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Monthly Newsletter. November 2023 |
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Grambling State University
"Where Everybody is Somebody!"
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See you in 'Nawlins' !! Bayou Classic 2023 | | |
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Interested in Becoming a Member?! | |
Becoming a part of the change is a picture away.
**FREE** for New GSU graduates for the 1st year!
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New Members
Let's Keep it Going! We had 5 new members join GUNAA this month.
Total Members: 3825
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Dr. Tammy Richardson
GUNAA National President
C/O F'91
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Can you believe we are approaching the end of 2023 with ~40 days remaining. As your National President since January 2023, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your vote of confidence. Together, we have begun the work on ambitious goals and have made significant strides toward the betterment of GUNAA.
In line with the GUNAA strategy, we have been diligently working towards achieving our key growth areas:
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Double Our Membership: Our goal is to achieve a 2x growth, taking our active membership from ~3k to 6K. Your continued efforts in recruiting and engaging fellow alumni are essential in making this vision a reality.
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Increase Our Fundraising: Our target is to raise $1M to support scholarships, cover operating expenses, and fund various programs that benefit our community. I'm asking for your continued support to achieve the goal.
This year, we introduced two significant Signature programs:
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Computers for Students at GSU: We aim to bridge the digital divide in our community by providing every student at GSU with a computer, ensuring they have a vital asset as they pursue their academic dreams.
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Mentorship Program: We are committed to ensuring that every GSU student has access to an alumni professional in their field of study, fostering guidance and support for their educational journey.
We are proud to announce that we now have 51 GUNAA chapters across the US. This expanded network provides us with numerous opportunities to reach even more students and welcome them into our GramFam. I encourage each of you to continue your service by actively participating in recruiting, contributing to scholarships, and exposing students to the best of GSU.
GUNAA 2024 Elections are upcoming. Please ensure you pay your dues by December 31st to be eligible to receive a ballot. The 2024 elections will cover crucial positions such as President, Vice President, Secretary, Business Manager, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary. Visit www.gunaa.org to pay your dues instantly, and let's challenge "Each one to Reach One" by actively engaging fellow alumni to become a part of our community.
Wishing each of you a joyous Thanksgiving filled with gratitude and warmth. I hope to see you in New Orleans as we come together to cheer on our Tigers in the 50th Annual Bayou Classic.
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GOLDEN TIGER ANNOUNCEMENT | |
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PHONE and TEXT SERVICES. Exciting news... by next month, we will have the ablity to call members and send bulk text messages. This will allow us to bridge gaps, share important information, and keep everyone connected with ease. Our technology team will be working to roll out a seamless process to enhance the communications process. We are looking forward to delivering an engaging and accessible experience for all.
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In meantime, we kindly request our esteemed GOLDEN TIGERS to get in touch with our national office at 318.247.6770 if they require hard copies of materials or phone services. To ensure fairness and prioritize those who truly need assistance (specifically, individuals with disabilities or those lacking access to email and/or cellphones), we operate on an honor system. We appreciate your understanding in allowing this limited capacity to be available for those members who rely on it to stay connected with the alumni association. | |
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NATlONAL CONVENTION - 2024 in HOUSTON
Meet your co-Chairs: Nerissa Cheers & Stavinoha Bradley
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Nerissa Hives
Affectionately known to friends and family as Michelle is a native of Baton Rouge LA. Nerissa graduated from Southern University Laboratory High School.
After graduation, she enrolled at Grambling State where she earned her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences.
While attending Grambling she was initiated into the Alpha Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Nerissa is a resident of Houston, TX and is currently a member of the Greater Houston Alumni Chapter.
Prior to joining the Greater Houston Alumni Chapter, she was the Financial Secretary, and Chairperson of the Hospitality Committee for the Douglas L Williams Alumni Chapter of Houston TX.
Currently, Nerissa works as a Senior Cost Engineer and has worked abroad in Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and UAE.
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Stavinoha Bradley
Native of Houston, TX and currently serving as GUNAA National Chaplain, Awards Committee Chair, and Membership Committee Member.
Stav completed his undergraduate studies in 2015 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management. After graduating he went on to serve GUNAA as our Office Manager from 2015 through 2016 and was the youngest person to hold this role to date.
During his tenure with GUNAA he was able to drive and deliver favorable results in national operations, membership, fundraising, and the 2016 National convention in Atlanta, GA.
Professionally, Stav has been in the oil & Gas industry for 7 years and leads global projects in his role as a DeCon Specialist. He is pursuing his MPH with a concentration in Industrial Hygiene from Tulane University.
