One for the Ages

The 2023-2024 academic year was a banner one for TSU’s MANRRS chapter | By

Charlie Morrison

The Tennessee State University College of Agriculture-based chapter of the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) extracurricular organization had what was a banner year in 2023-2024, hosting a slew of events, fostering countless new connections, assisting members in earning scholarships, and generally changing lives for the better here at TSUAg.

The group rounded out what was an incredibly productive year with a pair of events this spring, MANRRS’ 38th Annual Training Conference and Career Expo, and the group’s own 2024 Awards Gala.

The MANRRS 38 national conference offered the tight-knit, productive TSUAg chapter of the organization the chance to be recognized for their achievements and contributions to both the MANRRS cause and to the lives of its members.

At the conference, held March 14 to 17 in Chicago, the TSU chapter was selected as the third-place winner in the national MANRRS Chapter of the Year Award competition.

In winning third place in the Chapter of the Year Award competition, the TSU chapter demonstrated that they were building chapter membership, conducting leadership development, participating in community service, and promoting the national society. To finish third among 85 participating universities represents a huge honor for this year’s MANRRS group. The chapter was presented with a check for $250 for taking home third.

“Our TSUAg students truly shone at the National MANRRS38 conference this year. With a record number of attendees, they competed well and seized every opportunity to network and actively participate. Their remarkable achievements are a testament to their hard work and dedication. We are excited to build on this success and reach even greater heights in the future,” said Dr. De’Etra Young, Associate Dean of Academics and TSUAg MANRRS Advisor.

In addition to the chapter of the year award, a number of TSUAg MANRRS leaders were also honored for their contributions to the organization.

Former MANRRS national Graduate Student President Emmanuel Wallace was named the winner of the Foster Spirit of Excellence Award. Wallace was joined by Kaylin Hughes in being recognized as 2023-2024 national officers, while rising senior Blake Wright was honored as a national officer for the coming year.

There were a number of MANRRS 38 competitions that TSUAg chapter members placed in as well. In the hard science portion of the competitions, CheKenna Fletcher took home third place in the graduate oral presentation competition. In the soft skills competitions, TSUAg performed well. Dominique Smith won first place in the essay writing competition, Jhanya Chenault took home the top prize in photography, and Dacia Ringo was named the runner-up in the public speaking competition. First-place winners took home checks for $300, runners-up $200, and third-place finishers $100.

The group wrapped their year here on campus in April when they held their 2024 Awards Gala. The event, held on April 25 at the new Pavilion down on the TSU farm, brought together the group with some honorees, faculty advisors, and alumni for a special evening.

Keynote speakers included the USDA National Resource Conservation Service’s Jahnari Edwards and TSU alumni and Cargill food safety supervisor Kourtney Daniels.

The event culminated with the presentation of a variety of awards TSU MANRRS gave out, to student leaders and impactful faculty members, awards commending participants for their contributions to the group over the past year. AL