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Linking the College to its Alumni and Friends Tennessee State University College of Agriculture , Human and Natural Sciences • www.tnstate.edu/agriculture • Fall 2016
Big Man Back on Campus TSU alumnus and USDA jetsetter Leonard Jordan visits us at the Small Farm Expo • • •
TSU CAHNS refines academic concentrations Meet our student leaders Get involved and join a club
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Fall 2016
A message from the V.P. of Academic Affairs
H
ello Tigers,
I want to welcome everyone for the fall semester of 2016. That includes all 9,000 students, of which 1,300 of you are freshmen. Welcome Class of 2020. You have made an excellent choice in deciding where you want to pursue your education. Tennessee State University is here to support you on every step of your path and groom you to be a leader in your chosen field. Like you, the University has set some goals for itself in this academic year and beyond. We are determined to improve graduation rates for all our students and we have made some commitments to you to ensure your success here. We are enhancing support services, improving technology, offering high quality advisement and increasing and improving the interaction between students and faculty. Here are some of the ways we will accomplish these goals.
Dr. Mark Hardy, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Tennessee State University
This Fall, we launched Degree Works, a comprehensive academic advising, transfer articulation and degree audit system that guides you through your academic career here. In this program, you will be able to determine what classes are needed to pursue a course of study, identify what courses you have already taken, learn the minimum graduation requirements including GPA and credit hours and discover what classes you may need if you decide to change majors. It’s like having a personal advisor and academic guardian 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We also are implementing Advisor Tracks, where all students are assigned advisors (freshmen students initially will be assigned professional advisors as opposed to faculty advisors) to help you choose courses and enroll in classes. Tutor Tracks enables students to find and receive tutoring on academic subjects for which they might need a little extra help. Our Tiger Alert system alerts students and their advisors if they are starting to veer off academic course. We know life happens and can sometimes throw us off balance or distract us from our goals. With the Tiger Alert system, aid is provided quickly to help you stay on track. Finally, we are offering our freshmen students block scheduling. You get to choose when you want to take classes: morning, afternoon or evening. Once you pick your preference, we assign you to your required courses with fellow classmates whom you will get to know, befriend and support. Lifelong friendships begin here. TSU’s College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences has recently revamped its course concentrations, updating curriculum and modernizing degrees to ensure that you are getting the knowledge you need to enter today’s workplace and excel. You will learn more about those concentrations in this newsletter. We know you will shine here at Tennessee State University, and we are doing all we can to make that happen. Go forth and have a great semester. Study hard, don’t be afraid to ask dumb questions, reach out for help when needed and help others when you can. We look forward to seeing you at commencement. And remember. Think. Work. Serve. Sincerely, Dr. Mark Hardy Vice President, Academic Affairs Tennessee State University 2
Dean’s Welcome
Welcome from the Dean
D
ear Alumni and Friends,
This issue of CAHNS Link focuses on our undergraduate students. I think it is very appropriate, as we have just closed the 2015-16 academic year with graduating the greatest number of undergraduates in Agricultural Sciences in about 40 years! And the year also marks the greatest number of graduates in M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Agricultural Sciences in TSU’s history! This growth we celebrate today is a result of a number of initiatives the College has undertaken starting with a summer paid-internship program for high school students (See p. 20.) directed by Prof. William Hayslett and a Dean’s Scholars Program for students enrolled in the College programs (See p. 14.) directed by Dr. De’Etra Young. Both of these programs engage students in research in a substantive way; students benefit from exceptional individualized faculty mentoring and interaction with graduate students in state-of-the-art research labs. These programs have received much praise and national attention from all those who are interested Dr. Chandra Reddy, Dean in-training minorities, particularly African Americans, in agricultural and allied science fields. College of Agriculture, We have also recently initiated a High-Achievers Program that targets transfer students from Human and community colleges. In addition, we provide summer internships to current students and an Sciences agent-in training program for graduates in Extension Programs. Students who are pursuing Tennessee State University M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in the College are also supported by our 27 research labs and the three Agricultural Research and Education Centers located across Tennessee. In addition to these Dean’s Office driven programs, individual faculty hire a number of undergraduates in their research programs. These initiatives taken together are substantive and have been transformative and impactful! While many see the gain in numbers, our long-term faculty is celebrating the tremendous change in the College’s culture and its reputation locally and nationally! In addition to these College specific actions, President Glover has taken several student supportive initiatives as described by Dr. Mark Hardy, vice president for Academic Affairs (See p. 2.). I specifically want to mention the 250-mile radius program (See p. 5.) that will allow students from neighboring states to enroll at TSU at an in-state tuition rate. This is a tremendous opportunity for top students from neighboring states to enroll at TSU and I request all of you to help spread the message. As a College, we are very proud of our accomplishments during the last few years as we have continued our record growth in student enrollment, research, and outreach efforts. Some of the keys to this tremendous turnaround were the teamwork among the faculty and staff, leadership within the College, support from the administration, and smart allocations of resources. We are especially grateful to our valued alumni for their continued support and loyalty. The College salutes our highly visible alumnus Mr. Leonard Jordan, a Hall of Famer and the Associate Chief of National Resource Conservation Service (See p. 10.) and welcomes Mr. Eston Williams, an experienced alumnus, as the new USDA Liaison Officer (See p. 23). I also want to introduce to you our highly enthusiastic and multi-talented communications specialist, Ms. Joan Kite (See p. 4.) who is revamping our social media efforts and I want all of you to follow us on Facebook and other social media outlets we use! Sincerely,
Chandra Reddy, Ph.D. Dean and Director of Research/Administrator of Extension College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences 3
CAHNS Link
Fall 2016
Contents 2 4 5 6 10 13 14 18 18 19 20 22 24 26 27
A message from the Vice President of Academic Affairs Welcome from the Dean TSU offers discounted tuition rates for out-of-state students Lean & Mean: TSU CAHNS streamlines academic concentrations Big Man Back on Campus: USDA Chief returns to TSU CAHNS to give back The student becomes the teacher Dean Scholars: Celebrating the cream of the crop MANRRS transforming students into pros Ambassador program a ‘life changing’ experience High-Achievers Program targets community college students The Scientists’ Apprentices: Summer program for high schoolers a booming success Bloom where you are planted Early Learning Center offers TSU care to tots Join the club! A list of some of the student clubs at TSU CAHNS DFCS students head to graduate schools
On the Cover Dr. Chandra Reddy (right), dean of TSU’s College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, presents USDA Associate Chief and TSU alumnus Leonard Jordan a straw hat to protect himself from the searing summer heat at the Small Farm Expo at TSU’s Agricultural Research and Education Center. Photo by Joan Kite
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A letter from the editor
D
ear Readers, As the newly appointed Editor for CAHNS Link and the Communications and Media Relations Specialist for the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, I want to welcome you to these pages and introduce myself. I am excited to be here at Tennessee State University and it already feels like home. Joan Kite I bring to the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences numerous years of experience working as a crime reporter and editor, and almost 10 years experience working at major universities including Florida International University, Barry University and University of California, Riverside. But enough about me. I want to talk about you. This is your publication and as your editor, I want to hear it all — the good, the bad, and the beautiful. My door is always open. I want to hear from alumni, faculty, staff, administrators and students. I want to hear about your achievements, experiences, adventures, research, careers, funny anecdotes, et cetera. I want to hear about your hopes, dreams, aspirations and goals. This is not the only place we can meet either. I also oversee TSU CAHNS social media accounts, so you will want to follow us and comment on: • Faceboook: wwwfacebook.com/TSUCollege of Agriculture • Twitter: www.twitter.com/TSUCAHNS • Instagram: www.instagram.com/ tsucollegeofagriculture • Pinterest: www/tsucollegeo0093 I look forward to serving you and promoting TSU CAHNS as the finest College to attend. You can reach me anytime at jkite1@tnstate.edu, at work at (615) 963-5708, or on my cell phone at (931) 398-8511. Sincerely, Joan Kite CAHNS Link Editor Communications and Media Relations Specialist
Contributors include: Dr. Mark Hardy, Dr. De’Etra Young, Dr. Nick Gawel, Dr. Samuel Nahashon, Dr. Tom Byl, Lucas Johnson III, John Cross, Nakesha Holloway, Justus Watson, Angelina Bernardini, Kourtney Daniels, and Alice Brown.