In addition to his professional career and service to GUNAA he has over a decade of consulting in the non-profit management space and 18 years of ordained clergical experience.
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2023 GUNAA NATIONAL CALENDAR | |
24kt Gold Playing Card FUNDRAISER - extended through Bayou Classic!!
We are currently in the midst of our second fundraiser and desire for every member to purchase at least one deck of cards.
These cards have a lifetime guarantee. Order from a variety of D9, HBCUs, HBCU Bands, "for the culture", Black Lives Matter, UNO, and other causes.
Click here to order!
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GUNAA Historian,
Angelee Moody-Rhyne
gunaahistorian@gmail.com
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Grambling State University
HISTORIC DISTRICT
As we celebrate 122 years.... let it be known...
The Charles P. Adams House, located at 549 Main St, Grambling, Louisiana is significant as the longtime residence of the founder president of Grambling State University.
The house was donated to the Grambling University Foundation in 1979. Due to unforeseen circumstances in 1997, the home went into disarray. Thankfully, it was purchased by Grambling University National Alumni Association (GUNAA) and donated back to Grambling University Foundation.
From 1939 to 1960, Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute (1928-1945), Grambling College (1946-1973) now known as Grambling State University was the only institution of higher learning available to African Americans in North Louisiana.
In 2010, several buildings were named to the National Register of Historic Places as part of a historic district. Long-Jones Hall, which was built in 1939, is historically the main building on campus. The buildings featured below have numerous styles with the most dominant being colonial revival architecture. These buildings were almost invariably red brick with some sort of light-colored trim, generally painted wood, painted concrete, cast stone or light gray limestone.
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GUNAA Grambling Chapter member, Dr. Suzanne Mayo and other GSU faculty/staff accompanied five GSU students to Bangalore India.
"What a life changing experience for all involved" was a common quote.
The event provided a platform to share, to learn, and to celebrate people and social service groups dedicated to uplifting the society.
In 2024, GSU and La. Tech will host the conference on GSU's campus. For more information on how alumni can get involved, please contact Dr. Suzanne Mayo by clicking here.
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ULS Presidential Search
GSU President
All Public Forums will be Live on YouTube
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Next GSU President - Search Process has Begun!
On Friday, November 17, 2023, the work began for selecting the next President of Grambling State University. The selection committee includes many GramFam members to include the following:
Virgil Robinson
James Bradford
David Aubrey
President Rick Gallot
Dr. Tammy Richardson
Dr. Frederick Pinkney
Gary Poe
Coach Wilbert Ellis
Alexa Johnson
Rodney Welch
Mayor Alvin Bradley Sr
If you missed the kickoff meeting you can watch it on YouTube by clicking here: clicking here
You can watch future sessions 'live' on YouTube. Click here
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Dewanna J. Rene
GUNAA Scholarship Chair
gunaascholarships@gmail.com
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Announcing GUNAA scholarships
GUNAA will give a minimum of $20K in scholarships to be distributed next semester.
Be on the lookout for more details to be posted on our social channels and website.
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Yard Signs - For Sale!
We have a limited supply of Life Membership and Membership Yard Signs for Sale. To purchase, click the link. This is the perfect opportunity to show your school pride! Go Tigers !! Membership Chairperson: Crystal Sayles
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GramFam Can Purchase the above artwork on Print ($220) or Canvas ($2600). Every sale will result in a contribution to GUNAA. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase the Bayou Classic 50th Anniversary Commemorative Artwork
"Classic Cat's Eye View" - by Grambling Alumni Daryl Triplett. Click here to buy
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LOOK FOR THE LABEL!
Please help support our school by purchasing from licensed vendors only --so a % of sales can go back to GSU.
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Rufus Harris Alumni Chapter
(Birmingham, AL)
Recruiting future students for GSU at Troup County High's HBCU College Fair.
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Marion B. Coulter Chapter
(Alpharetta, GA)
Supporting the Men's Basketball Team as they played against Delaware State in the HBCU All Stars Challenge in Atlanta on November 17th.
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Martha Adams Chapter
(Baton Rouge, LA)
Recruiting future GSU students at Kentwood High Magnet School's College and Career Fair.
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Southern California Chapter
The SoCal Chapter participated in two college fairs - same day! Foshay Learning Center and View Park Prep College Fairs
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Mildred S. Jones Chapter
(Alexandria, LA)
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Windy City Chapter
(Chicago IL)
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Kimberlie Page
GUNAA member, Kimberlie Page was recently featured in Dance Data Project's Point by Pointe - Innovation & Entrepreneurship newsletter and her organization's newsfeed -- Dallas Black Dance Theater (DBDT).
