TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION BOARD WELCOMES SIX NEW BOARD MEMBERS.
ALUMNI TIGERS WHO SHINE DON HARDIN
TSU FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBER REACHING NEW HEIGHTS CYNTHIA SNYDER
TSU ALUMNI CENTER CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
FINANCIAL FORECAST
Tennessee State University Foundation Board of Directors pays tribute to former Board Chairman, Steve Harris, who passed away on March 7, 2022.
Steve Harris became a member of the TSU Foundation Board of Directors in July of 2017. Harris volunteered to serve as a member of the Development and Fundraising Committee, where he vigorously initiated dialogue and proposed strategies to promote an annual John Merritt Classic Fundraiser.
Harris worked for the good of the University, and was actively involved in matters relating to the growth and development of the TSU Athletics Program. He traveled near and far to football classics and other athletic events in support of the team, the athletics program, and the Foundation Board. He was instrumental in the search for the director of athletics and a contributing force on the Athletics Partnership Committee. In 2020, Mr. Harris became Chairman of the Development and Fundraising Committee. On March 4, 2022, he was delighted to be elected Chairman of the TSU Foundation Board of Directors.
Always a willing worker with a heart-warming smile, Steve demonstrated the essence of a “team player.” The Foundation is forever grateful for his invaluable contribution to the TSU Foundation Board and to the University and expresses our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure and privilege to know him.
I am truly honored to serve as Chairman of the Tennessee State University Foundation Board and to have the opportunity to work alongside my fellow Foundation Board members, TSU Leadership Team and Staff. I joined the Foundation Board in December 2020, and I must say I continue to be inspired by the level of passion and commitment of the Board to continue the work started by members who came before me. I have had the awesome opportunity to watch and learn from past Chairman Amos Otis and other Board Members who welcomed me to the Board. I became Board Chairman in March 2022, following the untimely passing of our amazing friend and fellow Board Member (and forever Chairman) Steve Harris.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have met and worked with Steve, and I am now guided by his commitment to serve. When pondering a direction, I often find myself asking “What would Steve do?” My goal is to model his servant leadership in a way that would make him proud… that will make us all proud.
The mission of the TSU Foundation Board is to promote and support literary, scientific, educational, scholarship, research, charitable and development purposes and goals at TSU. Our Board has a shared passion and commitment to work together in partnership with the University to advance our mission with an emphasis on fundraising and development. Our goal is to increase the number of fund donors by leveraging our TSU Alumni, Family, Friends, Organizations and Corporations to solicit annual giving. By increasing donor giving, we can better ensure current and future TSU students have the financial resources to complete their matriculation at TSU and enter the world ready to make a difference and positive impact.
The Foundation Board is poised to do the critically important work to continue our mission and we ask each of you to join us by giving of your resources (both time and finances) and helping to galvanize fellow alums and friends to give back to our beloved university. We need your help to truly live out our mission. There is an African Proverb that says: If you want to go fast, go alone… If you want to go far, go together!
Let’s go forward…TOGETHER!
In the Spirit of Servant Leadership, Valerie R.
Chairman, Tennessee State University Foundation Board“We are delighted to have the new Board members join the team during this challenging but exciting period,” TSU Foundation Board Chairman Valerie Love said. “They each bring diverse perspectives and experience to the Board that will help guide TSU as it plans for the future while entering the new year of service.”
Traci Otey Blunt has led award-winning media and public affairs campaigns for corporate, political, entertainment, and professional sports organizations for over 25 years. Traci is the Founder and Principal of Blunt Group Strategies, a boutique strategic and crisis communications consulting firm that advises C-Suite executives and leaders across a variety of business sectors and industries.
Prior to launching Blunt Group Strategies, Traci was SVP of Corporate Communications at the National Football League (NFL) where she led communications strategies across multiple priority areas.
James Clayborne is the Founding Partner of Clayborne & Wagner LLP, the only African American certified minority-owned law firm, between Chicago and Kansas City. James has strong communication skills in cultivating relationships and systematic change as well as building consensus among diverse individuals. This has allowed him to serve as a legal advisor to the Board of federally qualified health centers and hospitals for the past 15 years. James sits on the Board of directors for the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where he works with the board of directors and hospital administrators to improve access to quality. James is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University.
