Tennessee State University band director removed amid ongoing investigation

Dr. Reginald McDonald leads TSU’s wind ensemble during a university event in 2019. (Photo by TSU)

Tennessee State University has placed the band director of its Grammy-winning marching band on paid administrative leave amid an investigation relating to an internal audit, according to a Friday announcement from TSU Interim President Dr. Dwayne Tucker.

“When I took on the Interim President role in December, I immediately began working with the Board of Trustees’ Audit Committee to ensure the sustainable future that our alma mater and the broader TSU community expect and deserve,” Tucker said in a public statement. “As a result of this internal audit, I have had to remove Dr. Reginald McDonald from the position of Band Director of the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands, effective immediately.”

McDonald could not be reached for comment. Tucker also declined to comment further on the investigation, which he described in his announcement as an “ongoing personnel matter.” He did not say if McDonald had been accused of any crime or university policy violation.

“What I can say is that this difficult decision, and any that come here forward, have at their core a shared commitment to ensuring a bright and stable future for Tennessee State University,” he said.

McDonald’s removal comes as the university works out new ways to address financial mismanagement, amid fears that the university is running out of money.

Tucker, who was just appointed to the role after former Interim President Ronald Johnson’s unexpected resignation last month, said during a recent meeting with the State Building Commission that current TSU leaders are already “going through every department within the university” to determine what positions and expenditures could be eliminated or reduced to avoid running out of money next year.

Tucker and other TSU leaders will meet with the committee again in February to provide more updates about the university’s financial situation and plans moving forward.