Tennessee
Former TSU president: Tennessee State University must be saved. HBCUs matter. | Opinion
TSU and HBCUs represent America’s promise that education can change lives and build a more equitable future for everyone.
TSU Interim President Ronald Johnson focuses on turning HBCUs around
Dr. Ronald A. Johnson, interim president of Tennessee State University, appeared on the Tennessee Voices video show with host David Plazas.
At the Dec. 16th State Building Commission meeting, calls were made for more layoffs, selling university property, and declaring financial exigency at Tennessee State University (TSU).
TSU’s leadership responded that “all options are on the table” – a deeply troubling stance.
Financial exigency – akin to bankruptcy reorganization – should be a tool of absolute last resort. Prematurely invoking it would harm the university’s credibility, reputation, and ability to serve its students.
During my tenure as interim president, my team and I developed a financial model that charted a clear path to restore TSU’s financial stability within a few years.
This plan provided a viable alternative to punitive measures like financial exigency, which I firmly believe would jeopardize TSU’s long-term mission.
Despite the challenges, I remain hopeful. TSU can and must be saved because historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) matter now more than ever.
Why HBCUs like TSU are essential
I have spent much of my career at the intersection of finance and higher education, leading turnarounds at Clark Atlanta University, Kentucky State University, and Tennessee State University.
I also helped establish the HBCU Executive Leadership Instituteto prepare future leaders. This work has shown me the unmatched power and promise of HBCUs.
HBCUs are not just institutions of higher learning; they are beacons of opportunity that have anchored communities, fueled America’s progress, and uplifted generations. Since the first HBCU was founded in 1837, they have provided pathways to education and social mobility for learners, often excluded from traditional systems.
TSU embodies this mission with a unique combination of responsibilities:
- An HBCU legacy of access and impact.
- A Land Grant Institution supporting agricultural and economic development.
- An R2 Carnegie Classification for research and innovation—one of only 11 HBCUs to achieve this designation.
- A Regional Comprehensive University serving as Nashville’s public university.
Few universities carry this weight, and TSU has stood as a vital engine of progress since 1912.
Consider the contributions of HBCUs
HBCUs are engines of impact across all areas of society:
- Arts & Culture: From literary pioneers like Langston Hughes to TSU alumna Oprah Winfrey, HBCUs have shaped culture, creativity, and storytelling worldwide.
- Economic Empowerment: HBCUs generate $16.5 billion annually in economic impact, creating jobs and driving local economies. Combined as a company, they would rank among the top 50 Fortune 500 employers.
- Education & Research: HBCUs confer 17% of bachelor’s degrees earned by Black students despite being only 3% of all institutions. TSU’s research leads to advancements in agriculture, engineering, and science.
- Health & Well-Being: HBCUs produce a disproportionate share of Black doctors, nurses, and health professionals, addressing disparities in underserved communities.
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship: HBCUs foster leaders and innovators, empowering graduates to launch businesses, solve problems, and create societal change.
Challenges facing TSU and public HBCUs
Despite these extraordinary contributions, HBCUs like TSU face systemic barriers: decades of underfunding, structural misalignment, and rising external pressures. Inflation, declining enrollment, and the FAFSA rollout delay have further strained resources.
TSU, for instance, has endured a 23% enrollment drop, with inefficiencies in financial aid systems and affordability concerns compounding the challenge.
At the same time, the burden of historic underfunding cannot be ignored; reports from the U.S. Department of Education estimate Tennessee owes TSU $2.1 billion in underfunded land-grant appropriations.
The Governor and General Assembly have acknowledged $544 million owed, and recent steps have been taken to address this. However, far more is required to close the gap and secure TSU’s future.
A path forward: Valuing and futureproofing HBCUs
Perception drives action. HBCUs must no longer be viewed as struggling institutions but as vital engines of progress that drive America’s success. Futureproofing HBCUs will require:
- Equitable Investment: Address historic funding gaps and provide operational resources, not just infrastructure dollars.
- Financial Sustainability: Align expenditures with revenue, unlock new funding sources, and optimize resources.
- Student-Centered Innovation: Modernize enrollment systems, expand financial aid access, and ensure student affordability.
- Elevating the HBCU Identity: Redefine the HBCU brand to honor its legacy while advancing a future-focused mission.
Why TSU must be saved
TSU transforms lives, strengthens communities, and fuels Tennessee’s economy.
It is a gateway to opportunity for first-generation and underserved students and a driver of innovation, agriculture, and research.
TSUs and HBCUs matter. They represent America’s promise that education can change lives and build a more equitable future for everyone.
When TSU thrives, Tennessee thrives. When HBCUs thrive, America thrives.
Ronald A. Johnson, Ph.D., is the former interim president of Tennessee State University
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A bill moving through the Tennessee Legislature could reshape how pharmacies do business in the state, with CVS warning it could lead to widespread store closures.
The Tennessee Senate has passed legislation that would change the way pharmacies can operate. The proposal has been dubbed “the CVS bill” because it directly impacts the drugstore chain.
Under the bill, drugstores would no longer be allowed to negotiate prices directly with insurance providers or government programs. Instead, a third party would be required to step in.
The bill is now under debate in the House. CVS says the change would force more than 100 of its pharmacies to close across Tennessee, but lawmakers disagree.
Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.
It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.
2. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.
McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.
3. New York Jets
The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.
McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.
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Tennessee
Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.
During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.
From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.
Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.
“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.
The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.
“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.
For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.
“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.
What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.
In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.
Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil
Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.
– Carrie Sharp
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