TSU board taps new interim president, says predecessor insulted students
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Tennessee State University. Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images
The Tennessee State University board selected one of its own to serve as interim president and lead the financially strapped institution through a period of intense economic upheaval.
Why it matters: TSU, one of the most beloved colleges in the state, is also one of the most troubled. The historically Black university came to the brink of insolvency earlier this year — it was only able to keep paying employees because the state government provided millions of dollars in emergency funding.
- The board picked board member Dwayne Tucker on Friday to serve as interim president. He will be charged with rebuilding TSU's finances, and says he'll try to repair "a university that's divided."
Catch up quick: Tucker's rapid ascent to the TSU presidency comes after his predecessor, Ronald Johnson, abruptly announced his resignation on Wednesday.
- The TSU board brought Johnson on last summer specifically because of his experience improving college finances. But board members cited multiple problems with his performance.
Between the lines: During a Friday meeting, board vice chair Charles Traughber said Johnson had made insulting comments about TSU employees and students, at one point saying some former students were "destined to work at Popeyes or Starbucks."
- Traughber added that Johnson had hired former president Glenda Glover, who left as TSU's finances were crumbling, as an advisor without informing the board.
- Traughber said Johnson also "arguably misled" state leaders during a contentious meeting in November and failed to provide "clear and consistent financial information."
Zoom in: Tucker, who resigned from the board just before he was unanimously voted in as interim president, said he would report to TSU at 7:30am Monday to begin work. He will stay on through June 2025.
- Tucker is a TSU graduate who served as the board's finance chair. He is a business executive who has held senior leadership in several companies. He is CEO of the LEAD Public Schools, but will take a leave while he works at TSU.
- TSU board chair Dakasha Winton said Tucker had agreed to serve as interim president without pay.
What he's saying: "I would describe our challenge right now as a university that's divided," Tucker said after he was chosen to be the interim president.
- "There is too much misinformation out there, and that misinformation is causing a lot of challenge and anguish."
What's next: Tucker said he would provide a "clear, transparent summary of the status of our business" by the end of the year.
- TSU is scheduled to update the State Building Commission on its status Monday.
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