close to You” quickly reached number 1 on the gospel charts and top 10 on the Urban AC charts, demonstrating that Winans is as popular and in demand now as when she first started two decades ago.

In 1995, the duo took what was meant to be a short break to record solo projects, and Winans’ career took her into a ministry direction that found her performing all over the world, including for Pope John Paul, U.S. Presidents and churches. On the secular side, her video duet with Whitney Houston “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, and the Top Ten platinum smash “Count on Me” expanded her audience into the mainstream pop world.

Miss America Laura Kaeppeler is from Kenosha, Wis., and was crowned January 14 at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Laura is a graduate of Carthage College. Her scholastic ambition is to obtain a Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology and she ultimately hopes to become a speech therapist. Along with the title of Miss America 2012, she won a $50,000 scholarship to continue her education. For the talent portion of the competition, Laura performed an operatic rendition of “Il Bacio.”

As Miss America, Kaeppeler will visit every corner of the country during her year of service. She will spend her year touring the country to encourage all young women to pursue a college education, and will focus on driving interest in the arts, as well as science, technology, engineering and math (also known as STEM) education. The Miss America Organization will work with national and community partners to create an unconventional approach to driving young women’s interest in STEM. Our efforts coincide with the national momentum to target female students who are currently underrepresented in STEM professions.

In addition, she will travel approximately 20,000 miles each month speaking to audiences about her platform Circles of Support – Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents and acting as the official National Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals, is the national platform partner of the Miss America Organization.

For more information, call 615.963.5481 or visit www.tnstate.edu.

Department of Media Relations
Rick DelaHaya: 615.963.5312

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1912 after its organization in 1909 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School, TSU became the four-year teachers’ college in 1922, and elevated to full land-grant university status in 1958. TSU absorbed the University of Tennessee at Nashville in 1979. Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2012 Tennessee State University will celebrate 100 years in Nashville. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

Sponsored by the TSU Department of Music and the Steinway Piano Gallery, the concert is free and open to the public.

During the concert, Kowalczyk will perform selections from Grieg, Rachmaninoff and Chopin. In honor of Black History month, she will also perform selections from Tennessee composer, Clarence Cameron White.

French born and raised in Poland, Kowalczyk has appeared in concerts and recitals as a soloist in more than 15 countries and four continents, including the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Poland; Sergei Rachmaninov Concert Hall in Moscow, Russia; Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria; Bellini Conservatory in Palermo, Italy; Kolner Philharmonic in Koln, Germany; Ed Landreth Auditorium in Fort Worth, Texas; Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel in Parkville, Mo.; Bragg Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.; Medellin Philharmonic, Medellin, Colombia.

Kowalczyk received her doctorate in piano performance from the University of Kansas. She previously studied at the Chopin School of Music in Warsaw, Poland; Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, Russia; Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas; and Park University in Parkville, Mo.

A successful career musician, Kowalczyk also serves as Artistic Director for the international non-profit foundation, Doctors for Music…Where Medicine Meets the Arts. 

For more information, call 615.963.5341 or visit http://www.tnstate.edu/music.

Department of Media Relations
Rick DelaHaya: 615.963.5312

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1912 after its organization in 1909 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School, TSU became the four-year teachers’ college in 1922, and elevated to full land-grant university status in 1958. TSU absorbed the University of Tennessee at Nashville in 1979. Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2012 Tennessee State University will celebrate 100 years in Nashville. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

Coordinated by the Career Development Center and Nissan USA executives, a team of 20 corporate mentors spoke with and answered questions from the student participants January 30 during a internship and networking session.

Students from the College of Business, College of Engineering and College of Agriculture, Human & Natural Sciences were eager to receive pertinent professional information from the mentors.

This inside sneak peak provided the students with more information about Nissan and internship expectations.

“This event highlights engagements that the Career Development Center is eager to pursue with major Fortune 500 companies located in this area,” said Karon Uzzell-Baggett, TSU Career Development Center director.  “We are extremely grateful to Kara Turrentine, Nissan USA Marketing Manager, TSU Classes of 2005 & 2008, and Robert Wilson, Nissan USA Director of Diversity and Inclusion, for their partnership on this event and willingness to engage with our students and the university.”

TSU students will compete with students nationwide for a 12-week internship at Nissan.  The internship is a project based program that boasts competitive pay, a company vehicle and an opportunity that may open up countless doors.

