Greetings from the 2022 Homecoming Chair
Dear Fellow Alumni & Friends:
It’s that time of the year again to celebrate Homecoming at our beloved Tennessee State University! On Sunday October 2nd, Homecoming Week will officially begin, with an array of events to kick off the annual celebration. Last year’s theme “The Return” certainly lived up to the hype and was indeed a homecoming for the record books. So, get ready and come prepared this year, as we are “Back in Stride Again,” picking up where we left off. It will surely be just what we’ve been waiting for after all we have been experiencing during these unprecedented times.
In his second year as head coach, Eddie George and his Big Blue Tigers will take the field against the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University on Saturday, October 8th at 5:00 PM CST at Nissan Stadium. Throughout Homecoming Week, we will continue to embrace our students by providing them with some much-needed fun collegiate experiences as we can. Our goal is to help them build a sense of the pride and joy we share as alumni, ultimately creating last memories while earning their degrees.
We are proud to salute another group of well-deserving Grand Marshals and Honorees who epitomize excellence, never having lost their stride. Entrepreneur, Ms. Andrella Kenner, Global Warming Ambassador, Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley, Communications and Public Relations Executive, Dr. Harold Jackson and Former University first lady, Mrs. Edwina Hefner, are among those lauded this year. And a special Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Service will be given to Congressman Jim Cooper for his many years of advocacy and support to the institution a by President Glover.
We cannot express the importance that the HEALTH AND SAFETY of everyone is our number one priority. We will adhere to all safety protocols that are still in place and ask that you practice social distancing throughout the weekend. Although mask wearing is no longer mandatory but optional, we encourage the practice where appropriate.
Lastly, please take a moment to review the official schedule of events, announcements, and other information relative to the week of events and activities. We look forward to seeing you and your family in a few weeks!
Yours in Excellence,
Grant L. Winrow, ’89, ‘18
Ms. Andrella Kenner
Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley
HONOREES
Dr. Harold Jackson
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
3:00 PM ROBERT N. MURRELL
ORATORICAL CONTEST
Floyd-Payne Campus Center
Robert N. Murrell Forum
Free and open to the public
Contact: Jacqueline Mitchell bdickey@tnstate.edu • 615.963.5741
6:00 PM GOSPEL EXPLOSION
Gentry Complex
Contact: Andre Bean
abean@tnstate.edu • 828.539.0358
9:00 PM BLOCK PARTY
Old Courtyard
Contact: Andre Bean
abean@tnstate.edu • 828.539.0358
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3
7:00 PM FASHION SHOW
Kean Hall Gymnasium
Contact: Andre Bean
abean@tnstate.edu • 828.539.0358
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5
11:00 AM COURTYARD WEDNESDAY
Kean Hall Gymnasium
Contact: Andre Bean
abean@tnstate.edu • 828.539.0358
6:00 PM LOOKING BACK, STRIVING FORWARD (FILM SCREENING)
Floyd-Payne Campus Center
Contact: Rodney Stanley 615.788.0559
6:00 PM MR. & MISS TSU CORONATION
Kean Hall Gymnasium
Contact: Andre Bean
abean@tnstate.edu • 828.539.0358
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6
9:00 AM MR. RALPH BOSTON & DR. CATANA STARKS ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Ted Rhodes Golf Course
Registration begins at 8:00 AM
Cost: $125 per person; $475 per team
Contact: Tiffany Baker tbaker02@tnstate.edu • 615.963.5481
Dennie Marshall • 615.330.2264
11:30 AM PRESIDENT’S SOCIETY & LEGACY LUNCHEON (by invitation only based on Society and Legacy members)
New Residence Hall Banquet Room
Contact: Tiffany Baker tbaker02@tnstate.edu • 615.963.5481
2:00 PM DR. LEVI WATKINS JR. LECTURE SERIES AND WHITE COAT CEREMONY Kean Hall
Contact: Lalita Hodge lhodge@tnstate.edu • 615.963.6949
5:00 PM CORNERSTONE DINNER: AN EVENT FOR THE SGA PRESIDENTS (By Invitation Only)
New Residence Hall Banquet Room Contact: Andre Bean abean@tnstate.edu • 828.539.0358
6:00 PM CLASS REUNION AND VINTAGERS RECEPTION
Wildhorse Saloon 120 2nd Ave. N. Nashville, TN 37201
Invited Classes Anniversary Years 35th 1987 30th 1992
25th 1997 20th 2002
15th 2007 10th 2012
5th 2017
Invited Classes for Vintagers 2023
40th 1983 45th 1978
50th 1973 55th 1968
60th 1963 65th 1958
70th 1953 75th 1948
You must register in advance for this event.
Contact: Sonya Smith – ssmith6@tnstate.edu
6:00 PM HOMECOMING CONCERT
Gentry Center
Contact: Andre Bean abean@tnstate.edu • 828.539.0358
7:00 PM THE 90TH ALPHA PSI CHAPTER ANNIVERSARY GALA
Kean Hall Gymnasium
Contact: Mayora Berry 334.568.8649
8:00 PM ALUMNI BLACKOUT PARTY
Wildhorse Saloon
120 2nd Ave. N. Nashville, TN 37201
For ticket information, visit ticketmaster.
Contact: Debbi Howard
debbi.howard@tnstate.edu • 615.963.5763
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7
8:00 AM BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
Kean Hall
Cost: $25 per person
Contact: Debbi Howard debbi.howard@tnstate.edu
10:00 AM CHARLES CAMPBELL FISH FRY
Basketball Pavilion at Gentry Complex
Cost: $15 Scholarship Donation
Contact: Dwight Beard beardpm@hotmail.com • 615.405.9279
12:00 PM STUDENT PEP RALLY
William Jasper Hale Stadium
Contact: Dwight Pope dpope@tnstate.edu • 615.963.5655
4:00 PM ROARING LOUD FEST
Featuring: Jeezy, Boosie, Buck, Jazzy Pha
Hosted by Coach Brian “Penny” Collins
Riverfront Park
Contact: Mario Mitchell • 615.719.6900 RoaringLoudFest@gmail.com
Tickets: RoaringLoudFest.com
6:00 PM NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC STEP SHOW
Howard Gentry Complex
Cost: $5/Students: Free
Contact: Andre Bean abean@tnstate.edu • 828.539.0358
7:00 PM HOMECOMING GALA
Renaissance Hotel Nashville
611 Commerce Street
Cost $150 per person;
$1,500 table of 10
Contact: LoLita Toney/Sandra Hunt
www.tnstate.edu/gala • 615.390.4931
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8
9:00 AM HOMECOMING PARADE
Historic Jefferson Street
Contact: Andre Bean tnstate.edu/alumni/homecoming/ parade.aspx • 828.539.0358
4:45 PM PRE-GAME
5:00 PM KICK OFF (TSU VS. BETHUNE-COOKMAN)
Nissan Stadium
Cost: $20-$50 per person (advance)
$25-$55 per person (day of game)
Contact: Ticket Office • 615.963.5841
9:00 PM THE ESSENCE OF BIG BLUE HOMECOMING GAME AFTER-FEST
Renaissance Hotels
611 Commerce St
Contact: Charles Galbreath/Melissa Smoot • 601.228.2866 events@tsualumnionline.org
