Texas Southern University President J.W. Crawford III Charts Bold Path Forward Ahead of 98th Homecoming Celebration
By Francis Page, Jr.
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October 14, 2025 (Houston Style Magazine) — Texas Southern University is preparing to celebrate its 98th Homecoming with renewed purpose and Tiger pride as President J.W. Crawford III delivers the State of the University Address on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The annual address will set the tone for an exhilarating Homecoming weekend, blending history, progress, and vision as the university inches closer to its monumental centennial in 2027. A Season of Ascent and Acceleration Now in his second year at the helm, President Crawford has steered Texas Southern through a season of transformative growth. “We’re not just preparing students for today—we’re positioning them to lead tomorrow,” Crawford said in anticipation of the upcoming address. His leadership has ushered in groundbreaking investments, campus enhancements, and community partnerships that continue to elevate TSU’s national profile. Among the university’s most notable accomplishments is a major expansion of its Aviation Science Management Program, highlighted by the purchase and delivery of 12 Cirrus SR20 aircraft. The acquisition, Crawford noted, is “a defining moment in TSU’s continued ascent as a leading institution in aviation education.” This milestone places Texas Southern in rare company among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with advanced flight training fleets, strengthening its ties to Houston’s booming aerospace industry.
Leading with Purpose in Education and Health Under Crawford’s direction, Texas Southern has reaffirmed its leadership role in K–12 education. Through enhanced partnerships with local school districts—most notably Houston ISD—TSU is shaping education policy, mentoring young educators, and developing innovative pipelines that bridge public education and higher learning. Further extending its community reach, the university forged a landmark partnership with Legacy Community Health, a federally qualified health center headquartered in Houston. This alliance focuses on improving access to healthcare in underserved neighborhoods while providing TSU students with experiential learning, career pathways, and a front-row seat to addressing health disparities across the Gulf South.
Road to 100: A Centennial Vision Looking toward its 100th anniversary, Texas Southern University has launched the “Road to 100” fundraising campaign—a bold initiative that reimagines what a modern HBCU can be. The campaign will transform campus infrastructure, enhance academic programs, support world-class faculty, and empower students through scholarships, mentorship, and innovation hubs designed for the next century of excellence. “The Road to 100 is not just about buildings or dollars—it’s about legacy,” Crawford shared. “It’s about ensuring that the next generation of TSU Tigers inherit a campus that inspires greatness and honors the giants who paved the way.” Homecoming 2025: Honoring the Legacy, Igniting the Future This year’s Homecoming theme, “Honoring the Legacy, Igniting the Future,” captures the momentum reverberating through the campus. As alumni return home to celebrate nearly a century of achievement, TSU stands proudly as a cornerstone of academic empowerment, cultural expression, and civic leadership. Houston Style Magazine salutes President J.W. Crawford III and the entire Texas Southern University family for continuing to shape the future with excellence, equity, and enduring Tiger pride.
Friday, October 17, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. | Roderick Paige Education Building, 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004 Media representatives are invited to attend the State of the University Address at the Roderick Paige Education Building, with parking available in the President’s Circle (Hannah Hall). More at: TSU.edu
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