For more information about experiential learning, professional and graduate opportunities, visit www.tnstate.edu/careers , email or call 615.963.5981.

Department of Media Relations
Rick DelaHaya: 615.963.5312

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1912 after its organization in 1909 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School, TSU became the four-year teachers’ college in 1922, and elevated to full land-grant university status in 1958. TSU absorbed the University of Tennessee at Nashville in 1979. Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2012 Tennessee State University will celebrate 100 years in Nashville. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

The purpose of the program is to build a residential environment designed for academic success, social development, and personal growth through faculty and staff interaction and campus community partnerships.

While TSU joins several other TBR universities with established Living and Learning communities, the research for such communities continues to be positive.

“Research has shown that students involved in learning communities become more intellectually mature and responsible for their own learning,” said Angela R. Davis, associate director.  “They also develop the capacity to care about the learning of their peers.” She added.

Research also indicates living learning community participants experience higher grade point averages, retention, and graduation rates.

The TSU Living Learning Community Program will begin with six residential communities: Freshman Residential Program, Going Green Residential Program, Leadership Development Residential Program, STEM Residential Program, Multicultural Residential Program, and Creative Arts Residential Program.

Each of the living learning communities will organize activities which support the University’s core values of excellence, learning, accountability, integrity, shared governance, diversity, and service.  Programming within these core values will enhance the total experience of the TSU student.

“The Universities goal is to enroll at least 10% (300) of students housed in residential facilities in the program during Spring 2012,” Davis said. “We are excited about surpassing our goal since 244 students have signed forms indicating an interest in the program.”

The entire campus community is invited to attend the Open House, which will include a ribbon cutting and a brief program along with refreshments.

For further information, please contact Ms. Angela R. Davis, associate director, at arobertson@tnstate.edu or (615) 963-5258.

Department of Media Relations
Rick DelaHaya: 615.963.5312

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1912 after its organization in 1909 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School, TSU became the four-year teachers’ college in 1922, and elevated to full land-grant university status in 1958. TSU absorbed the University of Tennessee at Nashville in 1979. Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2012 Tennessee State University will celebrate 100 years in Nashville. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

Cloud Computing Security research at Tennessee State University will get a significant boost thanks to a $616, 278 grant from Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The goal of the project is to enable development of novel security methods to ensure protection of vast amounts of information in cloud computing platforms.  The research activities will include development of new approaches for intrusion detection, active response and recovery from attacks on the cloud.

The project will be a joint effort between TSU and Pennsylvania State University. The team, led by Dr. Mohan Malkani, associate dean of the College of Engineering, includes Dr. Sachin Shetty, assistant professor of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, and Dr. Peng Liu, professor of Information Sciences and Technology at PSU.

“The Air Force is extensively adopting the cloud computing infrastructure to improve information technology efficiency, reduce costs and provide a standard platform for delivering government services,” said Malkani. “The development of a secure cloud computing infrastructure is capable of supporting defense and intelligence networks.”

The Cyber-Security Research Team led by Dr. Sachin Shetty.

According to Shetty, cloud-computing services are gaining universal acceptance. “Computer users probably already utilize a ‘cloud’ in some form or another while browsing the web, checking e-mail, or backing up files,” he said. “Security of these cloud-based services is unproven and we are currently unaware of the level of protection of our data in the cloud.”

The grant will also fund a large cloud computing datacenter to conduct the research activities. The datacenter will contain 50 compute nodes, each with quad-core Intel Xeon X5550 processors running at 2.66 GHz, providing a total of a 200 cores. The datacenter will also serve as an experimental test bed for undergraduate and graduate students to enhance the quality of their senior design projects, theses and dissertations.

“This research thrust area is one of four areas that support the future TIGER (TSU Interdisciplinary Graduate Engineering Research) Institute, to open this semester in the Research & Sponsored Programs building,” said S. Keith Hargrove, Dean of the College of Engineering.

The mission of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research is to manage the discovery and initial development of the leading edge of research while identifying potential new concepts and opportunities that will serve the Air Force in the future. To accomplish this role, AFOSR focuses the basic research community (government, academia and industry), including numerous Nobel Laureates, on the vital task of supporting Air Force warfighter requirements. Basic research provides the essential foundation for technology development and systems acquisition.

