May 30, 2024

The Texas Southern University Board of Regents unanimously approved James W. Crawford III as the University's 14th President during a special called Board meeting on May 16. The approval followed a mandatory 21-day waiting period following his selection as the sole finalist.

Crawford, who previously served as President of Felician University in New Jersey, was selected after a national search led by James Benham, Board of Regents 1st Vice Chair, two distinguished alumni, Dr. Edieth Wu, Thurgood Marshall School of Law professor, Michael Strahan, Host of Good Morning American and NFL Hall of Famer, and a 15-member committee.

He will begin his appointment on June 1, 2024, succeeding interim president Dr. Mary Evans Sias.

Click here for the full story. Click here for more information on President-Designate Crawford and the transition plan.

Texas Southern University graduates crossed the stage during TSU's Spring Commencement on May 11, 2024. This ceremony recognized and celebrated students who persevered through portions of three academic years impacted by COVID and who matriculated with bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degrees.

More than 1,020 graduates celebrated their accomplishments achieved at TSU – including 628 with undergraduate degrees, 179 with graduate degrees, 56 with Doctor of Pharmacy degrees, and 158 with Juris Doctor degrees from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

The Commencement speaker was Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Rep. Crockett is an attorney and represents Texas' 30th congressional district since 2023. Her district covers most of South Dallas County, central Dallas, Dallas Love Field Airport and parts of Tarrant County.

“You all are the COVID class, and you made it,” Crockett said. “And the reality is this: if you can make it through COVID, you can make it through anything. You have the credentials. So, the question is: Who’s going to check you boo? Nobody. I want you to walk out here and recognize the power that you have. Don’t let people tell you what you can’t do because there’s nothing you can’t do or won’t do.” 

Among the graduates were 124 Cum Laude, 85 Magna Cum Laude, and 21 Summa Cum Laude honorees. 

To view the photo recap of commencement, click here.

Spring 2024 Valedictorian MonPatrick Manuel was born and raised in the small province of Maddela, Quirino, Philippines. He began his educational journey at Saint Vincent Elementary School, where he graduated as Valedictorian as well. He's the only child of two hard-working nurses, Noriefel Manuel (mother) and Emnesty Manuel (father). Manuel's hobbies include working out, playing volleyball and tennis, exploring the best restaurants around Houston, and photography. 

At 22 years old, Manuel will be graduating with a BS in Respiratory Therapy and as a 4-year recipient of the University President's Regents Scholarship, which allowed him to finish his tenure at TSU and graduate debt-free. Other notable achievements throughout his 4-year journey are as noted:

• 4-year President's List recipient
• 4-year Honors Convocation honoree
• Coca-Cola scholarship grant recipient (2020-2021)

Post-graduate plans for Manuel include working as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for 2 years, then pursuing a Cardiac Perfusion Program to become a Certified Cardiac Perfusionist. Read about MonPatrick's journey here.

Omokhuwele Nusra Umoru's journey is a profound testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and dedication. Born in Warri, Delta State, and raised in Auchi, Edo state, Nigeria, Omokhuwele's academic and personal growth trajectory encapsulates the essence of striving for excellence amidst challenges.

Omokhuwele graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics and a minor in Mathematics. Her aspirations are as clear as they are ambitious. Aiming to pursue a Ph.D. in Applied Physics at Yale University, she is driven by a vision to delve deeper into theoretical and computational condensed matter research. Her journey is a beacon of inspiration, highlighting the profound impact of mentorship, the importance of resilience in the face of adversity, and the unyielding pursuit of one's passions.

Read more about 'Omo' here.

Amira T. Smith represents the bright future of multimedia education and sports media. Graduating from Texas Southern University in the Spring of 2024, she will hold a Bachelor's degree in Communications, with a specialized focus in radio, television, and film. This robust academic background is perfect for her career aspiration to become an Audio/Visual Production Teacher, targeting middle to high school students. Her goal is to ignite a passion for media production in young minds, equipping them with the skills to excel in the evolving landscape of digital communication.

Besides her educational ambitions, Amira has a profound interest in sports media. She plans to continue her work with professional and high-level basketball and baseball athletes.

Read more about Amira's Journey here.

Texas Southern University is proud to partner with Aviate, the United Airlines industry-leading pilot career development program, which offers aspiring and established pilots the most direct path to a United flight deck.

The partnership was announced during a signing ceremony on April 25. In addition to the announcement, the United 777 BBQ team brought out its airplane-themed BBQ pit to provide free food to TSU students for the afternoon.

Former and current TSU students, as well as Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) who apply and are successful in the Aviate selection process, will receive a conditional job as a United Airlines First Officer. Throughout the Aviate program, participants will have opportunities to connect with United team members, receive coaching from a United pilot and have access to travel privileges.

Texas Southern University hosted the third annual President’s Tiger Ball on April 27. This black-tie affair, presented by the TSU Foundation Board of Trustees, is the University’s largest single fundraising event. This evening of entertainment, inspiration, and fundraising featured stories of students who have succeeded at TSU thanks, in large part, to scholarships. This year’s presenting sponsor was Challenge Office Products & Office Solutions. The mistress of ceremonies was Fox26 reporter/anchor and TSU alumna Chelsea Edwards.

