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Tennessee State University
from Chairs of Excellence
by THECTSAC
Tennessee State University, 2020-2021
Chair of Excellence Date Established Chairholder
1) Frist Chair of Excellence in Business July 1992 Dr. Stephen B. Shanklin (Retired December 2020), Currently vacant, search in progress.
2) Chair of Excellence in Banking and
Financial Services March 1998 Vacant since 2018
Tennessee Higher Education Commission 2020-21 Chairs of Excellence Annual Report Page 28
Status of the Chair of Excellence
The Frist Chair of Excellence in Business presently has a focus on Accounting. The Chair was held by a distinguished academician and practitioner, Dr. Stephen B. Shanklin, until his retirement in December 2020. Dr. Shanklin held a Ph. D. in Accounting & International Business from Saint Louis University, an MBA and a B. S. in Accounting from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and a B. S. in Business Administration from Murray State University. He also held an active CPA certification in Tennessee and the CGMA certification from the AICPA and CIMA in Great Britain. The Chair is presently vacant. The position opening will be advertised during the 2021-2022 Academic Year.
Impact of Chair of Excellence on TSU, College, and Programs
The Frist Chair has continued to capitalize on the dynamic economic growth of the greater Nashville area to produce opportunities for synergy in programs that advance student professional development and encourage greater numbers of better prepared students to enter career paths related to the profession of Accounting. Impactful activities of the Frist Chair during the 2020-2021 academic year include the following: Provided underwriting support to qualified students in the College’s Executive MBA
Program, Provided scholarship awards for outstanding Accounting students, Sponsored the VITA Tax Program in concert with the United Way of Middle Tennessee and the members of Beta Alpha Psi.
Recommendations to Enhance the Effectiveness of the Program
The program will be more effective once a permanent Chairholder can be identified. A robust search will be held this academic year.
Tennessee Higher Education Commission 2020-21 Chairs of Excellence Annual Report Page 29
Status of the Chair of Excellence
The Chair of Excellence in Banking and Financial Services is designed to serve as a catalyst for enhancing the College’s research as well as curriculum development in the area of banking and financial services and has been vacant since 2018. Since the establishment of the Chair of Excellence, in concert with the banking community of Nashville, the College has enjoyed the benefit of having distinguished professionals serve in the capacity of Chair holder. Previous chair holders include Dr. Jerry Crigger, a former banking executive, and Dr. LaVaughn Henry, Analyst in the Banking and Regulatory Policy Section at the FDIC. The Chair is presently vacant. In discussions with the College’s Economics and Finance Advisory Board of industry leaders, the job description and qualifications for eligible candidates were refined. A robust search to find the best candidate to fill the position will occur during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Impact of Chair of Excellence on TSU, College, and Programs
The Chair has continued to aid the College of Business in making a major impact on strengthening linkages with the banking and financial services industry. The Office of the Chair of Banking and Financial Services was a sponsor of the College of Business Virtual Leadership Forum conducted and supported by Fifth Third Bank. The event featured 9 executives from Fifth Third Bank including Kevin Lavender, Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking, who addressed the Forum theme: Leading During Unconventional Times. 129 students attended the event. The Office of the Chair of Banking and Financial Services also collaborated with Fifth Third Bank to sponsor an entrepreneurial and financial empowerment presentation by Dr. William Pickard, a multi-millionaire and author of “Millionaire Moves. ” Eighty-one students attended the event. The Office also provided scholarship awards for outstanding students with an interest in Banking and Financial Services.
Recommendations to Enhance the Effectiveness of the Program
The program will be more effective once a permanent Chairholder can be identified. A robust search will be held this academic year. Qualification requirements for potential candidates have been refined to include a focus on extensive executive level industry experience. The position has also been reclassified from a twelve-month position to a ninemonth position with a year-to-year renewable contract. We believe these changes will greatly assist in recruiting the ideal candidate.
Tennessee Higher Education Commission 2020-21 Chairs of Excellence Annual Report Page 30
