FOUNDATION FORWARD
BOARD OUR
Laveil Allen, M.D.
Robert Blalock (Treasurer)
Traci Otey Blunt
James Claiborne (Vice Chair)
Curtis Collier
Leslie Coleman
Charles Galbreath, Jr.
Dr. Glenda Glover (TSU President)
Curtis Hollis
Alexis Johnson
Valerie Love (Chair)
Roosevelt Luster III
Amos-Leon’ Otis (Immediate Past Chair)
Mario Payne
Deddrick Perry
Lesia Riddick (Secretary)
April Robinson
Reginald Shareef
Cynthia Snyder
Rick Stevens
Charles Traughber
Laron Walker
the CHAIR
Greetings TSU Alumni, Family and Friends,
It is with immense gratitude and enthusiasm that I address you as the recently re-elected Chair of the Tennessee State University Foundation Board of Directors - Having embarked on this journey as a board member in December 2020 and the Board Chair in 2022, I am deeply honored to continue serving alongside our dedicated board members in advancing the mission and vision of our esteemed organization.
Under the guidance of our executive board, The TSU Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting students in their educational pursuits at - TSU by increasing donors and President’s Society members. Growth in these areas impacts the number of students we can assist at our beloved University.
As we look ahead, I am confident that with the unwavering support of our generous donors and friends, we will continue to empower the University and students in delivering top-quality opportunities for success.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the TSU Foundation. Together, let us embark on this journey of transformation and excellence.
Warm regards,
Valerie R. Love
Valerie R. Love Chair, Tennessee State University Foundation Board of Directors
Board Member
Tennessee State University Foundation Board welcomes new Board Member, Curtis Hollis.
Curtis Hollis is a seasoned executive serving as the Chief Operating Officer at the Minority Business Accelerator within the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Hollis has 29 years of senior executive banking experience. He is instrumental in enhancing internal processes and infrastructure to foster the growth of scalable minority businesses. Previously, as senior vice-president at KeyBank, he led aggressive growth strategies across south and central Ohio.
Hollis is a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran, embodying leadership and community service. He holds a degree in Business Administration from Tennessee State University (‘93) and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School. Curtis is also a faculty member at PCBS, teaching leadership since 2016.
Curtis’ commitment to community service extends to various boards and organizations, including active membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Urban League of Greater Southwest Ohio, where he chairs the finance committee. His accolades also include the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Top Forty under 40 award and recognition in Who’s Who in Black Indianapolis. Hollis and his wife Nikki, proudly share four children.
Tennessee State University Welcomes New Leadership:
Meet the Past and Present
TSU Foundation Board
Members Who Now Serve as University Trustees
Tennessee State University (TSU) is gearing up for a transformative era under the leadership of newly appointed University Trustees. Announced by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, and curated by TSU Alumni Nashville Chapter members, these individuals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to guide TSU into a promising future.
Dwayne Tucker, Kevin Williams, and Charles Traughber are three of the eight who have been entrusted with leading Tennessee State’s journey toward excellence. All three have also served on the Tennessee State University Foundation (TSU Foundation) Board of Directors. Let’s delve into their backgrounds:
CEO of LEAD Public Schools, Dwayne Tucker brings a deep understanding of educational leadership and community engagement.
As the President and CEO of GAA Manufacturing, Kevin Williams brings a strategic mindset and a track record of driving growth and innovation.
Serving as the General Counsel for the Division of Real Estate, Retail, and Financial Services at Bridgestone Americas, Charles Traughber brings legal expertise and corporate governance experience to the table.
Under the Focus on College and University Success (FOCUS) Act, TSU’s governance structure is designed to promote accountability and representation. The Board of Trustees consists of ten members, with nine voting members and one non-voting student member. Among the voting members:
• Eight are appointed and approved by the Governor, subject to ratification by the Tennessee General Assembly.
• One member, representing the faculty, is appointed by TSU’s Faculty Senate.
This diverse composition ensures that TSU’s governance reflects the interests and perspectives of various stakeholders, from students to faculty to Alumni and Community members.
