GRAMBLING, LA – After interviewing seven finalists recommended by a search committee, President Frank G. Pogue announced this week that Dr. Percy “Chico” Caldwell will assume the position of Athletic Director at Grambling State University, pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. More than 50 applications were received.

“One of the difficult decisions was narrowing this extensive highly qualified pool of candidates to one individual,” says Dr. Pogue. “Dr. Caldwell’s experience and professional preparation will empower Grambling’s athletics to the next level of excellence and bridge the gap between Grambling’s historic achievements and success in athletics and the academic mission of the University. He will bring significant strength to the athletic administration including planning, research, marketing and financial management.”

Dr. Caldwell, a former student athlete, received his doctorate from Iowa State University and earned a certification as an Administrative Leadership Evaluator. He received a master’s degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from the University of Alabama and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Psychology from Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama.

Dr. Caldwell has held several athletic positions over the course of his career. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989, named Coach of the Year in 1990 and Athletic Director of the Year in 1991 for the West Virginia Conference. He also served in the United States Army, Military Police Corps.

“To be afforded the employment opportunity at Grambling State University with a rich athletic history drawing national attention to a great academic institution is special and very exciting. The rich athletic history separates Grambling State University from any other university. The stage is already set, my job will be to start from here assisting Dr. Pogue and his administration continue to operationalize the mission and vision at GSU, says Dr. Caldwell. To be working with Dr. Frank Pogue and the GSU athletics staff will be an amazing opportunity. I am excited to get started.”

Grambling State University has 15 sports program: men’s football, basketball, baseball, cross country, track and field/outdoor; women’s basketball, bowling, track and field indoor/outdoor, cross country, tennis, soccer, softball and volleyball.

NOTE: Photo of Dr. Percy “Chico” Caldwell

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Media Contact:
Debra Johnson
318-533-5337
mediarelations@gram.edu

Inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Leadership Awards Luncheon

GRAMBLING, LA – Grambling State University president, Dr. Frank G. Pogue, will host the university’s first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award Luncheon on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the Black and Gold Room of Favrot Student Union.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes and honors persons who, through their service to Grambling State University, the state, region and country, exemplify the character, leadership and selflessness of Dr. King and other noted African American leaders.

This year’s awards will be presented in the following categories: Fannie Lou Hamer Political Award recipient, Louisiana Representative Patricia Haynes Smith, District 67 of Baton Rouge and Madame C. J. Walker Business Award recipient, Mr. Kerry Joe Briggs, alumnus, businessman and philanthropist of Houston, Texas.

A limited number of tickets are available at $10 per person and may be purchased by contacting the Office of Institutional Advancement, 100 Robinson Street, on the Grambling campus (across from the Army ROTC Building) or by calling (318) 274-2217.

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Media Contact:
Debra Johnson
318-533-5337
mediarelations@gram.edu

Grambling, La – Grambling State University president, Dr. Frank G. Pogue hosted a breakfast for some of Ruston, Louisiana’s leading business leaders at the Ruston Lincoln Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau in December. The breakfast was an opportunity for the university President to extend holiday greetings and share the positive and successful things happening on campus, as well as the economic impact the university has on the region. This event is the first of many designed to strengthen the university’s relationship with local businesses.

“This breakfast was an opportunity for the University to reach out beyond itself to the surrounding communities as well as keep them in touch with the good things happening at Grambling State University,” says President Pogue. “These business leaders were already strong supporters of Grambling State. We are looking forward to additional ways to reach out to Ruston and other communities.”

Grambling State University has an enrollment of 5,207 students and employs more than 700 faculty and staff. The University offers degrees in 50 academic programs: 34 of the 50 academic programs are eligible for accreditation by specialized accrediting agencies; 100% of eligible academic programs are accredited by 13 different agencies.

NOTE: Photo Caption (photo above) – Grambling State University President, Dr. Frank G. Pogue (pictured 6th from the left) poses with Ruston business leaders and Grambling administrative officers.

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Media Contact:
Debra Johnson
318-533-5337
mediarelations@gram.edu

GRAMBLING, LA – While preparing for the Christmas break Grambling State University, along with other public higher education institutions, was notified that a Mid-Year budget cut had been imposed by the Governor. Although extremely difficult to do, especially given the recent drastic cuts, the university’s planning process and the prior work of the university’s Budget and Priorities Committee made it possible to respond to the mandate.

“These frequent budget reductions will continue to make it extremely difficult for the university to plan for its future,” said Dr. Frank Pogue, University President. “It seems that cuts to higher education will continue, and although very harmful decisions are being made, we will continue to restructure the university to ensure that our mission is protected and that our students continue to have access to excellent educational experiences.”

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2012 Mid-Year Budget Adjustment Memo from Dr. Frank G. Pogue .

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Media Contact:
Debra Johnson
318-533-5337
mediarelations@gram.edu

Reports for Attendance for the 38th Annual State Farm Bayou Classic Show Increase

NEW ORLEANS –This year’s 38th Annual State Farm Bayou Classic brought several new events to New Orleans and thousands of visitors to the city.

The Bayou Classic is the annual extravaganza bringing the fans and alumni of Southern University and Grambling State University to New Orleans each November for a celebration of football, family and the traditions and pageantry surrounding Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With an estimated economic impact of $30 million, the Bayou Classic is an important event for the City of New Orleans.

The official count for ticket sales to this year’s State Farm Bayou Classic, as calculated by Ticketmaster with the addition of credentials, is:

Battle of the Bands and Greek Show: 23,280
State Farm Bayou Classic: 44,015

Battle of the Bands saw an increase of attendance of some 1,375 and the State Farm Bayou Classic saw an increase in attendance of some 2,500 from the previous year.

“It is exciting to see the increase in attendance in both events this year,” said Dottie Belletto, President and CEO of New Orleans Convention Company, Inc. (NOCCI), the management firm of the State Farm Bayou Classic. “Our relationship with the Bayou Classic began in March 2011 and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both schools to make Bayou Classic a family event that provides something for alumni, visitors and the citizens of New Orleans.”

A number of new events were added to this year’s Bayou Classic, including the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade, Bayou Classic Golf Tournament at Joe Bartholomew Golf Course in Pontchartrain Park, the Seagram’s My Bayou Classic House Party and an Inspirational Gospel Brunch.

Reports from the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau show that hotel occupancy for Friday night was 93 percent and Saturday was 92 percent. It is projected that Bayou Classic brings 200,000+ visitors to the city annually.

“The Bayou Classic has always been about football as well as the festive meeting of rival teams, bands and fraternities and sororities in competition for bragging rights until the next year,” added Belletto. “Our efforts to broaden the events and festivities for Bayou Classic are making an impact as we see more visitors and more attendees.”

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jeffrey D. Ory, ABC, APR, il Stratega Marketing & Communication
(504) 458-5866; jeffrey@jeffreyory.com
-or-
Debra Johnson
318-533-5337
mediarelations@gram.edu