(This is one of our profiles on this year’s recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2024 Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. We would like to thank Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com for the headshots).

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Name:  Thomas (Trey) Hanna, III

Age: 33

Employer: Self-employed

Title: Dentist/Owner Ruston Smiles

Hometown: Meraux, LA

Years Living in Ruston: 2005-2013, 2022-present

Civic Volunteer Organizations: The American Legion – Louisiana Dental Association – Louisiana Mission of Mercy – Temple Baptist Worship Team (Drums)

Professional Highlights: -LSU Dental School graduate 2017 – Advanced Education in General Dentistry graduate US Army 2018 – Brigade Dentist for 1st BCT 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg 2018-2022 – Owner/Dentist Ruston Smiles 2022-present

Dr. John Ward on Trey Hanna, III:

“I cannot brag enough about Dr. Hanna. He’s conscientious. He aims at excellence. And generally speaking, the patients who were a part of our practice all stayed with him! That comforting to know our patients are being served and well cared for by someone like Trey.

“He is also keeping up with current technology and techniques. We talk regularly and he’s eager to share the new areas of learning. In summary, if I were speaking about a tennis match, having Dr. Hanna and his family in 71270 is definitely “Advantage Ruston“!

Q&A with Trey Hanna, III:

What makes Lincoln Parish special?

I saw firsthand what makes Lincoln Parish special during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Quite simply, it is the people and community we have here. When our family arrived to the area, we had evacuated from Meraux, Louisiana. We had lost absolutely everything. During the year after this event we were living in an RV at the Lincoln Parish Park. So many people came to talk with us, check in on us, and fed us delicious meals during this time. We were actually made to feel welcome. I had other friends who relocated to different areas, and did not get the same reception! We were very blessed to have landed in Lincoln Parish.

As a business owner in Lincoln Parish, the community and camaraderie between small business leaders is very refreshing. Everyone wants to see each other succeed, and that creates an environment that benefits all of our residents in the Parish.

How do you see your role/place in making our parish such a wonderful place to call home?

I am fortunate to be in a position where I provide the service of dental care to patients in this community. My team and I am absolutely committed to providing extremely high quality and compassionate care to those who visit our office.
As a veteran, I am a proud supporter of Veteran Service Organizations such as the American Legion and the VFW post.

I actively mentor students from our local high schools and colleges who are considering a career as a dentist.

As a father of three young girls, I see my role in Lincoln Parish as of someone who is rooting for and supporting the next generations. I embrace opportunities to support student clubs and groups at our local schools and to directly interact and mentor with those who are considering careers in the military or in dentistry.

Who has played a role in your professional development and why?

There have been too many people to count that have been instrumental in how I have gotten to where I am in my life and career. I have always believed in being “coachable” and to understand that you can learn something from anyone.

A recent example would be Dr. John Ward. When I made the transition from active duty military to private practice, there were a lot of unknowns and things that I didn’t know how to do, especially when it comes to understanding how to operate a business! So on that note, thank you Dr. Ward! Most importantly, thank you to my wife Ashley, my family, friends, colleagues, and mentors who have allowed me to be where I am today!

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Courtesy of Louisiana Tech University Communications

Louisiana Tech University’s 240 summer graduates celebrated a significant milestone in their academic careers on Saturday, gathering at the Thomas Assembly Center for the quarter’s commencement ceremony. The summer batch of Bulldogs earning their degrees join 115,133 Louisiana Tech alumni worldwide.

Louisiana State Representative and Ruston businessman Christopher “Chris” Turner served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Turner, now in his sixth year representing Louisiana District 12, which includes Lincoln and Union Parishes, was born and raised in north Louisiana. He graduated from Oak Grove High School and earned his degree in business from Tech in 1999. He is the owner of two small businesses, Turner Rexall and Hillside Storage.

During his introduction, Tech President Jim Henderson pointed to Turner’s legislation that invests $1.6 billion in deferred maintenance on college campuses over the next 10 years as the most consequential piece of legislation for higher education since the 1894 bill that created Louisiana Tech.

Turner took to the podium to talk up the reputation of a Tech education and share what his experiences at the University taught him about serving.

“It’s here that I learned the value of contributing to my community,” Turner said. “Giving back, watching out for others, stepping up when no one else raises their hand, helping those who need a little grace. Whether it’s just on the street you live on, in the neighborhood where your house is, or the town or parish you live in, contribute.”

After reading through a humorous letter that a family friend had penned to then-President Dan Reneau during Turner’s time in school—a letter that gave Turner renewed motivation to finish his degree—Turner addressed the graduates with three final key pieces of advice:

“Get involved in your communities; you will always get back twice as much as you put in. Never close a door; opportunities will come knocking all the time if your door and your mind stay open. Relationships matter; we need each other to be our best.”

As he had during the 2024 spring ceremonies, President Henderson acknowledged that this event was the first commencement that nearly all the graduating students were experiencing in-person after many high school graduations in 2020 took place virtually.

The highlights of summer commencement included three 4.0 GPA graduates, the commissioning of two U.S. Air Force second lieutenants, and the presentation of seven doctoral degrees.

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By Kyle Roberts

Ruston High’s senior cornerback Aidan Anding made his big reveal Saturday afternoon after a long recruiting process in front of family, friends coaches and teammates.

And Anding has chosen to stay in Louisiana and will play for the Louisiana State University Tigers.

“I actually finally made the decision on Tuesday of this past week,” Anding said. “I can make a name for myself being from Louisiana and staying home and getting developed by Coach (Corey) Raymond, the best cornerback coach in college football.”

Coming down to the final three choices were LSU, Arkansas and Texas, Anding made his big reveal by opening a bag of purple and gold balloons to the celebrating crown to make it official he was going to Baton Rouge.

Anding’s recruiting journey, without doubt, has been a high-speed whirlwind for the last 12 months. After not playing a down of varsity football before last season, Anding had a meteoric rise in his national profile. In fact, before he even played a down last year he was receiving interest from universities, including Louisiana Tech.

Ruston High head coach Jerrod Baugh praised Anding, his mother Candace, and Bearcat secondary coach Kenny Wright for how they handled his recruiting process.

“Aidan’s a really smart kid,” Baugh said. “Coach Wright was very familiar with the recruiting process, because he went through that and knew what it looked like. So I think (Anding) has leaned on him a bunch to help guide him through. Aidan’s mom did an excellent job. Once it started happening, they wanted to get on campuses and see, because she knows Aidan is a relationship guy. Her being willing to go and spend days at all these different places helped him decide what he wanted to do.