Department of Media Relations
Rick DelaHaya: 615.963.5312

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1912 after its organization in 1909 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School, TSU became the four-year teachers’ college in 1922, and elevated to full land-grant university status in 1958. TSU absorbed the University of Tennessee at Nashville in 1979. Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2012 Tennessee State University will celebrate 100 years in Nashville. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

During the eight-day celebration, the University will celebrate the legacy of excellence, resilience and unity that the institution has been known for the past 100 years.

Events will include lectures, exhibits, symposiums, visual and performing arts and social events to commemorate this milestone.

For more information, visit http://www.tnstate.edu/centennial/.

Saturday, April 14

The Ralph Boston Track Classic
Location: Ed Temple Track
Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Legends Football Game
Location: William Jasper Hale Stadium (The “Hole”)
Time: 1 p.m.

Blue and White Game
Location: William Jasper Hale Stadium (The “Hole”)
Time: 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 15

The Centennial Rededication Ceremony
Location: Kean Hall (on the Steps)
Time: 5 p.m.

Centennial Gospel Celebration
Location: Kean Hall
Time: 6 p.m.

Monday, April 16

National Imported Fire Ant Conference
Location:  Holiday Inn Nashville Downtown
Time:  6  – 9 p.m. (Opening Reception)

Centennial Health Fair
Location: Floyd-Payne Campus Center – 2^nd Floor
Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Diversity Celebration Week – “Celebrating Cultures and Diversity”
Location:  Kean Hall
Time:  All Day

Centennial Multimedia Festival
Location:   Performing Arts Center Room 210
Time:   3 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Sustaining the Legacy Annual Student Organizations Banquet
Location: Millennium Maxwell House Hotel
Time: 6 p.m.

Tuesday, April 17

National Imported Fire Ant Conference
Location: Holiday Inn Nashville Downtown
Time:  8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Diversity Celebration Week – “Celebrating Cultures and Diversity”
Location:  Kean Hall
Time:  All Day

Centennial Television program, “Eye of the Tiger”
Locations:  Campus Monitors
Time:  All Day

Our Legacy: Celebrating the Brown Daniel Library’s 100^th Birthday
Location: Brown-Daniel Library
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Centennial Showcase of Art, Music and Communication
Location:  Performing Arts Center Recital Hall
Time:  4:30 – 7 p.m.

100 Years of Blue Fashion
Location: Kean Hall
Time: 8 p.m.

Wednesday, April 18

Asthma Management Lecture by Bijoy John, M.D
Location: Tom Jackson Industrial & Technology Building, #307
Time: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

National Imported Fire Ant Conference
Location:  Holiday Inn Nashville Downtown
Time:  8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Geier Breakfast
Location: Avon Williams Atrium
Time: 9 a.m.

Geier Panel Discussion
Location: Avon Williams Campus
Time: 10 a.m.

Research and Sponsored Programs Showcase
Location: Research and Sponsored Research Building, 1^st Floor Lobby
Time: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Pulmonary Function Mini Screenings
Location: Tom Jackson Industrial & Technology Building Room #307
Time:  11a.m. – 1 p.m.

Diversity Celebration Week – “ Celebrating Cultures and Diversity”
Location: Kean Hall
Time: All Day

“Living Legends: A Vision of Excellence – Perspectives from TSU’s Former President’s”
Location: Kean Hall
Time: 12:45 p.m.

Centennial Week TV Newscast
Location:  Performing Arts Center TV Studio
Time:  5 p.m. (Live newscast)

Centennial Speech Contest
Location:  Performing Arts Center Recital Hall
Time:  3 – 6 p.m.

TSU’s Legacy TigerFest
Location: President Lawn
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Resilience and Unity: The Freedom Riders
Location: Floyd-Payne Campus Center—Robert N. Murrell Forum
Time: 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 19

Diversity Celebration Week – “Celebrating Cultures and Diversity”
Location: Kean Hall
Time: 4  – 6 p.m.

National Imported Fire Ant Conference
Location: Holiday Inn Nashville Downtown
Time:  8 a.m. – Noon (Extension Workshop)

Centennial Theatre Festival
Location:  Performance Arts Center Cox-Lewis Theatre
Time: 4 -6 p.m.

Viewpoint Symposium Series
Special Guest Speaker: Donna Brazile
Location: Kean Hall
Time: 7 p.m.

Friday, April 20

Diversity Celebration Week – “Celebrating Cultures and Diversity”
Location: Kean Hall
Time: 4 – 6 p.m.

