North Central Louisiana Native and Grambling Alumnus to
Exhibit Artwork During GSU Homecoming Weekend

GRAMBLING, LA (October 14, 2011) – Kicking off Homecoming weekend Grambling State University’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts will host an exhibition entitled Life and Landscapes by Frank Kelley, Jr. on October 20 – 28, 2011. The exhibition will be held in A.C. Lewis Memorial Library. Kelley, a native of North Central Louisiana and Grambling State University alumnus, has achieved national recognition for his paintings. His style is diverse ranging from figurative abstracts to representational landscapes depicting images of rural scenes, jazz and southern life. Kelley envisions himself as a storyteller. He states, “I paint the old and new, today and yesterday, sorrow and happiness, struggle, hope, togetherness, and love. A song, a vision, elderly man or woman, a trip, or even a historic landmark may serve as inspiration for my work.”

On October 20th at 3:00 p.m., Kelley will present a lecture open to the public in the Lobby of A. C. Lewis Memorial Library. A reception and print signing will be held from 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21st in the Lobby of A.C. Lewis Memorial Library. The library is located on College Street, Grambling, LA. Accommodations are available for large groups and special needs persons. For more information and library hours please call 318-274-2274.

ATTACHED: Sample of artwork and promo flyer

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

BATON ROUGE – The University of Louisiana System announces the launch of the Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education (JSLHE), a subscription-free online publication to encourage academic research about service-learning. This international, peer-reviewed journal, which can be accessed at www.ulsystem.edu/JSLHE, has just issued a call for manuscripts for the Spring 2012 publication of its inaugural issue.

“Many people confuse service-learning with volunteerism, but in reality there is a strong academic component involved with service-learning. College and university students are taking what they learn in the classroom and applying it in real-world situations while volunteering in their communities. This new journal is a way for practitioners to share successful methodologies and pedagogical approaches not just in our system but throughout academia,” said UL System President Randy Moffett.

JSLHE is an outgrowth of collaboration between all universities in the University of Louisiana System and managed by the UL System’s Service-Learning Council. David Yarbrough, Associate Professor of Child and Family Studies and Dean of Community Service at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, serves as the journal’s Executive Editor.

“Faculty productivity is measured in three ways: contributions to the knowledge of our students through teaching, contributions to the general knowledgebase through research, and contributions directly to the community through service. This journal brings all three together, creating a research outlet for supporting excellence in teaching through service,” said Yarbrough.

Four section editors have been appointed to assist Yarbrough. They are Morris Coats, Professor of Economics at Nicholls State University; Steven Gruesbeck, Instructor of Psychology and Director of Service-Learning at Northwestern State University; Sandra Hill, Head of the Department of English at the University of Louisiana at Monroe; and Jackie Tisdell, Assistant Vice President of Communications at the University of Louisiana System.

Members of the JSLHE Review Board are diverse in academic disciplines and institutional representation. They are:

• Rory Bedford, Director of Service-Learning at Grambling State University;
• Dr. Michael Buckles, Head of the Department of Performing Arts and Associate Professor of Music at McNeese State University;
• Nancy Darland, Professor of Nursing at Louisiana Tech University;
• Tena Golding, Director of the Center for Faculty Excellence and Professor of Mathematics at Southeastern Louisiana University,
• Marybeth Lima, Director of the Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership at Louisiana State University;
• Mike McCullough, Director of the Institute for Civic Engagement at the University of Tennessee at Martin;
• Kenneth Reardon, Director of the Graduate Program in City and Regional Planning at the University of Memphis;
• Stuart Stewart, Executive Director of Louisiana Campus Compact; and
• Shirley Theriot, Director of the Center for Community Service Learning at the University of Texas at Arlington.

The online journal is being housed by Simon Fraser University through the Public Knowledge Project’s Open Journal Systems. This is to ensure a streamlined submission, review, and publishing process with sustainability.

“It is our hope that the Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education becomes not just a place to publish, but also a place to learn what is working and lead to prolific experiential learning in higher education,” said Yarbrough.

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-ULS-

Media Contact:

-or-
Debra Johnson
318-533-5337
mediarelations@gram.edu

Grambling to Open Campus to
High School Students on Saturday

GRAMBLING, LA — This Saturday will not be just another game day at Grambling State University, its High School Day. Grambling is expected to receive over 1,200 students this Saturday during its annual High School Day. Some students will be coming as far away as Colorado Springs, Colorado. Church groups, alumni chapters, and parents who just want to bring their student will be in attendance. Grambling will open its campus to all high school students to enjoy a fun filled day of activities. The university will showcase its 384 acres campus, majors/academic programs, social and campus life as well as the community it serves. In addition, students will be able to attend the Grambling State University vs. Concordia football game, kick-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Activities for Saturday will include: Academic Colleges and Departmental Displays, Performances by the World Famed Marching Band, Campus Tours, Science Demonstrations, and admission informational sessions.

