Two Grambling State University students are the first students from historically black college to win Houston advertising foundation awards

By Andrea Beasley
Grambling State University Media Bureau

GRAMBLING, LA – Two Grambling State University students are the first HBCU students to receive scholarships from the Advertising Education Foundation of Houston (AEF- Houston).

Richard Klein, chairman of the AEF- Houston, said Erina Love and Justin Madden were chosen from a pool of about 300 applicants to each receive a $2,000 scholarship, making it “the first time any HBCU has won a scholarship. He said they competed with students from universities in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Klein said the organization created an HBCU-specific scholarship for the first time last year without success, but the scholarship committee was impressed with the Love and Madden applications. “We couldn’t give it away because no one fit the requirements,” he said about last year’s scholarship pool.

Audrey Gilbreath, president and chief executive officer of Gilbreath Communications, contributed money for the first Gilbreath Communications Education Fund scholarship, which Love won. Gilbreath, a 1979 Grambling State University alumna who asked the group to open the scholarship opportunity to any HBCU student, said she saw a need for more HBCU students to get help as they consider advertising and marketing careers.

“I came up through the ranks when not a lot of African Americans were participating in the club,” said Gilbreath, referring to the AEF- Houston. An Arizona native who has been a member for 10 years said “it’s important in the communications field that we encourage our students to participate.”

Both students were elated to receive the news recently, each saying the scholarship award is a blessing.

“There was always a semester at Grambling when I had a delinquent account,” said Madden, 22, a senior mass communication major from Los Angeles, Calif. “I always owed them something. This scholarship was like the light at the end of the rainbow.”

Out of the sixteen scholarships awarded, Madden received the Saurage Research Academic Distinction Scholarship, named after marketing research strategist Susan Saurage-Altenloh. “When I get into grad school I’ll have $2,000 I can put towards my education and that’s less money out of my pocket or my mother’s pocket,” added Madden, who is editor-in-chief of The Gramblinite campus newspaper and who has been an active member of the university’s Student Government Association (SGA).

Love, 23, the newspaper’s campus editor who is an SGA senator, plans to focus on taking grant writing courses because she intends to go into non-profit organization work. “The greatest thing that separated me was how I am going to use my mass communication degree,” said Love. “Instead of going the regular route of working with a big corporation, I want to work at a non-profit.”

The scholarship recipients were chosen by board members and members of the organization’s advisory council, Houston-area professionals in “advertising, communications, interactive marketing, journalism, radio/tv, commercial art, public relations or related fields.”

AEF- Houston is a non-profit corporation and is the scholarship foundation of the American Advertising Federation of Houston. Annually it offers 15 $2,000 scholarships, and some internships, to students. Applicants are judged based on their academic and personal backgrounds, campus and professional experiences and financial need. Gilbreath described Love and Madden as  “outstanding students not only in school but also in community service.” She said “they did everything, which made it hard, which is a good thing.”

Scholarship winners will be honored and recognized at an April 17 monthly luncheon of the AAF-Houston.

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Media Contact:
Will Sutton
318-533-5337
mediarelations@gram.edu

By Tierra Smith
Grambling State University Media Bureau

GRAMBLING, LA – The City of Grambling and Grambling State University are teaming to start a community garden with fresh vegetables for citizens and students.

The university received a Keep Louisiana Beautiful grant of $3,300 for the project in a statewide competition for grant money from a $55,000 fund to combat litter and beautify northern Louisiana.

“Student volunteers will learn about gardening from community volunteers who are familiar with the process,” said Roy L. Bedford, director of the Office of Service Learning at Grambling State University. “The volunteers will participate in light tilling, fertilizing, planting and fence building.”

Kassandra Merritt, 18, a freshman mass communications major from Montgomery, Ala. is one of the students who signed up to take advantage of a chance to receive service-learning hours.

“I am excited about the community garden because it’s a chance to receive service learning hours,” said Merritt. “Plus it looks good on job and scholarship applications.”

Connie Walton, the university’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, decided the service learning office would administer the grant, providing students with a chance to earn service-learning credit. Students are required to obtain 80 academic-based hours and 80 community hours as a graduation requirement.

Bedford said the community garden will improve the quality of life for students while stimulating social interaction, encouraging self-reliance and providing nutritious food. The garden will be home to fresh greens, peas, tomatoes, squash, onions and beans. 

“The community garden project is designed to allow 50 or more students to work with establishing the garden,” said Bedford. “Students will have the opportunity to work with all aspects of the planting process from tiling the soil to actually harvesting the vegetables after they have reached maturity.”

