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THE BLUE NEVER FADES • HOMECOMING 2026
HOMECOMING 2026 TE N NE SS E E S TATE U NIV E RS ITY T HE BLU E N EV E R FAD E S OC T OB E R 11 - 17
Morgan State Bears
VS
Tennessee STate TIgers
Kick-off October 17 at 5:30pm • Nissan Stadium
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October 11-17, 2026 • www.TnTribune.com
THE BLUE NEVER FADES • HOMECOMING 2026
2026-2027 Student Government Association Leaders Aamiya Washington
Tylor Miller
MAJOR:
MAJOR:
97th Miss Tennessee State University
36th Mister Tennessee State University
Health Sciences with a concentration in Physical Sciences
Biology HOMETOWN:
Miami, FL
HOMETOWN:
CAREER GOALS:
Memphis, TN
Orthopedic Surgeon
CAREER GOALS:
Pharmacist
Royal Court
Kaylii Williams Miss Freshman
Da’Shawna Osborne Miss Sophomore
Maggie Carpenter Miss Junior
Cathalene Barlow Miss Senior
Trinity Clark
86th Student Government Association President MAJOR:
Judah Anderson Mister Freshman
Jaquan Maclin
Mister Sophomore
Elijah McElroy Mister Junior
Kagan Ward Mister Senior
Malachi Tate
Executive Vice President MAJOR:
Political Science
Human Performance and Sports Science
HOMETOWN:
HOMETOWN:
CAREER GOALS:
CAREER GOALS:
Atlanta, GA Civil Rights Attorney
Nashville, TN College Basketball Coach
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THE BLUE NEVER FADES • HOMECOMING 2026
Announcing 2026 Homecoming Celebration ‘The Blue Never Fades’ Featuring T.I., Olympians, and Centenarian Legend
BY EMMANUEL S. FREEMAN
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) Thousands of alumni, students, and community members will gather in Music City from Oct. 11 to Oct. 17 as Tennessee State University hosts its 2026 Homecoming celebration under the theme “The Blue Never Fades.” The weeklong celebration of academic legacy, HBCU culture, and athletics will culminate on Saturday, Oct. 17, when the Big Blue Tigers take on Morgan State University Bears at Nissan Stadium. “We are thrilled to welcome our Big Blue family back home to celebrate our rich traditions, outstanding achievements, and the lifelong bonds that connect us across
generations,” said Jerome Oglesby, chair of the Homecoming Organizing Committee. “‘The Blue Never Fades’ is a powerful testament to the enduring strength, pride, and resilience of Tennessee State University.” This year’s festivities feature high-profile performances from national recording artists. Grammy-winning rapper and actor T.I. will headline the annual NPHC Step Show. The student excitement continues Friday night at the annual Homecoming Concert, featuring a lineup of hip-hop stars including Loe Shimmy, YTB Fatt, Queen Key, and Domani, who will join his father T.I. on the weekend roster. TSU will also honor a group of distinguished alumni whose contributions span world athletics, business leadership, and
university administration. Among the featured honorees are legendary Tigerbelle and 1976 Olympic long jump silver medalist Kathy McMillan ’84, exceptional Tigerbelle sprinter and U.S. Olympian Brenda Morehead ’80, and Olympic champion, Hall of Fame athlete, and longtime TSU coach Chandra Cheeseborough ’82. Leading the week’s processionals as Grand Marshals are prominent business leader Sedrick Turner ’93, distinguished executive John R. Dodds ’62, who has commuted from Chattanooga for every home football game as a season ticket holder for over 45 years, and former Chief of the TSU Police Department Arthur R. Lawson ’63, who has dedicated over six decades of service to the university. Joining them is uni-
versity legend Homer R. Wheaton ’48, who turned 100 years old this year after serving TSU for over five decades as Director of Financial Aid and Vice President of University Relations, during which he helped orchestrate the recruitment of legendary football coach John Merritt. The festivities officially kick off Sunday, Oct. 11, with the annual Robert N. Murrell Oratorical Contest, followed later that afternoon by the inspirational Gospel Explosion at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Midweek activities will lead into traditional student and alumni gatherings, including the pep rally, coronation, and alumni class reunions. Saturday morning, Oct. 17, will feature the historic Homecoming Parade along Jefferson Street before fans head to Nissan Stadium for kickoff against Morgan State.
