have become more confident
and comfortable in my own
skin than I have ever been in
my life. As a TSU Tiger and a
HBCU student, I learned to
never let anyone tell me what
I am or am not capable of and
to take my own initiative if I
wish to get my desired results.
The experiences I have had
would not have been afforded
to me at a university such as
Baylor. I attended all three of
Baylor University’s graduations
to support my friends as they
crossed the stage. During the
commencements, I studied
the degree programs, observed
the graduates receiving their
diplomas from President Starr
while their families cheered,
and listened to them sing
their alma mater. In all three
occurrences, I not once was
struck with feelings of longing
for or missing out on the
BU experience. What I did
experience was an ambiance
of immense gratefulness and
comfort. I even smiled during
their “Sic’em Bears” because
while I was proud of my BU
Bear friends, I was even more
proud to stand there as a
TSU Tiger, knowing what my
journey meant for me.
Graduating undergrad from
Texas Southern University
gave me a new prospective
on life. It took many lessons
– some tremendously harder
than others – until I finally got
it. My university cannot be
discredited because I AM TSU.
All that I have accomplished
and learned in undergrad is
about more than just me. It
is about the scholar, activist,
humanitarian, entrepreneur,
leader, athlete, and overall
person that an HBCU
“ AS A TSU TIGER AND A HBCU STUDENT, I LEARNED
TO NEVER LET ANYONE TELL ME WHAT I AM OR AM
NOT CAPABLE OF AND TO TAKE MY OWN INITIATIVE IF
I WISH TO GET MY DESIRED RESULTS.”
produces in all of its imperfect
perfections. For every time I
have sung the alma mater to
every time I have recited our
motto, nothing rings more
true for me than “All roads
lead to Texas Southern” and
continue on in “Excellence in
Achievement.”
So I conclude by saying again
that I am writing this letter for
a number of reasons. First, I am
writing to say that I am truly
blessed, honored, and proud to
be a Texas Southern University
Alumnae. Also, I want you to
know that I get it. I understand
why HBCUs are so valuable
and why unwavering school/
community spirit is necessary,
whether originally possessed
by the student or through the
student’s cultivation. I honestly
believe that although we
might not be where we need
“ IT IS ABOUT THE SCHOLAR, ACTIVIST,
HUMANITARIAN, ENTREPRENEUR, LEADER,
ATHLETE, AND OVERALL PERSON THAT
AN HBCU PRODUCES IN ALL OF ITS
IMPERFECT PERFECTIONS. ”
to be, me and many of my
colleagues experiences prove
we are definitely on our way.
Last, and most importantly,
I wish to say thank you to
you and every other mentor
and sponsor I have on TSU’s
campus. President Rudley,
thank you for your humility,
tireless efforts, and unwavering
love for us- for understanding
that we [students] need more
than just a president, dean, or
professor, but mentors, tutors,
coaches, and a family away
from home. There are so many
people I appreciate who have
helped me throughout my
journey, but I thought you
might like to know my allstars: Dean Ronald Johnson,
Dean William Saunders, Mrs.
Mellany Patrong, Dr. Barbara
Allen, Mrs. Clara Wiley, Ms.
Muriel Funches, Ms. Erica
Vallier-Jackson, Mrs. Diane
Nicholson Jones, Mr. Darrell
Bunch and the Buildings
and Grounds Department.
Each and every one of these
individuals has been extremely
influential in my collegiate
path from our very first
encounter, and without them
my TSU experience would
never have been the same. You
should hold them personally
responsible for the alumnae I
am today.
Because the age long saying
is “it takes a village to raise
a child”, I cannot forget
to acknowledge two more
groups. I thank my accounting
professors, some of the most
brilliant, patient, and tough
loving