GUNAA

Newsletter


March 2024

Grambling University National Alumni Association

Tigers in Spring

Interested in Becoming a Member?!


Becoming a part of the change is a picture away.


FREE the 1st year for recent GSU graduates!

We had 23 new members join GUNAA this month.

Dr. Tammy Richardson

College of Business, Class of 1991

gunaapresident@gmail.com

A Message from Our President


With its promise of new beginnings, spring serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience inherent within our organization. Just as nature awakens from its winter slumber, so too should we awaken to fresh opportunities and possibilities in GUNAA.


In the spirit of this season of rejuvenation, let us reaffirm our commitment to the values and goals that unite us as members. Together, let us harness the energy of springtime to cultivate innovation, foster collaboration, and inspire positive change within our association. It is ELECTION season and we need members to consider serving in a leadership capacity.


As your National President, I am deeply grateful for each of you. Let’s continue to bring passion to our shared mission with unwavering support and tireless effort to propel GUNAA forward, making a tangible difference in the lives of students, universities, and alumni.



Like the springtime, let’s approach the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead with optimism, resilience, and a steadfast determination to make meaningful contributions in all that we do.

News & Updates

Visit our Website

ELECTION TIME!


We would love to see at least two candidates running for each office. Go to gunaa.org, click Election 2024, and download the letter of intent and election guidelines.

 

The application deadline is March 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Use your talents, time, and treasure to invest in Grambling's future. We need you!!! Future Gramblinites need you!!! Your classmates need you!!!

 

Voice Services


This service is accessible to all GUNAA alumni who graduated from or attended GSU before 1986.


Please contact our national office at 318.247.6770 if you should need hard copies of any GUNAA materials. In the spirit of fairness and to prioritize those in genuine need of assistance—specifically, individuals with disabilities or those without access to email and/or cellphones—please reserve this limited service for members who depend on it to remain engaged with the alumni association.

GUNAA SCHOLARSHIPS

Program Guidelines & Priorities: 

  • Seeking currently enrolled students at Grambling State University with a current record of volunteerism in the community, active leadership in either school or non-school sponsored activities, and/or participation in extracurricular school activities.
  • Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.75, and a total family annual income under $100,000.
  • Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the university. It will be the student’s responsibility to submit to GUNAA their current semester's tuition and fees, G number, and all other pertinent information.
  • Applicants must have all documentation submitted along with their application attesting they are a qualified fit for this scholarship program by application deadline central time zone, late applications are not accepted. 

GUNAA NATIONAL CONVENTION

EARLY REGISTRATION extended

by one week!

Join us in Houston! Click here

Hashtag: #GRAMFAMCPU



Would you like to be a National Convention Sponsor?


Tell our Story...

GUNAA Life Member

Reverend Dr. Arlester Brown - He's 100!

GUNAA Historian,

Angelee Moody-Rhyne

gunaahistorian@gmail.com

History is the appropriate theme for the Rev Dr. Arlester Brown - Born in Homer, Louisiana, April 1st, 1924, and spent a great deal of his life in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Arlester was one of legendary Coach Eddie Robinson’s first players and a member of Grambling’s famous 1942 team which went unbeaten, untied, and unscored upon during their season. Grambling didn’t field a team the next two (2) seasons due to World War II. 

 A 1949 graduate of Grambling, he holds a bachelor’s degree in science. His journey took him from the south at 18 years old, to the front lines of WWII in Europe. As a Quartermaster engineer with the 599th Quartermaster Laundry Company, he played a vital role in keeping troops supplied and clean during the war. Brown was hit by shrapnel when an unmanned buzz bomb exploded near him in January 1945. Arlester and other black soldiers were treated with more respect and equality in Europe than at home in a highly segregated American culture. This past summer Dr. Arlester had an opportunity to make a unique trip to Normandy to mark 79 years since D-Day. To facilitate assistance to Grambling college, graduates began to organize in the late 1950s. “There was a great need to financially support the college and its students (as is today) “. Dr. Brown was elected parliamentarian (The alumni newsletter was the “Alumni Link 1960”) and remained active for many, many years. He reminds us of the often-overlooked contributions of individuals like him. Let us celebrate his legacy.

 

Birthday cards may be sent via email or by postal mail to 3700 North Capital St. N. W. #104, Washington DC 20011.

Sports

Women's Basketball


Congratulations to our Lady Tigers on advancing in the WNIT tournament. We are incredibly proud and eagerly anticipate supporting them in the next season.

Cheerleaders


Our 2023 National Co-Ed Cheerleading Champions are asking for alumni support as they continue to provide spirit, pride and support of all athletic teams. Donate here



Women's Softball


Let's cheer on the Lady Tigers as they strive for victory in the SWAC!


SWAC Tournament will be in Gulfport, MS on Tuesday, May 7 - Friday, May 10 at Gulfport Sportsplex.



Men's Basketball


What an exceptional season! Congrats to the Men's Basketball team as they are SWAC Champions, SWAC Tournament Champions, selected to participate in the

NCAA Tournament and won their first NCAA game - ever!


Coach Donte' Jackson was named SWAC Coach of the Year and HBCU All Stars NCAA Division 1 Coach of the Year; Tra'Michael Moton for being name SWAC Tournament MVP; Kintavious Dozier for being named All SWAC First Team and Tra'Michael Moton and Jourdan Smith for being named a HBCU All Star.


Men's Baseball


Seek out chances to attend both home and away games, particularly those in proximity to your communities. We encourage local chapters to host our teams whenever feasible. Purchase Tickets


SWAC Tournament will be in Atlanta, GA on Wednesday, May 22 - Sunday, May 26 at Russ Chandler Stadium.



