Posted on Monday, May 19, 2025
Taylor Getwood (SOC '23, eMPA '25)
Taylor Getwood represents much of what makes Texas Southern great. But TSU was not in his original plan. A twist of fate landed him in Tigerland.
“My aunt, who was kind of like my second mom, fell ill with stage four cancer. She lived about eight minutes away from Texas Southern University.”
Graduating high school with an associate’s degree in-hand and two years of college under his belt, the Port Arthur native decided to apply to TSU to stay close to home.
“So, I applied to Texas Southern University and I was accepted within the very next week.”
From his first day on campus, Taylor took advantage of every opportunity the University afforded him. And where there was no opportunity, he created one for himself and his fellow and future Tigers.
“I'm 22 years old, obtaining an Executive Master's of Public Administration, which is an amazing accomplishment. Walking out with the master's at 22 years old is something that is not common but is definitely obtainable. Texas Southern University has given me that opportunity to see that I can and I will, and I shall.”
Taylor says he always knew he wanted to be an entertainer. A text message to KTSU Program Manager and radio legend Donna Franklin put him on the path that he’s always dreamed about.
“She says: ‘You have everything you need. Just come on into the studio and let’s get you hooked up and see what we can do.”
From that conversation came a who on The Vibe, powered by 90.9 KTSU-FM, that became an instant hit.
Taylor was a dedicated student leader. He served as the revered university mascot, Tex the Tiger, Mr. Texas Southern University, Mr. HBCU, and during his final year as a student he was the Student Regent, representing the interests of all students to the Texas Southern Board of Regents.
“Now I can walk away saying I've been able to complete the puzzle,” he said of his time as Student Regent. “Not only was this the highest level of advocacy for any student as a whole, but we're able to do it in a great way that actually benefited the students and the university.”
After dedicating much of the past five years to Texas Southern, Taylor says his next step is wherever God takes him and whatever God tells him to do.
“God has has aligned my steps in a way that I'm able to walk and not worry,” he said.
He hopes to continue serving TSU in some capacity, while remaining open to whatever the plan is.
“I know for a fact that God is going to take me and place me where He needs me to be. And just as I prayed that prayer that brought me here to Texas Southern University and to a world
that I never thought I would be, I still pray that same prayer.”
Category: News Media, Alumni, Students, Faculty & Staff