TSU discounted tuition rates
TSU’s discounted tuition applies to some students in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Caroline, Ohio and Virginia. Photo by John Cross.
All roads lead to TSU with discounted tuition rates for out-of-state students BY LUCAS JOHNSON
TSU News Service
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee State University has just made it more affordable for out-of-state students to attend the university. TSU is now offering discounted tuition rates of nearly 40 percent for students in counties within 250 miles of Nashville. The new rates apply to students in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. TSU President Glenda Glover said one of the most rewarding phrases a
“TSU is very excited to launch this new initiative that will allow students to attend from bordering states who may have taken us off their list as the top choice because of out-of-state tuition costs.”
Glenda Glover TSU President
college president likes to hear from a prospective student is “I’ve selected your university to continue my education,” and that the new discount will
play a vital role in the recruitment and retention of students. “TSU is very excited to launch this new initiative that will allow students to attend from bordering states who may have taken us off their list as the top choice because of out-of-state tuition costs,” said the TSU president. “This will also ease the financial burden of hundreds of students who are already enrolled at TSU.” Dr. John Cade, interim vice president of TSU’s Enrollment Management and Student Support Services, said the offering is part of a new TUITION/ Continued on page 13
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Lean & Mean TSU CAHNS streamlines academic concentrations in its agriculture department
Graduate student Sochinwechi Nwosisi tends to an organic sweet potato crop in July at the main campus Agricultural Research and Education Center at the TSU College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences. Photo by Joan Kite
TSU CAHN’s Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences has recently revised its academic concentrations offered to students and created a modernized curriculum that ensures students learn the knowledge they need to thrive in the workplace after their studies. One of the beneficial outcomes of this decision is that more students will be in class with each other, increasing the peer support system necessary for students to learn at a greater speed and 6
graduate in a timely manner, said Dr. Mark Hardy, TSU’s vice president of Academic Affairs. The five academic concentrations now offered are: • Agribusiness; • Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication; • Environmental Sciences; • Biotechnology; and • Animal and Food Sciences/ Pre-Veterinary Medicine. For graduate students, the department
offers a Professional Sciences Masters degree in Applied Geospatial Sciences and a Master’s of Science degree in Agricultural Sciences for graduate students. In conjunction with the Department of Biological Sciences, the department also offers a Ph.D. degree program with concentrations in Agricultural Biotechnology and Molecular Biology. Here are detailed descriptions of each undergraduate concentration, which includes a list of possible career paths linked to each academic program.
New academic concentrations
Agribusiness
Biotechnology
PURPOSE: The concentration in Agribusiness Management provides training in economics and business management principles related to the production, distribution, marketing, and consumption of food and agricultural goods and services. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION: Students with this degree will have the necessary educational requirements for wide range of employment in private and government sector. REPRESENTATIVE JOB TITLES RELATED TO THIS MAJOR: The program prepares undergraduates for varied careers such as: Marketing Managers; Market and Procurement; Analysts; Sales Executives; Financial Managers; Quality Control Specialists; Researchers; Entry-level Executive Trainees; etc. REPRESENTATIVE EMPLOYERS: Banks, Investment Firms, Major Corporations, Manufacturers, Small Businesses, Retailers, Internal Revenue Service, Governments Agencies, Local, State, Federal, Non-Profit Organizations CONTACT: Dr. Enefiok Ekanem; Email: eekanem@Tnstate.edu; Office: (615) 963-5823.