Football

We hope to see you at the Spring game- April 20th!



Your purchase of season tickets helps to support the program. Click here to purchase tickets.

Outdoor Track & Field


Please look for opportunities to come out and support the team.

Four GUNAA Members to be Inducted into the HOF



Congratulations *Elsie Dillard

*Larry Pannell

*Herman Arvie

*Robert Williams




Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame tickets can be purchased by contacting

Dr. Ruby D. Higgins

318-243-7557 or via email






ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE ON DISPLAY




Events & Activities

April

20

GSU SPRING FOOTBALL GAME - Grambling, LA


Plan to come back to campus on April 20th to see our football team's Spring Game.

May

10

SPRING 2024 GRADUATION - Grambling, LA


Join us for the Spring 2024 graduation, held at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center at 10:00 AM CST. The event will also stream live on our YouTube Channel and HBCU+. For more information, click here.


ATTENTON Class of '74

Don't miss out! CLICK HERE to register for your 50th year recognition during the ceremony!

May

17-18

Drum Major Round-up & Retreat - Ruston, LA


GSU is inviting all past drum majors to participate in this event.

July

18-21

GUNAA NATIONAL CONVENTION - Houston, TX


We are excited to welcome you to Houston, Texas from July 18th to July 21st. The committee is organizing an incredible convention tailored just for you!

Oct

19

GSU HOMECOMING (HOCO) - Grambling, LA


Stay tuned for the exciting events we have planned for our alumni returning to campus on the weekend of October 19th.

Alumni Chapter Spotlight

We encourage all officers, regional representatives, committee chairs, and chapters to contribute content via gunaacommunications@gmail.com

Los Angeles Chapter

Douglas L Williams Chapter

Our annual "GramFam Fest" is back! Proceeds will help fund chapter scholarships and community efforts.

Greater Houston Alumni Chapter

Participating in the Houston HBCU Alumni Association College Fair


Las Vegas Alumni Chapter

The Las Vegas Grambling Alumni Chapter is awarding two scholarships, each valued at $1,000.00, to either first-semester freshmen or returning upperclassmen students residing in the Las Vegas area. For scholarship applications, the acceptance period begins on March 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM and ends on April 15, 2024, at 12:00 AM. Click here to apply.


St. Landry Parish Chapter

Southern California Chapter

River Parishes Chapter

(St Charles, St. James, St. John Parishes, LA)

Atlanta Metro Chapter

Rufus Harris Chapter

(Birmingham, AL)

Providing dinner for the Women and Men's Basketball teams

Metro DFW Chapter

Want to be a Team Captain?

If you're interested in leading a team to raise funds for this pivotal GSU fundraising event, please click here to sign up

Purchase a License Plate


In Texas, $22 of each license plate goes to GSU. To upgrade an existing license plate, visit myplates.com to select your design and calculate your total cost of a new plate.  


Current Costs in Texas

Grambling Background Only Passenger Plate

  • 1 year renewed annually - $50
  • 3 years - $130
  • 5 years - $175


For help with license plate ordering in Texas, call 1.888.769.7528 or customerservice@myplates.com.

REGISTER by APRIL 17

Looking for the Class of 1974


Congratulations! You have achieved GOLDEN GRADUATE Status! Your class will be honored at the Spring Commencement on May 9-10, 2024. Please register to participate in this unique celebration. Don't miss this opportunity! CLICK HERE

Dayton Alumni


Numerous Life Members persist in volunteering for GUNAA across the Greater Dayton, OH region.

Join Our Team

Are you looking for a creative way to give back to your Alma Mater? Well, look no further! The Communications Team is seeking volunteers to assist with the monthly newsletter. For more information, email gunaacommunications@gmail.com.

We look forward to hearing from you!



Alumni Presence Shone Brightly!


During this extraordinary basketball season, our alumni's support for our teams has been outstanding. We are grateful for all contributions, no matter their size!


Alumni presence shone brightly for the world to see! 

Nationwide Watch Parties

GUNAA National Alumni Association

House Matters


Do you have suggestions on how to strengthen our bylaws? Would you like to see changes? Submit the proposal now using the GUNAA template to ensure your proposed changes arrive in time for consideration at the 2024 National Convention. Send the completed template to the Bylaw Chair and Secretary.



Bylaw excerpt:

Page 14


ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS Section I: The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended or revised at any annual or special meetings of the Association with two-thirds vote of the voting power present and voting whether in person or by proxy, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing to the Secretary and the Constitution and Bylaws Committee at least sixty (60) days before the Association meets. The Association shall email a copy of the proposed amendment to each financial chapter of the Association no later than thirty (30) days before the annual or special meeting. The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall review the proposed amendment and report its recommendations to the body at the annual or special meeting


Below are the GUNAA documents that govern our association. It is important for all members to acquaint themselves with the contents:

  • Constitution & Bylaws -- This is the latest version of our bylaws from the July 2023 National Convention. For a copy, click here.
  • Financial Procedures - This is the most recent version from 2013. We are currently updating this crucial document. For a copy, click here.
  • Operating Procedures - This is the latest version from August 2022. We are in the process of updating this crucial document. For a copy, click here.


Get Involved in GUNAA - Join a Committee!


GUNAA Committees are a vital part of the association and the heartbeat of all activities and planning. GUNAA is in search of volunteers who are talented and eager to utilize their gifts to positively effect GUNAA and GSU. Go to our website: www.gunaa.org/committees or click here: Committees

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday

9am - 3pm Central

peak periods on Fridays

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P.O. Box 565 Grambling LA 71245 | 318.247.6770

Email: office@gunaa.org | www.gunaa.org

2024 Theme: "We are LOYAL to thee..."