Thursday, August 27, 2009

New Student Convocation & Induction Ceremony

Here are a few photographs from New Student Convocation & Induction Ceremony. Check back soon for a complete slideshow.




Move In Day 2009

Here are a few pictures from move in day 2009. Check back soon for a complete slideshow.




Wednesday, August 26, 2009

2009 Vintagers Celebration


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

TSU's School of Nursing Offers Innovative Programs to Combat the Nursing Shortage

According to the American Association of College of Nursing, the United States is in the midst of a nursing shortage expected to intensify as baby boomers age and the need for health care grows. While some college programs are seeing a decline in applications for nursing students, administrators in the School of Nursing at Tennessee State University believe the program will continue to see stable numbers.

"We are seeing a steady number of students continue to enroll in one or more of our programs," said Dr. Barbara Buchanan-Covington, director of the BSN nursing education program. ''The School of Nursing has a new dean, Dr. Kathy L. Martin, who comes to TSU with a wealth of knowledge, experience and the ability to continue to move us in the right direction. I am positive that the shortage will not affect us anytime soon, if at all."

Dr. Buchanan-Covington also believes the school's location and amount of health care providers needed in the region play major roles.

"We are located in the state capital and there are more than four or five major health care providers in the city," she added. "This gives us the opportunity to work directly with them and continue to place our students in externships and jobs upon graduation."

The school of Nursing recently added a certified nursing technician (CNT) to registered nurse (RN) concentration for the associate's degree program, focusing on the paraprofessional and others who have some skills, but no formal educational training.

Covington said the school has plans to renovate the skills lab in the near future and to provide more sophisticated and up-to-date equipment for students to utilize.

"We are the most diverse nursing program in the state and we plan to continue to offer our students a quality education in nursing."

TSU Working With Healthy Start Program to Recruit New Mothers

Tennessee State University is one of three colleges in Middle Tennessee partnering with the new Federal Healthy Start Program to make college education accessible to new mothers.

Recently, the Nashville/Davidson County Public Health Department was one of three areas across the country to be awarded The Federal Healthy Start grant totaling $750,000 a year for five years to focus on improving birth outcomes, and eliminating prenatal disparities in the north Nashville area where TSU is located.

Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, of the Metro Public Health Department and TSU Assistant Professor of Nursing Pinky Noble will work to help boost the number of nurses in Middle Tennessee by recruiting individuals to the University's program.

"Statistics show that one in fifty African American babies die before his or her first birthday," said Etheridge. "We feel that this can only really be decreased by addressing the ‘big picture' which includes increasing educational opportunities and giving families the skills needed to be self sustaining."

Through the Healthy Start program nurses and outreach workers from the Health Department support new parents by providing resources, and important information about child safety, child health, disease prevention, child development and parenting skills.

"This partnership will provide an even more positive working relationship with the Health Department and highlight the importance of education," said Britton. "TSU students are already working in community hospitals; however this will offer us the opportunity to introduce the notion of obtaining a degree, become mentors and give the much needed support to those who may not be able to get help from anywhere else."

"Maybe you thought because you had a child you could no longer go to college and that is not necessarily true. TSU and Healthy Start want to reignite that interest in education.”

Recruitment will begin in January 2010

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Quaker Manuel, TSU's Newest Brainchild -a Legacy in the Making

Quaker Manuel could have gone to most any college of his choice. Members of the Harvard University admissions team flew all the way to Nashville, Tenn., to try to convince him the prestigious school should have been his academic choice. Manuel, however, had plans to attend Tennessee State University, his mother's alma mater.

Recently Manuel and his mother Sandra Patillo, sat down with representatives from TSU to talk about the importance of education and carrying on a legacy.

"We had all types of schools calling us and everyone offering their input on where I should send my son," said Patillo. "Several people told me Vanderbilt University was a better choice and he would get a great education there. I would always respond, 'what's wrong with TSU, he can get a great education there as well.' That's where I went to school and that's where he will be going."