DWAYNE TUCKER
KEVIN WILLIAMS CHARLES TRAUGHBER
Member Spotlight
Deddrick Perry
Be A Legacy Builder Through The TSU Foundation
Tennessee State University Foundation Board Member Deddrick Perry is an investor and land developer. He is the co-founder of CHIPSA Hospital and North Beach Clinic and Legacy Labs. Perry is also the principal of FirstMedic SA: Cv Hospital Corp and Servicios Medicos Clinical Corp in Mexico. Perry holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Tennessee State University. He is a Joliet, Ill. native and Alpha Theta initiated member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Perry is heading a new committee for real estate as a trust vehicle for the—TSU Foundation. There are three components to this effort. The first one would be to create naming rights for buildings. This would ensure new buildings all had names at the opening. Secondly, the committee wants to assist the University in aspirational real estate projects, such as new dorms, new science and engineering buildings. The committee is also working to develop a stand-alone real estate portfolio for the University through the TSU Foundation. This will increase the TSU Foundations wealth and secure the financial prospects for future students.
Perry shared some ways he supports the University:
Talk about why it’s important to support the school financially.
I am a past scholarship recipient. My matriculation through Tennessee State University was directly associated with alumni giving. I am a product of the type of giving I want to encourage.
I have a spirit of gratitude and reciprocity. It’s important to return what was given to me.
Are there specific funds or efforts you support through the TSU Foundation? Where is your money going?
I have been a longtime supporter of the Bryan Collins Memorial Scholarship. Bryan Collins was my line brother who tragically passed in a car accident near campus. His family has done a wonderful job creating the scholarship and keeping his memory alive. The second one is a new endowment I have recently started in the name of my great uncle, Joseph McClure. He was a 1940’s double Tennessee State graduate, undergraduate, and postgraduate in mathematics.
Why is it important to be a President’s Society member?
Any amount of resources is welcomed. It’s important to understand the long-term planning for the TSU Foundation and the university having committed donations giving at a certain minimum level is essential to helping us plan financially. The TSU Foundation relies on donations to build the capital fund to invest those funds and issue scholarships from the return. The larger the fund is, the more scholarships will be awarded. That is our fundamental purpose: sowing back into the next generation of scholars and leaders in our community. Being a President’s Society member creates another pathway of access.
What does it take to be a member of the President’s Society?
It only ‘takes’ $87 a month. You can put it on autopay. It doesn’t take much to be a part of the President’s Society. For those who don’t donate, I want them to ask themselves why they aren’t giving. It is important to support the students and University financially.
Alumni Spotlight
Sherrill Toran
Investing in Students by Empowering Future Engineers
Sherrill Toran is President of the Tennessee State University Engineering Alumni Association.
She also serves the University in the College of Engineering Dean’s Office as coordinator of corporate engagement and partnerships. Ms. Toran completed her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee State University, as well as her Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning Curriculum and Instruction.
Toran got word of students needing tuition assistance and sprung into action. She along with the EAA board created a merit-based scholarship. The Alumni Association was able to award 30 students scholarships totaling $60,000 over two months. Students received these scholarship funds through the TSU Foundation .
Can you share one or two ways, or experiences from Tennessee State that led to your success?
Somebody loved me enough that even in my best of times, and even in my worst of times, somebody loved me enough that they invested in me to ensure my success. So it’s very, very important that I give back because someone invested in me.
Why do you feel it’s important to be a member of the President’s Society?
It’s important to be a member of the President’s Society because it’s a part of giving back to the very institution that gave you opportunities in your career. Oftentimes, when people say the President’s Society, it’s a little dismissive. It’s not about being a “Who’s Who.” It’s about just being a good steward. And giving back to the University and investing in students, because that is part of our mantra—to support the college, support its students, and support alumni with job opportunities, and career.
Are there specific funds or efforts you support through the-TSU Foundation? Where is your money going?
The Engineering Alumni Association has three funds, the ASC, which is the Alumni Scholarship Endowment, Summer Pre-Engineering Readiness Fund (SPERF), and the Engineering New Building Fund. We must give back because we have to pay it forward. We pay it forward to the next generation so that they can continue to pay it forward becoming perpetual. It doesn’t matter where you support the TSU Foundation We must give.
How would you like to inspire those reading this interview? How would you ask them to support the students?
Give of your time, give of your resources. We have students who need help with their resumes. We have students who need help with interviewing techniques, branding themselves and building confidence, all of these kinds of things. It’s not just about the money, but we have to be able to bring our resources and our skill sets back to the table so that we can invest in our college, [and ultimately] in our students.
A Powerful Creation
Martha West (‘53), a seasoned alumna of Tennessee State University, has been an ardent supporter of the University for decades. Graduating in 1953 when the institution transitioned from a college to a University, she witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. Now, in her 90s, she remains passionately engaged in advancing the mission of TSU.
