Home Care In Grambling, LA

After a soul-crushing loss in its season opener, LSU had the chance to work on its deficits in its second game against Grambling State. This was LSU’s first game of the season in Death Valley. Though Grambling was a more docile opponent than Florida State, Grambling remained aggressive until the last second of the game, forcing LSU to quickly remedy any faults in both offense and defense.

LSU ended up taking the game 72-10, but this game was about much more than football. It was about bringing Louisiana communities together. It was about making history.

In fact, this was the first time in each program’s history that the two tiger teams played against each other.

“I think it’s important,” Grambling State head coach Hue Jackson said, before the matchup. “Obviously it’s important for in-state recruiting. I think there’s some tremendous football played in this state. I think it’s important for these schools to play, you know, cause it’s a chance to display the school, the football brand and everything that they are trying to accomplish.”

Similar to when LSU played Southern University, this game was a huge showcase of culture for the state as a whole. Not only do the two schools share the same home state, but they also share an immense love and appreciation for the game of football.

“This is exciting, I know, for anybody that follows college football,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said the week of the game. “To top it off, it’s a school in state. I know our team is excited about getting back out there and playing the game the way it’s intended to be played.”

Grambling State, originally founded in 1901, was initially an industrial school organized by a group of African American farmers who wanted to organize a place of learning for African Americans in their region of Louisiana. The school would later award its first baccalaureate degree in 1944.

Often times in college football, games featuring big conference teams versus much smaller ones are often seen solely as cash grabs for each school involved. In the case of LSU versus Grambling State, however, this wasn’t what either head coach had in mind.

“These guys are players who love to play these types of games every week,” Jackson said. “Obviously there’s a resource difference between the two schools, but I think from a player standpoint, a player wants to be tested.”

Grambling’s football program was ultimately put on the map when it was led by legendary head coach Eddie G. Robinson. Robinson started his coaching career not long after graduating college, but his outstanding leadership was evident from the very beginning. His no-nonsense nature as a coach quickly led to a perfect 9-0 season.

The program garnered national attention when former Grambling running back Paul “Tank” Younger signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 1949. Younger was the first player from a historically Black college to be drafted in the NFL.

In 1959, Robinson and his team joined the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Not long after, in 1963, the late Junious “Buck” Buchanan was also drafted in the NFL. The former Grambling Tiger was the first player from an HBCU to have been chosen first overall in an NFL draft.

In 1997, after 55 years, Robinson renounced his position as Grambling’s head coach. That same year, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Robinson ultimately noted 408 wins, 165 losses and 15 ties. The 408 wins set the record for a college football coach. With too many to list, Robinson received more awards than any other football coach in the history of the game.

“One of the biggest honors I had was getting the opportunity to speak at the Eddie Robinson Museum when it was opened up,” Kelly said in a 2022 press conference. “It was a great honor just being immersed in the great history of HBCUs.”

Robinson’s impact on the game of football goes far beyond the accolades he collected. He had an ability to bring people together for the love of the game. He worked tirelessly to not only improve the program he led, but to pave a way for football programs across the state of Louisiana and later on, across the nation.

This matchup presented the state’s ability to bring together two powerhouse college programs, armed only with the burning desire to play the game of football.

“I’m excited to be the head coach at LSU, and in particular, with these types of games,” Kelly said. “You know, they’re historic.”

Information about the search to replace Gallot at Grambling will be announced at a later date.

BATON ROUGE, La. — The board that runs the University of Louisiana System has unanimously appointed Grambling State University President Rick Gallot as its next leader.

During a special meeting Thursday, the system's Board of Supervisors said Gallot will succeed Dr. Jim Henderson, whom the board named earlier to fill the presidential vacancy at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Henderson replaces Dr. Les Guice, who plans to retire at the end of the year.

Information about the search to replace Gallot at Grambling will be announced at a later date.

“Rick is ideally suited to carry on this work and take it to the next level,” Henderson said in a news release. “His character, leadership acumen, and political instincts will ensure the UL System continues to advance at an even more rapid pace.”