Live on the Lawn—The Sounds of Music
Location: Big Blue Meadow Lawn
Time: 4 – 7 p.m.
Cost: $20 per person/$30 per couple/$40 for family (maximum of five)
*Inclement weather location: Gentry Basketball Pavilion

 Saturday, April 21

TSU Pan-Hellenic Greek Step Show
Location: Kean Hall
Time: 1 – 4 p.m.

Centennial Scholarship Gala
Location: The Mansion at Fontanel
Time: 6:30 – 11:30 p.m.
Attire: Black Tie
Cost: $225.00
Contact the TSU Foundation for more information

The Blue Tiger Student Unity Ball
Location: James Ferrell & Fred Westbrook Building
Time: 8 p.m.

Department of Media Relations
Rick DelaHaya: 615.963.5312

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1912 after its organization in 1909 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School, TSU became the four-year teachers’ college in 1922, and elevated to full land-grant university status in 1958. TSU absorbed the University of Tennessee at Nashville in 1979. Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2012 Tennessee State University will celebrate 100 years in Nashville. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

The scholarships were awarded January 20 at the organization’s annual Scholarship Banquet at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel.  The United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) President and CEO, Dr. Michael L. Lomax was the guest speaker.

Hudson, a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in E-Business and Supply Chain Management, is from Cincinnati, Ohio. While attending TSU she has been an active member of the University Honors Program and has had internships with United Health Group, Cintas, and Monsanto. She also completed the Yale Pre-MBA program in the summer of 2011 with aspirations to attain her MBA from Yale University.

Harris is a freshman Exercise Science major from Nashville and graduated with honors from Pearl Cohn High School. Before enrolling at TSU he competed and won 4^th place in a countywide Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Business Management and Decision Making team contest.  He also received an internship from Nashville Public Library North Branch in the summer of 2011 and actively contributes to his community through various volunteer projects in Nashville.

The Reverend Marcel Kellar is Chairman of The College Trust Fund which is celebrating its 29th year raising funds for Nashville’s four Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Fisk University, Tennessee State University, Meharry Medical School and American Baptist College. Since its inception the organization has raised nearly $1 million dollars for Nashville youth.

Each of the respective schools is asked to nominate students for the scholarship awards. Both Hudson and Harris received $1,000 scholarships funded by Former TSU President Dr. James A. Hefner.

Department of Media Relations
Rick DelaHaya: 615.963.5312

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1912 after its organization in 1909 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School, TSU became the four-year teachers’ college in 1922, and elevated to full land-grant university status in 1958. TSU absorbed the University of Tennessee at Nashville in 1979. Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2012 Tennessee State University will celebrate 100 years in Nashville. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

According to Kimberly LaMarque, associate professor in the Department of Communications and director of the forensics team, this win only proves that the University’s program rivals that of many of the top forensics teams such as last year’s nationals champs, Western Kentucky University, and pushed the total number of awards won this academic year to 240.

“While TSU has had success at this tournament in the past, the success witnessed this past weekend only foreshadows our expected continued victories” said LaMarque. “With numbers like these, the team is on a trajectory to have the best competitive season it has had since its inception. These students are making history!”

Amongst the 1,100 student entries, at the tournament, TSU’s team came in as runner-up in the overall team sweepstakes, beating out 44 other colleges and universities. The University also won first place in Dramatic Interpretation and Poetry Interpretation. In addition to the Texas tournament, the team qualified several pieces for the American Forensics Association Nation Championship at the University of Alabama. This brings the total number of student awards to 254.

Students from TSU will travel to Murray State University in Kentucky this weekend to compete and hopefully continue their winning ways.

Department of Media Relations
Rick DelaHaya: 615.963.5312

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1912 after its organization in 1909 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School, TSU became the four-year teachers’ college in 1922, and elevated to full land-grant university status in 1958. TSU absorbed the University of Tennessee at Nashville in 1979. Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2012 Tennessee State University will celebrate 100 years in Nashville. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

The series will include Down from the Mountaintop, the one-man play about author James Baldwin; the African-American Museum on Wheels; Keith L. Brown; Alex Ellis, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton; Dr. Pedro Noguera; Amanda “Diva” Seales; and Donna Brazile.

All lectures are free and open to the public and will take place at the time and location specified below.