“He’s had people available to him (during this time). I’ve been here to answer his questions, and it’s not like I have all of the answers, but I try to find the people that do. Obviously, we’re all very proud of him.”

For Anding, Saturday was the day to end any speculation of his collegiate plans and for him to now turn his focus solely to the 2024 season.

“I feel a whole lot of relief now,” Anding said. “I can go into my senior year just focusing on my football career, work on my craft and get better for the season coming up. It’s been a blessing, overall. Sometimes, it’s been overwhelming, but at the end of the day, I did not have any bad options. I just wanted to choose the best option for me and whatever school I can get the most out of for football.”

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The Lincoln Parish Journal wants to thank Karl Malone Toyota, Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy for their title and presenting sponsorships of this year’s College Football Pick’em contest.

We also want to thank Dubach Air and Heat, Ginn’s Autobody, Hart Designs, Dawghouse Sports Grill, Pattons Western Wear, Tanyard Creek, Stows Moving Co., Ruston Athletic Supply, Hot Rod’s BBQ, and Charlie’s Carpet Cleaning for their Pick’em Partnerships within the contest.

We encourage all of our readers to utilize the services and products provided by our advertisers!

CLICK HERE TO PLAY

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Are you ready for some football?!?

Bigger question. Are you ready to win $200 in cash … with the potential to make it $400 if you are perfect on the week (including predicting the No. 1 tiebreaker exactly right).

Starting this week, the Lincoln Parish Journal is proud to host the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy.

If you live in the deep south, you know College Football is King!

Readers are eligible to participate and each week one lucky winner will go home with a $200 cash prize (maybe $400).  Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of the predetermined 15 college football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).

The Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy will be conducted for 14 regular season weeks of the college season starting with this week’s games.

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to SUBSCRIBE to the Lincoln Parish Journal where it will come to your inbox every weekday morning at 6:55 a.m.  It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.

All contest decisions by LPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run in the following week’s LPJ.

Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the Journal, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. daily e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $200 each week!

Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

A man wanted for multiple cases of improper telecommunications was arrested in Lincoln Parish August 20.

Lincoln Parish deputies went to an Arthur Road residence to locate Cedrick Williams, who was wanted on several warrants.

Williams was found at the residence and arrested on three warrants charging him with improper telecommunications, simple assault, and failure to appear in court.

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Williams was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for two warrants from Third Judicial District Court—felony improper telecommunications (second offense) and misdemeanor simple assault, and a warrant from Ruston City Court for failure to appear on another improper telecommunications charge.

Bail was set at $35,000.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

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by Malcolm Butler

I’m an 1980s guy.

And yes, I believe that was the greatest decade for a teenager to grow up in (although many of my like-aged friends agree the 1950s were probably a close second from what we can gather).

Proud Ruston High graduate of 1989. So, I truly did grow up in the ’80s.

And maybe everybody believes this about their decade and their high school, but what a wonderful time it was across the board.

The past few weeks I had a couple of opportunities to catch up with some old high school classmates in Kirk Hollis and Rajiv Kandyil, both members of the Class of 1989. And I also had a chance to run by Ruston High a couple of times for business-related reasons.

I can tell you the RHS campus is in beautiful shape and the original building that houses the vast majority of the classrooms is absolutely nostalgic. In fact it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The combination of being on campus and visiting with some old friends brought back memories. And as with many things in life, the older you get, the more you appreciate those memories and the people that helped create them.

Ruston High in the 1980s was arguably the best ever when it comes to Bearcat Athletics. Three state championships in football (1982, 1986, and 1988 … with a fourth on the horizon in 1990) under the legendary Jimmy “Chick” Childress. During my four years walking the RHS campus the Bearcats lost a grand total of four football games.

I can still hear B-E-A-T N-E-V-I-L-L-E echoing through the halls of the firmly founded.

A state title in boys basketball (1988) under one of the best to ever do it in North Louisiana in Jack Thigpen. Anyone who was around the gym that year will never forget the one-two punch of Anthony “Bear” Dade and Al Thurman, who I still believe was a better player than his little brother Scotty (and all Scotty did was lead Arkansas to a national title).

And although my memory is a bit sketchy, I’m pretty sure we garnered a state title in boys golf and cross country and maybe even tennis during those four years. And had plenty of success in other sports on both the boys and girls sides.

The RHS administration, faculty and staff during the late ’80s was a Who’s Who of wonderful people. From administrators like Gerald Cobb, Dickie Hinton and Ronnie Suggs to teachers like Loyce Miller, Gary Green, Hilda Perritt, Jane Tatum, and Jackie Whitlock, to coaches like the aforementioned Chick Childress, Jack Thigpen, George Stone, Doc Belding, David Crowe, Howard Whitlock and so many more.

It was truly an all-star cast of fine folks.

Those people and their colleagues made being a Bearcat even more special (although at the time, I’m not sure I completely appreciated their impact on my life).

And then add in the movies and the music from the 1980s. I am bullish on the fact the music from the big hair bands of the 1980s was some of the greatest ever.

Bon Jovi. Def Leopard. Chicago. Journey. Madonna. Michael Jackson. Bryan Adams. Prince. U2. Bruce Springsteen. Van Halen. Cindy Lauper. Tina Turner. Billy Joel. The Police. Phil Collins. Boston. Survivor. Asia. Guns-n-Roses.

We were never at a loss for great songs that shaped our high school days. I’m still an ’80s music guy as the songs pepper my playlist and bring back so many great memories. I can still remember going to see Bryan Adams and Survivor perform at the Thomas Assembly Center in the mid-80s.

How about a good flick from the 1980s?

Breakfast Club. Rocky IV. Raiders of the Lost Ark. Die Hard. Revenge of the Nerds. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The Terminator. Dead Poet Society. Risky Business. Back to the Future. Beverly Hills Cop.

One summer during high school I am pretty sure I watched Beverly Hills Cop every single day. I could recite all the words to the movie by the time the summer was over … and still can in parts of it. Eddie Murphy is one of my all-time favorites.

Yes. The 1980s (especially the second half of the decade) was arguably one of the best times to be a teenager growing up. And all of the things above made times at Ruston High so memorable.

But the overwhelming aspect of high school that was so great were the friends I made. 

I came from AE Phillips. Class of 30 people. I remember walking to RHS with my buddy Andrew Murad on the very first day of class my freshman year. At the time it was a record-sized freshman class of just over 400 wide-eyed rookies that stuffed into the auditorium.