Gallot has served as president at Grambling State since 2016, leading the institution through “historic growth, including setting new enrollment records and a 200% improvement in the institution's fiscal health score,” the system said in a statement.

Gallot, who also served in the state Senate and House, said he's honored to have the opportunity to lead the system, which encompasses nine higher education institutions: Grambling State, Louisiana Tech, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana at Monroe and University of New Orleans.

“The sense of System-ness created by Dr. Henderson is something I look forward to carrying on by leveraging the collective strength of 90,000 students as the driver of higher education in the state of Louisiana,” he said.

Gallot and Henderson will begin their new roles on Jan. 1, 2024.

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Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today that provides GSU accounting undergraduates accelerated entry into Louisiana Tech’s Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program.

Louisiana Tech President Dr. Les Guice was joined by Grambling President Rick Gallot in Tech’s College of Business to officially sign the MOU.

“Today, we’re able to sign an agreement that will create greater opportunity for students of both Louisiana Tech and Grambling State,” Guice said. “Our partnership will prepare our shared students to sit for the CPA exam and begin successful careers even sooner. Together, we will help many students achieve their academic goals, and I know they will then make a positive impact on our region and state.”

Tech’s concurrent MAcc option allows accounting majors with a 3.2 GPA and less than 30 hours of coursework remaining to begin taking graduate-level courses while still an undergraduate. Through this agreement, Grambling students meeting these requirements can also begin the program concurrently.

“Partnerships like these are a testament to the importance of investing in the success of college students,” said Grambling State University President Rick Gallot. “Cultivating the next generation of accountants is key to the vitality of any business or organization, and this agreement will help that happen at a faster pace. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate once again with my friend President Les Guice, and I appreciate the Louisiana Tech College of Business for extending this opportunity to students at Grambling State University.”

Merit-based scholarships will be awarded by Tech’s College of Business for GSU students enrolled in the current program. Then, graduate assistantships will be awarded once the student completes their Grambling undergraduate degree and officially enters the MAcc program.

“Our College is thrilled to welcome these outstanding Grambling students to Tech through the concurrent Master of Accountancy program,” said Dr. Chris Martin, Dean of Tech’s College of Business. “This agreement builds on our existing collaboration with Grambling’s accounting department to provide students from both institutions with outstanding career placement opportunities. I’m grateful to President Guice, President Gallot, and Dean White for their support of this exciting initiative.”

“This is another door opener for GSU Accounting students who now have the opportunity to augment their preparation for the CPA exam while concurrently earning credits toward their master’s degrees at Louisiana Tech,” said Dr. Donald White, Dean of the College of Business at Grambling State University. “I am thankful to both administrations, GSU and Louisiana Tech, for continuing to provide these types of opportunities for our students.”

Offering a four-year accounting program for a Bachelor of Science degree and a fully integrated five-year accounting program for the Master of Accountancy degree, the School of Accountancy at Louisiana Tech is one of the oldest accounting programs in Louisiana. The School boasts a supplemental accreditation for accounting by the AACSB International — the very first in Louisiana to do so.

Opinion

Kobe Johnson Freshman Kinesiology Ferriday, La.

“I chose to attend Grambling because it’s the best HBCU in the world and with all the shootings that has taken place over the past few days does not make me wish I’ve gone elsewhere because that can take place anywhere and if you love a school you work hard as one make it better. I love every single day here at Grambling, the good, the bad the ugly. WE WILL SURVIVE, BECAUSE WE ARE GRAMBLING.”

Kylyn Lewis Freshman Criminal Justice Ferriday, La.

“I chose to attend Grambling State University because it’s really a place where everybody is somebody. It’s a place where I can better myself, grow and learn about the realities of the world. Even though the past few days were scary I do not wish that I would’ve attended another school. All school have ways they need to improve security and the way things are being done, but I love Grambling and I’m willing to help in any way possible to end gun violence on our campus and make it safer learning institute.”

Lewis Matthews Senior Kinesiology with a Concentration in Sports Management Clayton, La.

