Tennessee State University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Tennessee State University (TSU) stands as a beacon of academic excellence and a cradle for cultivating leaders across various fields. This article explores the remarkable achievements of some of TSU's most distinguished alumni, showcasing their impact on society and their contributions to the world.

Academic and Administrative Trailblazers

Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover: Leading with Distinction

Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover assumed the presidency of Tennessee State University on January 2, 2013, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a commitment to academic excellence. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Dean of the College of Business at Jackson State University. Dr. Glover's unique distinction lies in being one of only two African American women in the nation to hold the Ph.D-CPA-JD combination. Her academic journey began at Tennessee State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. She furthered her education with a Master of Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University, a doctorate in business from George Washington University, and a law degree from Georgetown University. Dr. Glover's leadership continues to inspire and elevate Tennessee State University.

Ed Temple: A Foundation for Growth in Women's Athletics

Edward Stanley Temple, a 1950 graduate of Tennessee State University, served as the head women's track coach from 1953 to 1994. He led over forty athletes to Olympic competition, resulting in a total of 23 Olympic medals (13 gold, six silver, and four bronze). His teams also won 34 national team titles and 30 Pan-American Games medals. Temple laid a foundation for growth in women's athletics, a boom that continues to this day.

Pioneers in Medicine and Science

Dr. Alvin H. Crawford: A Pioneer in Scoliosis Treatment

Dr. Alvin H. Crawford, a 1960 graduate of Tennessee State University, graduated Cum Laude and made history as the first African American to graduate from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. Specializing in scoliosis treatment, he is a leading authority on video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. His accolades include being the first African American president of the Scoliosis Society in 2001, induction into the Hall of Fame of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and receiving the Trumpet Award in 2009.

Dr. Levi Watkins: Innovator in Cardiac Care

Dr. Levi Watkins, a 1966 graduate, is renowned for his pivotal role in the creation and implantation of the Automatic Implantable Defibrillator (AID). This life-saving device detects and corrects irregular heart rhythms.

Read also: Your Guide to ETSU Academics

Dr. Mitchell: A Leader in Gastrointestinal Oncology

Dr. Mitchell, a clinical professor of Medicine and Medical Oncology, program leader in Gastrointestinal Oncology, and associate director of diversity for the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, earned a B.S. in biochemistry from Tennessee State University in 1969.

Clarice Evone Phelps: A Nuclear Chemistry Pioneer

Clarice Evone Phelps, an American nuclear chemist researching the processing of radioactive transuranic elements at the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). She was part of ORNL's team that collaborated with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research to discover tennessine (element 117). The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) recognizes her as the first African-American woman to be involved with the discovery of a chemical element. She graduated from Tennessee State University in 2003 with Bachelor of Science in chemistry.

Innovators in Technology and Engineering

Jesse E. Russell: A Wireless Communication Visionary

Jesse Russell, a 1972 graduate with a BSEE, also holds a MSEE degree from Stanford University (1973). He is globally recognized as a technology expert and inventor in wireless communication. His innovations in digital signal processing led to the development of the modern cell phone. Russell holds over 75 patents and continues to innovate in next-generation broadband wireless networks.

LaTasha Starr: Engineering Leadership in Aerospace

LaTasha Starr, with a bachelor's degree in Aeronautics and a minor in Biology from Tennessee State University. Starr's innovative academic and professional approach to Engineering and Science provided her unique research opportunities with NASA Ames, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), The Boeing Company, and the Centro de Astrobiología (SPAIN), all before beginning her career as a Systems Engineer for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC). Less than a year later, LaTasha was one of only 15 engineers throughout LMSSC selected to participate in the Engineering Leadership Development Program (ELDP) for the 2008 class.

Amos Otis: Engineering and Environmental Expertise

Amos Otis, a 1965 graduate, initially aspired to fly airplanes but discovered his talents in engineering and environmental services.

