New President Reminds Crowd Of TSU’s Place In Black America’s History

Glover watches a celebratory parade across campus on Wednesday, the first of three days of Inaugural activities. Image source: TSU

Tennessee State University installed its eighth president Friday morning, the first woman to lead the institution since its founding 101 years ago.

In her speech, Glenda Glover reminded the crowd of black America’s history and TSU’s place in it. She mentioned notable alumni such as Dr. Levi Watkins, the cardiac surgeon who invented the automatic implantable defibrillator, and track star Wilma Rudolph, who won gold at the 1960 Olympics.

“Run on students, faculty, staff, until you reach your God-given destiny. Run until families have been reestablished and oppressed people have been liberated.

“Run until the naked have been clothed and the hungry have been fed. Run until wars have been halted, human rights have been defended and higher education is the order of the day.

“Run ‘til you have established your roots, spread your wings and TSU has soared to its rightful place in history.”

Glover has been acting president for nearly a year. She inherited a list of challenges, including a low graduation rate and a contentious relationship between professors and administrators. However, a faculty representative today praised Glover for already showing herself to be someone who listens and gets results.