PURPOSE: The concentration in Agricultural biotechnology provides training in modern technologies such as genetic engineering, drug discovery, product development, use DNA and RNA technologies to develop disease resistant and improve production in plants and animals, developing crops that are drought resistant, and ensuring food security and food safety. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION: Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough products and technologies to combat debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, and use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes for improving human life. Thus a wide variety of employers in academia, public service institutions as well as research and development industries require graduates with skills in biotechnology disciplines. REPRESENTATIVE JOB TITLES RELATED TO THIS MAJOR: Health-related technologists in industries such as Bio-Pharmaceuticals, Therapeutic Proteins, Drug Delivery, Biocatalysts and Gene Therapy, and research or analytical positions at various levels in manufacturers with BioProducts, Food Industry, Bioinformatics facilities, Bioremediation and Bioleaching units, BioEconomics and Bio-Refinery, Molecular Synthetic Biology institutes, Genomics and Proteomics facilities, as well as academic research laboratories, which can be filled by biotechnology graduates. REPRESENTATIVE EMPLOYERS: All employers in public or private settings who apply scientific and engineering principles to living organisms to produce products and services of value to society. This includes educational institutions, major corporations, small businesses, local, state, and federal government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. CONTACT: Dr. C. Korsi Dumenyo, Email: cdumenyo@Tnstate.edu; (615) 963-5634
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Animal and Food Science PURPOSE: The concentration in Animal and Food Science provides training in principles of animal breeding, production, and marketing of food animal and management of both food (cattle, swine, goats, sheep, poultry etc.) and companion animals (horses, dogs, cats etc.). The concentration also addresses contemporary issues that impact local and global food and animal industries and processes, providing a broad understanding of the integrated nature of agriculture in ensuring food safety and security. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION: Training in the animal sciences prepares graduates to work with food animals, companion animals, laboratory animals, wildlife, as well as in biomedical settings. Most jobs are not on the farm. Rewarding career opportunities are available in research, education, government service, business, and industry. An undergraduate degree concentration in Animal Science is a convenient undergraduate option for those interested in further education in veterinary, medical, or graduate school. REPRESENTATIVE JOB TITLES RELATED TO THIS MAJOR: Veterinary Doctor, Meat Inspector/
Environmental Science PURPOSE: The concentration in Environmental Science provides training in the fundamental principles of environmental science and the relationship between the environment and agriculture so that graduates are able to successfully provide and implement solutions to environmental issues in government, education, industry and society in general. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION: Training in the environmental sciences prepares graduates for rewarding career opportunities in research, education, government service agencies such as USDA, EPA, business, and industry. An undergraduate degree concentration in Environmental Science is a convenient undergraduate option for those interested in further education in environmental agencies or graduate school. REPRESENTATIVE JOB TITLES RELATED TO THIS MAJOR: Agricultural Scientist, Ecologist, Forest Ranger, Agricultural Technician, Water Quality
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USDA, Animal Care Technician, Animal Breeder and Manager, Product Development Scientist, Food Chemist, Packaging Engineer, Plant Manager, Quality Assurance managers, Food Scientist, Food Microbiologist, Range Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Regulatory Officer, Government Official, Culinary Scientist, Plant Manager, Animal Health Pharmaceutical Sales, Animal/Product Inspector, Advisor/Consultant, Food/ Meat Product Development, Lab/Product Quality Assurance, Animal Trainer/Handler, Public Relations, Livestock Production Manager, Game/Exotic Animal Keeper; REPRESENTATIVE EMPLOYERS: Universities, Federal Agencies (e.g., USDA), State Government, Livestock Service Organizations, Research Institutes, Feed Industry, Pharmaceutical Industry, Zoos and Wildlife Conservation Groups, Biomedical Clinics, Public Service Organizations (NGOs), Financial Institutions, Meat Industry, Public Schools, Livestock Operations, Veterinary Clinics, Food manufacturing industry, food product developers. CONTACT: Dr. Ankit Patras; apatras@tnstate.edu; (615) 963-6007.
Manager, Environmental Analyst, Park Ranger, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Scientist, Geographer, Environmental Educator, Environmental Health Specialist, Environmental Lobbyist, Soil Conservation Technician, Teacher Microbiologist, City Planner, Urban and Regional Planner, Environmental Planner, Biotechnologist, Environmental Lawyer, Industrial Hygienist, EPA Inspector, Natural Resource Manager, Natural Resource Specialist, Wildlife Manager, Conservationist, Extension agent, Farmer etc. REPRESENTATIVE EMPLOYERS: Universities, federal agencies (e.g., USDA), state government, livestock service organizations, research institutes, conservation agencies, public service organizations (NGOs), public schools, livestock operations, city and state governments, plant or crop breeding farms, the nursery industry, the Environmental Protection Agency, etc. CONTACT: Dr. Jason de Koff; Email: jdekoff@ tnstate.edu; Office: (615) 963-4929
New academic concentrations
Sharper focus on refined academic concentrations means TSU CAHNS students gain the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the modern workplace. Agricultural Education PURPOSE: The concentration in Agricultural Education is designed to prepare students for careers in School-based Agricultural Education, Leadership Development, and/or Extension. The School-based Agricultural Education (SBAE) program prepares students for careers in teaching. Students who choose the Teaching option will satisfy the Tennessee Department of Education’s requirements for teacher licensure in Agricultural Education and Agricultural Science. Agricultural Education students who are not interested in teaching can pursue the Leadership Development and/or Extension option. This option will prepare students for supervisory or management positions in private companies and nonprofits locally and internationally. It will prepare students for domestic and international careers in Extension through coursework and experiences in educational methods, adult education, leadership, and youth development (i.e. 4-H). EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION: Agricultural Education is designed to prepare students to become teachers of agriculture, extension agents, graduate students in Agricultural Education and other professional areas that require a broad knowledge of agriculture. It focuses attention upon the development of leadership skills needed for planning and achieving long range goals and objectives, including improved agricultural production,
conservation of natural resources, and provision of educational programs for personal, family and community development. REPRESENTATIVE JOB TITLES RELATED TO THIS CONCENTRATION INCLUDE: Agricultural Educator/Teacher, Training and Development Officer, Consultant, Extension Agent, Extension Specialist, Professor, Human Resources Specialist, Agribusiness Manager, Social Scientists, Program Leader/Coordinator, Marketing Specialist, Educational Supervisor, Farm/Ranch Manager, International Agriculture Consultant, Production Agriculture Manager, Sales/service Representative, Wildlife Educator, Museum Educator, Zoo Educator, Natural Resources Officer, Agritourism Manager/ Educator, Marketing Communications Manager, District Sales Representatives, Advertising Manager, Reporter, Editor, and Account Manager. REPRESENTATIVE EMPLOYERS: Public schools, major corporations, small businesses, local, state and federal governments, and nonprofit organizations. For example: Metro Nashville Public Schools, Farm Credit Service, Tractor Supply Company, Caterpillar, USDA, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee 4-H, Tennessee FFA, National Dairy Council, Tennessee Beef Industry Council, Tennessee Farm Bureau, RFD-TV, etc. CONTACT: Dr. John Ricketts; Email: jricket1@ tnstate.edu; Office: (615) 630-0526
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Leonard Jordan, TSU alumnus and associate chief for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, greets visitors to the Small Farm Expo at TSU CAHNS’ Agricultural Research and Education Center in July. 10
Big Man Back on Campus
‘Make something out of your life’
USDA expert returns to TSU CAHNS to give back BY JOAN KITE CAHNS Link Editor
Growing into the role of “Big Man on Campus” did not happen overnight for Leonard Jordan, a rural teenage farmer who never imagined he would attend and graduate from Tennessee State University (TSU) – much less become a USDA jetsetter crisscrossing the United States to promote agriculture. “My parents put me on a truck and drove me to Tennessee State University,” Jordan said. “I cried. I was missing home. I lasted there three days and went home on Tuesday.” It was an awkward start to a sterling almost 40-year career. Jordan, associate chief for conservation for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, returned to campus this July for the Small Farm Expo hosted by TSU’s College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences (CAHNS). He was welcomed with open arms and one straw hat, presented to him by Dean Chandra Reddy to protect him from the blazing heat that day. Jordan returned to TSU to give back. “As I looked at those farmers (at the Small Farm Expo), I saw my parents in the audience,” Jordan said. “I know how important Tennessee State is to
them. I know how important it is to me.” Jordan, a resident of Woodbridge, Virginia, can look out his office window in Washington, D.C., and see
“As I looked at those farmers (at the Small Farm Expo), I saw my parents in the audience. I know how important Tennessee State is to them. I know how important it is to me.” Leonard Jordan Associate Chief USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service the capitol. “I travel all over the country. My roles takes me to various places all over the continental U.S,” Jordan said. It’s a far cry from life growing up in Fayette County in West Tennessee. He grew up in a blended family of 10 brothers and sisters. He was the
oldest in the second tier of five. “You had to make sure you got to the table on time,” he said. All of them helped with the 78-acre family farm. They raised cotton, watermelon, peas, squash, and okra. They worked from sunup to sundown. His community was predominantly white. “In my immediate community, there were a few hundred blacks,” Jordan said. He attended Mt. Zion Elementary School, where his classroom contained students from two or three different grades. He would move on to Fayette Ware High School, where there were 235 students in his graduating class. Some days, school was a respite from the fields. End-of day school bells ringing did not signal freedom for Jordan but more work. “The pickup truck was at the top of the hill by 3:30 p.m.,” Jordan said. “My mom was waiting to get me to take me right to the field.” During those high school years, Jordan’s vocational agriculture teacher, Mr. Wally, saw the seeds of a leader in this young man. He encouraged Jordan to take the ACT and called up a friend, Dr. David Hamilton, who happened to be the dean at TSU CAHNS. “Mr. Wally and my parents ganged up on me,” Jordan recalled.
