Grambling State University facts for kids
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Former name
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Colored Industrial and Agricultural School (1901–1905) North Louisiana Agricultural and Industrial School (1905–1928) Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute (1928–1946) Grambling College (1946–1974) |
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| Motto | Where Everybody Is Somebody |
| Type | Public historically Black university |
| Established | 1901 |
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Parent institution
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UL System |
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Academic affiliations
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Space-grant |
| Endowment | $7 million |
| President | Martin Lemelle |
| Provost | Connie Walton |
| Students | 5,232 |
| Location |
,
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United States
32°31′31″N 92°42′55″W / 32.5252°N 92.7153°W |
| Campus | Rural |
| Newspaper | The Gramblinite |
| Colors | Black & Gold |
| Nickname | Tigers |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I FCS – SWAC |
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Grambling State University (often called GSU or Grambling) is a public university in Grambling, Louisiana. It is a special type of school known as a historically Black university. This means it was founded to educate Black students during a time when they faced discrimination.
Grambling State is home to the Eddie G. Robinson Museum. It is also part of the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail. The university is a member of the University of Louisiana System.
Grambling State's sports teams are called the Grambling State Tigers. They compete in NCAA Division I sports. They are part of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Contents
History of Grambling State University
Grambling State University started because African-American farmers in rural north Louisiana wanted to educate their community. In 1896, a group called the North Louisiana Colored Agriculture Relief Association was formed. Lafayette Richmond led this group. They wanted to create a school.
They opened a small school near what is now Grambling. The group then asked for help from Booker T. Washington. He was a famous educator from Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Charles P. Adams was sent to help. He became the founder and first president of the school.
The school opened on November 1, 1901. It was first called the Colored Industrial and Agricultural School. Four years later, it moved to its current spot. Its name changed to the North Louisiana Agricultural and Industrial School. By 1928, it became a state junior college. It could then offer two-year certificates. The school was renamed the Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute.
In 1936, the school changed its focus to rural education. This plan was called "The Louisiana Plan." It helped train teachers for country areas. In 1936, a third year was added, and teaching certificates were given. The first four-year degree was awarded in 1944. It was in elementary education.
In 1946, the school's name changed to Grambling College. This honored P. G. Grambling, a white sawmill owner. He had donated land for the school. After this, the college began to train high school teachers. It also added classes in science, liberal arts, and business. This made it a college with many different programs.
In 1949, a group called the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approved the college. This meant it met high education standards. In 1974, the college started offering master's degrees. Because of this, it became a university. It was then named Grambling State University.
From 1977 to 2000, the university grew a lot. Many new study programs were added. New buildings were also built on the campus. These included a business building, a nursing school, and a student services building. A new stadium and sports center were also built.
In May 1999, President Clinton gave the graduation speech. This was a very special event for the university.
In 2010, the Grambling State University Historic District was added to a special list. This list is called the National Register of Historic Places. It includes 16 historic buildings on campus.
In 2019, Grambling started building a new digital library. This was the first one on a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) campus. The project cost $16.6 million and finished in 2023.
Presidents of Grambling State
- Charles P. Adams (1901-1936)
- Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones (1936-1977)
- Joseph Benjamin Johnson
- Harold W. Lundy
- Raymond Hicks
- Leonard Haynes III
- Steve A. Favors (until 2001)
- Neari Francois Warner was the first female president.
- Horace Judson (2004-2009) helped rebuild many campus buildings.
- Frank Pogue (2009-2014) was the eighth president.
- Cynthia S. Warrick (2014-2015) was the second female president.
- Willie Larkin (2015-2016)
- Richard J. Gallot, Jr. (2016-2024) was a Grambling graduate and the tenth president.
- Martin Lemelle is the current and eleventh president. He also graduated from Grambling.
Academics at Grambling State
Grambling State University offers many different degrees. Students can earn bachelor's degrees (four-year degrees) and master's degrees. They can also earn a special degree called a doctoral degree in Developmental Education.
The university has four main colleges:
- College of Art & Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Educational and Graduate Studies
- College of Professional Studies
In 2020, Grambling was the first college in Louisiana to offer bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity and cloud computing. Cybersecurity teaches how to protect computer systems from attacks. Cloud computing involves storing and accessing data over the internet instead of on your computer.
Student Life at Grambling State
Grambling State Athletics
The Grambling Tigers are the sports teams for Grambling State University. They play in NCAA Division I sports. Their football team is part of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. All their teams are in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
Grambling State has many sports teams for men and women. These include football, basketball, baseball, track & field, softball, golf, soccer, tennis, bowling, and volleyball.
Grambling State has big rivalries with other universities. Their main rivals are Southern, Prairie View A&M, Jackson State, and Alcorn State.
Grambling State Student Body
As of 2022, about 40% of students at Grambling State come from outside Louisiana. Many students come from Texas, California, and Illinois. About 65% of the students are female, and 35% are male. Most students (93%) identify as Black.
The World Famed Tiger Marching Band
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The GSU Tiger Marching Band is also known as "The World Famed Tiger Marching Band." It is a very famous and historic marching band. They are the only band from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to perform at two U.S. presidential inaugurations in a row. The "World Famed" band started in 1926. They are a proud symbol of the university.
Campus Media
- The Gramblinite is the university's student newspaper. It comes out every week. It has won awards for its excellent journalism.
- KGRM Tiger Radio 91.5 FM is a radio station run by students. It plays music, news, sports, and public interest shows all day.
- The GSU-TV Media Center helps students learn about broadcasting. It is part of the Mass Communications Department.
Gallery
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The President's Home at Grambling State is particularly elegant and stately.
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Favrot Student Building at Grambling State
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The Eddie G. Robinson Museum at Grambling State
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Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center at Grambling State
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Eddie G. Robinson Stadium at Grambling State
Notable Alumni of Grambling State
Many famous people have attended Grambling State University. These include athletes, public officials, and artists.
- Rick Gallot - He was the tenth president of Grambling State. Now he leads the University of Louisiana System.
- Erykah Badu - A singer who has won a Grammy Award. (She attended but did not graduate).
- Charles M. Blow - A writer for New York Times newspaper.
- Buck Buchanan - A former football player for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is in the NFL Hall of Fame.
- Ronnie Coleman - A retired professional bodybuilder. He won the Mr. Olympia title eight times.
- Natalie Desselle-Reid - An actress.
- E-40 - A famous American rapper. (He attended but did not graduate).
- Cedric Glover - A state representative. He was also the first African-American mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana.
- Ernie Ladd - A former professional football player and a WWE Hall of Famer.
- Willis Reed - A former professional basketball player. He is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was named one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History."
- Doug Williams - A quarterback who won the Super Bowl XXII. He was named the MVP of that game.
- Paul "Tank" Younger - A former professional football player.