It was a bit intimidating. But as I made more and more friends and developed a close knit group that would become my running party so-to-speak during my four years of high school that feeling of intimidation quickly turned into one of happiness and contentment.

Although I will never be 16-years-old again, I still have the ability all these decades later to go back in time (in my mind) to Ruston High in the late-80s and remember all the fun moments and the great people that made those times so special.

I was lucky to be a part of the firmly founded during those times.

Once a Bearcat. Always a Bearcat.

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By Kyle Roberts

SHREVEPORT, La. — Returning senior running backs Jordan Hayes and Dylone Brooks made their opportunities count Friday night at the annual summer scrimmage against C.E. Byrd, with both players scoring multiple touchdowns on the ground and through the air.

“I thought both guys rans the ball really hard,” Ruston High Head Coach Jerrod Baugh said. “Jordan made some nice long runs and hit the holes that he was supposed to. And I thought Dylone ran the ball really hard and did a really good job with his pad-level. He was getting low on guys and getting extra yards after first contact. I thought they did really well.”

In the first section of the controlled scrimmage, Ruston High’s starting offense scored on both drives of 75 yards apiece. Hayes scampered in for his first score of the night with a 54-yard touchdown on a simple cutback to get free through the line and then breaking away into the secondary.

On the ensuing drive, Brooks rushed in from 14 yards out for Ruston’s second score.

Bearcat fans were able to see sophomore Ahmad Hudson lining up at tight end during the first series of the night. On a long play-action pass, senior quarterback Josh Brantley hit Hudson in the hands through double coverage, though the ball was knocked out for an incomplete pass. Hudson came over to the sidelines and was later seen icing his hand before heading to get x-rays on his right wrist. Baugh said that he expects to get an update on Hudson’s status soon.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bearcats gave up a couple of first downs to the Yellowjackets, but Byrd was no where near able to score. Recording key tackles for the Bearcats were sophomore Jayden Anding and junior Keegan Goldsmith in Byrd’s series.

“I thought for the most part it was 11 guys running to the football and trying to gang-tackle guys,” Baugh said. “I was pretty pleased with how we handled Byrd’s option attack.”

In the second section, it was Hayes and Brooks again finding the end zone on back-to-back drives. Hayes caught a well thrown ball by Brantley from 29-yards out in the left side of the end zone, while Brooks powered his way on the following drive with multiple first down runs and a touchdown score from 11 yards out.

During the two 10-minute halves, both teams scored a touchdown apiece. Ruston’s came early after a botched snap on a punt that the Bearcats recovered inside the red zone. Hayes only needed three rushes to get all 18 yards and into the end zone for his third touchdown of the night.

“I thought we started out playing really well,” Baugh said. “I told the kids after it was over that we were competitive and played with high intensity to start. But as the game wore on, it looked like we lost interest in the scrimmage.

“Overall, it was productive with what we got done. We’ll get a chance to watch video and see this weekend where we need to improve.”

Baugh added that he was pleased with how Brantley was throwing the ball, despite a few drops.

“We’ve got to make those plays,” Baugh said of the dropped passes. “But I thought he did some really good throws in there.”

Hayes finished the night with 112 yards and three total touchdowns, while Brooks finished with two touchdowns and 100 yards.

Ruston and Neville will square off Saturday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. in the 2024 BayouJamb at Malone Stadium.

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by Malcolm Butler

With so many young players seeing significant snaps this year, Cedar Creek is going to have some growing pains.

Some of those not-so-pleasant moments came tonight in its first live action of the year in a scrimmage against Lakeside at Cougar Field at Origin Bank Stadium.

During the almost two-hour mostly-controlled scrimmage, the Webster Parish Warriors scored six touchdowns behind a potent ground attack and an assortment of aerial targets while the Cougars were unable to cross the goal line.

Second year head coach William Parkerson addressed his team following the game and said his message was simple.

“You just have to lock arms and look in the mirror, honestly,” said Parkerson when asked about his message. “You have to evaluate yourself. What did you do good? What did you do bad? How do we improve.

“We will never make excuses but at times we were having to throw kids in spots they have never practiced before to get through it. They gladly jumped in and tried their best, but its hard play when you have never practiced the position before.”

With a lot of inexperienced skill position players on this year’s Cougar squad, the interior lines on both sides of the football are expected to be the strength of the team. However, for the vast majority of the night the Warriors controlled the trenches.

A pair of Lakeside tailbacks had success both inside and to the outside of the line of scrimmage, including a 60-yard TD run on the first offensive play from scrimmage for the Warriors.

Meanwhile the Cougars found sledding tough on the interior with the most explosive two runs of the night coming from eighth grader Payton Harris.

“They got after us,” said Parkerson in reference to the trenches. “That’s what we are built upon, but they were more physical than us. The more physical football team is going to win the night.”

Freshman Cason Floyd, senior James Myers, sophomore Hayden Durrett and Harris all saw time under center for Cedar Creek. The best two scoring opportunities for the Cougars came on play-action passes when the Cougar receiver got behind the Lakeside defensive backs. However, the connections weren’t made.

Parkerson said he saw some good and some bad during the scrimmage and expects his squad to use it as a learning tool.

“The good? I saw some young guys who have never played step up and perform,” said Parkerson. “The bad. We didn’t execute like I thought we would offensively. And we weren’t nearly as physical offensively or defensively then we anticipated. Hats off to (Lakeside). They were well coached and they were physical. It will be something to learn from.”

Creek will head to Monroe next Friday to face OCS at 4 p.m. in the Bayou Jamb.

“We just have to keep working and keep getting better and see how things turn out,” said Parkerson.

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A Ruston man was arrested for his second DWI offense after a Lincoln Parish deputy stopped him for running a stop sign and saw indications the driver was impaired.

David T. Lee, 39, was stopped by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office on U.S. 80 just after midnight Tuesday morning. According to a deputy’s report, Lee exhibited indicators of impairment. A Louisiana state trooper responded to the scene to assist.

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Lee agreed to perform field sobriety tests. The trooper detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverages on Lee’s breath and observed his slurred speech.

Lee was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for a breath test. A breath sample was provided indicating Lee’s blood alcohol concentration was .133g%. Lee’s driving record indicated a previous DWI arrest in March. He was booked for second offense DWI.

Bail was set at $2500.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com. 

