Distinguished Tigers

JOE GILLIAM

Joe Gilliam was one of the first African American quarterbacks to start a regular season game in the NFL. 
While his chance to start came at a time when teammate and quarterback Terry Bradshaw was on strike,
Gilliam capitalized on the opportunity by leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 30-0 victory over Baltimore. 
His college career record of 39 wins, three losses, two Division II national championships and being named
National Black College Player of Year are testaments to his talents.  Back

  OPRAH WINFREY

A 1986 graduate of Tennessee State University, Oprah Winfrey, the multi media mogul, has garnered international appeal
for her talk show. As the first Black woman billionaire in world history, Winfrey has overtaken EBay CEO, Meg Whitman,
as the richest self-made woman in America. Back

  JIMMY BLANTON

An accomplished string bass player, Jimmy Blanton was discovered and signed with the famed
Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington Big Band Orchestra. Blanton is noted best for his bass solos in
Duke Ellington’s “Ko Ko”, “Jack the Bear” and “Concerto for Coutie.” Back

  EDITH PETERSON-MITCHELL, M.D., FACP

Dr. Mitchell is a clinical professor of Medicine and Medical Onocology, program leader in Gastrointestinal Oncology and associate director of diversity for the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University.  Mitchell received a B.S. in biochemistry from Tennessee State University in 1969.  In addition to her medical achievements, Dr. Mitchell is a retired Brigadier General from the Air National Guard.  She served as assistant to the Command Surgeon for U.S. Transportation command and headquarters Air Mobility Command based at the Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.  Dr. Mitchell has authored and co-authored more than 100 articles, book chapters and abstracts on cancer treatment, prevention and cancer control.  Back

  JESSE E. RUSSELL

Jesse Russell graduated from Tennessee State University in 1972 with a BSEE and a MSEE degree from Stanford University in 1973. Russell is recognized globally as a leader, technology expert and inventor in the field of wireless communication. His innovations in digital signal processing lead to the modern cell phone that changed the world.  Russell holds over 75 patents and continues to invent and innovate in the emerging area of next generation broadband wireless networks, technologies and services, which is frequently referred to as 4G. Russell was inducted into the United States' National Academy of Engineering for his innovative work in digital cellular communications technology.  Russell is currently Chairman and CEO of incNETWORKS,Inc. a New Jersey, USA based Broadband Wireless Communications Company focused on 4th Generation Broadband Wireless Communications Technologies, Networks and Services.  Back

  LATASHA STARR

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.  LaTasha graduated with a bachelor's degree in Aeronautics and a minor in Biology from Tennessee State University. At the University of Washington(Seattle), LaTasha earned her Master's degree from the College of Engineering in Human Centered Design & Engineering with a concentration in User Interface Design.  Back

TONY FORTE

After graduating in 2002 with a BBA from Tennessee State University, Forte has made a career and hobby of impacting & marketing to youth culture.  As a regional accounts manager for Nike Inc., Tony specializes in emerging fashion opportunities with young adults. He currently resides in New York and started his career in fashion with Sean "Diddy" Combs, as an employee of Sean John Clothing. During his tenure at Sean John, he serviced accounts in the Northeast, International, and managed sales of strategic projects. As a manager of strategic initiatives, he oversaw commerce for projects such as the highly influential "Vote or Die" campaign of 2004.  Upon his departure from Sean John, Forte worked with yet another highly acclaimed entertainment mogul, Russell Simmons. Since being at Nike, he has been the recipient of several highly acclaimed company awards including Nike "Rookie of the Year".  Back

  DR. CATANA STARKS

Tennessee State University alumna and faculty member was the first female head coach of an NCAA Division I men's golf team.  Starks story has been captured and will be shared with the world in a feature film, From the Rough.   Starks who holds a bachelor's( '69), master's ('73) and doctorate ('80) degree from TSU coached the men's golf team to the National Minority Golf Championship in 2005.  While Starks no longer coaches golf, she remains a lover of the sport and a fan.  Today, she heads TSU's Human Performance and Sport Sciences department, and has been instrumental in updating the curriculum, student enrollment and increased graduation rates in both the bachelor's and master's degree programs.   Back

  GENERAL LLOYD “FIG” NEWTON, RETIRED

Earning a bachelors of science degree in aviation education in 1966, Lloyd “Fig” Newton
would later serve as the commander for Air Education and Training Command, headquartered
at Randolph Air Force Base. Over the course of his career, the four star General Newton flew
269 combat missions in North and South Vietnam; and has logged more than 4,000 flying hours
in the F4, F-15, F-16 and the F-117 stealth fighter. Back

  ELAINE CATO

A 1990 graduate of Tennessee State University, Elaine Cato secured national support for the invention
of the Backless Brassier in 2008. Her product invention, now available in the public marketplace, received
the second runner-up prize on ABC’s “American Inventor.” Back

  AMOS OTIS

Amos Otis, a 1965 graduate of Tennessee State University, began his career with the humble idea of flying airplanes,
realizing later his true talents were engineering and environmental services. Otis is now the president and CEO of
SoBran, Inc., an engineering and environmental services company based out of Virginia. Back

  JO ANN NORTH

A 1977 graduate of Tennessee State University, Jo Ann North recently retired from her post as Davidson
County Property Assessor, where she served since 1992. Having been honored as the Assessor of the Year,
North is also recognized as the first woman elected as an At-Large member of the Metropolitan Council of
Nashville, Davidson County. Back