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“Apply yourself. Surround yourself with good people who will motivate you. The reward is worth it.” Leonard Jordan Associate Chief USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Leonard Jordan speaks to the audience at TSU CAHNS Small Farm Expo about the increasing need for trained professionals in agriculture to help feed a world facing overpopulation and climate change.
On the truck and off to college, Jordan went. It took him a while to adjust to life in the big city on a big campus with the typical distractions students encounter when they’re away from home learning who they are. He worked odd jobs to make ends meet. During the summer, he worked at co-ops that offered him his first experience with the USDA. “I always had good advisors. They stuck with me, they nurtured me and coached me and I rode out that tide. Eventually, I graduated from TSU with the best experience ever,” Jordan said. He had the good fortune to be a student while Dr. Fred Westbrook was head of the Department of Plant Science. (Half of the name of the Farrell Westbrook Complex, an agriculture building affectionately referred to “The Barn” on campus, is 12
named after Westbrook. Westbrook left TSU and took a job in Washington, D.C. with Extension. Jordan graduated and also got a job with the USDA. He remembers meeting Westbrook again – only this time they were colleagues. “You made it, by God. I knew we saw something in you,” Westbrook said to Jordan. Jordan is approaching 40 years of service with the USDA and he credits much of his success to the foundation he received from his parents, their farm, Mr. Wally and TSU. “That university cared about me. There were thousands of students, but I felt they cared about me. They made a difference in my life. They helped me grow in this agency. The university turned my life around,” Jordan said.
He has advice for all students, especially those who have yet to “get their groove on” with college life. “Believe in yourself,” Jordan said. “Believe that you can achieve that which you desire to achieve, meaning you have to have a vision of wanting to have a better life. Your academics are critically important, but I will also say have a little fun too. But keep things in perspective. Apply yourself. Surround yourself with good people who will motivate you. The reward is worth it.” “I developed that belief that I can make something out of my life that’s better than what I am today,” Jordan said. “I haven’t looked back with the exception to help others to achieve things.” Jordan will return to TSU for Homecoming Week starting Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016.
Teacher
Hired!
The student becomes the teacher When Quintin Robinson initially interviewed for a teaching position in agriculture at McGavock High School in Nashville, Tennessee last January, he was disappointed that he didn’t get it. But that didn’t stop the 25-yearold Tennessee State University undergraduate from continuing to pursue his goals and dreams. Earning his bachelor’s degree in 2014, Robinson enrolled in TSU’s College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences graduate program in agriculture education. He will earn his master’s degree in December. “My ultimate goal is to become a college professor,” Robinson said.
“But I know I have to put in my years, get some experience and earn my doctorate.” In July, McGavock High School called Robinson and asked him to return for an interview for the teaching position that he though he had not gotten. This time, the job was his. Now, Robinson walks into class filled with high school students and teaches them what he has learned. “We’re covering the history of agriculture right now,” Robinson said. Once that ground is covered, Robinson will prepare his students for lab work. All of the high school students are TEACHER/ Continued on page 19
Quintin Robinson
TSU discounts tuition rates for out-of-state students Continued from page 5
Tennessee Board of Regents policy, which allows TSU and other TBR institutions to offer discounted rates to students within a 250-mile radius of their campuses. Cade said the plan will help boost the university’s effort to recruit out-ofstate students, a breadbasket for TSU. “Based on our national alumni base and legacy, out-of-state students have traditionally been attracted to Tennessee State University, but the cost of tuition has been a major barrier for many,” Cade said. Called the 250-Mile Radius Rate, the new discount plan will be effective beginning the 2016-2017 academic year. It will benefit students like Atlanta native Jordan Gaither, a senior Exercise Sports major who dropped his athletics scholarship playing basketball to concentrate on his academics. Gaither does not have a Pell Grant and has to rely on his parents to help pay
“If I can get this discount, it will definitely help a lot.” TSU Senior Jordan Gaither for his fees. “It has been hard on them and me for the last two years,” Gaither said. “If I can get this discount, it will definitely help a lot.” Under the new plan, eligible incoming out-of-state undergraduate students enrolled in 15 credit hours will receive a 43 percent reduction in tuition, or pay $5,903 per year. Graduate students taking nine credit hours will pay 35 percent less, or $6,176. Tuition is slightly higher for undergraduates taking more than 15 credit hours, and for graduate students taking more than nine credits hours. In 2015/2016, full out-of-state tuition for undergraduate students en-
rolled in 15 credit hours was $10,387, and for graduate students enrolled in nine credit hours the tuition was $9,439. The discount applies only to tuition and not to costs, such as housing, meals, books and other fees. But Joshua Brome of Stone Mountain, Georgia, sees the offer as a major break for students in need of assistance. “The foreseeable benefit of this plan of lower tuition will release me from my dependence on student loans,” said Brome, a sophomore Civil and Environmental Engineering major. “I don’t have a Parent Plus loan and this goes a long way in ensuring I might not have to apply for one to cover the out-of-state cost. This is a huge weight off my shoulders and will free up my mind to concentrate more on me and my academics.” Visit www.tnstate.edu/bursar/radius. aspx for a list of eligible high schools and additional information regarding fees.
