Inside TSU 2015 | Page 40

DEVELOPMENT YOU, TOO, CAN LEAVE A LEGACY Kevin Hart Becomes Honorary Member of “Ocean of Soul” Band at Texas Southern University in Houston For Texas Southern University’s famed Ocean of Soul Marching Band, the year ended pretty much the same way it began – with a big band Bang! The famed band was on hand to play for the premiere opening of popular entertainer/comedian Kevin Hart at his movie opening at the Edwards IMAX in Houston, Texas. Band Director Richard Lee made it official – Kevin Hart is now an official member of the famed and popular Texas Southern University Marching Band, “the Ocean of Soul.” Making Hart an honorary member is the university’s way of thanking Hart publicly for his support of the band’s trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the enshrinement of alumnus Michael Strahan during the summer. Hart donated $50,000 in support of the student musicians. The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. – Tau Epsilon Chapter at Texas Southern University, heeded the call to leave a legacy by creating an endowed scholarship at the university. Their single gift of $10,000 will be matched by the university for a final value of $20,000. Funding will be used to establish a scholarship program that will strengthen the academic environment at the institution, improve the institution’s image and attract academically prepared students for years to come. Whether your gift to establish an endowment is a single gift or a pledged gift over a period of 4-years, you too can leave a legacy as so many other individuals and organizations are doing. Remember, your gift will allow many students, who otherwise may not have the opportunity, to fulfill their academic dreams! The 2014 Faculty & Staff Annual Fund Campaign exceeds its $200,000 goal! LaRence Snowden, chair of the 2014 Faculty & Staff steering committee, accompanied by TSU mascots, presented a check to Wendy Adair, vice president for University Advancement. Elwaine K. Johnson recently donated $10,000 to Texas Southern University for purposes of establishing an endowment for the Elwaine K. Johnson scholarship fund. The donation was discussed during the 2014 Texas Southern University National Alumni Association Convention in Dallas, Texas. The University matches new scholarship endowments one-to-one so Johnson’s donation will increase to $20,000. ANNUAL FUND APPEAL Texas Southern University has so much to be thankful for this year! We’ve seen an increase in our alumni, friends, faculty and staff giving. We’ve also seen generous celebrity gifts from people like Kevin Hart and Michael Strahan! We are so thankful for supporters like you who are genuinely interested in the success of our students. With your help we are able to expand beyond the bare essentials and build a great educational experience for our students. Why is making an annual gift so important? It is so Texas Southern University can maintain a consistent level of excellence for generations to come. Making a gift to TSU is simple and secure! For online donations, please visit www.tsu.edu/giving. 40 | SPRING 2015 InsideOneTSU Magazine.indd 40 4/6/15 5:44 AM