Monday, August 26
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)

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Wednesday, August 28
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
9 a.m.: Ribbon cutting for Dilla’s (1003 Cooktown Rd., Ruston)
10 a.m.: Ribbon cutting for Cart Pros (2495 Hwy. 33, Ruston)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome

Saturday, August 31
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
7 p.m.: LA Tech Football

 

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

 

With an incredible $25 million winner’s prize at stake next weekend in the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship at East Lake Country Club in Atlanta, there’s no better time for Sam Burns to be on a heater.

Sunday, the Choudrant resident nearly won the FedEx Cup’s penultimate event, the BMW Championship, finishing in a second-place tie to follow a fifth-place finish a week earlier at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first in the Tour’s three-step playoffs.

Burns was the clubhouse leader Sunday on the Castle Pines Country Club course, a PGA Tour record 8,130-yard layout at altitude. He fired a seven-under 65, best among the 48 players, to zoom to 11-under.

It was nearly 12-under. Pitching out of a greenside bunker on the final hole, Burns finished a foot shy, on line, of draining the shot for a birdie.

“I knew it was a good line and I knew it was a pretty good weight. Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t,” he said, after falling to the ground in disappointment as the shot stopped short. “Yeah, (my reaction) was a little dramatic.”

That would have posted him at 12-under, the winning total by Keegan Bradley.  Burns, a Shreveport natïve who plays out of Squire Creek Country Club, had eight birdies Sunday but bogeyed the par-5 14^th.

His driving was best in the field Sunday, leading in fairway accuracy with 12 of 14 fairways hit. Burns was No. 2 in putting, holing 133 feet worth on the greens.

The strong finish jumped him into ninth in the FedEx Cup standings, same as his career-best finish last year after the Tour Championship. It means he will start at 4-under Thursday in Atlanta, with his pal Scottie Scheffler, the Cup standings leader, opening the tournament at 10-under.

Burns pocketed $1,503,333 with his three-way tie, matched by Adam Scott and Ludvig Amberg. It raised the former LSU All-American’s season winnings to $6.1 million and his career earnings to $27.9 million with his 16^th career top five finish and the 36^th Top 10 showing.

The 28-year-old will make his fourth straight Tour Championship appearance among the 30 most successful players of the season. Along with the $25 million winner’s share, the runner-up gets $12.5 million, third place earns $7.5 million and the top 12 finishers win at least a million. A $550,000 payout goes to the 30^th-place golfer.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

 

 

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Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications

James “Shack” Harris & Doug Williams Field at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium and Willis Reed Court at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center will be receiving visual upgrades and enhancements prior to the 2024-25 season with the installation of new digital scoreboards and sound systems.

“On behalf of Grambling State Athletics, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to President Dr. Martin Lemelle Jr., VP Brandon A. Logan, and Grambling University Foundation Board Chairwoman Dr. Janet Barnes for their unwavering support in bringing our stadium digital signage project to life,” said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Trayvean D. Scott.” “Their dedication and commitment continue to elevate GSU Athletics, and for that, we are truly grateful.”

“The transformative scoreboard and technology upgrades goes beyond enhancing our athletic facilities-it reaffirms our commitment to creating a premier experience for our entire community,” said Brandon A. Logan, Vice President for University Advancement & Innovation. “Central to this upgrade is the thoughtful repurposing of the boards inside the Hobdy Assembly Center, which will now serve to elevate the visitor experience. By strategically reallocating these resources, we are not just improving our infrastructure, but also enriching the way our story is told to everyone who steps onto our campus. This initiative symbolizes our dedication to honoring our legacy while investing in a future where every visit to Grambling State leaves a lasting impact.”

Robinson Memorial Stadium will be increasing its overall video screen size by approximately 140 square feet to a new 25′ tall by 47′ wide 10mm high resolution and high brightness outdoor display. GSU will also be treating fans to a brand-new stadium sound system which will provide more overall coverage but with a more superior range of sound.

The Hobdy Assembly Center will also be getting a major visual overhaul in the main arena, lobby and concourse areas. The biggest addition will be the new center hung structure with four large 10’x23′ high resolution 3.9mm indoor video screens providing fans with live video and real-time statistical information.

Two additional large 10’x18′ screens will be mounted on each back wall to enhance the game experience but also heighten the visual exposure for non-athletic events such as concerts and graduation ceremonies.

The arena will also get all new traditional scoreboards throughout the venue. The main lobby will welcome fans with a new high-resolution 7’x12′ video screen.

The digital videoboards will afford additional opportunities for Grambling State Athletics to increase corporate sponsorship opportunities and continue to enhance the GSU brand.

“The new digital board represents a significant leap forward in our efforts to monetize and enhance the visibility of the Grambling State brand. This investment not only promises to generate revenue for our athletics program but also elevates the entire university, reinforcing our legacy and expanding our reach within the broader community,” said Scott.

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

A new season of the Inside Bulldog Football coaches radio show returns on Thursday, Aug. 29 as head coach Sonny Cumbie will be joined by the Voice of the Bulldogs Malcolm Butler.

The hour-long show has been moved to Thursday nights at 6 p.m. live from the Dawghouse Sports Grill in Ruston.  The one exception will be Monday, Oct. 21 at 11:30 a.m. when the show will take place live on the Louisiana Tech University campus (see full schedule below). 

Fans are encouraged to grab dinner and enjoy the show in person.  You can also listen to Cumbie and Butler talk about the Bulldogs on KNBB 97.7 FM (Ruston), KDBS 94.7 FM/1410 AM (Alexandria), KQID 93.1 HD (Alexandria), and the LA Tech Athletics app.
 
2024 INSIDE BULLDOG FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Thursday, Aug. 29
Thursday, Sept. 12
Thursday, Sept. 19
Thursday, Sept. 26
Thursday, Oct. 3
Thursday, Oct. 17
Monday, Oct. 21
Thursday, Oct. 24
Thursday, Nov. 7
Thursday, Nov. 14
Thursday, Nov. 21

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A Mass of Christian Burial for Cynthia Aillet Kavanaugh Murry, 92, of Ruston, LA will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 31, 2024, at St. Thomas Aquanis Catholic Church in Ruston, LA. Father Kevin Mues will officiate the Mass.  Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston.

A visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday, August 30, 2024, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in Ruston, LA.

Cynthia was born on August 28, 1931, to Ruby Marie Comeaux Aillet and Joseph Roguet Aillet in Youngsville, LA and passed away peacefully at home in Ruston, LA.

