Grambling State University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
Grambling State University (GSU), a historically black university (HBCU) in Grambling, Louisiana, has been a cradle for talent across various fields. From entertainment and sports to politics and business, Grambling alumni have made significant contributions to society. This article highlights some of the university's most distinguished graduates and their remarkable achievements.
Historical Roots and Development
Grambling State University's origins trace back to 1901 when it was founded as the North Louisiana Agricultural and Industrial School. The institution was born out of the desire of African-American farmers in rural North Louisiana to educate their communities. The North Louisiana Colored Agriculture Relief Association, led by Lafayette Richmond, played a pivotal role in organizing and operating the school.
Initially, the association sought assistance from Booker T. Washington of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Charles P. Adams took charge, and the Colored Industrial and Agricultural School officially opened on November 1, 1901. In 1905, the school relocated to its current site and was renamed the North Louisiana Agricultural and Industrial School.
Over the years, the institution evolved, offering two-year professional certificates and diplomas by 1928, becoming a state junior college. In 1936, the program was reorganized to emphasize rural education, known as "The Louisiana Plan." Professional teaching certificates were awarded with the addition of a third year in 1936, and the first baccalaureate degree in elementary education was awarded in 1944.
In 1946, the institution's name changed to Grambling College in honor of P. G. Grambling, a white sawmill owner who donated land to the school. The college expanded its curricula to include sciences, liberal arts, and business, preparing secondary teachers. In 1949, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accredited the college.
Read also: Applying to Grambling State
From 1977 to 2000, Grambling experienced significant growth, incorporating several new academic programs. In 2019, the university broke ground for the first digital library on an HBCU campus.
Notable Alumni in Entertainment
Erykah Badu: The Queen of Neo Soul
Erykah Badu, born Erica Abi Wright in Dallas, Texas, is a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter. Before becoming the "Queen of Neo Soul," Badu honed her performance skills early, singing and dancing at local theater centers by age four. At Grambling, she pursued a degree in theater but left in 1993 to pursue music full-time.
After collaborating with D’Angelo on "Your Precious Love," she signed with Universal Records, releasing hits like "On & On" and "Tyrone." Badu's debut album, "Baduizm" (1997), placed her at the forefront of the neo-soul movement.
With six studio albums and five Grammy Awards, Badu remains a neo-soul pioneer. She has collaborated with artists such as Common, Busta Rhymes, Macy Gray, Pharrell, A Tribe Called Quest, and the Wu-Tang Clan. Badu has announced that she is working on a new studio album-her first in 15 years.
Natalie Desselle-Reid: A Star on Stage and Screen
Natalie Desselle-Reid discovered her passion for acting at Grambling State University. After starring in the university’s production of "Bubbling Brown Sugar," she knew acting was her calling. After nearly three years at Grambling, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time.
Read also: Affording Grambling State
Her breakout role came in 1996 as Tanika in "Set It Off." She appeared in other films, including "B.A.P.S.," "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella," and "Def Jam’s How to Be a Player." She also appeared on television shows such as "Family Matters," "Eve," and "Built to Last." One of her most notable roles was as Tammy in Tyler Perry’s "Madea’s Big Happy Family."
Desselle-Reid passed away in 2020 at the age of 53 after battling colon cancer.
E-40: A Rap Pioneer
Earl Tywone Stevens, known as E-40, briefly attended Grambling State before launching his successful rap career. E-40 is a founding member of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records.
E-40 made his rap debut in 1986 with the group Most Valuable Players. He signed a deal with Jive Records, appeared on Lil Jon’s single "Snap Yo Fingers," and released his hit single "Tell Me When to Go."
E-40 has released 27 studio albums, 7 collaborative albums, 6 compilation albums, 1 mixtape, 5 extended plays, and 38 singles. His popular singles include "Function" and "Rip."
Read also: Grambling's Gridiron Goals
Judi Ann Mason: Television Writer, Producer and Playwright
Judi Ann Mason was a television writer, producer, and playwright, with credits that include "Good Times", "Sanford and Son", "A Different World", "Beverly Hills, 90210", "I’ll Fly Away", "American Gothic", "Generations", and "Guiding Light."
Sporting Legends
Willis Reed: Basketball Icon
Willis Reed Jr. was a basketball player, coach, and general manager. Before becoming a seven-time NBA All-Star, Reed played for the Grambling State Tigers men’s basketball team under coach Fred Hobdy. As a freshman, he became a starter and helped his team win the NAIA tournament.
During his senior year, Reed averaged 26.6 points and 21.3 rebounds per game, with a career total of 2,280 points. He led the Tigers to a 108-17 record, three Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) titles, and one NAIA championship.
In the 1969-1970 season, Reed led the New York Knicks to their first NBA Championship. He became the only player in NBA history to earn MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and NBA Finals MVP in a single season. After playing with the Knicks for 10 years, Reed retired from the NBA in 1974.
After retiring from the NBA, Reed coached the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, and New Jersey Nets, and also coached at the college level with Creighton University. He also served as general manager of the New Jersey Nets and later as senior vice president of basketball operations.