Leslie Coleman is a global human resources leader who has provided support for major corporations for over two decades. She is the Founder and Owner of Resume Executive, a career coaching and development organization designed to support individuals at all levels of their career. Leslie’s work in Human Resources spans over 57 countries and eight business sectors from around the globe. She has spent the majority of her career mentoring and loves every aspect of serving her community as well as educating her clients, cohorts and associates on the importance of personal and professional development.
Mario Payne has a passion for making investing simple. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Owner of a SEC Registered Investment Advisory Firm, TOAMS Financial. Along with building his firm, Mario is very proud to be Dave Ramsey’s ONLY minority Endorsed Local Professional Smartvestor in all of Jacksonville, FL. Mario made history in February 2022. The company he co-owns, launched the first African American owned AI ETF on the New York Stock Exchange. In the community, Mario is a Mayoral appointed Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees member, where he served as its Financial Chair.
Deddrick Perry is a biotech investor and land developer with over 11 years experience as a principal and treasury manager. Deddrick specializes in strategic structuring of assets and managing liquidity across multinational companies and currencies. Deddrick is the Co-Founder at CHIPSA Hospital and The North Beach Clinic and Legacy Labs; and principal FirstMedic Sa.Cv Hospital Corp and Servicios Medicos Clinical Corp in Mexico. Deddrick has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Tennessee State University and is a Joliet, IL native. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated; and initiated in and past Chapter President of the Alpha Theta Chapter.
Cynthia G. Snyder, currently serves as the Associate Director for Support at the National Geospatial-intelligence Agency (NGA), Springfield, VA. She has been with NGA for 17 years and was appointed to the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service in September 2007. Cynthia is an active member of her community, and is an active member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA, where she has held various ministry positions over the past 30 years. Ms. Snyder is an active member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., which she was initiated as an undergraduate at Tennessee State University, Alpha Psi Chapter in Nashville, TN.
The local graduate who conquered construction: the epitome of Think. Work. Serve.
We are shining the spotlight on TSU graduate, Don Hardin. Hardin’s firm, the Don Hardin Group, is helping to pave the way for change for the city’s landscape. He and his team have been players in some of Nashville’s most transformative projects, including the Music City Center, 505 Nashville (luxury penthouses), Hospital Corporation of America, Nissan North America, and the National Museum of African American Music.
As a Nashville native, Hardin has a love/hate relationship with the city’s growth. “I love that people came from out of town and larger metropolitan areas. People are out of the box thinkers but in that, locals get lost,” he said. “You can walk in any room and ask who is from Nashville and find there are not many (natives) in the room. I like the growth,
but don’t like how we are growing to congestion and that Black people aren’t as involved in the lucrative opportunities to be had in the city. Some have been able to take advantage, but that is not always the case.”
After graduating from TSU, Hardin has been able to take advantage of the growth in the city. When Hardin isn’t helping to build the next major Nashville construction project, he enjoys a good wine down at his favorite place, Casa de Montecristo, with his wife Tracy.
The TSU Foundation Board is elated to congratulate one of its very own, Cynthia Snyder, on her new position as Assistant Director of National Intelligence for Human Capital (ADNI/ HC). Appointed in January 2023, Snyder leads the design, development and execution of human capital strategies, plans, and policies in support of the U.S. Intelligence Community workforce and in furtherance of the National Intelligence Strategy.
“We are honored to have such a trailblazer on the Foundation Board,” said Roosevelt Luster, Vice Chair, TSU Foundation Board. “She exemplifies the strong makings of a Tennessee State University graduate, and she embodies the characteristics of the type of Foundation Board member we aim to recruit, and use their skills and talent to give back and make a
difference.” Snyder brings decades of leadership experience to the role of ADNI/HC through both military and intelligence environments.
Please provide your job title and describe your current management role.
I am currently a Senior Software Manager specialist for Autonomous Systems, specifically the Boeing MQ-25 system. I have managed multiple programs across the Boeing Company, and in this role I manage a team of over 15 software engineers. My team develops real-time messaging and application integration software for management of the autonomous vehicle. I am involved in many aspects of the system’s life-cycle with the software product. I assist the team with providing meaningful product development estimates, and I am responsible for the team’s successful execution and delivery of the system, which requires identifying processes to improve the team’s resource execution.