ArdeannWilliams, 21, a sophomore social work major from New Orleans, signed up on Thursday to volunteer with friends.

“I have gardened before but my thumb seems more like a black one than a green one,” said Williams. “I usually kill every plant I plant. Now that I think about it, I don’t think they should want me volunteering.”

Williams is optimistic that the community volunteers will help her learn the proper care of plants and make the experience more enjoyable than her past attempts.

Tuesday will be the first day work starts in the garden, located on College Avenue west of the university’s Washington-Johnson Complex.  “The city is providing the land and assisting with the clearing and beautification process,” said Bedford. The land is owned by the city and a request to use land was processed through the office of Mayor Edward Jones a few weeks ago. The mayor could not be reached for comment.

Volunteers will start at 9 a.m. and continue to get as much work done as possible by 5 p.m. Students will not be excused from classes, and they asked not to sign up during scheduled classes. Bedford said it is important that citizens and students sign up in advance so the office can prepare and provide a good briefing before the project starts.

Citizens and students are asked to sign up in Charles P. Adams Hall, Room 118, on the university’s campus by Monday at 4 p.m. Volunteers can also contact the service learning at 274-2547.

Bedford said volunteers are needed to maintain the garden and the frequency of weeding and more depends on the amount of rain and the growth of the vegetables. “We hope to have a large majority of the student body will take advantage of the opportunity to give back to the community through this project,” he said. “There is enough work to find something for all to do.”

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Additional Information:

• Community Garden Photo Gallery

Media Contact:
Will Sutton
318-533-5337
mediarelations@gram.edu

By TRENT BROWN
Grambling State University Media Bureau

Grambling, LA - The president and chief operating office of Universal Studios encouraged Grambling State University students to sacrifice and do what it takes to succeed as they pursue their dreams. His message was simple: You can go further in life if you believe.

“You have to find a way to follow your dreams,” Ron Meyer told the audience from the Floyd L. Sandle Theatre stage in the Conrad Hutchinson Performing Arts Center. “Can’t assume someone is always going to help you. You have to want it badly, can’t be derailed.”

Meyer said he dropped out of high school, didn’t earn a high school diploma or a college degree and was determined to succeed, doing whatever it took to do what he loves to do – working in the entertainment industry. He took a job as a messenger for six years before he got a real break. “It’s about finding a job that gets you there,” he said. “The real trick is where do you take that job.”

In a free-wheeling conversation about his career, the state of entertainment and film industries and how to make it, Meyer bluntly said those who really want it are those who stick with it through difficult times.

Meyer was in Lincoln Parish for a few hours to visit the University of Louisiana System’s only HBCU after hearing about the institution’s mass communication and film work from Paula Madison, a former NBCUniversal executive vice president who retired about two years ago. Madison is the CEO of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and her family business includes the Africa Channel, a cable network in the top 20 U.S. markets and the Caribbean. Madison visited Grambling State for the first time in 2012 as a part of a Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism visiting professionals grant.

After the event, Meyer noted that Universal has a good relationship with Louisiana. “We shot Tom Cruise’s new movie Oblivion last year, as well as other films,” said Meyer, who was visiting Grambling State University for a special event. “Louisiana is great for production for Universal.”

Cruise’s sci-fi adventure film was filmed for several months in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and it is scheduled for an April release.

At the theatre event, Meyer was interviewed by Madison, his former colleague and friend, then he took questions. Meyer and Madison flew in to the Ruston Regional Airport from New York Thursday morning and left for Los Angeles Thursday afternoon. Cindy Gardner, senior vice president for corporate affairs at Universal Studios, said his visit was all about the students.

“This guy is a big deal. I deeply appreciate his honesty,” said Frank G. Pogue, president of Grambling State University. “I really hope that the students here today really listened. He did a splendid job.”

Meyer said one of the key ingredients for making a good movie is matching the right creative people with the right material. “Sometimes a great director will do a bad job and an OK director will do a great job,” said Meyer. “You never know.”

Meyer wasn’t always at the top of the film industry. For a couple of decades, he was president of Creative Artists Agency, Inc., which he founded in 1975 with four colleagues from the William Morris Agency, making it a premiere talent agency representing some of the entertainment industry’s most influential and talented people.

Reginald Owens, a Grambling native who is Louisiana Tech’s journalism department head, attended the session with several of his students. “I think what we had today was a very good eye-opener for students,” he said. “He gave us some good life advice. Almost every answer was answered perfectly. With his story being so detailed, any student should be inspired to be anything they want to be.”