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Dean’s Scholars TSU CAHNS celebrates the cream of the crop — our top students
Student praises Dean’s Scholar program for path to success By Angelina Bernardini Dean’s Scholar
I had previous experience in labs before coming to TSU to study agriculture; however, education in science is all but lost without a lab that puts in action concepts learned in lecture. The Dean's Scholars Program has allowed me to learn so much about bridging my molecular knowledge with plant science while earning a wage. I do not mind stating that prior to my arrival in Dr. Ali Taheri’s lab I was unable to successfully grow anything, even joking that I had a “black thumb.” With Dr. Taheri's guidance, I was able to grow plants for my own projects and assist our grad students with theirs. Aside from gaining a more evolved comprehension of classroom-taught concepts, I have also learned what teamwork really means. This is especially true when we all pull together for planting in the field and later gathering samples. Science is not always glamorous, but when you've got a good team to support you even the most mundane 14
and boring tasks are made more enjoyable. The networking that one is able to establish when in and a part of a lab team is one of the most valuable resources that any student can access while in school. I would like to add
that credited classroom lab experience that compliments lecture sometimes does not even scratch the surface of what is expected of an employee once hired. The Dean's Scholars Program gives undergrad
students an opportunity to get the experience that they otherwise may not receive. I cannot imagine my experience here at Tennessee State University without the addition of this program.
TSU agriculture students Sabbir Ahmed (from left to right), MJay Espina, and Angelina Bernardini work in the research fields with Dr. Ali Taheri (behind them), an assistant professor in the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Photo courtesy of Angelina Bernardini.
Dean’s Scholars
Dean’s Scholars 2016-2017
Ambrielle Dunlap Animal Science Hometown
Justus Watson Biotechnology Atlanta, GA
Kristen Stigger Plant/Soil Science Memphis, TN
Kourtney Daniels Food Biosciences Chicago, IL
Kanita Hutchinson Biotechnology Atlanta, GA
Dorian Lawrence Biotechnology Richmond, VA
Imani Peterson Early Childhood Ed. Milwaukee, WI
Tariq Muhammed Plant Science Chicago, IL
Dominique Harris Pre-Veterinary Sci. Cinncinnatti, OH
Danielle Solomon Environmental Sci. Nashville, TN
Taylor Kelly Child Development Washington, D.C.
Sayyid Love Environmental Sci. Nashville, TN
Angelina Bernardini Biotechnology Memphis, TN
Eligia Stafford III Agriculture Ed. Nashville, TN
Amber Barnett Pre-Vet/Animal Sci. Knoxville, TN
Amaris Daniels Biotech/ Animal Sci. Jacksonville, Fla.
Destiny Cook Pre-Veterinary Sci. Atlanta, GA
Emoni White Pre-Veterinary Sci. Indianapolis, IN
Charmichael Jefferson
Daiva Wilson Biotechnology Indianapolis, IN
Biotechnology Chattanooga, TN
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Dean’s Scholars 2016-2017
Asisan Hooper Pre-Veterinary Sci. Tutwiler, MS
Moet McFall Pre-Vet/Animal Sci. St. Louis, MO
Micah Blake-Smith Biotechnology Detroit, MI
Whitney Anderson Agriculture Ed. Johnson City, TN
Raynette Johnson Agriculture Ed. Munford, TN
Dean’s Scholars
Kiara Williams Pre-Veterinary Sci. Seat Pleasant, MD
CheKenna Fletcher Agricultural Sci. Lebanon, TN
Ashley Warner Food Bioscience Memphis, TN
Chris Green Biotechnology Jackson, MS
Alexius Dingle Biotechnology Manning, SC
Raven Edmundson Food Science Mt. Juliet, TN
Taylor Pikes Pre-Veterinary Sci. St. Louis, MO
Mathew Smith Agriculture Ed. Antioch, TN
Justin McKinnie Biotechnology Atlanta, GA
Brittaney Hogan Environmental Sci. New Johnsonville, TN
Kayla Sampson Biotechnology Jackson, MS
The following Dean’s Scholars are not pictured: Alysia Falls, Phyllicia Hamphill, Devinn Pauley and Joseph Tillman.
This summer, Dean Chandra Reddy named Dr. De’Etra Young the new director of the Dean’s Scholars Program. Only 10 students are selected each year to participate in the program, which provides financial assistance to top achievers and enables them to work closely with faculty researchers and mentors in the laboratory and classroom. To be eligible, students must be a Tennessee Hope Scholarship recipient, be admitted into TSU, and be seeking a degree in Agricultural Sciences or Family and Consumer Sciences. Applications are due Feb. 28. For more information,
contact Dr. Young at dyoung23@tnstate.edu or call (615) 963-5123.
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MANRRS transforms students into pros The student president shares his experience BY JUSTUS WATSON MANRRS President
Among the many programs available to the students pursuing STEM degrees, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resource and Related Sciences (MANRRS) continues to be the club at the forefront for professional development. Under the direction of Dr. De’Etra Young, MANRRS strives to assist students in finding scholarships, internships and graduate
fellowships all while molding students into the next emerging leaders of the STEM field. Since joining MANRRS I have seen growth in both my professional and academic endeavors. MANRRS has even pushed me to be more involved in the department, and serve as the president for this academic school year. The experience and development MANRRS gives its member is truly unique and one of a kind, and I would highly recommend students join and participate!
MANRRS members study before the Quiz Bowl at the National Conference in Jacksonville, Florida last spring. Photo courtesy of Dr. De’Etra Young.
Ambassador Program a ‘life changing’ experience By Kourtney Daniels Dean’s Scholar
TSU’s College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences (CAHNS) Ambassador Program began during my freshman year at TSU and has been one of the best experiences that could have ever happened to me. Initially, the program was not going to accept freshmen students, but my research professor recommended me. I applied, interviewed and was selected. This was back in 2013, and now I’m getting ready to graduate in 2017. The Ambassador Program has allowed me to expand my leadership skills, gain key networking skills, and has been the starting point for many of the other 18
Over the years, I’ve gotten to be a part of the growth of this program. I’ve met and spoken in front of dignitaries and have been able to develop a love for agriculture. opportunities that I’ve had over the past four years. As Ambassadors, we receive training, learn about how our college and departments function, make connections with influential faculty and staff, and get the amazing opportunity to represent our institution. Over the years, I’ve gotten to be a part of the growth of this program. I’ve met and spoken in front of dignitaries and have been able to develop a love for agriculture.
The best thing about being an Ambassador has been that this program allowed me to decide on my career goals. I didn’t come into college 100 percent sure of how I wanted to impact the world (or even if my future job was going to impact anything), but now I’m understanding that my place amongst those that empower and inspire will be within the Food Sciences. Being a CAHNS Ambassador is much more than wearing a flashy blue
blazer and giving campus tours to prospective students. It has been a life changing experience and an opportunity that I honestly wish could be extended to every agriculture science student at TSU. I’m truly going to miss working with the program once I graduate. •••• Students who are selected for TSU’s College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences Ambassador Program promote CAHNS academic programs while enhancing awareness about the many career paths one can pursue in the agriculture, human and natural sciences. Students learn leadership skills, learn to network and create professional connections while representing the university.