Cynthia graduated from Ruston High School and went on to study vocal training at Louisiana Tech University. As a lifelong lover of music and dancing, Cynthia was proud of her Cajun heritage.  Her parents instilled in her an enduring appreciation for sports, especially football and golf, and an exceptional talent for cooking.  Her mother, Ruby, started the annual Gumbo Supper tradition at St. Thomas Catholic Church and they worked side by side for many years diligently serving meals along with numerous volunteers.

Affectionately known as Grandma, Mammaw, and Memaw for much of her life.  Cynthia loved being involved in her six children’s school and sports activities, and later, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was also very active in the Ruston Community over the course of her life, very much enjoying the Junior Guild, American Cancer Society, The Nifty Knitters, Pink Ladies at Lincoln General Hospital, multiple Bridge Clubs and St. Thomas Catholic Church.

Cynthia is preceded in death by her parents Joe and Ruby Aillet; brother, Richard Aillet; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Dorothy Aillet; husbands, M. John Kavanaugh, Jr., and Joe Murry; daughter, Lisa Rose; granddaughter, Eliza Rose; and great grandson, Chase Gephart.

Her legacy lives on in her children, Lynn Rankin of Springdale, AR; M. John Kavanaugh III of Vivian, LA; Mark Kavanaugh (Caren) of Prairieville, LA; Kevin Kavanaugh (Laura) of Marshall, TX; Kelly Echols (Kyle) of Birmingham, AL; 24 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of great friends.

Honoring Cynthia as her pallbearers will be her 10 grandsons!

Her children would like to express special thanks to Allegiance Hospice and her wonderful caregivers, Marilyn, Rosalind, Katrina, Jessica, and Simone.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either The Orphan Train Society, P. O. Box 729, Opelousas, LA 70571 or St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 813 Carey Avenue, Ruston, LA 71270.

 

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Funeral services celebrating the life of Mrs. Mary “Betty” Caldwell will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, August 25, 2024 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA with Pastor John Austin officiating.  Interment will follow in Longstraw Cemetery in Choudrant under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Mrs. Mary “Betty” Wilkerson was born on October 6, 1933 in Clarendon, AR.  She was called to her heavenly home on August 22, 2024 at the age of 90.

Mrs. Betty was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family.  Mrs. Betty enjoyed gardening, spending time outdoors, and loved shopping. She was always put together in a nice perfectly picked outfit, make up, and every hair in place.

Mrs. Betty was preceded in death by her parents: Lee Wilkerson and Alice McMullen Wilkerson; her husband B.W. Caldwell; daughters: Pamela Jean Wilkerson and Martha Jane Stanley; son Gerald Wayne Wolfe; one brother and two sisters.

Mrs. Betty is survived by her sons: Ronnie Lee Wolfe (wife Bonnie) of Downsville, LA., Buddy Leon Wolfe (wife Shelia) of Quitman, AR; daughter Debbie Lynn Evans (husband Gerald) of Choudrant, LA; 22 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren; sister Judy Wilkerson Mitchell of Little Rock, AR; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ronnie Wolfe, Jr., Wayne Wolfe, Joseph Wolfe, Jeremy Morris, Brandon Woods, and Billy Hadder. Visitation will be held 5-7 PM Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

 

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Cynthia Aillet Kavanaugh Murry 
August 28, 1931 – August 24, 2024 
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Friday, August 30, 2024, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 
Service: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Saturday, August 31, 2024, 10:00 am 
Cemetery: Forest Lawn Cemetery ~ Ruston, Saturday, August 31, 2024 
Mass: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Saturday, August 31, 2024, 10:00 am 

Leon F. Blankenship, Jr.  
Monday 11/28/1955 — Friday 08/09/2024      
Funeral Service: Friday 08/30/2024 10:00am at King’s Funeral Home  
Interment: Friday 08/30/2024 Following Service, Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 2413 Highway 425, Rayville 

Peggy May   
September 6, 1927 – August 19, 2024   
Visitation: Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Monday, August 26, 2024, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM   
Funeral Service: Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Monday, August 26, 2024, 10:00 AM   
Cemetery Committal: Simsboro City Cemetery, Monday, August 26, 2024   

Theresa McMurray Mason 
Thursday 05/03/1951 — Wednesday 08/21/2024  
Celebration of Life: Saturday 08/31/2024 11:00am, Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ, 1405 South Farmerville Street, Ruston 
Interment: Saturday 08/31/2024 Following Service, Woods Chapel Baptist Church, 326 Par Rd 454, Ruston 

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By Kyle Roberts

SHREVEPORT, La. — Returning senior running backs Jordan Hayes and Dylone Brooks made their opportunities count Friday night at the annual summer scrimmage against C.E. Byrd, with both players scoring multiple touchdowns on the ground and through the air.

“I thought both guys rans the ball really hard,” Ruston High Head Coach Jerrod Baugh said. “Jordan made some nice long runs and hit the holes that he was supposed to. And I thought Dylone ran the ball really hard and did a really good job with his pad-level. He was getting low on guys and getting extra yards after first contact. I thought they did really well.”

In the first section of the controlled scrimmage, Ruston High’s starting offense scored on both drives of 75 yards apiece. Hayes scampered in for his first score of the night with a 54-yard touchdown on a simple cutback to get free through the line and then breaking away into the secondary.

On the ensuing drive, Brooks rushed in from 14 yards out for Ruston’s second score.

Bearcat fans were able to see sophomore Ahmad Hudson lining up at tight end during the first series of the night. On a long play-action pass, senior quarterback Josh Brantley hit Hudson in the hands through double coverage, though the ball was knocked out for an incomplete pass. Hudson came over to the sidelines and was later seen icing his hand before heading to get x-rays on his right wrist. Baugh said that he expects to get an update on Hudson’s status soon.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bearcats gave up a couple of first downs to the Yellowjackets, but Byrd was no where near able to score. Recording key tackles for the Bearcats were sophomore Jayden Anding and junior Keegan Goldsmith in Byrd’s series.

“I thought for the most part it was 11 guys running to the football and trying to gang-tackle guys,” Baugh said. “I was pretty pleased with how we handled Byrd’s option attack.”

In the second section, it was Hayes and Brooks again finding the end zone on back-to-back drives. Hayes caught a well thrown ball by Brantley from 29-yards out in the left side of the end zone, while Brooks powered his way on the following drive with multiple first down runs and a touchdown score from 11 yards out.