View photos here.

Rising junior, Kohl Crawford, has been selected as a research fellow for the inaugural cohort of the Du Bois Scholars Program at Harvard. The prestigious initiative is aimed at recognizing and supporting exceptional students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.



Crawford is one of 20 scholars selected to participate. He will work alongside Associate University Librarian for Antiracism Dr. Jerome Offord Jr. on the Legacy of Slavery Initiative,, which serves to recognize and honor the enslaved people whose labor facilitated the founding, growth, and evolution of Harvard. 

Read more about this accomplishment here.

Charlie Nhan has been named TSU's new General Counsel. As General Counsel, Nhan will manage the University's legal affairs and provide ongoing daily counsel and strategic advice to the President, the Board of Regents, and senior administrators. Reporting to the President, Nhan will be primarily responsible for setting the vision and leadership for the University's legal strategy.

Nhan previously served as Acting General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel since 2022. Prior to joining TSU, he held a distinguished 22-year career as a Partner at a leading Houston-based law firm.

Read more here.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed eight student regents to their respective universities, including Texas Southern University. Taylor Getwood was appointed for a term effective June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025.

Getwood, who is from Port Arthur, is pursuing an Executive Master of Public Administration. As an undergraduate student, he served as Tex the Tiger, a residential assistant, and as a founding member of Brothers United. In 2022, he was crowned Mister Texas Southern University. He made history as the first Mister Texas Southern to be crowned Mister HBCU. In addition to the history he made at TSU, Getwood became the youngest trustee in the history of the Port Arthur Independent School District.

Getwood earned his B.A. in Communications with a concentration in Radio, Television, and Film.

TSU to Host Verizon Learning STEM Achievers Summer Program

The annual Mister & Miss Texas Southern University Scholarship Pageant was held on April 21, 2024. This year's theme was "A Showdown in Tiger Town." There were three contenders for Mister Texas Southern and four contestants for Miss Texas Southern. Contenders and contestants were scored based on Tiger Spirit Wear, talent, formal wear, impromptu question and answer, closed interview, as well as People's Choice.

Rising senior Jackie Edwards Jr. was crowned Mister TSU. Edwards is a Radio, Television, and Film major from Sweetwater, Texas and raised in Lockhart. He served as Mister Junior for the 2023-2024 academic year. He is also a Residential Assistant, an "Eagle Scout" for Boy Scouts of America, a TSU Career Center Ambassador, and Chaplain for the Delta Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Rising senior Brianna Turner was crowned Miss TSU. Turner was born and raised in Dallas. A Broadcast Journalism major, Turner is a media correspondent for the TSU Herald, and a professional director for HER TXSU. She also served as Miss Junior for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Former Miss Texas Southern University, Janai Minga, added a new title to her name during TSU's spring commencement: Doctor. Dr. Minga, who was born and raised in North Carolina, came to TSU as a member of the cheer team. She served as captain during her second year before transitioning into student leadership through SGA. She won the Miss Texas Southern Crown in 2020, with her reign and pharmacy school journey beginning as COVID-19 shut campus down and the world stood still.

She completed her PharmD at TSU's Joan M. Lafleur College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, crossing the stage during spring commencement. She has accepted a position with Johnson & Johnson working with their marketing team in Philadelphia.

Watch Janai's full story here.

Elvonte Patton is an accomplished individual whose journey is marked by a deep commitment to education, community service, and innovation. He graduated from Texas Southern University with a B.S. in Child Development in 2009 and went on to earn a Master's in Human Services and Consumer Science in 2014.

His TSU experience prepared him for a life of service. In April 2024, he began a new role as a National Major Gifts Officer (fundraiser) for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), where he continues to make significant contributions to higher education and access to opportunities for underserved communities. Prior to joining the UNCF, Patton was the Major Gifts Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for The Salvation Army of Greater Houston. 

Read Elvonte's full story here.

For the second time in history, and the first time in nine years, the Texas Southern University Department of Athletics claimed the Southwestern Athletic Conference C.D. Henry Award. The award is presented to the top men's program in the SWAC. TSU last won the award in the 2014-15 season.

TSU finished with 67.5 total points with three SWAC Championships, including cross country, and indoor and outdoor track & field. The TSU baseball team also finished first in the SWAC West, while the men's basketball team finished third in the regular season and advanced to the finals of the SWAC Basketball Tournament.

Read the full story here.

Fresh off the trifecta of SWAC Championships (indoor track & field, cross country, and outdoor track & field) and Coach of the Year honors, Clyde Duncan Sr. has been appointed to lead both the men's and women's track & field programs. He returns as the lead of both programs for the first time since 2013. From 1995-2013, he served as head coach of both programs and developed several student-athletes into national contenders, including NCAA 200-meter indoor national champion Tremedia Brice.