High-Achievers Program
High-Achievers Program targets community college students TSU’s College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences is implementing a new experiential research program designed for diligent community college students who are interested in pursuing their education in food, agriculture, environmental and other related sciences. Called the High-Achievers Program, it will provide financial assistance through a unique work-aid program to 10 students each year. Students work closely with a senior faculty mentor to assist and conduct research getting hands-on experience in field research and laboratory studies. Ultimately, students will conduct their own research and publish and present their findings.
To qualify, community college students must
complete an A.A. or A.S. degree with a GPA of 2.75 or higher. They must enroll as a full-time student with the intent of earning a bachelors of science degree in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences or Family and Consumer Sciences. Applicants also need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application process for the High-Achievers Program includes an essay and an interview to assess motivation, work ethic and communication skills. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28, 2017. For more information, contact Dr. De’Etra Young, assistant professor at TSU’s College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences. She can be reached at (615) 963-5123 or email her at dyoung23@tnstate.edu.
TEACHER Continued from page 13
required to take his agriculture class, which Robinson believes is a great thing as it exposes them to a field he loves. Robinson initially became interested in agriculture doing what many young kids do to earn a few dollars – mowing lawns and landscaping yards. He realized he could
combine his desire to help people and his love for the land and become a teacher. He is currently finishing up his thesis on leadership behaviors and working on his teaching license required by Metro Nashville Public Schools. As for his day job? “I love it,” he said. “The students and I have a good understanding.”
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The Scientist’s Apprentices
Dr. Chandra Reddy (center), dean of TSU’s College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, poses with this year’s talented and intelligent high school participants in TSU CAHNS Summer Apprenticeship Program. Professor William Hayslett (far right), academic coordinator, administers the program. Photo by Joan Kite.
Summer program for high schoolers a booming success BY JOAN KITE CAHNS Link Editor
The eighth summer for the Summer Apprenticeship Program (SAP) at TSU College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences has ended and TSU was able to hand out 18 $1,000 checks to the program’s graduates – high schoolers representing seven states and Puerto Rico. The students were rewarded in July with cash for their hard-earned efforts. They had just spent six weeks studying in an intensive agriculture program that culminated in the presentation of the results of their research projects. There is no other program like it in Tennessee, if not the United States. “The idea of the program is to show that agriculture is not just farming,” 20
said William Hayslett, the director of SAP and academic coordinator for the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences. “We want to plant in your mind that you can attend college and find a well-paying job in the agricultural field. The plan for the program is to continue to expand.” Students are selected from a competitive pool of applicants and are provided with free tuition, room and board, classroom study, lab experimentation, the opportunity to work with a personal research mentor, and recreational and educational jaunts to such places as the Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, the Memphis Zoo and TSU’s own Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center, located in the “nursery capital of the South” in McMinnville, Tennessee.
Upon successful graduation, they are handed a $1,000 check. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides funding under Workforce Development. That really helped me out at the end,” said Nashville resident Demetria Hayes, 18, who has spent two summers in SAP and is now an incoming TSU freshmen intent on majoring in agriculture science with a minor in animal science. “That money helped me get some things I needed for school.” Hayes and fellow SAP member Asisan Hooper, of Tutwiler, Mississippi, spent two summers studying goats. This summer’s project focused on determining if the size of a litter affected the number of parasites found in goats, which are raised and studied for meat production at the Agriculture Research and Education
Scientists’ Apprentices Center also know as “The Farm.” The young women would start their days in high 90 degree weather at 8:30 a.m., take lunch around 11:15 a.m., and return to the fields until 4 p.m. “I was outside with the goats in the smoldering heat,” Hayes said. “I got a mean tan.” The women learned how to draw blood and test fecal samples for parasites, conduct statistical analysis on their findings, and create presentations in Prezi Presentation Software. They also learned what it was like to live, eat, study and work on a college campus, a foundation that will benefit them during their next years in college. They befriended some of their research subjects. There was “Bottle Baby” aka “Bibi” a kid goat that had to be fed with a bottle, and “Runaround,” a goat who earned his name because he was never present at feeding time. Hooper was going to return to Mississippi where she planned to enroll in community college. Instead, she returns this fall as an incoming freshmen student. Hayes returned to the farm to work with the goats in August as a work-aid student, getting paid while continuing her academic journey. Ultimately, she wants to
“The idea of the program is to show that agriculture is not just farming. We want to plant in your mind that you can attend college and find a well-paying job in the agricultural field.” Professor William Hayslett Academic Coordinator pursue veterinary science and work with exotic animals. “I just love the ideas of big cats and wild dogs and huge birds and working with them knowing that they will still be there in their natural habitat when I leave. That is really satisfying,” Hayes said. Students are able to pursue their interests. Sierra Holmes of Ocala, Florida, used GIS technology to identify target customers to help
her merchandise fashion. Rodney Purdy, of Chicago, Illinois, measured aboveground tree biomass and analyzed carbon levels throughout campus. Jacqueline Johnson, of Munford, Tennessee, worked with local grocery store owners to develop a technical booklet that promoted healthier foods to their customers. Students are each assigned a faculty mentor who works with them individually to develop their min-research project. They gain direct experience working in the College’s laboratories with graduate assistants and faculty. They learn about data collection, analysis, creating hypothesis, presenting results and discussing and presenting their conclusions. They become scientists, researchers and educators. “I feel like I have an upper hand and I don’t mean that in a bad way,” Hayes said. “It’s a really good foundation to do what you want to do.” For more information about the Summer Apprenticeship Program, visit www.tnstate.edu/agriculture where applications are available now, or contact Professor William Hayslett at (615) 963-5438. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2017.
Congratulations Summer Apprenticeship Program Graduates!
Jo-Jo A. O’Conner, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, receives her graduation certificate and $1,000 check for completing the Summer Apprenticeship Program. Dr. De’Etra Young (l. to r.), Dean Chandra Reddy, O’Conner and SAP Director William Hayslett at graduation this summer. Photo by Joan Kite.
SAP students ended their apprenticeship by presenting their research findings and then attending an awards luncheon where they were presented with the certificates of graduation and their $1,000 checks. The students who participated in the the Student Apprenticeship Program for the summer of 2016 are: Lorenzo Alegria-Estades, of Puerto Rico; Kayla Carney, of Wilmington, Deleware; Edward M. Daniels, of Detroit, Michigan; Jo Jo O’Conner, of Baton Rouge, Lousiana; Sierra Holmes, of Ocala, Florida, Ariel T. Johnson, of Jackson, Mississippi; Asisan Hooper, of Piney Woods, Mississippi; Caitlyn McFadden and Rodney Z. Purdy, of Chicago, Illinois; Melinda and Jacqueline Johnson, of Munford, Tennessee; Ladeja Walker, of Memphis, Tennessee; and Kevin Freeman Jr., Demetria Hayes, Steven Hyden, Sayyid Love and Savian Young, of Nashville, Tennessee.