“‘The Blue Never Fades’ is a powerful testament to the enduring strength, pride, and resilience of Tennessee State University.” — Jerome Oglesby, chair, Homecoming Organizing Committee
AOB Legacy on Display at NMAAM NOW LIVE
TSU’s New Website Explore Tennessee State University’s redesigned home online.
www.tnstate.edu The “It Doesn’t Rain on the AOB” exhibit at the National Museum of African American Music celebrates TSU’s Grammy Award-winning Aristocrat of Bands. The exhibit was unveiled in June during Juneteenth Community Day and TSU’s 114th Founders’ Day.
Think. Work. Serve.
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October 11-17, 2026 • www.TnTribune.com
THE BLUE NEVER FADES • HOMECOMING 2026
Honorees Brenda Morehead Class of 1980
Chandra Cheeseborough Class of 1982
Kathy McMillan Class of 1984
Accomplished Tigerbelle sprinter and U.S. Olympian.
Longtime TSU track and field coach, Olympic champion and Hall of Fame athlete.
Accomplished Tigerbelle and 1976 Olympic silver medalist in the long jump.
Grand Marshals Homer R. Wheaton Class of 1948
John R. Dodds Class of 1962
Arthur R. Lawson Class of 1963
Sedrick Turner Class of 1993
University legend who celebrated his 100th birthday this year after more than five decades of service to TSU. He served as Director of Financial Aid and Vice President of University Relations and played a key role in recruiting legendary football coach John Merritt.
Dedicated TSU alumnus and longtime Tiger football supporter who has commuted from Chattanooga to attend every home football game as a season ticket holder for more than 45 years.
Former Chief of the TSU Police Department who has dedicated more than six decades of service to Tennessee State University.
Distinguished executive and proud TSU alumnus.
TSU Alum, Longtime Coach and Administrator Jennifer Bell Named Interim Director of Athletics
BY EMMANUEL S. FREEMAN
Jennifer Bell
Tennessee State University Athletics enters an exciting new chapter with the appointment of Jennifer Bell as Interim Director of Athletics. A trusted fixture in the TSU community for over three decades, Bell assumes execu-
tive oversight of the university’s intercollegiate athletics program, bringing a deeply rooted, student-athlete-centered leader to the helm. Bell’s journey at TSU began in 1991 as an assistant women’s basketball coach under legendary former head coach Teresa Phillips. During her 11-year coaching tenure, she served as recruiting coordinator and helped guide the Lady Tigers to back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) championships. Transitioning to administration in 2002, Bell quickly established herself as a cornerstone of the department’s compliance, academic support, and student-athlete development programs. Most recently serving as Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services and Senior Woman Administrator, Bell’s leadership has consistently elevated TSU Athletics. Throughout her administrative career, she has secured over $1 million in grant funding to enhance academic services and leadership initiatives.
Under her meticulous guidance, TSU has maintained an exemplary compliance record with zero NCAA Level I or Level II violations. Her outstanding contributions to student welfare and institutional excellence have earned widespread recognition. In 2023, Bell received the OVC Thurston Banks Award for Distinguished Academic Service and was honored as a TSU Woman of Legend and Merit. A Clarksville native, Bell holds a bachelor’s degree from Fisk University—where she was a 1,000-point scorer on the basketball court—and earned her master’s degree in Sport Administration from Tennessee State University. In her interim role, Bell oversees departmental operations, budgets, personnel, and facility management while keeping the holistic success of TSU student-athletes at the forefront. With her steady leadership, the Tigers are well-positioned to continue excelling in competition, in the classroom, and far beyond.