Reed passed away in 2023 at the age of 80.
Doug Williams: A Trailblazing Quarterback
Douglas Lee Williams is a former American football quarterback and coach, currently serving as a senior advisor for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Williams is best known for his performance with the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos, making him the first black quarterback to both start and win a Super Bowl. He was named Super Bowl MVP after breaking two Super Bowl passing records: 340 yards total and four touchdowns in a single quarter. Williams also served as the head football coach at Grambling State University.
Paul "Tank" Younger: A Football Pioneer
Paul Lawrence "Tank" Younger played fullback, halfback, and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) from 1949 through 1958. He played college football for Grambling State University and was the first NFL player from a predominantly black college and the first African American to become an NFL front-office administrator (scout and executive with the Rams until 1975).
Ernie Ladd: Football and Wrestling Star
Ernest L. Ladd, nicknamed "the Big Cat", was an American football defensive tackle and professional wrestler. Ladd attended Grambling State University on a basketball scholarship before being drafted into the American Football League (AFL). Ladd found success in the AFL and later transitioned to professional wrestling.
Buck Buchanan: A Defensive Force
Junious "Buck" Buchanan played defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). Buchanan was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Sammy White
Sammy White is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL).
Gary Johnson
Gary Lynn "Big Hands" Johnson was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was a four-time All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He played the majority of his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers, and he was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame.
Frank Lewis
Frank Lewis is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills.
Willie Brown
Willie Brown is a former NFL cornerback and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Guy Prather
Guy Tyrone Prather was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played five seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
Carlton Hardy
Carlton Hardy is an American college baseball coach. He is the head baseball coach at Alcorn State University.
Lou Jackson
Louis Clarence Jackson was an American professional baseball player. Jackson, an outfielder, played Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball between 1958 and 1968, appearing in 34 games over parts of three seasons in the Majors for the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles, and in 329 games over three seasons in Japan for the Sankei Atoms.
Tommie Agee
Tommie Lee Agee was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a center fielder from 1962 through 1973, most notably as a member of the New York Mets team that became known as the Miracle Mets when, they rose from being perennial losers to defeat the favored Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 World Series for one of the most improbable upsets in World Series history.
Brion Rush
Brion Rush is an American professional basketball player for the Crailsheim Merlins of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL). He played college basketball for Grambling State University.
Political Figures and Leaders
Rick Gallot: Leading in Education and Politics
Richard Joseph Gallot Jr., known as Rick Gallot, was named president of the University of Louisiana System in October 2023 after serving nearly nine years as president of Grambling State. He also served as a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate for District 29.
Margaret Carter: A Trailblazer in Oregon Politics
Margaret Louise Carter is an American politician who served in the Oregon Legislative Assembly from 1985 to 1999 and 2001 to 2009. She was the first black woman elected to the state's legislature, serving in the Oregon House of Representatives until 1999 and then in the Oregon State Senate from 2001 to 2009.
Alicia Reece: Hamilton County Commissioner
Alicia Michelle Reece is a Democratic politician currently serving as a Hamilton County Commissioner. She formerly served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives for the 33rd district and was previously the Vice Mayor of Cincinnati from 2002 to 2007.
Cedric Glover: Former Mayor of Shreveport
Cedric Bradford Glover is a Democratic Party politician and a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, representing District 4. He was earlier the two-term mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana, the first African-American to hold that position.
Raychel Proudie
Raychel Crystal Proudie is an American politician who is a member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 73rd district in St. Louis County.
Bettye Davis
Bettye Davis is the first African-American member of the Alaska Senate and former member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 21st district
Legal and Justice System Professionals
Stephanie A. Finley: Former U.S. Attorney
Stephanie Ann Finley is the former United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana and a former nominee to be a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
Burl Cain: Corrections Officer and Warden
Nathan Burl Cain is an American corrections officer and prison warden who currently serves as the commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the former warden at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.
Other Notable Alumni
Ronnie Coleman: Bodybuilding Legend
Ronald Dean Coleman is an American former professional bodybuilder, widely regarded as the greatest bodybuilder of all time. Known as "The King," Coleman shares the record for most Mr. Olympia titles (eight) with Lee Haney.
Charles M. Blow: Journalist and Commentator
Charles McRay Blow is an American journalist, commentator, and former op-ed columnist for The New York Times and political analyst for MSNBC.
Bob French
Robert "Bob" French Sr. was an American jazz drummer and radio show host at WWOZ, from New Orleans, Louisiana. French led The Tuxedo Jazz Band from 1977 until his death in 2012.
Alma Dawson
Alma Dawson is an American scholar of librarianship. She retired as Russell B. Long Professor at the School of Library & Information Science, Louisiana State University in 2014 and was awarded Emeritus status in 2015.
Maestro Curtis
Maestro Curtis, also known as Maestro Brian, is an American musician, composer, producer, arranger and music executive.
Ivory V. Nelson
Ivory V. Nelson, American chemist, educator, and academic administrator.
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