Apply Today for Fall 2019! TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY, founded in 1912, is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and is rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly. Visit us online at tnstate.edu. TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY offers: 38 bachelor’s degree programs 24 master’s degree programs 7 doctoral degrees in biological sciences, computer information systems engineering, psychology, public administration, curriculum and instruction, educational administration and supervision, and physical therapy THINK SERVE WORK Office of the President March 26, 2019 Dear Honor Students and Faculty: Congratulations to each of you for your outstanding achievements in academic excellence. We salute you in our Honors Convocation today for your hard work, dedication and determination to continue the legacy of excellence at Tennessee State University. We are very proud of the number of Dean’s List students (2,397) and President’s List students (283) who are being recognized today for their outstanding academic achievements. We are also honored to have State Senator Raumesh Akbari as our convocation speaker. This year’s theme is “Saluting Academic Excellence, Service, and Leadership: Mobilizing High Achievers to be Global Citizens, and Change Agents.” As President of Tennessee State University, and like you a former student in our University Honors College, I commend you for maintaining a high grade point average and for serving as role models to your peers. Your leadership is distinctive and your commitment is unparalleled. I wish all of the honorees continued learning as you succeed in your careers, and may your path be blessed and prosperous. Sincerely, Dr. Glenda Glover 8th President of Tennessee State University 2019 Honors Convocation 1 Raumesh Akbari State Senator, Tennessee General Assembly TSU Honors Convocation Speaker State Senator Raumesh Akbari was elected to the Tennessee State Senate in fall of 2018 after serving as a State Representative since 2013. Senator Akbari is a member of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the Senate Ethics Committee and serves as 2nd Vice-Chair of the Senate Education Committee. A graduate of Washington University and the Saint Louis University School of Law, Senator Akbari is currently chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus; former chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators; treasurer of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL); a state director within Women in Government; and financial secretary of N.O.B.E.L., the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women. She is the recipient of several honors and awards from the Council of State Governments and its affiliated Southern Leadership Conference; Leadership Memphis; Leadership Tennessee; the National Council of State Legislatures; the State Legislative Leaders Foundation; NBCSL; N.O.B.E.L.; the National Juvenile Justice Network; and Governing Magazine’s Governing Institute for outstanding appointed or elected women officials. She has represented Tennessee by participating in programs in Canada, Australia and China, and most recently, by being one of the invited participants in the Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network (TILN), a network of young elected leaders representing 21st century policymakers. A program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, TILN fosters collaboration on issues and policy affecting people around the world. A most special honor occurred two years ago, when she was invited by the Democratic National Committee to speak before the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Her rousing speech generated enthusiasm and interest from those attending the convention, as well as those viewing the proceedings in homes all across America. She continues to introduce legislation affecting education and educational policy, criminal justice reform, job growth incentives, and other areas that affect her constituents, as well as Tennesseans from all walks of life. One of her recent bills has now become law, reducing the amount needed for expungement of certain offenses from criminal records. For persons looking to turn their lives around, this will have a significant impact on their ability to seek gainful employment. Senator Raumesh Akbari is proud to be from Memphis and hopes to continue representing its people with dignity and purpose. 2 2019 Honors Convocation About the University Honors College In 1963, Dr. Walter S. Davis, who was the second President of Tennessee State University (TSU), appointed a committee that was charged with the responsibility of studying honors programs and determining the feasibility of establishing one at the University. After completing the investigation, the committee recommended that TSU keep pace with many other universities throughout the country. As a result, an Honors Program for freshman students was started in the fall semester of 1964. Sophomore through senior level course work was added annually throughout 1968, thus marking the year of the first student to graduate with “University Honors,” a distinction that is reserved for students who have successfully completed the requirements of the University Honors College (UHC). Dr. McDonald Williams became director of the Honors Program at TSU in 1966 and held that position until his retire- ment in 1988. Additionally, he gave 30 years of distinguished service as an English professor at TSU. The University Honors Center, which is now located in the Harold M. Love, Sr. Student Success Center, was named the McDonald Williams Honors Center, on October 31, 1995. Dr. Joan Elliot served as interim director from 1988-1990, Dr. May- ibuye Monanabela served as director from 1990 – 1992 and Dr. Sandra Holt from 1992 – 2013. The current dean, Dr. Coreen Jackson, was appointed in 2013 by current TSU President, Dr. Glenda Glover. It was the desire of Dr. Glover and administrators to implement the goal of the Academic Master Plan 2008-2028 that enhanced the Honors Program and transitioned it into an Honors College. In January 2016, the Honors Program was approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the Tennessee Higher Education Committee to be elevated from an Honors Program to an Honors College. The Honors College currently consists of over 500 multi-disciplinary students who maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 or above. It is our honor to be celebrating TSU’s Honors College with this observation of academic excellence and a commit- ment to higher education during the 2019 Honors Convocation. 2019 Honors Convocation 3 Order of Ceremony Master and Mistress of Ceremony Mr. Chris Clark, Sophomore (2018-2019 Mr. Honors) Miss Shaunte Roach, Sophomore (2018-2019 Miss Honors) Processional ...................................................Platform Guests and Faculty Meditation ..............................................................Darian McGhee 2018-2019 Mr. Tennessee State University Mathematical Sciences Major, Graduating Senior, University Honors College Posting of the Colors ..............................................Air Force ROTC Det.790 “The Star-Spangled Banner” (Audience stands) ...............................Francis Scott Key “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”...........................................James Weldon Johnson Dr. Reginald McDonald, Conductor, Tennessee State University Wind Ensemble Greetings .............................................................Dr. Glenda Glover President, Tennessee State University “God’s Gonna Set This World on Fire” .............................. Arranged by Moses Hogan Dr. Susan Kelly, Director, Tennessee State University Choir Introduction of Guest Speaker ...............................................Kayla Sampson 2018-2019 Miss Tennessee State University Agricultural Sciences Major, Graduating Senior, University Honors College Keynote Speaker ................................................. Senator Raumesh Akbari Tennessee General Assembly Presentation of Presidential Leadership Appreciation Award ....................Ms. NiJaia Bradley Early Childhood Major, Senior, President of the Honors College Student Council Presentation of the Dr. McDonald Williams Scholarship . .Dr. Coreen Jackson Interim Dean, University Honors College Presentation of Outstanding Student Leader Academic Achievement Awards ..........Dr. Tracey Ford Vice President of Student Affairs, Tennessee State University Presentation of Athletic Scholars........................................... Mr. Jeremy Perry Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services, Tennessee State University Presentation of University-Wide Honor Societies..............................Dr. Tyrone Miller Interim Associate Director, University Honors College Presentation of College & School Honor Societies .............................Deans of Colleges Presentation of President’s List Scholars......................................Dr. Alisa Mosley Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, Tennessee State University Presentation of Honors College Graduating Seniors ..........Dr. Coreen Jackson & Dr. Tyrone Miller Presentation of Dean’s List Scholars ......................................Dr. Ronaldo Barredo Dean, College of Health Sciences, Tennessee State University Closing Remarks . Dr. Coreen Jackson “Alma Mater” (Audience stands).....................Laura