By Willie D. Larkin, Ph.D.
President, Grambling State University

Honoring History

After accepting the position of ninth president of Grambling State University, I was shocked, and, at the same time, saddened to learn that alumni were giving less than one percent. Tragically, this fact was even more discouraging and disconcerting given that Grambling has such a rich, prestigious and honorable history.

Since that number was so low, I suspected there must be an error in the reporting. To validate my suspicion, I went back and conducted a further investigation. Sure enough, Grambling alums, as a whole, do not give very much money to their beloved alma mater. Fortunately, we have a few that give more than their fair share, which contributes greatly to the success, sustainability and lives of Grambling. Yet, the overall number of contributors and alumni giving is unimaginably small.

To honor Grambling’s history and legacy, we must immediately and with purpose change that statistic. In order for us to not only survive, but thrive, we must change our thinking and behavior toward giving and philanthropy. The fact is that state governments are never going to return to the levels of support in years gone by. Instead, we, Grambling, are going to have to do it ourselves as we honor our history. The habit of giving must become a way of life for graduates and alumni of HBCUs, and Grambling needs to lead the pack!

Keeping Promises

As we graduate from college, we all invariably hear ceremonial speakers, the president and alumni chapters remind graduates, newly minted alumni, to remember to give back to the university.  To keep our promises, we should never be where we are in support for our Grambling. To keep our promises — not only to ourselves but to future Grambling graduates — to give back to this venerable and legacy-rich university, I am appealing to Grambling people to step up to the plate, to sit in the front seat of history, and remind the world that Grambling honors its history by keeping its promises to this beloved university.

To help keep our promises, regardless of whatever institution you might have graduated, I am appealing to all, whether you did or did not graduate from Grambling or an HBCU, to give and to share by being a part of Grambling’s history, legacy and future. Like all promises we keep to our friends and loved ones, we must establish a commitment to philanthropy by giving back to the universities that make this nation great, our people flourish, our dreams come alive and our future strong. It is not only in the very fabric of the African American soul and DNA, but also in the heart and spirit of America and our wonderful state of Louisiana.

Fulfilling Dreams

Since my recent tenure as president of Grambling, I have quickly come to recognize our historic reliance on the state to provide resources to sustain our institution no longer works and is quickly diminishing. This was the sentiment that I emphasized during my interview for the Grambling presidency. Now that I’ve been on the job for nearly one month, I have come to validate my concerns, as many of you have, that the days of relying on the State of Louisiana to provide the financial resources to Grambling is quickly waning. Appropriations from the state have dropped from $32 million in Fiscal Year 2008 to roughly $13 million in Fiscal Year 2015. Quite frankly, there is no reason to expect that the Fiscal Year 2016 state appropriation will exceed the 2015 support. While state contributions have continually dropped, the cost of providing a high quality Grambling State University education has continued to rise. In other words, we – Grambling — must look to non-state sources to help sustain this great university and to create a strong philosophy and positive attitude toward philanthropy within our communities.

Now, the question becomes how do we continue to help past graduates and future graduates continue to fulfill their dreams? In reflecting on this immediate need, I have been moved and touched by the actions of a small group of Grambling alumni who began a unique fundraising campaign, called the 10 for 10 Challenge. This is a timely strategy, an impassioned plea to all to help dreams come alive. The financial sustainability of Grambling State University depends largely on the generosity, kindness and visionary leadership of alumni, friends, businesses, vendors and foundation giving programs, strategies, techniques and ideas to supplement the declining state government support.

That leads me to my main point in this article — investing in Grambling! One of the activities that support creating a stronger attitude toward philanthropy is the 10 for $10 Challenge. This is the campaign where individuals are asked to give at least $10 and challenge 10 others to do the same. This campaign will run through Homecoming 2015 with donors directing their resources to a specified targeted need at the university. This campaign is moving forward, and we expect that it will create significant awareness of our giving program, support specific programs of choice, as defined by the donors, and increase the air of philanthropy among all our stakeholders.

A few stakeholders have asked a series of questions about the 10 for $10 Challenge. Let me try and answer some of the most frequently asked questions below.

Why are we asking for “only $10?” For starters, $10 is an amount that everyone can afford. This gives everyone an opportunity to contribute to the financial sustainability of GSU without a severe strain on their finances. Second, it helps to significantly increase the number and percentage of alumni givers. Since 2011, reportedly the largest number of alumni givers to GSU in a single year is the 357 alumni who have given through 2015. Prior to this year, I am told that number was as small as 244. Since April 24, the 10 for $10 Challenge kickoff, more than 300 alumni have given an amount at some level to GSU. Some of these donors are included in the 357 alums listed earlier, but many are first-time givers.

It is a known fact, success breeds success. For example, as we increase the number and percentage of alumni contributions, we are more likely to facilitate an increase in corporate and foundation giving to GSU. Thirdly, the requested amount of $10 serves only as a starting point. That is, we need everyone to give at least $10 and challenge 10 others to do the same or give more. The average donation is $51.88, and many alumni are giving a specific amount ranging from $10 to $100 each month for a year or longer.

To help fulfill the dreams of many, some may ask the important question of “How do we know that the money will be spent as directed?” Funds donated through this campaign will be monitored by Mr. Otto Meyers, interim vice president for Advancement, Research and Economic Development. He will work closely with alumni and donors to administer this initiative and ensure that all funds are properly distributed. It has been decided that the funds will be presented to the target areas at the 2015 Homecoming game.

In closing, alumni giving, philanthropy, and civic duty and responsibility to the university must be part of the very fabric of the learning process for students, not only at the moment of graduation but rather as part of their daily lives. In a few weeks, students will be returning to campus with dreams, goals and aspirations in their quest to obtain a Grambling education. Their dream is, without question, to pursue a better life for themselves and their families. They are asking for a chance to realize their dreams. Our students weep for your help and understanding. Every dollar that you contribute to Grambling State University will be a dollar to help fulfill a dream. I close with Grambling’s motto: “ONE GRAMBLING: Honoring History, Keeping Promises and Fulfilling Dreams.”