One of West’s notable contributions is being one of the inspirations behind the creation of the President’s Society concept and focus for TSUF’s former and current board leadership. A philanthropic initiative aimed at nurturing a culture of giving among alumni and supporters, The President’s Society is a community where members share a deep commitment to the University’s and students’ successes... something Ms. West knows all too well.
This Giving Society, administered through TSUF, serves as a platform to recognize and appreciate donors who contribute a minimum of $1,000 annually to TSU. By rallying individuals around common goals and fostering a sense of belonging, the President’s Society strengthens the bond between the University and its supporters.
Miss West’s vision for the President’s Society extends beyond mere financial support. She understands that education is a pathway to empowerment, especially for marginalized communities. Through her impassioned advocacy, she urges fellow alumni to get involved, emphasizing the critical role education plays in breaking cycles of poverty and incarceration.
In essence, the President’s Society is a testament to West’s enduring legacy—a testament to her unwavering dedication to TSU and her belief in the transformative power of education. As she passes the baton to future generations, her words echo: “You must get involved. Education is our key to liberation.”
TSU Foundation
Quarterly Reception Rewind
TSU Foundation: Washington, D.C. Reception (2024)
A special thank you to KATRINA HARRIS for partnering with the TSU Foundation and inviting members of the Northeast Alumni Chapter to learn more about the President’s Society.
The March President’s Society reception was held in our Nation’s Capital, Washington, D.C. The reception served a dual purpose: expressing gratitude to donors who contribute $1,000 or more annually and actively recruiting new members to grow and diversify our TSU Foundation. Our overarching goal is to reach 2,000 President’s Society members by the end of 2025. Two new donors, in D.C. achieved this giving level. This growth is crucial as it enables us to award more scholarships to deserving students on campus, supporting their educational journey and fostering a thriving academic community.
Financial Forecast
As a valued member of the President’s Society, we are providing you with an update on the Foundation’s recent efforts and achievements in supporting students on campus.
Student Support:
TSU Foundation has awarded $256,000 to help 118 students cancel balances in the Fall 2023 semester.
Students maintained GPAs over 3.0, highlighting their dedication to academic excellence.
Sophomores
27 26 2
Juniors
Freshmen
63
Seniors
110M as of 5/31/2024
TSU Foundation represents 110 Million as of 5/31/2024
These accomplishments reflect our unwavering commitment to being responsible stewards of our investments while also prioritizing the success and well-being of our students. The Finance Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that every dollar donated is utilized effectively to support as many students as possible. Their responsibilities include overseeing the Foundation’s financial operations, budget management, and investment strategies, all to maximize the impact of our resources.
We express our sincere gratitude to every one of you for your continued support and dedication to our beloved University. Because of your generosity, we can make a difference in students’ lives.
Each One Bring One
As we move forward, please consider reaching out to other Alumni and encouraging them to become members of the President’s Society. By growing our membership, we can further strengthen our ability to support students and grow our endowment, ensuring that future generations of students receive the same opportunities for success.
Thank you once again for your unwavering support and commitment to our mission. Together, we can continue to make a profound impact on student’s lives and contribute to their academic and personal growth.
TSU Foundation Board Members hosted “The Land of Golden Sunshine,” a professional growth and career advice networking event for scholars. This event provided an opportunity for scholars to engage with board members and donors while attending informative sessions on financial empowerment, the powerful and beneficial uses of social media, and essential career-building skills such as resume writing and dressing for job interviews. Students expressed that they found great value in the discussions and workshops. We remain committed to empowering student scholars, and together, we can effect positive change.
Scholars had an opportunity to engage in personal and professional growth through networking and education, interacting with donors and board members. Participants were vocal in telling TSU Foundation Board Members that they found value in the discussions, learning sessions, and networking opportunities offered at the Land of Golden Sunshine event. We eagerly look forward to empowering positive change together.
The Tennessee State University Foundation is the official charitable organization authorized to accept private contributions for Tennessee State University. Established in 1970, the mission of the Tennessee State University Foundation is to promote and support literary, scientific, educational, scholarship, research, charitable and development purposes and goals at Tennessee State University.
The Foundation is designated as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service and is therefore authorized to issue tax-deductible receipts for charitable donations received to support Tennessee State University. Gift acknowledgements are mailed out promptly for all contributions received.