Icons in Entertainment and Media

Oprah Winfrey: The Queen of All Media

Oprah Winfrey, a 1986 graduate, has achieved international acclaim as a multimedia mogul. As the first Black woman billionaire in world history, Winfrey has surpassed Meg Whitman as the richest self-made woman in America. Her talk show has garnered international appeal.

Bobby Jones: The Voice of Gospel Music

Bobby Jones, a 1959 graduate, is a towering figure in gospel music. Beginning in 1980, he produced the Bobby Jones Gospel Hour, which airs weekly on BET. Jones was named Dominica Ambassador At-Large in 2006.

Xernona Clayton: A Media Icon and Civil Rights Advocate

Xernona Clayton, a 1952 graduate, is the President and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation and creator of The Trumpet Awards. She is also the originator of "Moments in History," one-minute broadcasts on African Americans that were televised daily during Black History Month.

Moses Gunn: A Renowned Actor

Moses Gunn, a 1959 graduate, was an Emmy-nominated actor known for his role in the miniseries Roots. Gunn also founded the Negro Ensemble and received several Obie Awards.

Tina Tyus-Shaw: A Legacy in Journalism

Tina Tyus-Shaw, niece of Olympic Gold Medalist Wyomia Tyus, is a television news anchor and journalist for WSAV-TV in Savannah.

Read also: Remembrance and Progress

Myshel Wilkins: Musical Talent

Michelle Robinson Wilkins, known as Myshel Wilkins in the music industry, is a strong musical talent having performed with Tamia, Kelly Price and American Idol Mandisa Hudley.

Rufus Thomas: A Memphis Music Icon

Rufus C. Thomas, Jr. was an American rhythm-and-blues, funk, soul and blues singer, songwriter, dancer, DJ and comic entertainer from Memphis, Tennessee. He recorded for several labels, including Chess Records and Sun Records in the 1950s, before becoming established in the 1960s and 1970s at Stax Records.

Leaders in Politics and Public Service

Harold Ford, Sr.: A Legacy in Congress

Harold Eugene Ford Sr. is an American politician and Democratic former member of the United States House of Representatives representing the area of Memphis, Tennessee, for 11 terms-from 1975 until his retirement in 1997.

Thelma Harper: A Voice in the Tennessee General Assembly

Thelma Harper, a 1978 graduate, has served as Senator for the 19th District in the Tennessee General Assembly since 1991.

Bob Gentry: Public Servant and Community Leader

Bob Gentry serves as the Criminal Court Clerk of Davidson County. He was a Metro Council member-at-large before being elected Metro Nashville-Davidson County’s first African American vice mayor. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education from Tennessee State University in 1974 and 1998, respectively.

Jo Ann North: A Leader in Davidson County

Jo Ann North, a 1977 graduate, recently retired from her post as Davidson County Property Assessor, where she served since 1992. She is also recognized as the first woman elected as an At-Large member of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville, Davidson County.

Kevin Williams: A Leader in the Automotive Industry

Kevin Williams a 1983 graduate of Tennessee State University and TSU Foundation board member is the former president and managing director of General Motors Canadian operation.

A C Wharton: Former Mayor of Memphis

A C Wharton Jr. is an American educator, politician, and attorney who served as the 63rd mayor of Memphis, Tennessee and previously mayor of Shelby County. He was the first African American to serve as mayor of Shelby County.

Harvey Johnson, Jr: Former Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi

Harvey Johnson Jr., is an American politician from Mississippi. He was elected in 1997 as the first African American Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, serving two terms.

Barbara Cooper: Tennessee House of Representatives

Barbara Lee Cooper was an American politician and a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 86th District.

Champions in Athletics

Wilma Rudolph: An Olympic Legend

Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, becoming the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics. She overcame childhood polio to achieve Olympic greatness as a Tennessee State University Tigerbelle.

Ralph Boston: An Olympic Gold Medalist in Long Jump

Ralph Boston, a 1962 graduate, won a gold medal in the long jump at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. He also won silver and bronze medals in subsequent Olympics.

