TigerTimes
FromthePresident
It is with great pleasure that we bring to you the first edition of Tiger Times, the official publication of the Texas Southern University National Alumni Association This magazine will highlight the achievements of our alumni, strengthen our Tiger community and pride, promote engagement opportunities, and keep alumni connected to our beloved, Texas Southern University With more than 80,000 former students, TSUNAA is proud to serve as a conduit among our alumni network to keep each other tethered to our shared experiences as TSU Tigers
We are in exciting times in the Association! TSUNAA has partnered with Workforce Solutions to launch the TSU Tiger Internship Program (TSU TIP) that aids our students in securing internships year round. To orchestrate opportunities for alumni to give back to the community, we created Tiger Day of Service so alumni worldwide can uniformly volunteer at a community service project or do something of service that day in the spirit of TSU Professional and personal development is an important element this administration feels is necessary to provide alumni, so we established an alumni speaker series that imparts knowledge and skills to open opportunities for career advancement and personal growth
As we embark upon the second half of the year, it will remain my goal to successfully elevate the visibility, awareness, and mission of TSUNAA I look forward to seeing alumni engaged in the many activities and events we have planned in the very near future, especially at Homecoming Let’s continue to support Texas Southern University and strive for excellence in all we do Go Tigers!
CorrieWilliams
Corrie Williams President
TSUNAA2024-2025 BOARDOFDIRECTORS
Corrie Williams President
Donald Greer Vice President
Pam Julun VP of Membership
Carl Jenkins VP of Finance
James Harrison Treasurer
Bernika Scott Financial Secretary
Dr. Christy Ware Corresponding Secretary
Tamika Reggans Recording Secretary
Chavonne Manuel Sergeant-at-Arms
Towanna Bazile BJMLSOPA Chapter
Shawndra Harmond COLABS Chapter
Lee Merriweather COPHS Chapter
Dr. Felicia Shepherd Dallas Chapter
Mary Carter Fort Worth Chapter
Will Hampton Greater LA Chapter
Rodney Hughes Jesse H Jones Chapter
Keith Scott COSET Chapter
Will Henry Maroon & Grey Chapter
Paulette Mouton Metro Houston Chapter
Joselyn Coats Ocean of Soul Chapter
Dr. Lawrence Williams San Antonio Chapter
Leshelle Sargent SOC Chapter
Pamela Ansley Washington DC Chapter
Taressa Lincoln Young Alumni Chapter
Not Pictured
James Ware Austin Chapter
Seronsa Charles Chicago Chapter
LaStarsha McGarity - Arts
Serving as the Conservator and Co-Director of the Legacy Museum at Tuskegee University, LaStarsha is soon to be one of the few black women in the US to receive a a Doctor of Philosophy in Preservation Studies. Her work includes the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and many others
Maurice Williams, Michael Williams, and Theodore WhiteBusiness
Co-founders of GO3 Vodka, these college friends created a spirit brand rooted in the celebration of freedom and diversity Just barely a year in existence, the brand has already nabbed the prize for Vodka of the Year at the 2023 USA Spirits Ratings.
Marylis Mitchell - Education
Nestled in the community of South Dallas, Marylis created Kids Concepts Child Development Center out of need The development center is rated 4 Stars, which is the highest rating giving to children care providers
Curtis Watson - Entertainment
A two-time Grammy award winner, Curtis won in the categories of Best Regional Roots Album for the album New Beginnings and Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album for Lay Your Burden Down Watson is a former member of The Ocean of Soul Marching Band
Kamau Marshall - Government/Public Service
Kamau has spent the last decade as a communications strategist at the highest levels of politics, government, and business He served as the Director of Strategic Communications for the 2020 “Biden for President” campaign He is an alum of the Obama-Biden 2012 re-election campaign where he worked in Nevada and Texas.
Takasha Francis - Law
TaKasha’s background as an attorney and public servant influences her approach to rulings and justice Licensed attorney with nearly 20 years of experience in family law and civil litigation, Ms Francis was recently elected as judge for the 152nd Civil District Court
Dr. Frank North - Medicine
Dr North serves as president for the National Pharmaceutical Association Frank is an Instructional Assistant Professor in the School of Pharmacy at Texas A&M University as well as as a course coordinator for the Law and Ethics and Social and Behavioral Aspects of Patient Care courses with the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum
Rev. Dr. Mike Bowie
As the National Executive Director of Strengthening the Black Church, Dr Bowie has effectively led urban, cross racial, small and large congregations throughout the nation. He is an author and an innovative, visionary and passionate servant leader
2024President’sAwardHonoree YvetteWilson-Scales
Loved and adored by hundreds of students, Yvette Wilson Scales is a treasure to many at Texas Southern University As a former employee at TSU, Mrs Scales served as the Director of the Academic Enhancement Center During her time there, she mentored, mothered, and made sure students stayed on track towards graduation “Mrs Scales is God’s vessel here on earth Students missed their mother a tiny bit less because she treated us all like her very own children”, says alumnus Lindsey Adams. In 1978, Mrs. Scales became the 4th president of the Texas Southern University National Alumni Association and is a proud Life Member. Her commitment to TSU is what we should all aim to possess as alumni It is an understatement to say that Texas Southern University is a better place because of her
CHAPTER SPOTLIGHTS
AUSTIN CHAPTER
BARBARA JORDAN MICKEY LELAND SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS ALUMNI CHAPTER
The Austin Chapter volunteered at the Central Texas Food Bank during a Tiger Day of Service. Members from the Austin Metroplex spent the day giving back by packaging meals to provide to Austin area neighbors facing hunger.