THE BLUE NEVER FADES • HOMECOMING 2026
BY EMMANUEL S. FREEMAN
Dwayne Tucker Marks One Year as TSU President Following Financial and Enrollment Turnaround
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) When Dwayne Tucker became president of Tennessee State University just over a year ago, the institution stood at a critical crossroads. Faced with an impending financial deficit and slipping enrollment, the university needed immediate, decisive leadership. Roughly 12 months later, through fiscal discipline, strategic administrative changes, a renewed focus on customer service, and major infrastructure investments, Tucker has ushered in a new era for TSU. At the core of Tucker’s early momentum was addressing TSU’s pressing financial challenges. He worked directly with state leadership to negotiate an agreement redirecting $96 million previously earmarked for campus improvements directly into operational support. With those funds secured, Tucker launched a comprehensive financial roadmap designed to eliminate structural deficits. While state guidelines mandated a five-year timeline to stabilize university finances, Tucker’s aggressive plan sets TSU on track to operate in the black within just three years. “Stabilizing TSU’s financial future isn’t
National Recruitment Push Drives Unprecedented Enrollment Surge at Tennessee State University BY EMMANUEL S. FREEMAN
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Members of President Dwayne Tucker’s (inset) newly appointed cabinet. Photo by Aaron Grayson
a long-term goal; it’s an immediate obligation,” Tucker said. “By making tough decisions, bringing in elite financial expertise, and operating with total transparency, we are proving that TSU can be a model of fiscal responsibility.” To execute this turnaround, Tucker recruited seasoned leadership across critical administrative roles. He appointed TSU alumna and experienced CPA April Robinson as Vice President of Business and Finance to overhaul internal controls and restore balance to the books. Complementing financial leadership, Tucker surrounded himself with expert strategic advisors, including former Deloitte CTO Jerome Oglesby focusing on information
technology, Leah LouAllen driving student success, and Eloise Abernathy Alexis serving as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “To transform an institution, you have to surround yourself with people who bring deep expertise, high integrity, and a passion for mission-driven work,” the president said. “We are building a team capable of solving complex challenges and positioning us for sustainable, long-term success.” Fiscal recovery relies heavily on student growth, and Tucker’s sharp focus on enrollment yielded immediate results. Under Dr. Eric Stokes, newly appointed Vice President of Enrollment Management, TSU revamped
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) Across the 500-acre campus of Tennessee State University, move-in week was electric as thousands of incoming students made TSU their home. Beyond the traditional excitement, the celebration signaled a deeper transformation: TSU is witnessing an unprecedented surge in enrollment. This fall, total enrollment soared to over 6,100 students, a remarkable leap from about 5,000 just one year ago. Incoming first-time freshmen and transfer students totaled just over 2,000, compared to roughly 500 last year. “Seeing the energy, the enthusiasm, and the massive turnout shows that Tennessee State University is moving forward in a powerful way,” said TSU President Dwayne Tucker. The turnaround reflects a strategic overhaul spearheaded by Tucker, an alumnus who took the reins in August 2025. Re-
building momentum required restoring trust and visibility, leading Tucker to travel the country to engage directly with high schoolers, families, and community leaders. To lead the charge on the ground, Tucker appointed Dr. Eric Stokes as Vice President of Enrollment Management. Stokes launched “Tigers on Tour,” an extensive recruitment roadshow across major cities. “Tigers on Tour is exactly what the name suggests, we’re taking TSU to the students,” Stokes said. “Our goal is simple. We want students to come to campus, to experience our beautiful university firsthand. However, we understand that the journey often doesn’t start there.” Stokes credited the success to campuswide collaboration: “Everybody was really focused on one mission and one goal: new student enrollment and customer service.” President Tucker joined the team on the road and helped host events like “The
its recruitment strategies. Total enrollment surged past 6,100 students this fall, up from roughly 5,000 the previous year. Most notably, the incoming class of first-time freshmen and transfer students skyrocketed to over 2,000, more than quadrupling the previous year’s total of around 500. Tucker also prioritized improving customer service across all departments, establishing a new tone of accountability. “We must take a hard look in the mirror and elevate how we serve our students,” Tucker said. “Excellence isn’t just about what happens in the classroom, it’s about every single interaction a student has on this campus.” To foster this shift, he introduced the inaugural TSU Impact Awards, honoring individuals who go the extra mile. Under Tucker, the physical campus is undergoing a massive evolution, highlighted by the construction of a $60 million engineering facility, $90 million in agriculture facilities, and renovations to the Davis Humanities Building. Combined with athletic success and national recognition, including a ranking among Forbes’ top 10 public HBCUs, TSU is positioned for a bright future.
Blueprint” Spring Preview Day, which drew nearly 1,200 prospective students. During move-in week, Tucker personally drove a golf cart to shuttle nervous freshmen and their luggage to dorms, ensuring families felt supported from day one.