Manuel recently graduated from Pearl Cohn Comprehensive Business Magnet School as valedictorian and distinguished scholar with a 4.0 grade point average. Like many students, Manuel took the ACT college entrance exam his junior year making a score of 31 on his first attempt.

Manuel wanted to do his best so that he would be able to help his mother cover the financial costs of school. “I felt that it was my responsibility to take that burden off my mother. I plan to continue to make her proud of me."

Manuel is a recipient of a $50,000 TSU Building Bridges Scholarship as well as scholarships from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Gamma Phi Chapter and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity's Nashville Alumni Chapter.

Manuel has decided that he wants to help others by learning how to develop computer programs. He plans to enroll in the University's computer science program in the fall of 2009.

"Just like other TSU greats, such as Jesse Russell, a pioneer in the development of cellular telephone technology, hopefully you will remember my name and my legacy."

Follow Ronald Lawson’s Footsteps to Preserve the Sports History of Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tenn. - Ronald Lawson, Jr., is determined to recognize some of Tennessee State University's most prominent contributors to sports history.

For several years he has helped nominate more than a dozen individuals to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Lawson, a 1988 alumnus of TSU was instrumental in having a historical marker erected on the campus paying homage to the history of the National Negro High School Basketball Tournament.

Lawson is now petitioning for others to become actively involved in preserving the sports history.

"TSU has a rich sports history that many know little or rarely hear about except for those old enough to remember," said Lawson. "We have numerous athletes who have gone on to complete tremendous feats in the world. Some have been to the Olympics, national championships, the NFL and the NBA. Our efforts to preserve and celebrate the sports history of Tennessee should be paramount. We must continue to nominate and recognize our own."

Lawson believes that young people today should be made aware of the plights of African-American athletes prior to integration and how their determination paved the way for today's athletes. He feels that being able to participate in sports on any level today is a privilege because of the sacrifices made by those in the early years, especially at TSU.

"Their legacies and accomplishments deserve to be respected, honored and preserved. Hopefully over time this will inspire young people to want to learn more about sports history."

Over the years, TSU has had nearly 100 players drafted by the NFL, with seven players picked in the first round including rookie defensive back Dominique Rogers-Cromartie who played in the 2009 Super Bowl XLIII with the Arizona Cardinals.

Lawson also believes that TSU’s Olympians should be honored. “Let's not forget about other sports arenas as well, such as the world renowned Tigerbelles, Wyomina Tyus Simburg, Chandra Cheesborough, Wilma Rudolph and others alike. These individuals competed […] in the Olympic games and brought back first place medals. We must honor them in some way."

Lawson believes that the hall of fame nominations are a small notch in comparison to what should be done for these individuals.

If you are interested in nominating an athlete to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, please visit the website at www.tshf.net. If you would like to learn more about the historical marker, please visit www.bbreunion.com or www.cameronalumni.org.

Tennessee State University Department of Nursing to Study Depression amongst Elderly African-Americans

Nashville, Tenn. -Professors in the Department of Nursing at Tennessee State University are looking to study the correlation between diabetes and depression in elderly African-Americans.


Tennessee State University professor Dr. Verla Vaughan, leads the investigation and states that, "Not much data has been collected on elderly African-Americans with diabetes who suffer from depression. We are hoping that through this study we will be able to pinpoint critical high and low points in elderly individuals lives that will onset depression. With this information, doctors and caregivers can offer medicine or interventions during the vital stages." 


Vaughan plans to focus her research on urban communities with higher elderly African-American rates such as North Nashville.

"Our concern is helping the community. TSU is focused on service and those in our community can benefit positively from faculty and student research efforts whereby help can be provided to those in need."

Vaughan hopes that her research on diabetes and depression will be completed in 2010.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Billboards

Billboards are up! Locations are @ Morrison Street and I-40/I-65, Charlotte Ave. and D.B. Todd, and Jefferson Bridge!!! Go check them out!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009