Colleges

Texas Southern University Marches to the Polls with Ocean of Soul Marching Band to Kick Off Early Voting

Texas Southern University students marched to the polls Tuesday morning to kick off early voting.

Following the university’s famous Ocean of Soul Marching Band, students marched from University Towers to the West Garage, where a polling location in stationed. Brief remarks were provided by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, TSU Interim President Ken Huewitt, U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston Council Member Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, TSU Student Government Association President Khaniya Burley, and others on the historic Tiger Walk.

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The march to the polls was hosted by the Office of Student Life to encourage students to exercise their rights as U.S. citizens to cast their votes.

“This event and others hosted by the University are a part of the TSU Votes initiative, which provides students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community with information and resources needed for a successful voting experience,” the university stated in a press release.

“TSU proudly accepts Mayor Turner’s challenge,” said TSU Interim President Kenneth Huewitt, “This University must maintain its position as a leader in the push for freedom and justice. From student lunch counter sit-ins in the 1960s to today’s protests for societal change and social justice, TSU has and will always encourage our community to engage and participate in activities that better our society.”

“At TSU, we understand the power of our voice and our vote. We exercised this power today by marching to the polls as one of the many events under the TSU Votes initiative. We stand in solidarity as the TSU family of scholars because we are better together!” said Dr. Teresa McKinney, vice president of the Division of Student Services and Enrollment Management.

“We understand that change is inevitable, but progress is a choice. We want our students to be a part of progress as change agents for a better tomorrow. We have been communicating to students that their vote matters,” said Dr. McKinney.