"I learned the importance of taking chance on my dream, especially in Hollywood,” said Tierra Smith, a sophomore mass communication major from Milwaukee now living in Houston. “You can’t give up after a couple months; you have to be dedicated to your craft."

Nyomi Lyttle, a mass communication major scheduled to graduate in May, was inspired by what she called Meyer’s “rags to riches success story.” “I left the theater encouraged and feeling like all of the work I’ve done and will do is not in vain,” added Lyttle, 25, of Cincinnati.

“It was like a ‘must-hear, must-see’ experience,” said Peter Dorsey, 23, a senior public relations major from St. Louis. “He gave the GSU audience a real inside (view) of Hollywood.”

Meyer told students they must sacrifice for anything they really want, and they must have the determination to pursue their dreams. Those who succeed “make it happen for themselves,” he said, and “they can do good for those who can’t make it happen.”

“I’m a believer that miracles can happen,” said Meyer. “For students who can believe in themselves, I think there are great opportunities …”

Diana Sepulveda contributed to this story.

Click here for PDF.

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Additional Information:

• Campus Visit Photo Gallery
• Press Release – NBC Universal Studios executive visits Grambling State University

Media Contact:
Will Sutton
318-533-5337
mediarelations@gram.edu

Grambling State University’s first lady encourages Gramblinites and northern Louisiana residents to vote as the university competes for up to $50,000 in campus beautification grants in national Home Depot campus improvement grant program for HBCUs

GRAMBLING, LA – Grambling State University is one of 75 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) institutions competing as a finalist in The Home Depot’s 2013 RETOOL YOUR SCHOOL campus improvement grant program. First Lady Dorothy Pogue, a huge campus beautification advocate, is rallying all Grambling State supporters, asking everyone to vote daily as she does.

“Grambling State University continues to work to have its campus beauty match the pride of all Gramblinites,” said Dorothy Pogue, wife of President Frank G. Pogue. “I strongly encourage all Grambling State University alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends to vote online and to vote daily, as I do.”

Mrs. Pogue said though she’s not active on Facebook and Twitter, she knows that posting on those social media sites, and others, every day will help the Black and Gold school win. She reminds all to include “#GramFam” and “#gramblingRYS2013” whenever posting or tweeting.

“We have several really exciting projects that we will use the grant for if we win,” said Ante’ Britten, associate vice president of finance & administration at Grambling State University. “Areas such as Charles P. Adams Park, Eddie G. Robinson Football Stadium and Jacob T. Stewart will be revitalized with the help of Home Depot and the Grambling family.”

President Pogue praised Britten and the facilities team for well-prepared beautification project proposals. “The university’s facilities team does an amazing job with limited resource,” he said. “They never stopping working to figure out how to improve the look and feel of our campuses, and these proposals are a great example of the kind of work they continue to do.”

Designed to reinvigorate HBCUs, finalists are competing for $225,000 in grants for on-campus improvements and Grambling State is asking alumni and all northern Louisiana communities to help the university win. Through 11:59 p.m. on April 15, Grambling State University supporters can visit www.retoolyourschool.com to vote for Grambling State to win:

(a) a $50,000 Tier 1 major grant, OR
(b) one of twelve Tier 2 $10,000 minor grants, OR
(c) the one $25,000 Campus Pride grant, awarded for the most online votes and social media activity, as determined by The Home Depot.

The Home Depot® will announce the winners on May 3, and Grambling State University wants to be one of the big winners.

The university’s Tier I project pitch for the $50,000 grant is an exterior painting and waterproofing of Jacob T. Stewart Building. The 78,159-square-foot classroom and office building in on the most traveled
street on campus. After several beautification efforts in recent years, Stewart is the only building with an unattractive appearance on this main street. If chosen, the university will pressure wash the building, replace caulk, fill rust holes, repair or replace broken cast stone, replace rotted wood and apply waterproofing consistent with federal guidelines in about 120 days.

The Tier II project proposed is a $10,000 upgrade of the Charles P. Adams Park on the western Quad. Dedicated in honor of the university’s founder, this is the only park on campus but cost cutting has caused disrepair and a lack of use. If Home Depot selects Grambling State for this project, the university will take about 90 days to upgrade bathroom facilities, convert the existing metal structure, plant some cypress trees, install new screening, renovate the foundation and install outdoor area lighting so students can use the park after dusk.