During the two 10-minute halves, both teams scored a touchdown apiece. Ruston’s came early after a botched snap on a punt that the Bearcats recovered inside the red zone. Hayes only needed three rushes to get all 18 yards and into the end zone for his third touchdown of the night.

“I thought we started out playing really well,” Baugh said. “I told the kids after it was over that we were competitive and played with high intensity to start. But as the game wore on, it looked like we lost interest in the scrimmage.

“Overall, it was productive with what we got done. We’ll get a chance to watch video and see this weekend where we need to improve.”

Baugh added that he was pleased with how Brantley was throwing the ball, despite a few drops.

“We’ve got to make those plays,” Baugh said of the dropped passes. “But I thought he did some really good throws in there.”

Hayes finished the night with 112 yards and three total touchdowns, while Brooks finished with two touchdowns and 100 yards.

Ruston and Neville will square off Saturday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. in the 2024 BayouJamb at Malone Stadium.

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by Malcolm Butler

With so many young players seeing significant snaps this year, Cedar Creek is going to have some growing pains.

Some of those not-so-pleasant moments came tonight in its first live action of the year in a scrimmage against Lakeside at Cougar Field at Origin Bank Stadium.

During the almost two-hour mostly-controlled scrimmage, the Webster Parish Warriors scored six touchdowns behind a potent ground attack and an assortment of aerial targets while the Cougars were unable to cross the goal line.

Second year head coach William Parkerson addressed his team following the game and said his message was simple.

“You just have to lock arms and look in the mirror, honestly,” said Parkerson when asked about his message. “You have to evaluate yourself. What did you do good? What did you do bad? How do we improve.

“We will never make excuses but at times we were having to throw kids in spots they have never practiced before to get through it. They gladly jumped in and tried their best, but its hard play when you have never practiced the position before.”

With a lot of inexperienced skill position players on this year’s Cougar squad, the interior lines on both sides of the football are expected to be the strength of the team. However, for the vast majority of the night the Warriors controlled the trenches.

A pair of Lakeside tailbacks had success both inside and to the outside of the line of scrimmage, including a 60-yard TD run on the first offensive play from scrimmage for the Warriors.

Meanwhile the Cougars found sledding tough on the interior with the most explosive two runs of the night coming from eighth grader Payton Harris.

“They got after us,” said Parkerson in reference to the trenches. “That’s what we are built upon, but they were more physical than us. The more physical football team is going to win the night.”

Freshman Cason Floyd, senior James Myers, sophomore Hayden Durrett and Harris all saw time under center for Cedar Creek. The best two scoring opportunities for the Cougars came on play-action passes when the Cougar receiver got behind the Lakeside defensive backs. However, the connections weren’t made.

Parkerson said he saw some good and some bad during the scrimmage and expects his squad to use it as a learning tool.

“The good? I saw some young guys who have never played step up and perform,” said Parkerson. “The bad. We didn’t execute like I thought we would offensively. And we weren’t nearly as physical offensively or defensively then we anticipated. Hats off to (Lakeside). They were well coached and they were physical. It will be something to learn from.”

Creek will head to Monroe next Friday to face OCS at 4 p.m. in the Bayou Jamb.

“We just have to keep working and keep getting better and see how things turn out,” said Parkerson.

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(This is one of our profiles on this year’s recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2024 Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. We would like to thank Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com for the headshots).

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Name: John Robert Smith

Age: 38

Employer: HGA (Hunt, Guillot & Associates)

Title: Ruston Operations Manager (Engineering Business Unit)

Hometown: Ruston, La.

Years Living in Ruston: 38 Years

Civic Volunteer Organizations: Active member of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston: Served as member on the General Council for three years, serve as Traditional Service Usher, have served as a mentor for the 6^th Grade Confirmation Class. Volunteer coach for Ruston Youth Baseball (Regular League Play and Allstars – Multiple Years);  Volunteer coach for Ruston Parks and Recreation – Football and Soccer Leagues previously).

Professional Highlights: Working with a great team of professionals at HGA over the last 12+ years to find solutions that meet if not exceed our customers’ expectations.  I have been fortunate to work in a variety of industries that HGA serves and roles from project engineering, project management, and now in operations.  I enjoy building relationships with people which is at the core of HGA’s focus internally and externally.  Getting to be a part of projects that help progress our local communities’ infrastructure as well as our Nation’s sustainability and growth is something I am very proud and appreciative to be a part of. I am currently in my second year of a three-year program called “ECC Future Leader Program”. I was nominated to be a part of this program by HGA, which promotes leadership, networking within our industry, and collaboration with peers in the Capital Projects Engineering & Construction Community.  I recently completed Leadership Lincoln ’23-’24 program through the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce which was also supported by HGA. It was a great experience and opportunity to meet and hear from local leaders and see organizations and industries within our community.   

Trotter Hunt, Vice President of HGA, on John Robert Smith:

“I’m proud to have John Robert Smith as a friend and as a colleague at HGA.  He is sharp, a hard-worker and a great communicator.  I appreciate the leadership he exhibits in the workplace and within our community. 

“John Robert began his career at HGA as a junior project manager.  In this position, in addition to managing a variety of smaller projects, he played a key role in supporting Williams Companies in the design of compressor stations for their cross-country transmission pipeline projects.  Excellent performance on these projects led to Williams becoming an alliance client for HGA. HGA has been executing projects for Williams consistently since 2010.  After serving as a project manager for many years, John Robert recently moved into the operations manager role for the HGA Ruston engineering office.  In this role, in addition to project management, he also leads our engineering disciplines in the Ruston office.

“Throughout his career John Robert has been able to develop strong relationships with clients and colleagues by genuinely listening to concerns, being very prepared, and delivering on commitments.  Everyone at HGA would like to congratulate John Robert on being nominated for the 2024 Rising Lincoln Leaders award.”

Q&A with John Robert Smith

What makes Lincoln Parish special?

Lincoln Parish is very unique in its makeup. To have two recognized and historical universities creates a great opportunity for people from all over to come to our area as well as provide an opportunity for our local communities to be a part of these great institutions. Being a lifetime resident of Ruston and Lincoln Parish, it is great to see the growth and progress our community has seen over my lifetime.  The commitment of our local leaders to continue the investments in our Parish, Municipalities, Schools, Commerce, and Infrastructure is not something see in other “rural” areas like ours.

How do you see your role/place in making our parish such a wonderful place to call home? 

