GUNAA

Newsletter


April 2024

Grambling University National Alumni Association

Interested in Becoming a Member?!


Becoming a part of the change is a picture away.


FREE the 1st year for recent GSU graduates!

Dr. Tammy Richardson

College of Business, Class of 1991

gunaapresident@gmail.com

A Message from Our President


As the vibrant colors of spring paint our surroundings and the spirit of renewal fills the air, it brings me great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you.


First and foremost, I am excited to announce that it's election time! Your participation and engagement are vital as we shape the future of our alumni community. Keep an eye on your inboxes as ballots will be emailed beginning May20th. We want you to be involved and make your voice heard by May 30th.


With graduation season upon us, let's celebrate the achievements of our graduating students and the proud moments they bring to their families and friends. Their success is a testament to the enduring legacy of our alma mater.


Our National Convention promises to be an exhilarating occasion, providing us with the opportunity to demonstrate our unwavering support, unite around common goals, and strategize for the future of GUNAA.


Stay connected, stay engaged, and stay proud of the remarkable community we've built together. Remember, our alma mater is not just a place we attended; it's a part of who we are!

News & Updates

Visit our Website

Click here to update your contact information and/or call our National Office at 318.247.6770 from Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm CST.

Voice Services


Available for GUNAA members who graduated or attended GSU before 1986.


Please contact our national office at 318.247.6770 if you 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 cell phones—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.


www.gunaa/org/scholarships 

GUNAA NATIONAL CONVENTION

Join us in Houston! Click here

Hashtag: #GRAMFAMCPU



Would you like to be a National Convention Sponsor?


GUNAA members must submit a copy of the completed form to the following:


1) Bylaw Commitee: Click here

2) GUNAA Secretary: Click here


Click here for a copy of the bylaw amendment template to be submitted.

ELECTION TIME!!!


The Candidate Forum will be May 13, 2024, via Zoom

Ballots will be mailed electronically starting May 20th. You may cast your vote from May20th to May 30th. Election results will be shared at the 2024 National Convention.

Tell our Story...

GRAMBLING'S HISTORY (1901 -1936)

Credit: The Gramblinite, December 2001



August 1901, Charles P. Adams came to Grambling as a result of a request by the North Louisiana Farmers' Relief Association (NLFRA) to Tuskegee's Booker T. Washington. On a spot 2 miles west of the present GSU site, Adams established the Colored Industrial and Agricultural School which consisted of one main building used for assemblies, classes, principal's home and girls' dormitory.


The first student body totaled 105 students with room and board being $5/month and paid mostly with homecured meats, chickens, syrup, meal, flour and potatoes. Adams lectured to secure some financial assistance to keep the struggling school alive.


The first faculty consisted of 3 people: Adams as the principal, his wife, Martha, a domestic science teacher and A.C. Welcher, a farm instructor. Their salary was "what they could get."


In 1905, seven Black men in the Grambling community pledged $25/each for a new school site and a 200-acre plot 5 miles west of Ruston was purchased for $800. Adams had to forgo the NLFRA's support mainly because the predominantly Baptist membership wanted a church-centered school whereas Adams desired a school devoted to training people for making a good living on their farms, improving health conditions, and living more efficiently in groups.


In 1912, the institution became quasi-public. In 1928, the name was changed to Lincoln Parish Training School under the direction of the Lincoln Parish School Board and in 1928, the school became state junior college, changing the name to Louisiana Negro Normal and Industial Instiute.


Adams remained the leader of GSU for 35 years. Charles Phillip Adams died on Tuesday, June 27, 1961.

GUNAA Historian,

Angelee Moody-Rhyne

gunaahistorian@gmail.com

GUNAA Partners with G-Men, Inc. to Celebrate Dr. Arlester Brown

(a 100 year old Grambling alum)


Dr. Arlester Brown, a G-Man from Coach Eddie Robinson's 1942 undefeated team, was presented with a GUNAA resolution and a laminated article about the 1942 football program. We also named a GUNAA award in his honor!


Watch the presentation program here

Louisiana News | Impactors


Click the title to read each article

Sports

Men's Basketball



The GSU family celebrated the many successes of the Men's Basketball program on Saturday, April 20th, 2024. Fans lined up to get signed posters and championship t-shirts.


Football


Thank you alumni who came out to support the 2024 Spring Game.


Congrats to the G-Men who are headed to the NFL!



Softball and Baseball


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


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

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




PODCAST



Season 4 is released! Listen to the Voices of Grambling Podcast. This season focused on the City of Grambling featuring a variety of stories from business owners and city leaders.



Contact the History Department for more information. Email

Dr. Edward Holt


Thank you Alum for your contributions to the 2024 GSU Campaign raising $504, 275!



Click the picture below to hear a message of THANKS from GSU!

Events & Activities

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.


The Class of '74 will be recognized for its 50th year 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.

See below if you would like to join the 2024 Homecoming Committee

Alumni Chapter Spotlight

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

Windy City Chapter

On March 24th, the Windy City Chapter (WCC) had a great turnout for their Scholarship Webinar, assisting high school seniors and Grambling students in completing scholarship application effectively.


WCC also continues to participate in local college fairs to recruit students to GSU!

Dallas Area Chapters...

Metro DC Alumni Chapter

St. Landry Parish Chapter

Southern California Chapter

SoCal has received a second grant for the work they are doing in the commumnity.

Martha Adams Chapter

(Hammond, LA)

GUNAA members attending the local alumni cookout

River Parishes Chapter

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

Mildred S. Jones Chapter

Metro DFW Chapter

Rufus Harris Chapter

(Birmingham, AL)

Alumni welcomed and supported our GSU Choir as they performed in the Birmingham area alongside Carver High School. Dinner was sponsored by the Rufus Harris GSU Alumni Chapter.

Atlanta Chapters

Alumni welcomed and supported our GSU Choir as they performed in the Atlanta area at the Ray of Hope Christian Church.

FOREVER TIGERMr.





Mr. Leo Givs: Obituary




Please contact the national office at 318.247.6770 or office@gunaa.org to share the news of a GUNAA member who has become a #Forever Tiger. Thank you for helping us recognize our GramFam.

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.

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!

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

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

Facebook  X  Instagram

P.O. Box 565 Grambling LA 71245 | 318.247.6770

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