Edith McGuire Duvall: An Olympic Sprinter

Edith McGuire Duvall, a 1964 graduate, competed with fellow teammates Wyomia Tyus and Wilma Rudolph on the famed Tennessee State Tigerbelles Track Team. She won two gold medals at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Chandra Cheeseborough: A Track and Field Star

Chandra Cheeseborough developed her skills at Tennessee State University and continued her legacy at the 1984 Games when she became the first woman to win gold medals in both relays, which were held less than an hour apart. Cheeseborough is continuing the great track and field legacy of Tennessee State University as the current coach for women’s track.

Wyomia Tyus: A Trailblazing Sprinter

Wyomia Tyus is a retired American track and field sprinter, and the first person to retain the Olympic title in the 100 m.

Lucinda Williams: Olympic Gold Medalist

Lucinda Williams is a retired American sprinter. She won a gold medal in the 4 × 100 m relay at the 1960 Olympics.

Robert Covington: Professional Basketball Player

Robert Covington is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Tennessee State Tigers and in 2018, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

Cecil Newton: Former Football Player

Cecil Newton Jr. is a former American football center. He played college football at Tennessee State. He is the son of Cecil Newton Sr. and older brother of Cam Newton.

Larry Herndon: Former Baseball Player

Larry Darnell Herndon, sometimes referred to by the nickname "Hondo", is an American former baseball outfielder and hitting coach. He played in Major League Baseball in 1974 and from 1976 to 1988.

Patrick Miller: Professional Basketball Player

Patrick Dominick Miller is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Tennessee State.

Gerald Robinson: Professional Basketball Player

Gerald Anthony Robinson Jr. is an American professional basketball player for Rimini of the Italian Serie A2. He played college basketball for Tennessee State and Georgia.

Lloyd Neal: Former Basketball Player

Lloyd Neal is an American former professional basketball player born in Talbotton, Georgia.

Other Notable Alumni

Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton: Military Officer

Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) four-star general who served as Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC) from 1997 to 2000.

Sean Foley: Golf Instructor

Sean Foley is a Canadian born golf instructor, who resides in Orlando, Florida and has coached Tiger Woods, Lydia Ko, Sean O'Hair, Hunter Mahan, Stephen Ames, An Byeong-hun, Cameron Champ, Michael Kim, Erik van Rooyen, Sam Horsfield, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood, as well as other PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and LIV Golf professionals.

Hank Crawford: Jazz Musician

Bennie Ross "Hank" Crawford, Jr. was an American alto saxophonist, pianist, arranger and songwriter whose genres ranged from R&B, hard bop, jazz-funk, and soul jazz.

Andrea Conte: First Lady of Tennessee

Andrea Conte is the wife of former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, serving as First Lady of Tennessee from 2003 to 2011.

Cleveland Eaton: Jazz Musician

Cleveland Josephus Eaton II was an American jazz double bassist, producer, arranger, composer, publisher, and head of his own record company in Fairfield, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham.

Arthur Doyle: Jazz Musician

Arthur Doyle was an American jazz saxophonist, bass clarinettist, flutist, and vocalist who was best known for playing what he called "free jazz soul music".

Mark Funkhouser: Politician

Mark Funkhouser is an American academic, author, and former politician who served as the 53rd mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, serving one four-year term from May 1, 2007, until May 2, 2011.

Madeline Manning: Middle-Distance Runner

Madeline Manning Mims is a former American runner and Olympic champion.

Gary Jenkins: Singer

Gary "Lil G" Jenkins is an American musician. He is the lead singer of the R&B group Silk.

John Ford: Politician

John Newton Ford, is a former Democratic member of the Tennessee State Senate and a member of Tennessee's most prominent African-American political family.

Dick Griffey: Record Producer

Richard Gilbert Griffey was an American record producer and music promoter who founded SOLAR Records, a RAS acronym for "Sound of Los Angeles Records".

George Altman: Baseball Player

George Lee Altman is an American former professional baseball outfielder who had a lengthy career in both Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball.

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