Lincoln Parish is home. My beautiful wife (Mandy) of 14+ years  and I are raising our kids here and do not intend to go anywhere else.  We know that it takes more than the governing bodies to make our community succeed and we are committed to doing our part in contributing time and resources where we can.

Who has played a role in your professional development and why? 

It is hard to narrow it down to one or even two individuals.  I have worked with a multitude of great professionals over the last 12+ years at HGA who have all helped me along the way.  From the time I came into this organization as a young project engineer with only 3 years of experience I have been greeted with helping hands, mentorship, and friendship(s). It is that culture that has played the biggest role on my professional development.  

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By Kyle Roberts

It started for Kate Pullin as most wonderful things do with a gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit in her prayer time.

In talking with her, she’ll tell you she knew all the way back in her sophomore year at Ruston High that her heart was attuned to kids with special needs.

“As a student, we interacted with special needs students, but only in short moments,” Pullin said. “But I also recognized that I really didn’t know these kids — I wanted to get to know them more.”

Now graduated, Pullin served as last year’s student council president for Ruston High School, where she and the student council were instrumental in starting Bearcat Buddies: a program that intentionally creates a community with special needs students that are in the self-contained classrooms, commonly called special ed students.

Starting last year, the program paired volunteer students who either had been on student council or the leadership council for the football team with students from the self-contained classrooms. The groups would meet on Mondays or Fridays every single week, starting with simple things like eating lunch together, helping with school work, or selling football tickets together.

“It just opened my eyes to the joy these students brought to others,” Pullin said. “Selling tickets gave them opportunities to be around others on Bearcat Fridays in the boulevard. It was such a fun time and really, really special.”

Since the program started, it has flourished at Ruston High School and been a wild success. And it should be noted that everyone interviewed made it clear this was never a “pity” or “feeling sorry” project. Bearcat Buddies is all about community and encouraging confidence in students who may not have had as much interaction with the rest of the school population previously.

Put simply, it’s students and administrators who are passionate about inclusivity, regardless of ability.

“One of the biggest things for us is that we didn’t want it to feel like you had to schedule formal time or give conversation starters — we just wanted to get together and form friendships,” Pullin said. “It was about talking back and forth — getting to know each other. Sometimes, we’d play games or dance, but most of the time, it was just conversations. That was really special.”

Bearcat Buddies was Pullin’s initiative as last year’s student council president. During the early stages, Ruston High School Principal Dan Gressett helped Pullin formulate a plan for the program, citing his desire to make the school as inclusive as possible.

“When we talk about our special education students, we’re talking about the ones in our self-contained classrooms,” said Gressett about those four classrooms at RHS. “These students’ exceptionalities range from mild to very moderate. They are pretty much in these rooms most of the day.

“There was no program prior quite like this one, though. It’s turned into an opportunity to bridge the gap and have all of our students spend more time together.”

Sara Moore serves as the special education site coordinator at Ruston High and was in the early meetings with Pullin and then-Vice President Chad Hamlin, along with a host of others. Moore’s role was to help match the personalities of the special education students with the student volunteers. She said she immediately saw change in the school when the program launched.

“This might be unbelievable, but there was a shift within the entire student body almost immediately when we started talking about (launching the program),” Moore said. “Some of the self-contained students wanted to start going to eat lunch in the boulevard with their peers. And then I would see some of the buddies down in the self-contained area when they weren’t even assigned to be there — they were just helping out. They all interacted really well.”

Ruston High English teacher Stephanie Treadway serves as the student council co-sponsor and Bearcat Buddy sponsor. She, like Moore, has seen the impact on the student body.

“Bearcat Buddies is a labor of love,” Treadway said. “It’s brought tears to my eyes on multiple occasions. I’ve witnessed non-verbal students who have not really had an opportunity to connect with other students at our school form meaning friendships. I’ve just never seen anything like that. It’s such a great experience for special education students — and for the Bearcat Buddies — that we learn and grow from each other.”

Pullin also spoke about how meaningful it was for the school to hold a pep rally for the Ruston High students that were participating in the Special Olympics (Choudrant High does something similar — it has a school-wide sendoff for their participating students).

“It was a full-circle moment for me,” Pullin said. “These are our friends, and we’re cheering them on. It’s the same way they cheer on the football team or other sports where we compete.”

Senior Bearcat offensive-lineman Sam Nations was in the inaugural Bearcat Buddies group and cited some family members with special needs as motivation to be in the program.

“These kids are just like me,” Nations said. “They want to have friends. They want to laugh with us. They want to hang out with us. They want to be normal Ruston High students, and they absolutely should be included in the student body.”

Perhaps the most memorable moment for the Bearcat Buddies program came on graduation night this past year: now-senior cornerback Aidan Anding walked with his graduating-buddy to receive his diploma. In fact, Anding was the only student that his buddy trusted to be with him that night to walk across the stage at graduation.

“I loved getting to do that with him, because he and I had spent a lot of time together over the year,” Anding said. “For me to have an opportunity to enjoy his moment with him on stage was a big blessing to me and my family. And like (Nations) said earlier, these kids are really no different from us. There just may be some things they don’t have the ability to do, but they’re smart, kind, respectful — they’re regular human beings that have some disabilities that do not define them.”

Pullin will now be heading to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville but her lasting legacy will be taken up by Trenton Richard, Ruston’s new student council president. Richard also spoke about family members motivating him to continue the program, and he hopes to add more to the Bearcat Buddies.

“This program is so important,” Richard said. “We want to continue moving it forward. We hope we can take some more field trips this year. I understand the importance of just ‘being there.’ Sometimes, it can be overwhelming in big group settings, so having that one-on-one time connection is so good. We want to keep building friendships, because we know how important that is.”

Though the program has only been in place for one full year, Special Education Transition Coordinator Kim White believes the impact on everyone in the Bearcat Buddies program will be long-lasting.

“It’s going to be far-reaching for our special education population,” White said. “(This program) is going to help these students assimilate into other areas of the community more easily because they’ll be comfortable in that capacity as a result of this program.

“As far as our regular education students, this experience will be invaluable to them because they’ll learn that people of all different ability levels have something to contribute. This might make you more accepting of someone and will help you work better with that person.

“On both sides of the table, the experience from this is just going to continue to grow, and everyone will benefit more and more from it.”

Hearing from so many involved, it’s clear that initial nudging of the Holy Spirit in Pullin will undoubtedly lead to generational change in both the school and community overall, as so many have worked hard to make Bearcat Buddies successful last year, this year, and hopefully into the future.