  RICHARD DENT

An eighth round draft pick by the Chicago Bears 1983, Dent became the first TSU alumnus voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2011 class.   Dent played 10 seasons with the Bears and was named MVP in Super Bowl XX.  Dent remained with the Bears until 1993.  He went on to play for the San Franciso 49ers, Indianapolis Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles.  At the time of his retirement in 1997, Dent's lifetime stats included 137.5 sacks, 8 interceptions and one 89 yard touchdown.  Back 

  MICHELLE ROBINSON WILKINS

Michelle Robinson Wilkins is a 2000 graduate of Tennessee State University and a former Miss TSU. Coupled with
her beauty 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. She has recorded an album entitled “Its Time.” Back

  KEVIN WILLIAMS

Kevin Williams a 1983 graduate of Tennessee State University and TSU Foundation board member is the current the president and managing director of General Motors Canadian operation. Armed with his bachelor’s degree, Williams notes, “Tennessee State prepared me for the reality of corporate life.” One of his many career accomplishments . Back

  CHANDRA CHEESEBOROUGH

At the early age of 16, Chandra Cheeseborough broke onto the world scene of track and field by winning two
gold medals at the 1975 Pan American Games. 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. Back

  RALPH BOSTON

Ralph Boston, the long jump Olympic Gold Medalist in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, is a notable
Tennessee State University alumnus. A 1962 graduate, Boston also won a silver medal for the long jump
in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and a bronze medal in the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. Back

  EDITH MCGUIRE DUVALL

A 1964 graduate of Tennessee State University, Edith McGuire Duvall competed with fellow teammates Wyomia Tyus
and Wilma Rudolph on the famed Tennessee State Tigerbelles Track Team. In the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo,
she competed against fellow teammate Tyus in the 100 meter, and won two gold medals; one gold for the
4 x 100 meter relay team and the second in her favorite event, the 200 meter. Back

DR. LEVI WATKINS

A 1966 graduate of Tennessee State University, cardiac surgeon Dr. Levi Watkins is known for the creation
and the implantation of the Automatic Implantable Defibrillator (AID). The AID detects irregular heart rhythm
and shocks the heart back to life. Back

THE HONORABLE THELMA HARPER

Thelma Harper graduated from Tennessee State University in 1978. Since 1991, Harper has served as Senator
for the 19th District in the Tennessee General Assembly. Her political career has led to the position of delegate
for the 1980, 1984, 1988 and 1992 Democratic National Conventions. Back

ED TEMPLE

A 1950 graduate of Tennessee State University, Edward Stanley Temple, who served as head women's track coach
at Tennessee State University from 1953 to 1994, led over forty athletes to Olympic competition, bringing home 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. As the women's coach, Temple laid a foundation for growth in women's athletics,
a boom that continues to this day. Back

WILMA RUDOLPH

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. A Black Athlete Hall of Famer, Wilma Rudolph’s childhood
was plagued with polio, scarlet fever and pneumonia; and, for a few years she lost the use of one leg.
She achieved Olympic greatness and worldwide acclaim as a Tennessee State University Tigerbelle,
where she received a full scholarship and ultimately received her degree in elementary education. Back

AMBASSADOR DR. BOBBY JONES

"What Dick Clark is to rock 'n' roll and Don Cornelius is to soul, Bobby Jones is to gospel music," declared
Washington Post writer Mike Joyce in 1995. Bobby Jones graduated from Tennessee State University in 1959,
and beginning in 1980 produced Bobby Jones Gospel Hour, which airs weekly on the Black Entertainment Television
(BET) cable network. Along with his credits in the gospel music industry, Jones was named Dominica
Ambassador At-Large in 2006. Back

XERNONA CLAYTON

President and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation and creator of The Trumpet Awards, a 1952 graduate of
Tennessee State University, Xernona Clayton is a media icon. The retired vice-president of urban affairs at
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS) in Atlanta, GA, Clayton is the originator of the extremely popular
"Moments in History," one-minute broadcasts on African Americans that were televised daily during Black History Month. Back

  MOSES GUNN

A 1959 graduate of Tennessee State University, Moses Gunn is the renown actor who in 1977 received an Emmy nomination for his appearance as tribal chieftain Kintango in the ground-breaking miniseries Roots. Gunn is also noted as the founder of the Negro Ensemble and received several Obie Awards for his off-Broadway work. Back

  TINA TYUS-SHAW

Niece of three time Olympic Gold Medalist, Wyomia Tyus, and fellow Tennessee State University alumnus, Tina Tyus-Shaw continued the legacy of greatness. Chosen to carry the Olympic Torch through Savannah, Georgia, Tyus-Shaw is the television news anchor and journalist for WSAV-TV in Savannah. Back

  DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE

Rodgers-Cromartie is an American football cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted first round; 16th pick by the Cardinals in 2008.  Dominique played in the 2009 Super Bowl, and career highlights include 136 tackles and 13 interceptions.  Back 

  TRACI OTEY BLUNT

A veteran media, political, and public affairs specialist, Blunt is the senior vice president for corporate communications and public affairs at RLJ Companies.    Blunt served as deputy communications director to now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential campaign.  A 1990 graduate of Tennessee State University, Traci has more than 15 years experience leading public relations and public affairs campaigns for corporate, political, and non-profit organizations.  Back