DBDT expressed their gratitude for her lasting impact across the DFW metroplex! DBDT also congratulated Kim for being elected the Chair of the Arts Commission for the City of McKinney.
Read Article
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PURCHASE Basketball SEASON TICKETS | | |
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It's Basketball Season
Purchase season tickets for $75 in support of the basketball season. The staff will donate any unused tickets to kids and other organizations in the local community. Click here to purchase
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Exit 81 - New Social Media App
A Premier Grambling State University digital fan club dedicated to uniting athletes, fans, and alums. Exit 81 aims to drive the championship spirit and rich traditions of Grambling State forward.
Down the app by scanning the QR code.
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The NBA HBCU All-Star Game will be in Phoenix, AZ on the weekend of Valentine's Day (2.17.24 to 2.19.24). We will share more information as it becomes available so you may properly plan your trip. | |
All we do is WIN-WIN-WIN no matter WHAT- WHAT-WHAT... | | |
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Congrats to our Women's Soccer Team
Both REGULAR Season and SWAC Tournament CHAMPS. We see ya'll showing "owt!" Coach Justin Wagner also took home the hardware.... Our team also played in the first round of the NCAA Soccer tournament (15-5-4, 8-0-1).
CONGRATS all around, we are proud of you.
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Congrats to our Women's Basketball Team!
Congrats to Coach Courtney Simmons and every member of the team in their victory over Arizona State University, a Power 5 team in the PAC10. GSU won 70 to 67. GSU has not beate a Power 5 school since 2018. GO SWAC!
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Thank you for supporting the Port City Classic ! | |
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Lady Tigers were seated in 6th place for the SWAC Tournament/championship held in Houston, TX at Prairie View A&M University. | | | |
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Meet us on GSU's campus as we welcome a new cohort of alumni into GUNAA
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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
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GUNAA National Alumni Office Hours | |
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Monday - Thursday
9 am - 3 pm CST and peak periods on Fridays. Email: office@gunaa.org
Phone: 318.247.6770
P.O. Box 565 Grambling, LA 71245
www.gunaa.org
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GUNAA has 9 types of membership:
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Regular Membership -- Anyone who attended or graduated from Grambling State University and pays GUNAA membership through a local chapter. First year graduates shall receive complimentary national membership the balance of their graduation year plus one additional year, providing they become an active member of their local chapter within the window of the complementary national membership period.
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Member-At-Large -- Anyone who attended or graduated from Grambling State University that elects to be a member of the National Association only and pays the set fee established by the Association. They shall be entitled to all privileges and rights, except to hold office in the National Association or serve on a National Committee.
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Associate Membership -- Anyone who did not attend Grambling State University may become a member of the National Association upon payment of fees as set by the Association through a local chapter. They shall be entitled to all privileges and rights, except to hold office in the National Association.
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Associate Member-At-Large -- Anyone who did not attend Grambling State University may become a member of the National Association upon payment of fees as set by the Association. They shall be entitled to all privileges and rights, except to hold office in the National Association or serve on a National Committee.
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Life Membership -- Any Alumnus of Grambling State University can become a Life Member of the Association upon meeting the criteria as set forth in the Bylaws. A couple (husband/wife) can become life members at a fee established by the Board of Directors
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Honorary Membership -- Bestowed upon those individuals living or deceased, who are not graduates of Grambling State University and who have made noteworthy contributions to the University or the Association. They shall be entitled to all privileges and rights, except to hold office in the National Association.
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Business or Corporate Membership -- Bestowed upon businesses and corporations which contribute $500.00 or more annually to the Association and shall have all the privileges and rights, except to vote or hold office in the Local or National Association.
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Student Membership -- This membership is formally known as the Student Alumni Association (SAA). It is open to all students at Grambling State University. Additional requirements are set forth in the SAA Bylaws, which should not conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Grambling University National Alumni Association (GUNAA). These members shall not have voting privileges in the national association.
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Chapter -- The requirements for the establishment and responsibilities of Chapters will be set forth by the Association in the Chapter Handbook, which should not conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of GUNAA. All newly chartered chapters shall be approved by majority vote of the Board.
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We encourage all officers, regional representatives, committee chairs, and chapters to contribute content via gunaacommunications@gmail.com | | | | |