Rashara N. Givhan is an experienced thought leader who manages diverse high performing technical engineering teams through all phases of the product life cycle. With over 25 years of experience, she has a proven record of success. Results driven - she directly contributes to the company achieving its strategic vision across multiple industries. Learn more about Givhan through the Q&A below:
Throughout my over 25 year career, I have held multiple positions, to include program Technical Lead, Lead Engineer, Deputy Program Manager, Project Manager, Lead Auditor, software and hardware engineer, just to name a few. I started my career with the National Aeronautical Space Association (NASA) in 1993. I served as an aeronautical engineer in Safety and Missions Assurance at NASA in Huntsville, Al. In this position I led the contractor audit teams and system reviews for NASA. In pursuit of my Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, I created a 4GHZ microprocessor as my final project. This microprocessor has been used on many NASA follow-on programs. Prior to joining the Boeing Team, I served as the Program Lead and Technical Lead for Lucent Technology/Alcatel. As an engineer, I developed many new protocol technologies and telecommunication feature sys-
tems that are still used today, such as telephone number portability. During this period, I was also the Lead Feature engineer responsible for software development teams from China, Switzerland, and South America. As a member of the Boeing family, I was the Technical Lead for the F18 C/D and AV-8B Advanced Mission Computer Type 2-3 computers. I led Singapore’s Brigade F-15 Combat Systems, Future Combat System, Systems Engineering Data Management, as well as Supplier Auditing. I served as the Engineering Product Data Management /Integrated Product Data Management (IPDM) Deputy Program Manager responsible for an over $2.25 million budget. As the Technical Lead for IPDM implementation of Product Support Functionality, I saved the company over $3 million with the first implementation. I managed the overall business case, resulting in over $55 million in saving opportunities. I served as the Technical Lead for Architecture Enterprise Integration for 2CES implementation, driving requirements development, processes, and technical alignments of Boeing’s functional organizations for the Digital Enterprise.
Describe how your career path is unique. Describe instances of where you were a groundbreaker or “first” in the engineering field.
I have many years of design and development experience. To complete my Bachelor of Science degree I created an electrical control hot water valve system for residential hot water systems. This research was used as the foundation for digital homes today. During my graduate degree in Electrical Engineering I created one of the first 4Ghz micro processing chips. This chip was used as the basis for many NASA and aircraft research designs. This first design of a 4Ghz micro processor in 1995 moved computing forward. During my time at Lucent, I enhanced the ISDN protocol and TCP/ IP protocols for network messaging. During my time at the Boeing Company, I created process improvements, such as an integrated structure for Program Management Best Practices and Application Development & Sustainment, which extended into Agile and SAFE. In the development of an integrated company data wise, I developed processes for Engineering, Product Support, Manufacturing and Program Management. Outside of Boeing, I am a member of the group that created an application that implements the full life cycle of the beauty industry. This application allows the stylist to control product distribution and other aspects of
the beauty industry. I also created an additional application for sport teams. This application allows the user to collaborate, share, and create plays with their teams.
I continuously contribute to my profession through development of technologies through application development. I provided implementable solutions to improve team execution as part of my authoring “Finding Function in Dysfunctional Organizations,” in addition to winning strategies in leadership development through “Developing Learning Organizations for the Next Generations.” I have contributed to the development of engineers my entire career through mentoring and coaching.
Many projects that I led are now foundational to the engineering industry, such as the Digital Control Interface for valve systems. In recent years, my writings have contributed to the expansion and understanding of organizations. My writings from “Finding Function in Dysfunctional Organizations” have been used and quoted in numerous articles and dissertations. In addition to “Corporate Lifecycle and Product Lifecycle Alignment” having contributed to companies through research. I earned a Bachelor Science in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee State University, Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Tennessee, Master of Business Administration from Saint Louis University, and PhD with a focus in Engineering Management from Walden University. My dissertation focused on the implementation of Quality Management programs. My writings have been cited in a number of studies in recent years. I continue to provide engineering and leadership insight by participating on other’s research committees reviewing new studies.
