How one couple's commitment to Tsu created a tradition

Meeting
Obama
Jylise Smith, TSU class of 2012, arranged for more than 100
students to participate in a Houston rally for President Barack Obama
held on March 9, 2012. As a result of her hard work and student
leadership, she had the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the
president before he addressed the crowd (and gave a big shout out to
TSU!). Here’s a summary of the experience, in her own words:
An Obama Staff worker held up a card with my name on it. It was
my turn to be photographed with the president. Nervously, I
approached him. “It’s so nice to meet you Ms. Smith,” he smiled.
“Not as nice as it is to meet you Mr. President!” I replied, trying
to ignore the secret service staff that seemed to get a
chuckle out of my excitement. After posing for the
camera, I told him I was president of the TSU
chapter of the NAACP, and how much of a
pleasure it was to be in his presence at that
moment. He told me that I did a great
job, that he was proud. “Keep up the good
work Ms. Smith.” Regaining composure,
I smiled before going downstairs to hear
his speech. “Thank you, Mr. President.
I plan to.”
E.M.P.A. Students Visit Ghana
Students of the Executive Master’s of Public Administration
program recently participated in a two-week intensive study abroad
program in Ghana, West Africa. While there, they explored issues
of sustainability, e-governance, ethics, international development
and the role public administration plays in improving public leadership.
They also had the opportunity to visit the historic Elmina
Slave Castle in Cape Coast, where thousands of West Africans were
held before their exportation to the Americas and the Carribean.
michael eric dyson addresses sga
The TSU SGA recently awarded ten $1,000 scholarships at their
annual Scholarship Gala. MSNBC political analyst, author, and
professor Michael Eric Dyson (pictured above with TSU President
Shekira Dennis) was keynote speaker for the evening.
athletics notes
From left to right: Shartajeye Wright, Olivia
Turner, John M. Rudley and mascots at grand
opening.
There’s no place like home! The new BBVA
Compass Stadium is officially the home of
Tiger Football. To celebrate, a grand opening
was held on May 9th, when the new stadium
opened its doors to TSU students, alumni, faculty
and staff in celebration.
Tiger Football also has
a new coach: Darrell
Asberry, who comes from
Shaw University to lead the
TSU football team. “I gave
Shaw the best years I had,”
the winning coach and
former quarterback said.
“Now I’m home at TSU
Darrell Asberry
where my best years are yet
to come.” The TSU men’s
track team won the 4x400
meter relay in the 2012
SWAC Outdoor Track
and Field Championship.
They had one first
place, two second place
and five third place finishes
in all. The team will also
participate in the U.S.A.
Cynthia
Olympic Trials this summer Cooper-Dyke
in Eugene, Oregon. The
Lady Tigers Basketball team has a new basketball
coach: Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, a seasoned
college coach who helped Southern California
win back-to-back NCAA championships in 1983
and ‘84. She also helped the United States win
the gold medal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul,
Korea. Here in Houston, she guided the Houston
Comets to four WNBA championships, leading
the league in scoring three times.
Summer 2012 9