TSU Veteran's Observance - Homecoming '98 Page 2a Main page

With Homecoming 1998, TSU students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends will remind the world that their institution is poised to take flight into the next century. The theme, "TSU: On the Wings of the New Millennium," looks to the future, but gives a special nod to the University's legendary past in the field of aviation.

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program at TSU , established in 1951, is one of the oldest at a historically black college or university in the U.S. The TSU AFROTC was designed to focus on the correct application of military science with a special emphasis on physical training to prepare black officers as military leaders.

Throughout its history, the TSU AFROTC has prepared students who have gone on to distinguish themselves in military and civilian life. One of those graduates and a former AFROTC leader will return to the University in the fall as Homecoming Honoree and Grand Marshal.

The Grand Marshal

U.S. Air Force General Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton (right) is Commander of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He earned a bachelor of science degree in aviation from Tennessee State University, where he was commissioned as a distinguished graduate through the ROTC program in 1966. General Newton has been commissioned as a four-star general and is the highest-ranking African-American in the U.S. Air Force.

"Grand Marshal" General Lloyd "Fig" Newton

The Honoree

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Howard Baugh will be this year's Homecoming Honoree. Colonel Baugh's distinguished military career included service as a Tuskegee Airman and as commander of TSU's AFROTC unit.

All TSU Alumni who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and their guests are invited to attend a luncheon to celebrate and recognize the Homecoming Grand Marshal, the Homecoming Honoree, and other military active duty, reservist and TSU veterans. The luncheon is hosted by a Committee of TSU Military Alumni in cooperation with the TSU Office of Alumni Affairs, the TSU Homecoming Committee and other sponsors.

To celebrate this occasion the Military Alumni Committee is holding its first annual military awards luncheon to highlight the many contributions and sacrifices our TSU Alumni have made and continue to make defending the freedoms of this nation and others around the world. The recipients of this year's Annual Military Award will be U.S. Air Force General Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton, Commander, Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The Committee requests that you take a moment to complete the online registration to attend the luncheon to be held:

Date:	Friday, October 23, 1998
Time:	12 Noon until 2:00 PM
Location:	"The Barn" TSU Campus 3500 John Merritt Blvd Nashville, Tennessee 37209 Military Dress: 'Class A or B'
Contact:	Leonard Stephens (301) 622-1518, or Dr. Adrian Wilson (202) 829-9100, or Donald Newton (301) 314-3245, or	For online registration click here. *** Ms. Margaret Whitfield, Director Office of Alumni Relations Attn: Veterans Activity 3500 John Merritt Blvd Nashville, TN 37209 (615) 963-5831, or

Note: An invitation has been extended to Vice President Albert Gore to deliver the keynote address. We are hopefully expectant of an affirmative response. Stay tuned for updates.

A 'Kick-Off' affair leading to the TSU Homecoming '98 Military Alumni Reunion was hosted by the Washington Alumni Chapter at their Annual Scholarship Dance this past March at Andrews AFB, MD.

Left to right: Col. Donald Newton, Distinguished Unknown Sargent, Col. Adrian Wilson, Lt. Gen. Lloyd "Fig" Newton, Commander Joseph Baptiste, Distinguished Unknown Navy Commander, Col. Ervin Bender (Deceased), Lt. Commander Gerry Dupree.

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