“This is an important event for the university. We are reaching out to future students! This event will allow us the opportunity to demonstrate that the Grambling State University can prepare them for success in any career that they may choose” states Dr. Connie Walton, Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Grambling will also have an opportunity to reach out to high school students who are eligible for enrollment in the GSU Summer High Ability program.

Click here for PDF.

Click here for Tentative AgendaPDF.

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

GSU Kicked-Off the 44th Annual
“Lonnie Smith Memorial” Career Fair

Grambling, La. – Although unemployment is high in many parts of the country, there were plenty employment opportunities available at the 44th Annual “Lonnie Smith Memorial” Career Fair at Grambling State University.

Sponsored by the GSU Office of Career Services, the event was held Sept. 30 in the Black and Gold room of the Favrot Student Union, and attracted representatives from nearly 40 corporations, governmental agencies and educational institutions. The fair also included the Professional and Graduate School Expo.

“We try to attend the Grambling career fair every year,” explained IBM Software Engineer Manager Melissa Bowers-Biggs. “This time we’re looking for computer science and CIS majors, electrical engineers, M.B.A.s and Ph.D.s,” the 1988 GSU graduate added.

For four hours, recruiters unveiled their opportunities to university students and area visitors. “I’m really pleased with the attendance,” noted Johnny Patterson of the Office of Career Services, who noted that previously the event had been held during Homecoming Week in late October or early November.

Participants included American Airlines, American University of Antigua, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Bowman Systems L.L.C., Caesars Entertainment, CenturyLink, Dallas Police Department, Deltic Timber Corporation, Denton Independent School District, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Louisiana, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, IBM, Irving Police Department, Jackson State University, JB Hunt Transport, Kaplan Test Prep, Louisiana Tech University – College of Business, MGM Resorts International, Monroe City School Board, North Little Rock School District, Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, Sherwin-Williams, Southern University Law Center, Strategic Restaurants, Texas Chiropractic College , Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Parole Division, Tower Loan , U.S. Department of State, United States Coast Guard, University of Arkansas Graduate School, University of Texas at Dallas, University of TN Health Science Center, US Army Recruiting Station, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Walt Disney Company and William H. Bowen School of Law.

NOTE: Photos attached.

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

Grambling State University President Named
One of the Top African American Presidents at a University

GRAMBLING, LA — It was no surprise to Grambling State University faculty, staff and students that their president Dr. Frank G. Pogue has been named one of the top African American Presidents at a college or university in the United States. Late last week the Atlanta Post announced their top ten African American University and College presidents. Based on their selection Dr. Pogue ranked 9th on the list of presidents. The online publication stated that “Education has been touted as the universal key to success. Black educators for that reason are truly the gifts to our community and those who leads at the highest levels of education are not only to be acknowledged, but celebrated.”

Dr. Pogue, who is serving in his fourth presidency, was appointed as the eighth President of Grambling State University in June 2010, after serving for seven months as interim president. Dr. Pogue is a highly respected educator and administrator with a wealth of experience as an agent of positive institutional change and advancement.

Dr. Pogue has had a long and distinguished 47-year career in higher education. When he was selected as president of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1996, he became the first African American to serve as president of a historically white university in Pennsylvania.

When he retired from Edinboro in 2007, the University paid tribute to his extraordinary leadership by naming its newly constructed student center in his honor. His outstanding accomplishments also earned him the title of President Emeritus of Edinboro University.

After his retirement from Edinboro, Dr. Pogue served as interim president of Chicago State University. Over the course of his career, Dr. Pogue has held several other prominent academic positions, including: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Special Programs at State University of New York System Administration; Interim President of State University of New York at Cobleskill; Vice President for Student Affairs at State University of New York at Albany; Senior Medical Research Associate at Meharry Medical College; Founder and Director of Afro-American Studies, Chatham College; and Dean of Students at Philander Smith College in Little Rock.

In May of 2011 Dr. Pogue was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the State University of New York Oswego. He also received the Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Pogue earned a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in sociology from Atlanta University, a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Alabama State University.

When asked how he felt about being named one of the ten Dr. Pogue stated, “It was a wonderful feeling to see my name listed among successful university presidents. Being president of a university is a special opportunity to work in the interest of students, faculty, staff and alumni. It is even more special to be President of Grambling State University, as the university celebrates its 110th birth year. Despite the small accomplishments I have been blessed to achieve, I attribute the recognition as one of the top presidents to my being President of Grambling, an internationally renowned institution.”

The following African Americans were also listed in The Atlanta Post top ten; Ruth Simmons, Brown University; Shirley Ann Jackson, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Carlton Brown, Clark University; Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Bennett College for Women; Dr. William R. Harvey, Hampton University; Dr. Ivory V. Nelson, Lincoln University; Reverend Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Morehouse College; Dr. Sidney A. Ribeau, Howard University; and Dr. James H. Ammons, Florida A&M University.

External Link: Atlanta Post: GSU President Named as One of the Top Presidents at African American Colleges

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