Priscilla Slade and the TSU Three

There is still a question as to what their legacy at TSU will be. Perhaps it will be tied directly to the fate of Slade. And in both cases, the verdict is still not in.

"The only thing I would want people to remember me for at TSU," says Jordan, "is that we wanted to do the right thing by the university. And I just hope people understand that nobody was out to ruin Dr. Slade. She did a pretty good job of doing that herself."

Newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Regents Glenn Lewis wants to look forward, not back. But he recognizes the role the TSU Three have played.

"They seem like fine young men," he says, "and they seem concerned about the university and genuinely want it to perform in the best possible way. We think Texas Southern University has a brighter future than it has a past."

Brown, Hudson and Jordan are already gearing up for the next round. And if Slade's second trial is moved from Harris County to another part of the state, they are ready to wait it out in a motel somewhere for as long as it takes.

"I would rather have Oliver Brown and William Hudson in my corner than anyone else because they showed me what true friendship is," says Jordan. "We all stood together when the heat was turned extremely high, from the time we first found those payroll records in that rusty old dump truck, and we will get through this next trial together as well."

chris.vogel@houstonpress.com