• James Baldwin-Down from the Mountaintop
  February 7
  7 p.m
  Poag Auditorium, Davis Hall (Humanities Building)Down from the Mountaintop depicts the rich and impassioned life of the esteemed American writer recognized for his novels on sexual and personal identity, along with his works of nonfiction, plays and essays on human rights.  This one-man play is performed by Calvin Levels and has been seen at more than 50 venues across America and has garnered rave reviews from general audiences and critics alike.

• Sankofa African-American Museum on Wheels
  February 8
  Kean Hall
  1 p.m.The Sankofa African-American Museum on Wheels provides a detailed display of artifacts commencing with the Middle Passage (slavery) to the era of King Cotton, to the days of Emancipation.

• Keith L. Brown—Motivator of the Millennium
  February 22
  Floyd-Payne Campus Forum 210
  6 p.m.Early in life, Keith L. Brown, was identified as a “Special Ed” and “At Risk” student, primarily because he talked too much, was too hyper, and wanted to give “all the answers;” ironically, these are a few of the same traits that make him one of the most sought after Professional Speakers, Consultants and Trainers on the planet.Named a “World Class Speaker” and one of the top speakers and consultants in Education by “Insight Publishing,” Keith empowers over 300,000 people annually, many of whom are in schools/school systems, colleges, supplemental education agencies, family advocacy agencies, foundations, government agencies, faith based institutions and private events.

• Alex Ellis
  March 14
  Women’s Building (Elliot Hall)
  7 p.m.Alex Ellis is redefining the meaning of style.  An author, speaker, custom clothier, mentor, and gentleman of integrity and distinction, Ellis is turning heads across the nation through his well-dressed stature and inspirational words.He has been recently featured on CNN’s “Reclaiming the Dream”, Black Enterprise’s Our World Television Show, The 700 Club, BET and the Steve Harvey Morning Show.  Honored with the distinguished 40-Under-Forty award from the Network Journal, Ellis is heralding a powerful message on image from the inside out.

• Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
  March 15
  Floyd-Payne Campus Center Forum 210
  1 p.m.Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, now in her eleventh term as the Congresswoman for the District of Columbia, is the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. She serves on two committees: the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.Before her congressional service, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to serve as the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She came to Congress as a national figure who had been a civil rights and feminist leader, tenured professor of law, and board member at three Fortune 500 companies. Congresswoman Norton has been named one of the 100 most important American women in one survey and one of the most powerful women in Washington in another.

• Dr. Pedro Noguera
  March 20
  Floyd-Payne Campus Center Forum 210
  1 p.m.
  Avon Williams Campus
  4 p.m.Pedro Noguera is the Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education at New York University.  Noguera is an urban sociologist whose scholarship and research focuses on the ways in which schools are influenced by social and economic conditions in the urban environment.  Dr. Noguera received his bachelors’ degree in Sociology and History and a teaching credential from Brown University in 1981.  He earned his masters’ degree in Sociology from Brown in 1982 received his doctorate in Sociology from UC Berkeley in 1989.

• Amanda “Diva” Seales
  March 22
  Poag Auditorium, Davis Hall (Humanities Building)
  7 p.m.Amanda Diva (born Amanda Seales) is a female rapper, actress, and former replacement of the musical group Floetry. She attended SUNY-Purchase, studing theater, and began writing poetry after a friend suggested she write her own spoken wordbook. By 2002, she appeared on Def Jam Poetry to recite her original poem.

• Donna Brazile
  April 19
  Kean Hall
  7 p.m.Veteran Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile is an adjunct professor, author, syndicated columnist, television political commentator, Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation at the Democratic National Committee, and former chair of the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute.Ms. Brazile has worked on every presidential campaign from 1976 through 2000, when she served as campaign manager for former Vice President Al Gore, becoming the first African-American woman to manage a presidential campaign.Author of the best-selling memoir Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots in American Politics, Ms. Brazile is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, a syndicated newspaper columnist for United Media, a columnist for Ms. Magazine, and O, the Oprah Magazine, an on-air contributor to CNN, and ABC, where she regularly appears on This Week with Christiane Amanpour.

Department of Media Relations
Rick DelaHaya: 615.963.5312

Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1912 after its organization in 1909 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School, TSU became the four-year teachers’ college in 1922, and elevated to full land-grant university status in 1958. TSU absorbed the University of Tennessee at Nashville in 1979. Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2012 Tennessee State University will celebrate 100 years in Nashville. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.