Grambling State News

Grambling, LA. – The town and gown relationship in Grambling, Louisiana, has always been strong.

After all, the city itself, which was first incorporated as a village — the first all-Black municipality in Louisiana — in 1953, would unlikely exist without Grambling State University (GSU), which was founded in 1901.

But the bond between the two has never been stronger than now, after the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Grambling State University and the city of Grambling.

The focus areas of that MOU include, but are not limited to, public safety and emergency response, economic and workforce development, community service and any other concerns of mutual interest should they be deemed to be so by both parties.

Grambling State President Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr., said the relationship between Grambling State University and the city of Grambling is a foundational one.

“This is not just about proximity—it’s about shared purpose, shared legacy, and shared responsibility,” Lemelle said. “As a university that sits within a town built around it, we have an obligation to be a good neighbor and an engaged partner.

“This MOU is a formal affirmation of our mutual commitment to collaboration and progress. It ensures that our future is shaped not in silos, but side by side with aligned priorities and a spirit of cooperation.”

Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley echoed Lemelle’s sentiments.

“This MOU is a collaborative effort as we move forward between the city of Grambling and Grambling State University,” Bradley said. “We both live and exist in the same space. We even share space. And what this MOU will do is give us an opportunity to team with the university on grant writing, share the work on economic development opportunities, and infrastructure projects.

“We’ve already started working together on infrastructure projects like work recently done on Central Avenue. We also have the Main Street Program for the city of Grambling, and that’s going to be something we’ll be partnering with the university on hopefully in the near future as we move forward with our 10-year master plan. Hopefully we can merge that with the university’s 10-year master plan and enhance our Main Street area.”

Bradley said efforts to strengthen the town and gown relationship began under former GSU President Rick Gallot, now president of the University of Louisiana System, with Lemelle spearheading the effort to make that university/city relationship a formal partnership.

“It started with President Gallot after I took office as mayor,” Bradley said. “And President Lemelle just picked up the mantle and said, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’ Dr. Lemelle was truly instrumental in turning my focus on getting this MOU signed. It’s a great opportunity for us and the residents of Grambling as well.

“We already share interests with Grambling State University on a lot of things, but it will be more inviting for the community to take advantage of some of the programs GSU has, like the Intramural Center and the university’s Digital Library. We already have some citizens participating in some early-morning activities at the Intramural Center.”

Lemelle said teaming for the well-being of everyone in Grambling, students and residential citizens alike, was a key focus in developing the MOU.

“While all areas are critical, public safety and emergency response are paramount,” Lemelle said. “A secure and well-coordinated environment is the foundation upon which learning, innovation, and community engagement are built.

“When students and residents alike feel safe, they are more likely to explore, connect, and contribute. Our ability to respond swiftly and cohesively to emergencies can have life-saving implications.”

Lemelle said another focus of the MOU is to strengthen the relationship between GSU students and people living and working within the city of Grambling.

“There is great potential for new cultural festivals, literacy initiatives, wellness fairs, and service-learning projects that invite the community onto our campus—and our campus into the community,” Lemelle said. “Events like neighborhood clean-ups, voter education drives, and youth mentorship programs foster empathy, responsibility, and mutual respect. These efforts help our students see themselves not just as temporary residents, but as contributors to the city’s identity and trajectory.”

Bradley said GSU’s contributions to the city of Grambling’ identity and trajectory have long already been made.

“The university is renowned throughout this country, and even worldwide,” Bradley said. “The Eddie Robinson Museum brings people from all over the country into our city thanks to Grambling State University. And that’s a big drawing card to have that museum located on the GSU campus but in our city as well.

“And while it’s also on the GSU campus, the new Digital Library is in our city as well and that’s going to attract more alumni and more visitors from throughout the country passing along Interstate-20 through our city.”

Lemelle hopes that the MOU leads to economic growth, workforce development, and student engagement for both the university and the city.

“This MOU opens new avenues for our students to engage in hands-on learning while contributing to the growth of the local economy,” Lemelle said. “We’re talking about internships with city departments, joint training programs with local employers, and entrepreneurial partnerships that allow students to solve real-world problems right here in Grambling.

“At the same time, we can provide professional development and continuing education for residents and business owners, creating a local talent pipeline that keeps our graduates connected to this region both professionally and personally.”

Bradley believes the MOU will help that happen.

“I think once we get alumni coming back and more and more word gets out, visitors from all over the country will want to see what we’re doing here in Grambling and at Grambling State University,” Bradley said. “That will just lead to more opportunities and hopefully increase our tax base as well.”

Lemelle said he thinks improving communication and collaborating with the city of Grambling will make a significant impact on students attending Grambling State University.

“Improved communication and collaboration between the city and the university directly benefit our students by creating a more coordinated, responsive, and supportive environment,” Lemelle said. “Whether it’s addressing safety concerns, improving infrastructure, or aligning resources for events and student-led initiatives, this partnership signals that our students matter not just to the university, but to the broader community as well. It reinforces that Grambling is a place where students are seen, heard, and valued—on and off campus.”

Lemelle also stressed that the MOU is only the beginning of strengthening the town and gown relationship for the good of all in Grambling.

“It’s important to recognize that this MOU is not a finish line — it’s a starting point,” Lemelle said. “It reflects a mutual understanding that our futures are intertwined and that we are strongest when we operate with unity and intention.

“I want this partnership to model what’s possible when a university and its surrounding community listen to one another, trust one another, and grow together.”