Dr. Eric Stokes
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October 11-17, 2026 • www.TnTribune.com
THE BLUE NEVER FADES • HOMECOMING 2026
TSU Named Among Nation’s Top 10 Public HBCUs by Forbes BY ALEXIS CLARK
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has been named one of the nation’s Top 10 Public Historically Black Colleges and Universities by Forbes, earning national recognition for delivering exceptional student outcomes and preparing graduates for long-term success. The recognition comes as part of Forbes’ inaugural ranking of the nation’s Top 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which features 10 public and 10 private institutions that are helping students thrive academically while positioning them for successful careers after graduation. According to Forbes, the rankings highlight institutions that combine academic quality, affordability, and strong graduate outcomes, recognizing colleges and universities that provide students with a meaningful return on their educational investment. “Being recognized by Forbes as one of the nation’s top public HBCUs is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the outstanding work taking place across Tennessee State University every day,” said President Dwayne Tucker. “This distinction affirms our commitment to academic excellence, student success, and preparing graduates to lead in their careers and communities. As we continue reimagining Tennessee State University for the future, this national recognition reinforces the excellence that has long defined our institution, and that our students are
receiving an education that equips them to compete and succeed at the highest levels.” The distinction places the university among an elite group of public HBCUs recognized nationally for creating pathways to student success and delivering an education that prepares graduates to make meaningful contributions in their professions and communities. Forbes highlighted the university’s distinguished alumni, including media mogul Oprah Winfrey and Olympic champion Wilma Rudolph, whose accomplishments reflect the enduring impact of a TSU education. The recognition also reflects the university’s continued commitment to expanding opportunities that foster student success, innovation, and academic excellence. The latest recognition adds to a growing list of national accolades for TSU. In 2025, Forbes Advisor recognized TSU as one of the nation’s top HBCUs for online degree programs, highlighting the university’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality education through in-
novative and flexible learning opportunities. As Tennessee’s only public land-grant HBCU and an R2 research institution, TSU continues to distinguish itself through academic excellence, impactful research, and transformative student experiences. Across eight colleges and schools, students benefit from faculty mentorship, undergraduate research, leadership development, internships, and experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for success after graduation. The Forbes recognition reflects TSU’s enduring legacy of excellence and its continued commitment to expanding opportunity, advancing innovation, and preparing the next generation of leaders.
“Being recognized by Forbes as one of the nation’s top public HBCUs is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the outstanding work taking place across Tennessee State University every day.” — TSU President Dwayne Tucker
Family Invests Another $500,000 in TSU’s Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. Institute BY EMMANUEL S. FREEMAN
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) - Building on the impact of their initial gift, the family of late pioneering cardiac surgeon Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. has committed an additional $500,000 to the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. Institute at Tennessee State University. The new contribution brings the family’s total investment to $1 million, securing an enduring academic pipeline for underrepresented students pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, and healthcare professions. The announcement was made Aug. 28 during a ceremony at TSU’s Avon Williams campus, where university leaders, faculty, students and family members gathered to celebrate the program’s growth. The presentation was led by Dr. Annie Marie Watkins Garraway, sister of the late surgeon, alongside Dr. George Pruitt, former president of Thomas Edison State University and cousin of Dr. Watkins. TSU President Dwayne Tucker expressed deep appreciation to the family for anchoring the late surgeon’s legacy at his alma mater. “Thank you for your generosity, your trust, and for continuing to choose TSU when a legacy like Dr. Watkins’ could be honored anywhere,” Tucker said. “His legacy belongs here. It is about placing possibility in front of stu-
dents, who then get to see themselves as physicians, scientists, and healthcare innovators.” Now in its sixth year, the Institute’s Accelerated Pathway Program allows high-achieving undergraduates to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in three years before matriculating to top medical and dental programs, including Meharry Medical College, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Jefferson University, and the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University. Dr. Garraway said observing the program’s tangible outcomes inspired the family to expand their support. “We just thought that maybe this was the best place for another contribution,” Garraway said. “That’s how that happened, just seeing the results and just wanting to do anything that we can. His connection to Tennessee State was enduring.” Barbara Murrell, founding chair of the institute, established the program following Dr. Watkins’ passing in 2015. “Out of that vision came a major program at Tennessee State University designed to prepare students for careers in medicine, dentistry and other areas of health care,” Murrell said. “These students come to us with a yearning for knowledge and the opportunity to be successful.”
The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting for the new Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. AI Healthcare Innovation Lab, providing TSU scholars access to cutting-edge AI tools for medical research.