The TSU Foundation Board of Directors held its inaugural President’s Society reception at the Hutton Hotel Nashville. Following the TSU Foundation Board meeting, board members, President Society members, alumni, and staff gathered for an intimate reception featuring TSU President, Dr. Glenda Glover, members of the TSU Aristocrat of Bands, and more.
(L-R) - Laron A. Walker (board member), Roosevelt Luster, III (TSU Foundation Board Vice Chair), Andrea Bond-Johnson (board member), Valerie R. Love (TSU Foundation Board Chair), Dr. Glenda Glover, Ph.D, J.D., CPA (Tennessee State University President), Lesia G. Riddick (TSU Foundation Board Secretary), Robert E. Blalock, Jr. (TSU Foundation Board Treasurer), Reginald J. Shareef (board member), Honorable Curtis Collier (board member), Charles H. Galbreath, Jr. (board member), Charles A. Traughber (board member)
(L-R)
Board
Directors, Roosevelt Luster,III (TSU Foundation Board Vice Chairman), Valerie R. Love (TSU Foundation Board Chairman), Dr. Glenda Glover, Ph.D., J.D., CPA (Tennessee State University President), Lesia G. Riddick (TSU Foundation Board Secretary), Robert E. Blalock, Jr. (TSU Foundation Board Treasurer)
board members James Clayborne, Jr. (board member), Deddrick Perry (board member), Cynthia Snyder (board member), Valerie R. Love (TSU Foundation Board Chairman), Dr. Glenda Glover, Ph.D., J.D., CPA (Tennessee State University President), Traci Otey Blunt (board member), Leslie Coleman (board member) and Mario Payne (board member)
Reception attendees enjoying an evening of celebration and honor.
- TSU Foundation
of
(L-R) - Newly inducted
Alumni members of TSU’s Aristocrats of Band (AOB) were the entertainment of the night, providing a nice jazz ensemble.
Board members pictured represent those serving during the December 2022 TSU Foundation event.
Newly inducted board members Traci Otey Blunt, Leslie Coleman and Mario Payne being sworn in.
Construction on the long-awaited Tennessee State University Alumni Center is anticipated to begin on campus in 2023.
The three-level structure with a roof-top terrace will proudly occupy the corner of Schraeder Lane and Walter S. Davis Boulevard. An alumni couple has contributed one-million dollars to initiate the project. Groundbreaking took place during homecoming week, 2018. The on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed planning and construction. This expansive glass, energy-efficient structure will be that place on campus where alumni can relax and fraternize with friends and family in a modern setting. It will have stateof-the-art infrastructure and there will be areas for congregating and dining. Alumni and athletic achievements will be on display. Exhibition
and fellowship space for the Divine Nine will be one of many centerpoints.
Community outreach, educational programs, STEM seminars, and financial symposiums, will be available to the North Nashville community through the Alumni Center - the vision for the center is multi-functional. The space can also be available for hosting community organizations. The Tennessee State University Foundation is eager to execute this endeavor. Donations from alumni and friends of the University are welcomed and encouraged.
The Alumni Center will serve as a permanent home for Tennessee State University’s more than 60,000 alumni.
The Tennessee State University Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization established in 1970 whose sole mission is to promote and support literary, scientific, educational, scholarship, research, charitable and development purposes and goals at Tennessee State University.
The Foundation is managed by an independent Board comprised of alumni, business and community leaders who have an affection for Tennessee State University and are committed to its vision for the future. The responsibility of the Board is to acquire, manage and administer Foundation funds to support the students of our illustrious University.
Current TSU Endowment equates to $90 Million in value.
+$30 million
Annual expected return +$30 million
670
TSU Foundation currently has 670 President Society members who donate $1000/year
2000
Goal - 2000 members in the President’s Society by 2025
800+
800+ endowed scholarships available to students by Fall 2023
TSU Foundation has a goal of increasing the President’s Society (PS) membership (donors who contribute $1,000 or more in a fiscal year) to 1,000 at the close of fiscal year ‘23 (fiscal year ends June 30, 2023). The TSU Foundation closed at 726 members in fiscal year ‘22. The increase in PS members is needed to stabilize annual giving at a base of $15,000,000.