Nations may have perfectly summarized all the participants over-riding thoughts and feelings about this amazing program.

“It’s important because we’re not only changing their lives,” Nations said. “They’re changing ours. If you don’t take an opportunity like this, you’re missing out.”

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Ruston Police arrested a Downsville man Monday after he allegedly shoplifted at the Walmart Neighborhood Market.

Officers responded to the store on West California Avenue about 2 p.m. Monday. Store management said a man took three bags of merchandise from the store without paying for it and said the suspect was in the pharmacy drive-thru in a white Toyota.

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When Randall C. Lewis, 41, was located, he asked the manager if he could pay for the stolen items. The manager told police Lewis had been barred from Walmart properties in February for allegedly stealing at a Monroe store.

A records check revealed Lewis was wanted on a warrant from Third Judicial District Court in Union Parish for illegal possession of stolen things. Lewis was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where he was booked for theft, entering premises after being forbidden (criminal trespass), and the Union Parish warrant.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

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Courtesy of GSU Communications

The sun shined brilliantly overhead Thursday morning as Grambling State ushered in the dawn of a new age and era with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of the institution’s new Digital Library and Learning Commons.

A space to connect, create, and collaborate. The state-of-the-art, 50,000 square foot facility is designed to support all aspects of learning. With more than 150 computer stations, 17,000 square feet of study space, and multipurpose space for events, meetings, and seminars, it is the ultimate intersection of academics, curiosity, and community.

Thursday’s celebration was a historic moment for GSU, which saw the opening of the old A.C. Lewis Memorial Library in 1962, with an addition built in 1986.

But over the years, time took its toll on the old GSU library, and looking toward the future, in 2017, then President Rick Gallot began a digital library project to replace the existing facility. With the support of alumni, faculty, and students, the project gained funding and commitments, and in 2019, construction began on the first digital library at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

The journey toward the $16.6M library’s opening eventually became an arduous one due to circumstances beyond the university’s control. But perseverance and persistence finally paid off, leading up to Thursday’s official unveiling of GSU’s new doorway to the future.

Gallot, now President/CEO of the University of Louisiana System (ULS), was on hand for the grand opening celebration.

“The ribbon cutting of the GSU Digital Library and Learning Commons marks a transformational moment for Grambling State University, the University of Louisiana System, and the global landscape of academia,” Gallot said. “This modern marvel provides GSU scholars with a digital learning environment that rivals—and indeed, exceeds—the offerings of many world-renowned and well-resourced institutions.

“It equips our esteemed faculty and staff with immediate connectivity to a vast repository of digital resources and pedagogical tools. This milestone is a testament to the audacious spirit of Grambling State University, where no vision is too big, or too bold.”

Current Grambling State President Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. was Executive Vice President when planning and groundbreaking for the Digital Library and Learning Commons was being done. He called Thursday’s grand opening a journey of determination and resilience.

“We fought for this project because we know it’s important and we fight for Dear Ole Grambling because we believe in the boundless potential of every student who walks through our doors,” Lemelle said.

“So yes, we are building, and we are fighting. We’re building a future where every student can excel, and we are fighting to ensure that Grambling remains a beacon of hope, resilience and excellence. We’re building a bridge between the past and the future, and we are fighting to keep the legacy of our flame burning bright.”

Lemelle said the Digital Library and Learning Commons will be a place where ideas are born, and boundaries are broken.

“It will be where we light the torch of victory,” Lemelle said. “Victory in learning. Victory in innovation. And victory in community. It is here that we will fight for Dear Ole Grambling, and in this fight we will arm ourselves with the knowledge, perseverance, and the unyielding spirit that defines us.

“So, as we stand here today, let us remember what we set out to do — let us tell them we are building, not just structures, but the future. Let us tell them we’re building not just spaces but legacies. And as we continue to build, let us also fight — fight for the dreams of our students, fight for the excellence of our university, and yes, fight for Dear Ole Grambling for we are the pride of the USA and there is no doubt that we will win today, tomorrow and always.”

Dean of GSU’s Digital Library and Learning Commons Adrienne Webber said the new facility will propel GSU and its students into a bigger and brighter future than ever before.

“Let me tell you what’s going to happen with this program — we’re going to have a ‘Maker’s Space’ because our students think differently than I did when I would go to class, learn something, graduate, and do what I learned. These students today are a little different. When they think about it, they dream about it, they write about it, they draw about it and then they want to put it together and see what will happen.

“So, we need to have things like 3-D imaging and 3-D printers because they can change the world. Students at another institution designed a straw that filters water and that was later purchased by Walmart. … That can happen right here at Grambling State University because this library will have the tools that the students will use to do that.”

Webber said plans are for the library to include laser and etching machines, a cricut maker, a soldering station, hot wire cutter and plastic vending machines among other tools.

“If you think it, you can make it,” Webber said. “And then we’re going to be able to find out if an idea is an original or if someone has it already. We’re hoping to become a patent and trade resource center. These students are so creative. Their audio, video and AI skills are tremendous and we’re going to provide them with the tools to build on those skills.

“We’re going to have a digital repository, so when our students write, they can also take that and have it published. We’re going to change how people view our students. From poetry to something scientific, whatever is in the repository will be transferred to those areas. The students will not have a reason not to learn more and do more.”

Others speaking during the grand opening ceremony included Student Government Association President Morgan Patton, Miss Grambling State University Jess’Lyn Sanders, city of Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley, ULS Board Chair Mark Romero, and Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter.

“It took too long for us to get here, but we are mighty glad that we are here today,” Hunter said. “To open this amazing and historic digital library for the students of Grambling State University was important because a dream deferred is not a dream denied.”

Hunter, whose parents graduated from GSU, said the Digital Library and Learning Commons is not her parents’ library.

“There’s no Dewey Decimal system, no card catalog, and no dusty books for miles to go,” Hunter said. “And no sweet librarians shushing you when you’re making too much noise. But a library is still the heartbeat of every campus, a place where students grow, gather, and collaborate. And this one is special because education today is about research, innovation, and technology around amazing online databases, AI, and information beyond that as well.

“That’s what makes today special. We are moving into the future with this amazing facility, and we know great things will happen inside of it. And it’s the first for an HBCU and the first for the state of Louisiana. So, as I look at this facility, I would say it is beautiful. It is historic. It is an amazing nod to Grambling’s past, and it is an exclamation point on Grambling’s future.” 

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