“His legacy belongs here.” — TSU President Dwayne Tucker
President Dwayne Tucker, left, joins Program Chair Barbara Murrell and Dr. Annie Marie Watkins Garraway, both standing behind the check, as well as students (in blue) for the check presentation. Also participating is TSU Foundation Board President Dr. Levell Allen, far right. Photo by Aaron Grayson
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THE BLUE NEVER FADES • HOMECOMING 2026
TSU Athletics Celebrates Landmark Year with Historic Titles, Record Crowds and Timeless Legends
BY EMMANUEL S. FREEMAN
As Big Blue Nation gathers to celebrate Homecoming 2026, the energy surrounding Tennessee State University athletics is at a triumphant high. The past year delivered a
historic resurgence across campus, marked by championship victories, unprecedented crowd turnouts, timeless hall-of-fame tributes, and individual athletic excellence. The cornerstone of the memorable sports year unfolded on the hardwood under the
leadership of first-year head coach Nolan Smith. In his debut season, Coach Smith guided TSU Men’s Basketball through a thrilling campaign that culminated in an Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship. The victory snapped a 32year drought and punched the Tigers’ ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three decades. Although their tournament run came to an end on the national stage, the achievement revitalized the entire university community and earned Coach Smith a well-deserved contract extension. That same momentum carried over to the football field during the highly anticipated John Merritt Classic at Vanderbilt’s FirstBank Stadium. Head coach Reggie Barlow’s Tigers met longtime rival Jackson State University under the Nashville lights in front of a packed stadium. An astounding crowd of 32,467 fans filled the venue, representing the single largest attendance recorded across all FCS games nationwide that week. The huge turnout demonstrated
Saluting 2026 Hall of Famers
The 24 members of Tennessee State University’s 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame Class stand alongside TSU President Dwayne Tucker and Interim Director of Athletics Jennifer Bell, celebrating their lasting legacy and contributions to Tiger Sports. Photo by Lucas Dixon
the unmatched dedication, scale, and passion of the TSU fanbase. TSU also paid deep respect to its storied past. The 2026 TSU Athletics Hall of Fame enshrined a distinguished class of inductees, headlined by former Athletics Director Teresa Phillips, whose transformative leadership anchored Big Blue sports for decades, alongside coaching legend Bill Thomas. Also bridging TSU’s rich heritage with its future, Super Bowl champion and TSU icon Richard Dent rejoined the program as a special advisor to Coach Barlow. Beyond the major stadium venues, TSU student-athletes continued to claim championships on the running trails. At the Legacy Series Invite in Huntsville, Alabama, senior Eric Brannon posted a personal-best time of 16:59.3 to propel the TSU men’s cross-country team to an invitational title. The Tigers also placed five runners inside the top ten. As Homecoming 2026 unfolds, we honor the legacy of Big Blue athletics while signaling an even brighter future ahead.
Record Breaking Turnout
A record-breaking crowd of 32,467 fans packed Vanderbilt’s FirstBank Stadium as TSU met Jackson State in the John Merritt Classic, the largest crowd at any FCS game nationwide that week. Photo by Aaron Grayson
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October 11-17, 2026 • www.TnTribune.com
THE BLUE NEVER FADES • HOMECOMING 2026
Welcome Home, Tigers
Homecoming Parade: Saturday morning, Oct. 17. The route runs west along Jefferson Street from 14th Avenue North to the TSU campus, ending at 33rd Avenue and Albion Street.
Forever Big Blue, Honoring the Legacy of Amos-Leon’ and Brenda Otis As the Tennessee State University family gathers for Homecoming 2026, our celebration is filled with gratitude as we honor the memories of two of our most devoted champions, Amos-Leon’ Otis ’65, and Brenda Wills Otis, who passed away within months of each oth-
er, Amos on Nov. 14, 2025, and Brenda on Feb. 22, 2026. Few couples have embodied TSU’s spirit of excellence, leadership, and philanthropy quite like the Otises. Together, their visionary impact reshaped the physical and academic landscape of our university. Amos, founder, president, and CEO of SoBran, Inc., was a respected business leader, Air Force veteran, and former TSU Foundation Board Chairman whose career reflected unwavering integrity. Guided by a deep belief in educational access, he spearheaded major fundraising efforts, establishing the SoBran/SComan Educational Scholarship Endowment and rallying emergency relief funds for graduating seniors. Brenda was a trailblazer in her own right. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, who participated in Civil Rights marches with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at age 16, Brenda carried that passion for advocacy throughout her life.
She excelled as an educator, an AP Award–winning television news producer, and a PBS programming executive before serving on SoBran’s Board of Directors and touching countless lives through community service. Together, Amos and Brenda made history as the first alumni couple to donate a $1 million gift to TSU toward a future Alumni Welcome Center. Their generosity was matched only by their personal dedication, mentoring scholars and remaining steadfast supporters of their alma mater for more than five decades. As Big Blue Pride fills the Nashville air this Homecoming, we honor the extraordinary purpose, service, and love that Amos and Brenda demonstrated every day. Though deeply missed, their legacy lives on in every student supported by their generosity and every tradition we hold dear. Their light will forever shine bright in the heart of TSU.
IN LOVING MEMORY
Margaret C. Whitfield ’55 Tennessee State University mourns the passing of Margaret C. Whitfield, a devoted alumna who served as Director of the Office of Alumni Relations from 1990 to 2000, strengthening the bond between TSU and generations of Tigers. Her legacy lives on through the Margaret C. Whitfield Endowed Scholarship. A memorial service will be held Oct. 24.
Happy Homecoming, TSU Tigers!
To check out the full list of calendar events, visit www.tigerhomecoming.com Get more TSU News at www.tnstatenewsroom.com