By:TSU
The Texas Southern University (TSU) Foundation announced that it raised $1.25 million for student scholarships at its annual Tiger Ball, held Saturday, April 5 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. More than 700 attend- ees, including TSU leadership, donors, faculty, staff, alumni, elected officials, community leaders, students, and friends—gathered to celebrate TSU’s commitment to academic excellence and student success.
The event was led by TSU Foundation Chairman Dr. Frazier Wilson, TSU President Vice Admiral James W. Crawford III, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Tiger Ball Chair and TSU Foundation Trustee Argentina M. James, TSU Associate Vice President of Development & Alumni Engagement Charlie Coleman III, Student Government Association President Katelayn Vault, and KTSU Radio on-air personalities Donna Franklin and TSU Student Regent Taylor Getwood. Festivities began with a “Parade of Partners,” powered by the internationally recognized TSU Ocean of Soul March- ing Band, highlighting the evening’s theme of collaboration and student achievement.
During the program, Dr. Wilson spoke on the impactful legacy of TSU alumni and the importance of investing in TSU’s future. “Texas Southern University truly is The Heart & Soul of Houston,’ and tonight we celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of our 8,100 students across 11 colleges,” said Dr. Wilson. “Whether it is our debate team winning its fifth world champion- ship in South Korea, consecutive student selections to the W.E.B. DuBois Fellowship at Harvard, pioneering work of Dr. Robert Bullard or alumni like Yolanda Adams, Gerald Smith, Megan Thee Stallion, and Michael Strahan, blazing trails in their respective fields, TSU’s impact resonates far beyond campus. From a 77% Thurgood Marshall Law School student bar five-year passage rate to a $610 million economic contribution to Houston, we stand united in empowering the next generation through the TSU Foundation’s student scholarship program.”
President Crawford outlined a bold vision for the institution, announcing the $1 million Tiger Ball fundraising goal and revealing that $800,000 had been raised by mid-evening.
“As we reimagine TSU’s future, our priorities include strengthening mental health services for students, leverag- ing data analytics and intelligent automation to enhance support, expanding career development programs and exploring ways to reduce tuition while increasing financial sup- port,” he said. “With the leadership of the TSU Board of Regents and the TSU Foundation, and through events like this—and donors like you—we are also committed to growing our research capacity and advancing toward Carnegie R1 status, ensuring that TSU continues to thrive.”
In response to President Crawford’s call for additional support, a TSU alumni couple who intends to make long term impact pledged an initial gift of $250,000 to support student scholarships. The couple intends to make long term impact, focused on the student experience at TSU, pushing donations beyond the $1 million mark. That generosity sparked another $100,000 in on-the-spot contributions.
A key highlight of the evening was the recognition of Challenge Office Products and Furniture Solutions as the present- ing sponsor and Corporate Sponsor of the Year. The company contributed $100,000 in memory of its founders, Roy and Olivia Barbosa, demonstrating its longstanding commitment to student scholarships. This marks its third consecutive year as presenting sponsor.
“We are grateful to those who made the decision to invest in our students,” he said. “Likewise, we look forward to the difference these investments will make in their lives as students, and in their future. It’s more than money. They are cultivating dreams. This support will allow our students to achieve what they desire to achieve and what we all know they can achieve.”
Guests were also introduced to the TSU Foundation’s new executive director, Robin Tanya Humphries Watson, who brings two decades of nonprofit management and fundraising experience. The night concluded with a performance by Grammy Award–winning artist LeToya Luckett, who kept the ballroom energized with a medley of her greatest hits.
Focusing on collaboration, celebration, and commitment to TSU’s next generation of leaders, this year’s Tiger Ball surpassed its fundraising goal and reaffirmed the university’s vision for a bold and innovative future. To support ongoing scholarship efforts, visit https://giving.tsu.edu/.