The BJMLSOPA Alumni Chapter regularly hosts events to keep their members and graduates of the BJMLSOPA engaged. Earlier this year, the chapter hosted a mixer at Kirby Icehouse to recruit alumni to join the chapter
While they create social opportunities for alumni to network amongst one another, the chapter also gives back in service to the community During the previous Tiger Day of Service, members of the chapter volunteered at Bread of Life, an organization on a mission to change the lives of those living in the Houston community by providing food and shelter for those who are in desperate need.
The College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences Alumni Chapter is dedicated to supporting the college’s programs while cultivating an inclusive environment for graduates to stay connected The chapter has been very instrumental in coordinating Tiger Day of Service projects for Houston area alumni to volunteer
CHICAGO CHAPTER
Annually, the Chicago Chapter hosts a bowling tournament that raises scholarship funds for Chicago area students attending Texas Southern University. The tournament participants are comprised of local HBCU chapters who compete not only to raise money but for bragging rights.
In June, Chicago Chapter members served the Mayfield Care and Rehabilitation Center residents by providing them with toiletries The facility houses people recovering from physical and mental affliction
COLABS ALUMNI CHAPTER
Volunteering is one of the many activitie Chapter does throughout the year. In ad students find jobs and internships, dona
COSET ALUMNI CHAPTE
The determined Dallas Chapter always answers the call The chapter attends numerous student recruitment fairs in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex to introduce students to the great Texas Southern University. In addition to recruiting, the chapter gives back to the Dallas community through multiple service projects such as serving a hot, breakfast for those living with food insecurity. They indoctrinate incoming students into the Tiger family by hosting a successful Tiger Send Off for, traditionally, 50100 students
DALLAS CHAPTER
The Tarrant County Food Bank received a helping hand from our produce, nonperishable foods, and household items, and prepared them for distribution. While the chapter frequently volunteers with various programs that provide food for those in need, they too host a Tiger Send Off for Fort Worth incoming students that
Attending college fairs is a favorite for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter Texas Southern has a steady stream of incoming students from the LA area and that is partially to the work this chapter does in promoting TSU in their communities.
GREATER LOS ANGELES CHAPTER
JESSE H JONES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ALUMNI CHAPTER
Partnering with the Neighborhood Enrichment Xchange Lyons Avenue Food Pantry, the JHJ Alumni Chapter distributed boxes of fresh food and produce to residents in the 5th Ward community. Chapter members have been instrumental in helping TSUNAA recruit students to TSU TIPS to link them with employers and future internships.
MAROON AND GREY CHAPTER
Along with raising money to donate to the TSU Athletic Department, the Maroon and Grey Chapter, comprised of former athletes and supporters of the athletic program, gives back to its local community Recently, they partnered with the Buffalo Soldiers Museum to support their mission and elevate guests’ experience by volunteering and giving tours.
METRO HOUSTON CHAPTER
The Metro Houston Chapter believes in serving our students and the Houston metroplex through action From setting up a table in the student center to pass out snacks to Tiger students to volunteering with our elderly community to serving food to alumni at TSU tailgates, to participating in every graduation rehearsal reception, this chapter never fails to answer the call.
OCEAN OF SOUL ALUMNI CHAPTER
In support of their fellow band alumnus, the Ocean of Soul Alumni Chapter spent time volunteering to transition the new band hall at A Taylor High School The project consisted of cleaning, organizing, an completing inventory of instruments and uniforms Throughout the year, the chapter supports the band with scholarships, water donati during the season, traveling in big numbers to away games, and anything they are called upon by the band to support.
SA
Always doing what is necessary to support TSU, the San Antonio Chapter attends college fairs yearround to educate area students on who TSU is and what it has to offer them. Volunteering at The Children’s Hunger Fund is another way the chapter promotes TSU to the San Antonio community There they package food to be delivered to children who suffer from food insecurities
Nestled in the nation’s capital, the Washington DC Chapter rings the bell loudly so all in the DMV may know Texas Southern University. Annually, the chapter participates in one of the largest HBCU college fairs to guarantee that the university has representation. One of their preferred service sites is Food and Friends where they provide meals, groceries, and nutrition counseling to people living with lifechallenging illnesses
TIGERSONTHEMOVE
DR. MONICA WILLIAMS
Texas Woman’s University has named Monica G. Williams, PhD, a seasoned higher education leader with a strong background in partnerships and fundraising, as the inaugural Houston campus president. Williams served nine years as foundation president and vice president of advancement at the University of North Texas at Dallas. Previously an adjunct professor at TSU, she is an alumna who earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism/English and a master’s degree in communications
KAMAU MARSHALL
Vice President Kamala Harris has tapped Kamau M Marshall – formerly a senior adviser and spokesperson for the Biden-Harris ticket –as a 2024 senior adviser for her new presidential campaign. "We often say that each election is the most critical of our lifetime, but this one is at all costs," Marshall told ABC News. Marshall has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a master’s degree in Public Administration and is an alumnus of the Ocean of Soul Marching Band.
