by Wesley Harris
Grambling State University’s president and former University Police Chief Rodney Demery have provided written statements after his surprise resignation from the position he has held since 2022.
The university acknowledged Friday that Demery, chief since 2022, and Assistant Chief Joseph Feliciano had resigned. Initially, the university refused to discuss the matter, citing personnel policies.
“Grambling State University can confirm that Chief Rodney Demery and Assistant Chief of Police Joshua Feliciano have submitted their resignations,” a GSU statement said. “The University is grateful for their service to Grambling State University and their contributions in support of the campus community. As these are personnel matters, the University will not comment on the circumstances surrounding their departures.”
On Saturday, GSU President Martin Lemelle issued a statement on the resignations and the arrest of the university’s Student Government Association president:
Dear GramFam,
Families entrust us with the education and well-being of those they love. Our students look to us for support, guidance, and a community where they can thrive. Our alumni and supporters invest in a university whose future matters deeply to them. I hold that trust as one of the most important responsibilities of this presidency.
In recent days, news involving a student leader and the departures of two University Police leaders has raised understandable questions and concerns. I want you to hear directly from me about the principles guiding our response and the leadership in place to serve our campus.
The allegations in the reported legal matter are serious and deserve a serious response. Sexual violence has no place in our community. For anyone affected by sexual violence, including those for whom this news brings renewed distress, support is available through our counseling, Title IX, and student support services. We are committed to treating those who seek assistance with care and dignity, while respecting the rights of all individuals and the processes through which the facts are established.
Separately, the University Police leadership departures are unrelated to the student matter. Lt. Everette D. Lewis is serving as Acting Chief of Police, and police operations and campus safety services continue without interruption.
I understand that a message alone cannot answer every concern. Confidence depends on what our community experiences: whether we listen, whether help is accessible, and whether our actions reflect our stated values. Those are standards for which I expect our leadership to be accountable, beginning with me.
We will share verified information as appropriate while respecting individual privacy and the integrity of ongoing proceedings. Through this moment, our attention remains on the people we serve and the responsibilities we carry.
Thank you for your care for Grambling State University and for one another.
Sincerely,
Martin Lemelle, Jr., President
Also on Saturday, Demery provided a statement on his departure from GSU, opting not to discuss the motivation behind his resignation:
As I transition from my season at Grambling State, University. I am blessed. I am grateful to pursue exciting opportunities with which I have been blessed, I am grateful to President Lemelle, our officers, and the entire Gram Fam for the opportunity to serve.
After a long career as a homicide detective, witnessing tragedy had taken a toll on my faith in the future. Grambling became part of my continued growth in faith and reminded me of the strength, purpose, and hope that remain present even in the face of loss. I had the blessing of meeting students whose parents’ murders I had personally investigated. Seeing them flourish beyond that loss brought inspiration and healing beyond measure.
I leave proud of a fruitful tenure: no murders on campus during my service, greatly reduced violent crime, and dedicated officers who worked tirelessly to remove illegal firearms and protect our students. I am also grateful to have planted the seed of a fellowship program to prepare future law-enforcement professionals.
There is work left to do, and I remain available to support the leadership transition for as long as needed.
Thank you, Gram Fam, for taking me in. I came to serve your students, and they gave me something I will carry for the rest of my life.
Speculation on the resignations has focused on Wednesday’s arrest of GSU’s Student Government Association president. Life Kundayi Makarudze, 23, was arrested Wednesday on a warrant for third degree rape obtained by GSU Police. A day later, Demery and Feliciano had resigned. However, GSU authorities said Friday that the resignations were unrelated to the arrest.
Attempts to reach Demery for more information were unsuccessful.
