Courtesy of GSU Communications
Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, “Unity is strength … when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
Grambling State University President Martin Lemelle, Jr., is building on MLK’s legacy by creating one of his own at GSU.
And working to unite the university and community for the good of all is his endgame goal.
Toward making that happen, inside Grambling State University’s Digital Library and Learning Commons, Lemelle on Sunday afternoon held a kickoff brunch for the first of his “Grambling Gathers”, a series of public-facing conversations hosted by the GSU president to foster connection between campus and community stakeholders.
These “Grambling Gathers” events, which will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays in August and September inside the Digital Library and Learning Commons, are aimed at facilitating dialogue on key focus areas and involve the community in shaping the university’s future. The conversations will address important aspects of the university’s direction and development, allowing for community input and feedback.
“We continue to look at where the market is going and what students are requesting in terms of credentials, in terms of experiences, and of academic programs,” Lemelle said. “Grambling will always be a place where athletes and legends are born, and we continue to find ways to invest in our athletic enterprise in an environment that’s ever changing.
“So, we will not be static. We are nimble, we are focused on the future, and we certainly know that athletics helps us power that.”
The next Grambling Gathers event is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 13) with the city of Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley as a guest to talk about the town and gown relationship.
Other Grambling Gathers topics will include Athletics and Advancement (Aug. 20); Student Affairs (Aug. 27); Enrollment Management (Sept. 3); and Academics (Sept. 10). To register to attend one or all in person or online, visit gram.edu/community.
Lemelle opened the community brunch kick-off event by presenting an overview of the university before talking about current institutional highlights at the university, including the launch of the Grambling Research and Resource Foundation (GR2).
“We’ve done really well in state appropriations in this last (legislative) cycle),” Lemelle said. “We had $6.7 million for a new indoor athletic (practice) facility that’s coming on board soon, and additional $1.5 million to support our operations.
“But that pie, as we build out the revenue, needs to continue to diversify, and so research, including $9.8 million in funding, helps us think about the full pie. That portfolio is led by (Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs) Theodore Callier, and so he and his team help us think through those opportunities at the federal level, with private foundations like The Mellon Foundation, and others, to advance Grambling State University as a research institution.”
Lemelle also highlighted ongoing construction of GSU’s Student Success Center and surpassing $1 million in support for the GAP Scholarship Fund thanks in large part to the annual fundraising Kicks Ball held in conjunction with the Bayou Classic.
Then he looked toward the future, talking about his vision and goals for Grambling State University for 2021, which include making GSU the No. 1 HBCU for social and economic mobility, making the university a destination for global and experiential learning, creating a thriving campus for innovation, research and belonging, and making the institution a national leader in HBCU athletics, culture and spirit.
Determining where GSU currently stands is part of the vision of bringing it where it needs to go.
“We’ve performed everything from financial analysis reviews, looking at data over the past couple of years, to market research and customer focus groups to understand perspectives of future students, current students, and investors as well as opportunities to get direct feedback from you,” Lemelle told those in attendance. “Some of you may have received a survey that asked you for your insights about Grambling State University.”
“And we’ve even done some ‘secret shopping,’ going into spaces like our dining center, or our bookstore, or our classrooms, where no one knew who you were, but you were there to evaluate the experience. Did you have your question answered? If you had an issue, was it resolved? How was our hospitality? We are very fortunate to have the support of the Thurgood Marshall Fund that allows us to do a lot of this research we’ve done over several cycles and years. Now we’re at an inflection point where we have to take those insights and actually deliver a plan.”
The first part of that plan includes celebrating GSU’s quasquicentennial celebration in recognition of the 125th anniversary of its founding.
“In 2026, our institution will celebrate 125 years of existence,” Lemelle said. “So we will celebrate that in a very profound way.”
Lemelle then talked of some of the aspirations GSU leadership has for the next five years, laying out three strategic priorities that are believed will help guide GSU to a bigger and brighter future than ever:
• Fuel social and economic mobility. This goal to champion equitable access, degree completion and career advancement involves increasing retention and graduation rates; expanding online, hybrid and stackable programs; strengthening career pipelines with employers and improving financial aid communication and advising.
• Build innovation and research with purpose. This involves expanding GSU’s research and development profile while honoring the university’s legacy. It includes Grambling State achieving R2 classification; launching signature research and innovation centers; increasing research output and engagement; and building global learning and entrepreneurial partnerships.
• Create a 21st Century student experience by modernizing the campus and reimagining support for student success. This includes addressing deferred maintenance with student-centered design; expanding wellness, housing, food security and cultural programs; and reimagining orientation, advising and progression.
“If you’re a dreamer, and I believe many of you here are dreamers, help us dream and cast this vision,” Lemelle said. “One of those key vision points is to be the No. 1 HBCU for social and economic mobility. Our goal is that if you choose Grambling State University, you leave empowered with zero to minimal debt, that you understand the full fabric and essence of the wonderful being that you are, and that you’re on a pathway to advance not just your trajectory, but the trajectory of future generations.
“Because if we’re going to be committed to building leaders and champions, we also need to be committed to doing what Dr. King’s next fight was about, and that is economic justice and so we are on a pathway to ensure that our students are empowered to achieve that status.”
Lemelle said the final priority is to simply continue to champion Grambling State University, what it is and who its students, faculty, and staff are — the culture, spirit, and visibility of the institution.
“So, we will invest in our athletics infrastructure,” Lemelle said. “We are looking at an opportunity with the campus master plan to also have one that is specifically focused on our athletics infrastructure, so you will see us communicate more information about that going forward.
“That’s a great site that our team and (Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing) have developed. It’s gram.edu/capitalprojects and around the middle of [each] month, you will see us update that area so that you can see progress and additional details around our capital projects with much more to come on the athletics infrastructure. And we’ll continue to elevate the World Famed Tiger Marching Band.”
Lemelle talked of continuing to find ways to continue to tell Grambling’s stories of collaborations with storytelling forces such as Beyoncé and Eryka Badu and finding ways to expand community and corporate sponsorships.
“We have several corporate partners that help us do a lot of work throughout the year,” Lemelle said. “We know that there are more. There’s the Meta Data Center that’s being constructed right now in Richland Parish, for example. We’ve partnered with Turner Construction, an organization which has contributed significantly to Grambling State University over the years, to ensure that Grambling’s Engineering Tech students have an opportunity to be a part of that construction.
“But also, (to ensure) that Grambling students in other disciplines will ultimately be able to join the ranks of Meta. Just this summer alone, we had eight students intern with Meta. So, all that continues to position our program in ways that industry knows that Grambling State University is a place where you can always find and invest in great talent.”