HOME DEPOT REQUIREMENTS
To apply for the Retool Your School grants, Grambling State University and the other HBCUs were required to submit letters of intent that included brief descriptions of their potential projects via the “Retool Your School” website in February. Applicants that provided their Phase 1 proposals by the deadline were able to continue and submit full proposals for Tier I, Tier II and Campus Pride campus improvement grants. Grambling State University has submitted proposals for Tier I and Tier II.

During the online voting period, now underway, consumers can view descriptions of project proposals and can cast one vote per day for Grambling State University. Following the online vote, a panel of distinguished judges will evaluate each proposal.

WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA VOTING
Tier I and Tier II projects will be judged based on the number of votes posted to the website, as well as the judges’ evaluation of the relevance to the proposal requirements as listed on the website and application. Entrants must highlight how each project will make a lasting, positive impact on their campus. Special attention will be given to schools that pitch eco-friendly plans. The winning schools will be determined based on a combination of online votes and the judges’ evaluations. The awarding of the Campus Pride grant will be based on the number of votes and social media activity the winning school receives.

COMPETITION
Grambling State University faces stiff competition from finalist schools in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. To support Grambling State University win one of these beautification grants, alumni, friends and family are asked to log on and vote at www.retoolyourschool.com to ensure that the Fighting Tigers bring home the grand prize. Though the institution has been mostly in the middle of the voting online and on social media, Mrs. Pogue and Britten said they are certain that Gramblinites, #GramFam friends and supporters can overcome the odds by voting online daily and by using the Grambling-speciific hashtag — #gramblingRYS2013 – whenever they post on social media, especially when Tweeting on Twitter.

Some of the potential improvement projects entered by the HBCU finalists include projects that will affect the campus and community as a whole, such as installing eco-friendly bathrooms, adding wheelchair ramps and automatic access doors, creating sustainable landscaping projects, replacing windows with Energy Star rated fixtures, installing solar energy systems and motion sensors to reduce electric consumption in classrooms, starting community gardens and campus greenhouses to encourage healthy eating, and creating nature trails accessible to the surrounding community as a fit living initiative. Each of the proposed improvement projects will enhance campus life for current students and generations to come.

For more information and updates on The Home Depot “Retool Your School” grant program or to vote online visit www.retoolyourschool.com. Online voting continues through April 15, 2013, at 10:59 pm CDT, 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Click here for PDF

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Media Contact:
Will Sutton
318-533-5337
mediarelations@gram.edu

By TRENT BROWN
Grambling State University Media Bureau

GRAMBLING, LA – On his way home to Texas, engineer David Brown was changing his clothes when he unknowingly left his wallet on the side of Highway 90, near Houma, La.

Thanks to two Grambling State University students, Alexandria Smalls and Duvar Retherford, Brown’s wallet, which held $378, personal identification and credit cards, was returned to him.

He was surprised to get a call saying that the students had his wallet, which he didn’t even realize was missing. When the students returned it at Mel’s Diner in Lafayette, La., a few days later, he expressed gratitude. “Once his identity was found, we had a moral obligation to locate him,” said Rutherford, a senior sociology major scheduled to graduate in May.  

Alan Blakeney, director of the university’s TV Center and the students were in Houma filming a rodeo the first weekend in March. A Blakeney friend called to ask for help at the event because he had vehicle problems and couldn’t make it.

On their return trip from Houma, just south of Lafayette, La., Rutherford spotted what appeared to be money blowing around on the highway. Blakeney exited Highway 90, looping back on a service road where they saw bills flying around. They found a wallet, no owner and a driver’s license. They found it hard to believe, but they knew the right thing to do.

Blakeney called Brown and agreed to meet him. Blakeney, Smalls and Retherford met him at Mel’s Dinner in Lafayette about 30 miles north of where they had been traveling, a bit of a detour on the way back to the Grambling area. Brown could not be reached for comment.

In an interview, Blakeney said Brown offered the students a reward, but they refused, saying it was the correct thing to do and never considered any another course of action.

“With so many negative stories in the public realm these days, this incident is a positive statement about our student’ values and a great reflection on this institution,” he said.

Smalls stated that she only did what because she would hope someone would do for her in a similar situation.

“In a world full of people looking out for themselves, I wanted to prove that there were are actually people who care enough to do the right thing,” said Smalls, a senior mass communication major from Lewisville, TX.

Photos:

Duvar Retherford                                             Alexandria Smalls

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Media Contact:
Will Sutton
318-533-5337
mediarelations@gram.edu