NASHVILLE – Tennessee State University is projected to enroll over 3,300 new tigers to the TSU family for the fall.
It is the largest freshmen class in the history of TSU and one of the largest among HBCUs. The number does not include the nearly 400 new transfer students and 1,000 plus graduate students who registered for classes the 2022-2023 academic year.
The TSU freshmen class alone has more Black first-year students than some universities total minority population.
“We are excited that this is the largest first-year class in the history of TSU,” said President Dr. Glenda Glover. “This growth is quite positive for TSU as more and more students seek to attend our university.”
The freshmen class enrollment explosion comes on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, two years following the height of the virus, and social unrest after the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. President Glover said the growth for TSU is impressive considering the enrollment rate for Black first-year students has decreased post-pandemic.
Memphis natives Sammie Freeman and Madeyson Robinson are a part of TSU’s record-breaking class.
“I also like the criminal justice major because I hear the program is very good here,” said Freeman a Kirby High School graduate. “I also like walking around meeting new people.”
Madeyson is a graduate of the Memphis School of Excellence.
“I’m majoring in dental hygiene and the reason is because the first thing you notice about someone is their smile and I want to help people be more confident about themselves.”
Both students received a full academic scholarship to attend TSU.
The freshmen class has an average high school GPA of 3.4. STEM majors in agricultural sciences, engineering and health sciences, along with business, and education continue to be the most popular among the new freshmen class.
University officials said there are several factors contributing to the soaring first-year student enrollment numbers.
That includes Vice President Kamala Harris as the spring commencement speaker, quality academic programs and faculty, a comprehensive recruitment program, the promotion of student and university achievements on a national stage, a new residence hall, and its biggest ambassadors, the Aristocrat of Bands marching band.
Fondly known as the AOB, the band played on some of the biggest stages in this past year, including the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, halftime performance at a Los Angeles Lakers game, and was named 2022 Top Marching Band by HBCU Buzz.
The University is currently accepting applications for fall 2023.