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Bloom where you are planted Success stories from the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences
Environmental Science Club teams up with Boy Scouts BY TOM BYL Environmental Science Professor
A group of Boy Scouts from Franklin, Tennessee, and members from TSU CAHNS Environmental Science Club (ESC) conducted an aquifer pump test at the Agricultural Research and Education Center (AREC) on Labor Day under the guidance of Dr. Tom Byl. Boy Scout Alex Kaszynski organized members of his troop to assist as part of his Eagle Scout project. The Boy Scouts were joined by five TSU students in the Environmental Science Club and Dr. Victor Roland, a TSU alumnus and a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. The AREC, a research farm, has nine deep wells used for irrigation and research. The groundwater system below the TSU farm is called a "karst aquifer," which means it is a limestone aquifer with small, water-filled caves. The aquifer pump test helps to identify the properties of the groundwater system. An aquifer test consists of pumping one well very hard and then monitoring water levels in the other wells to see if the water-level is changing as a result of the pumping. The initial results found a hydraulic connection between the irrigation well on the organic research farm to the goat research area and the Cumberland River. Additional calculations will be done to determine how much water can be pumped without depleting the aquifer. The test took approximately five hours to Master’s student Mark Okafor works with a Boy Scout taking a water level run. reading in a well on the organic research farm. Photo by Tom Byl
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TSU Alumnus Named USDA Liaison for the College Tennessee State University’s College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences is pleased to welcome to campus Eston Williams who is the new USDA 1890 program liaison. Williams will reach out to students an inform them of career and educational opportunities with the USDA. Williams serves as the Liaison between USDA, TSU, and the students in the College of Agriculture Human and Natural Sciences. He also recruits students to attend TSU and pursue a degree in agriculture field. Once the students arrive to TSU, he works with students to obtain an internship with one of the 17 USDA agencies. He also works with the students to help them secure employment. Williams, a native of Somerville, Tennessee, is a graduate of Tennessee State University with a
Eston Williams USDA/1890 Liaison
Bachelor of Science in Plant Science. In 1984, he earned an internship with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Services. Upon graduation, Williams accepted a full-time position with the USDA and was granted four
years employment experience because of his three-month internship. He has dedicated 32 years of service with the USDA working in the areas of Soil Conservationist, District Conservationist, and Resource Conservation and Development Coordinator. Now employed as the USDA/1890 Liaison, he works for the Office of Advocacy and Outreach. Williams is a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, member of 100 Black Men, and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated where he serves as the Southeastern Regional Director. He is married and has three daughters. Welcome aboard, Eston! We’re glad you’re here!
Winning!
Four graduate students walked away with awards from the International Environmental Youth Symposium sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency this month in Atlanta, Georgia. Sochinwechi Nwosisi, of Nigeria, Ravneet Sandhu and Varinder Sidhu, of India, and Man Kumari Giri, of Nepal, were recognized for their research efforts in organic agriculture and sustainable and renewable energy. Nwosisi, Sandhu, Sidhu and Dr. Dilip Nandwani, their mentior, won first place for their work in organic agriculture and food security. Mann won first place for work in sustainable and renewable energy.
Dr. Dilip Nandwani (l. to r.), Varinder Sadhu, Ravneet Sandhu, Dean Chandra Reddy, Man Kumari Giri, Sochinwechi Nwosisi Chinwe, and Dr. Bharat Pokharel take a celebratory photograph at the foot of the stairs in the Biotechnology Building. Sadhu, Sandhu and Nwosis won first place for their poster “Impact 21st Century Organic Crop Production Practices on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.” Giri won first place for her entry in the Sustainable and Renewable Energy category. They picked up the honors at EPA’s International Environmental Youth Symposium this month in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Nandwani and Dr. Pokharel serve as the students’ mentors.
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Two BFFs cuddle together after participating in a routine fire drill this fall at TSU CAHN’s Early Learning Center. The Department of Human Services has granted the center a three-star rating, the highest rating it can receive. Photo by Joan Kite
Early Learning Center offers TSU care to tots They are perhaps Tennessee State University’s youngest and tiniest students. Every weekday, 12 children arrive at 7:45 a.m. to the Early Learning Center, a licensed childcare facility at the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences. There, they spend the day making friends, playing together and learning basic reading, writing and math concepts that will give them a head start when they start “real school.” The Center, which is part of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, has been in operation since 1942. Some of these tiny graduates have returned to campus to become formal TSU students. Some have returned to place their own children in The Center, said Dr. Beatrice Harris, the interim director for The Center. On this day, the children are participating in a fire drill. A few are unsettled by the repeated buzz of the alarm, but they are quickly comforted and escorted out the building by their teachers. Dr. Harris accompanies them 24
The rooms are filled with countless items to enhance a child’s imagination. There are clothes for dress up, arts and craft supplies, books, balls, board games and much more. making sure that everyone abides by procedures, which means the students will walk calmly across the parking lot to Lawson Hall, where they will be counted before they return to their classrooms. Following the fire drill, the students return to wash their hands, drink from the water fountain and return to coloring,
drawing and, of course, talking to each other. The Department of Human Services has declared TSU CAHNS’s Early Learning Center a three-star childcare facility, the highest rating it can receive. The Center is preparing to go through the annual DHS evaluation again this fall. The Center is also preparing for a lot of other exciting developments. Soon, it will have a full-time director. “We’re in the process of hiring one right now,” Dr. Harris said. The new director, with assistance from two full-time instructors and a bevy of student interns, will be able to concentrate on expanding program offerings and accepting more children. At its height of community participation, The Center enrolled 96 children. Currently, The Center hopes to eventually enroll 36 kids. Increased funding will be necessary, however, before that can happen, Dr. Harris said. The Center, which is now open from mid-August to the end of May, is also
Learning Center hoping to move to a year-round calendar. Parents drop their children off in the morning knowing that aside from the educational and social experience, their children will be fed a hot lunch and have a morning and afternoon snack. The Center employs an onsite cook who prepares yummy youngster dishes like spaghetti, meatloaf, grilled cheese sandwiches and pizza. The rooms are filled with countless items to enhance a child’s imagination. There are clothes for dress up, arts and craft supplies, books, balls, board games and much more. Children also spend some time outdoors on the playground. The children are separated into classrooms by age groups. The 2 and 3 years old play in one room while the 4 and 5 years old play in another. Lessons are designed for their developmental stages. They are not the only people learning in The Center, however. TSU students studying nursing, psychology, education, speech pathology and more, may drop in to complete observation hours required for class, participate in internships or try out a recently created lesson plan. Anyone in the community can enroll
Coloring and creating crafts are just some of the activities at the Early Learning Center, which is open from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Photo by Joan Kite.
their children in the Early Learning Center. The fee is $125 per week and the Department of Human Services does provide vouchers for lower income families in need of financial assistance to help defray the cost. The fee is still well under the average amount other childcare facilities are charging, Dr. Harris said. There is an application to complete.
