Grambling State University opened on November 1, 1901 as the Colored Industrial and Agricultural School. It was founded by the North Louisiana Colored Agriculture Relief Association, organized in 1896 by a group of African-American farmers who wanted to organize and operate a school for African Americans in their region of the state.
In response to the Association’s request for assistance, Tuskegee Institute’s Booker T. Washington sent Charles P. Adams to help the group organize an industrial school. Adams became its founding president.
In 1905, the school moved to its present location and was renamed the North Louisiana Agricultural and Industrial School. By 1928, after becoming a state junior college and being renamed the Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute, the school began to award two-year professional certificates and diplomas.
In 1936, the curriculum emphasis shifted to rural teacher education; students were able to receive professional teaching certificates after completing a third academic year.
The first baccalaureate degree was awarded in 1944, in elementary education. In 1946, the school became Grambling College, named after P.G. Grambling, the white sawmill owner who had donated the parcel of land where the school was constructed. In addition to elementary educators, Grambling prepared secondary teachers and added curricula in sciences, liberal arts and business, transforming the college from a single purpose institution of teacher education into a multipurpose college. In 1949, the college earned its first accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
In 1974, the addition of graduate programs in early childhood and elementary education gave the school a new status and a new name – Grambling State University. The university expanded and prospered between 1977 and 2000. Several new academic programs were incorporated and new facilities were added to the 384-acre campus, including a business and computer science building, school of nursing, student services building, stadium, stadium support facility and an intramural sports center.
Founded as Colored Industrial and Agricultural School
Moved to its present location at 403 Main Street in Grambling, La.
Named changed to Grambling State University
Pictured: Original site of the Colored Industrial and Agricultural School, now Grambling State University (courtesy of GSU Archives)
Ralph W.E. Jones
1936-1977
Charles P. Adams
1901-1936
Joseph B. Johnson
1977-1991
Richard J. Gallot, Jr.
2016 - 2024
As Grambling State established its new beginning the administration also took care to honor Grambling State’s strong, prestigious history. In 2010, the following nine buildings were added to National Register of Historic Buildings.
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Original Name: Long Hall Original Use: Administration/Classrooms Year Built: 1939 Current Name: Long-Jones Hall Current Use: Administration |
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Original Name: Jewett Hall Original Use: Senior Women's Dormitory Year Built: 1939 Current Name: Jewett Hall Current Use: Women's Dormitory |
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Original Name: Gymnasium/Auditorium Original Use: Gymnasium/Auditorium Year Built: 1939 Current Name: Eddie Robinson Museum Current Use: Museum |
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Original Name: Lee Hall Original Use: Library Year Built: 1939 Current Name: Lee Hall Current Use: Financial Aid |
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Original Name: Physical Education and Health Building Original Use: Gymnasium Year Built: 1954 Current Name: Men's Memorial Gymnasium Current Use: Gymnasium |
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Original Name: The Auditorium Original Use: Auditorium Year Built: 1960 Current Name: T. H. Harris Auditorium Current Use: Auditorium |
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Original Name: Brown Hall Original Use: Freshmen Women's Dormitory Year Built: 1956 Current Name: Brown Hall Current Use: Classrooms/Administration |
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Original Name: Women' Teachers Hall Original Use: Housing for Female Teachers Year Built: 1943 Current Name: Student Conduct and Academic Advisement Current Use: Administration |
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Original Name: Infirmary Original Use: Infirmary Year Built: 1943 Current Name: Foster-Johnson Health Center Current Use: Infirmary/Counseling Center |