The money helps students short of money to get into school or stay in school

By JESSICA WRIGHT
GSU Media Bureau

The Grambling University National Alumni Association (GUNAA) presented the Grambling University Foundation with a $15,000 contribution during Saturday’s football game at halftime.

GUNAA President Melissa Bickham and GUNAA Vice President Thomas Jones presented a check during the Grambling State University-University of Virginia-Lynchburg game at the Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium. The contribution supports the university’s effort to help scores of students close financial gaps. Some students need as little as $200, $500 or $1,000 to enroll in school or to stay in school.

“It sends a strong statement that our alumni are so invested in the success our students,” said GSU President Rick Gallot, “and by making that contribution they allow students to complete the registration process and become full fledged Tigers.”

The contribution aids the President’s Appeal: Student “GAP” Sponsorship, a short-term fundraising campaign that ends Friday (Sept. 9).

Otto Meyers, interim vice president for advancement, research and economic development, said the money will not sit around and will be put to use immediately as the university wraps up its registration period this week. “This will be invested directly into the GAP account… there are already over 100 students identified that we’re trying to support,” said Meyers. “This will immediately allow us to help some of those certain students.”

Since 2013, former members of the Alpha Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and former members  of the Delta Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc. have provided monetary support to GSU by fundraising for GUNAA. The sororities collected the funds during a 21-day campaign prior to homecoming last year and grew them throughout the beginning of this year.

Bickham and Jones presented the check to Gallot, Meyers, Helen Godfrey-Smith, foundation president and president of the Shreveport Federal Credit Union, and David “Rusty” Ponton, interim vice president of student affairs.

GSU students, faculty, staff and supporters can contribute to the GAP fund by visiting www.gram.edu/gap or going to the university’s official crowdfunding platform at https://www.givecampus.com/schools/GramblingStateUniversity.

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