Students much be up-to-date on their immunizations and parents are asked to sign permission slips acknowledging that their children will be taught lessons in personal safety, including right versus wrong touch and stranger danger. For more information about the Early Learning Center, please call the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at (615) 963-5601.
Children are escorted safely back into the Early Learning Center following a routine mid-morning fire drill. One of two playgrounds can be seen in the background. Photo by Joan Kite.
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All study and no socializing make John and Jane Doe dull students, and TSU CAHNS doesn’t want that. Here is a list of some of our student organizations on campus.
Join the Club Environmental Science Club
The Environmental Science Club (ESC) was created to promote awareness of environmental issues both on campus and in the greater Nashville community and encourages students to make more environmentally sustainable decisions both on campus and abroad. ESC also provides the TSU community with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors through service-oriented projects at TSU as well as in the community. ESC intends to plan day trips to local parks and recreation areas in Nashville. The club also features speakers who will talk about sustainable development, policy, and practices. Our first speaker of the semester will most likely be Dr. Joseph Perry, the Director of Sustainability in the Facilities Management Division of TSU. We encourage all members of the TSU community to attend Dr. Perry's presentation. We also encourage all students at TSU to get involved in our organization or at least attend a meeting if they are interested. We plan to meet throughout the fall semester in the FerrellWestbrook building and we look forward to having members from all fields of study. Student President Brent Newman bnewman1@my.tnstate.edu Faculty Advisor Dr. Bhorat Pokharel bpokhare@tnstate.edu
Food Science Club
The Food Science Club meets on the last Friday of every month during the fall and spring semester. The club is open to anyone with an interest in food science. Members include six students and five faculty and staff members. Professors are charged $50 for membership and graduate students are charged $10. There is no fee for undergraduates. The money is used for refreshments. TSU professor Dr. Fur-Chi Chen will speak about be new developments using Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensors in food analysis at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 6 in Room 112 of Lawson Hall. Refreshments will follow. Student President Li Wang lwang2@my.tnstate.edu Faculty Advisors: Dr. Ankit Patras apatras@tnstate.edu Dr. Ying Wu ywu@tnstate.edu 26
Collegiate FFA & 4-H
The Collegiate FFA & 4H Club is celebrating its first year as an official campus organization registered with the Student Government Association, but has yet to officially schedule informational meetings. The club has been around unofficially for a few years . It operates similar to the national organizations. Future Farmers of America and 4H are two separate clubs, but they have combined them at TSU to “bridge the gap,” said Vice President Abigail Anderson. The club is open to anyone interested in a career in agriculture. The club does intend to participate in the national and state conventions this year. Membership fees have yet to be decided upon. Student President Eligia Stafford eligia.stafford3@yahoo.com Student Vice President Abigail Anderson Abigail13anderson13@gmail.com Faculty Advisor Dr. John Ricketts jricket1@tnstate.edu
Minorities in Agricultural, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
The national mission of Minorities in Agricultural, Natural Resources and Related Sciences is to empower minority students who are seeking careers in agriculture and develop them into tomorrow’s leaders. MANRRS at TSU offers students a wide variety of programs and events ranging from professionals who come to speak on campus to service activities in Nashville and the surrounding communities. The club meets on the second Wednesday of every month during the fall and spring semester in Room 110 of Lawson Hall. The club participates in the national convention, which will be held March 29-April1, 2017, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Student President Justus Watson justuswatson@gmail.com Faculty Advisors: Dr. De’Etra Young dyoung23@tnstate.edu Dr. Zena Clardy aclardy@tnstate.edu Prof. William Hayslett whayslett@tnstate.edu
DCFS students
DFCS students head to graduate schools TSU CAHNS’ Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (DFCS) has successfully helped place two students in graduate programs this year at the University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of NebraskaLincoln (UNL). TSU graduate Alice Brown, of Nashville, will fly to Nebraska this January to start school in the midst of winter. Brown is pursuing her studies in Early Childhood Education and was accepted to UNL after participating in a summer internship program there. Initially, Brown thought she wanted to be a nurse, but shortly after starting at TSU, she dropped out after one semester. One semester later, she was back at TSU. One of her requirements was to volunteer for an after-school program so she chose one in the DFCS. Brown ultimately graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Human Relations. She learned of UNL’s graduate program through Dr. Chiquita Briley, the interim DFCS department head who earned her master’s degree at UNL. Inspired by Briley, Brown applied to UNL’s summer internship. Brown interned with UNL Extension in “The Learning Child” program, where she assisted in several trainings and developed and taught Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Math (STEAM) curriculum. “I’m going to make the most of my opportunities,” Brown said.
TSU graduate Alice Brown reads to students during her summer internship at Extension at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Photo courtesy of Alice Brown
Aszland Thornton earned half an assistantship and half a fellowship at the University of Kentucky where she is studying Merchandising Apparel and Textiles. She graduated from TSU with a degree in design and participated on the University Fashion Council. She told her professors that TSU
had prepared her well for graduate school. “I want to personally thank you (Dr. Sandria Godwin) for everything you taught me in Senior Project because… the same material (even the same book) will be used/taught in my graduate level research class,” Thornton wrote in an email.
Coming next issue!
On the back cover
The winter issue of CAHNS Link will focus on faculty and student research. Please send news to CAHNS Link Editor Joan Kite at jkite1@tnstate. edu or call (615) 963-5798. Be sure to check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ TSUCollegeofAgriculture.
Professor Bill Sutton works with graduate students trapping, identifying, measuring and releasing turtles into the wetlands on the main campus Agriculture Research and Education Center. As Sutton restrains a snapping turtle, a student files identifying notches into the turtle’s shell while other students record information. Photo by Joan Kite 27
Get engaged! TSU CAHNS is active on social media and invites you to join in the conversation. We want to hear your stories, thoughts and comments. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!
Tennessee State University College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd. Nashville, TN 37209
CAHNS Link Vol. 5, Issue 2 Fall 2016 Tennessee State University College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences (615) 963-7561 www.tnstate.edu/agriculture Dr. Chandra Reddy, Dean & Director of Research Administrator of Extension Joan Kite, CAHNS Link Editor
TSU-17-0022(A)-12b-13500- Tennessee State University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to address inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Ms. Tiffany Baker-Cox, Director of Equity and Compliance, 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd. Nashville, TN 37209, (615) 963-7435.