TSU recently awarded $251,700 to help 127 students who were going to be purged from the University using funds outside of named scholarships.
TSU Foundation is currently ahead of total funds raised in fiscal year ‘21. The TSU Foundation is tracking to be ahead of last year’s contributions, minus a one-time contribution of $7.1 million from State of Tennessee, Lowes, Apple and Amazon.
You can help by using the attached link to increase your level of giving to the President’s Society (PS) level or above. You can also send this eMagazine to someone you personally know who can give at the President’s Society level or above, and ask them to become a PS member.
With the help of the Banks Law Firm (Law Firm that helped structure the growth of NC A&T’s Foundation), in the effort to be the engine that funds TSU’s infrastructure, the Bylaws will be revised and updated by 12/1/23.
Coming off its ten-year anniversary, Disciplina has grown to become a leading African-American and woman-owned OCIO investment advisory firm. Disciplina was founded in 2013 by the former Chief Investment Officer at Vanderbilt University, Matthew Wright, and senior team members Alena Kuprevich and Brant Smith. Disciplina’s experienced team focuses exclusively on providing customized, investment management solutions to mission-driven organizations, endowments, foundations, and universities like HBCUs that support diverse communities. Our firm’s exclusive not-for-profit focus allows us to support institutions that are at the forefront of advancing and addressing the systemic forces faced by disadvantaged communities. Disciplina is a certified MWBE, and diversity and inclusion are natural extensions of who we are and are evident across our mission, team, investment managers and service providers.
Our firm manages the portfolio utilizing a team-based approach with the full investment team providing both direct and indirect support to the Foundation. It begins with Disciplina’s Founder Matthew Wright, the first African American to manage a $1 billion-plus college endowment when he took the helm at Vanderbilt University in 2007. In 2013, he became the first African American to start and lead an OCIO/Consulting firm. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Seton Hall University and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Rochester. He is an Executive Committee Member of Seton Hall University’s Board of Regents and Chair of the Investment Committee, and Investment Committee member of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, He is also a member of the CFA Institute, Leadership Nashville Class of 2016, and the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Matthew has also lectured numerous times at Vanderbilt University’s Owen School of Business. In 2017, Matthew was chosen as the speaker for Seton Hall University’s 160th Commencement Address.
Duke Williams Managing Director of Disciplina Group
Duke Williams is a Managing Director of Disciplina Group, LLC, and member of the investment team. Prior to joining Disciplina in 2020, Duke was an Investment Consultant at Aon Investments based in Chicago and was the leader of the Insurance Solutions Investment Consulting Practice for North America. He also served as a consultant to some of the largest pension, retirement benefit plans and nonprofits in North America. Duke served in various investment leadership roles. Duke is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and holds an M.B.A. from Tulane University in New Orleans. Duke is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated and the 100 Black Men of Greater Baton Rouge.
To find out more about our firm and other team members, please visit www.disciplina.com.
With the visible impact that the TSU Foundation plays in acquiring, managing and administering funds to support student scholarships and the work of the University, there is opportunity to focus and cultivate President Society (PS) members and develop an ongoing relationship with new graduates and alumni. Through quarterly receptions, aligned with the Foundation Board meetings, PS members will have the opportunity to talk with, engage, recommend and convince more people to consider the President’s Society as a giving option. The next President’s Society reception will take place in Atlanta, GA, on June 8, 2023, following the Board of Directors meeting. We hope to see you there!
Valerie R. Love, Chairman
Roosevelt Luster, III, Vice Chairman
Robert E. Blalock, Jr., Treasurer
Lesia G. Riddick, Secretary
Amos-Leon’ Otis, Immediate Past Chairman
Traci Otey Blunt
James Clayborne, Jr.
Leslie Coleman
Honorable Curtis Collier
Charles H. Galbreath, Jr.
Glenda Glover, Ph.D., J.D., CPA (President, Tennessee State University)
Mario Payne
Deddrick Perry
Reginald J. Shareef
Cynthia Snyder
Charles A. Traughber
Laron A. Walker