“I chose to attend Grambling State University because of my mother and aunt being graduates of GSU. I also wanted to be my mother’s first born to graduate from Grambling. I also play football for Grambling, and I even though I was a walk on, I am getting play time and I love every bit of it. I wouldn’t choose another school due to recent activities because what happened could happen and do happen at other school. Grambling is not the first and will not be the last school that has a shooting, but Prayfully we can work together to try to prevent it from happening again. I love Grambling and everything it stands for.”

Jaylen Jackson Transfer Junior Kinesiology Sports & Leisure Ferriday, La.

“To be honest I, I choose Grambling because it’s close to home and everyone here feels as family. I’m able to purse my career of choice, verses my other school not offering the program.” A lot has happened the last few days but my choice to be here still stands. We as a school need to come up with a better security protection plan when there are big crowds but other than then that there are usually no major issues.”

Jhonesha Jefferson Freshman Criminal Justice Clayton, Louisiana

“I chose to attend Grambling State University because itd closer to my hometown and I had family members to also attend. I like being around Family and Friends and I can get my education so regardless of these past few days, Grambling doesn’t have any major drama going on that I am aware of, and the shooting doesn’t make Grambling a bad school because outsiders will find a way to ruin everything. Prayers to the victim and their families.”

GRAMBLING, LA – As a 50-year alumnae of Grambling State University, nothing was going to stop Bobbie Scott Williams from making it to Baton Rouge to discuss the state of higher education with Louisiana state legislators during GSU at the Capitol Day on April 28.

“I traveled through a storm to be here today,” said Williams, who is a 1965 graduate of Grambling from Beaumont, Texas. “I am here to support House Bill (HB) 129 and House Bill 171.”

HB 129 and HB 171 are two pieces of proposed legislation sponsored by Rep. Patrick Jefferson aimed at helping historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Louisiana. HB 129 is aimed at increasing attendance at HBCUs by attracting students from other states. The bill would reduce undergraduate tuition and fees for out of state students who want to attend HBCUs.

HB 171 would help students who would normally go to a community college attend an HBCU, where the graduation rates are often higher. If passed, the legislation would exempt Grambling, Southern University and A&M College and Southern University at New Orleans from GRAD Act requirements to eliminate remedial courses.

“I think it certainly will empower us to be able to recruit non-traditional students who have been coming to the university historically since the very beginning,” said Sen. Richard Gallot, Jr. “I think it will un-tie our hands to a certain extent to be able to recruit more students and not have to turn students away who are seeking an education.”

Louisiana is facing a $1.6 billion funding shortage for the budget year that begins on July 1. Under a worst-case scenario, higher education institutions are facing cuts of more than $600 million for the upcoming 2015-2016 school year, which would eliminate more than 80 percent of state funding.

“Grambling’s budget has been cut for the past five years, so another cut at this point would be devastating to our university. Because of the dire situation with the Louisiana state budget and the potential impact on our university and higher education as a whole, I want to speak with legislators to show them how important Grambling is to us,” said Felicia Henry, president of the Douglas L. Williams Alumni Chapter in Houston.

Kenyethia Jones, who works to recruit high school students to Grambling with the Houston alumni chapter, is worried that cuts will prevent Grambling from offering scholarships to “quality students that we recruit.”

“I was born and raised in Grambling, so I am always concerned about Grambling’s future. With all of these budget cuts, I am very concerned,” she said.

Grambling officials and supporters met with more than 20 members of the legislation, including Grambling alumni Rep. Edward Price, Sen. Gallot and Rep. Jeffrey Hall.

Grambling supporters also met with Senators Elbert Guillory and Edwin Murray and Representatives Patrick Jefferson, Robert Shadoin, Katrina Jackson, Wesley Bishop, Joseph Bouie, Jr., Barbara Norton, Marcus Hunter, Roy Burrell, Vincent Pierre, Patricia Haynes Smith, Kenny Cox, Randal Gaines, Dalton Honoré, Edward James and Terry Landry, Sr.

“As a member of the Senate and as a Grambling graduate and a Grambling resident, it’s important that we share with our colleagues the importance of Grambling State University. It’s a great opportunity to highlight the university and how important it is to our state,” Gallot said.

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