Grambling State News

Proceeds will aid establishment of $100K endowment

History was made on August 22, 2024, when Grambling State University (GSU) ushered in the dawn of a new age with the grand opening of the Digital Library and Learning Commons – the first structure of its kind at an HBCU and the only in the state of Louisiana.

And now, a limited number of people have an opportunity to own a part of that history.

Grambling State is offering an exclusive opportunity to own a limited edition (only 500 prints are available), signed, and numbered 30×40 print of the Digital Library & Learning Commons — a significant landmark in the history of Grambling State University and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the nation.

This print not only commemorates the first-ever digital library building at an HBCU but also represents a bold vision for the future of education, research, and access to knowledge within the Black community. With only 500 limited edition prints available, this exclusive artwork is a timeless reminder of the pioneering spirit that defines Grambling State University.

Those acquiring this historic piece of art will not only be celebrating the legacy of Grambling State University but also directly contributing to the establishment of a $100,000 endowment for the Digital Library and Learning Commons.

That endowment will ensure that future generations of students benefit from cutting-edge digital resources, collaborative spaces, and opportunities for learning beyond traditional classroom walls.

Vice President for Advancement and Innovation Brandon A. Logan stressed that purchasers will become owners of a part of Grambling State’s history while making a crucial investment in the institution itself.

“The opening of the Digital Library & Learning Commons at Grambling State University marks a pivotal moment in our institution’s history, as we embrace the future of education and innovation,” Logan said. “This limited edition print not only commemorates the first digital library on an HBCU campus but also provides a rare opportunity for our community and supporters to directly invest in the legacy of learning we are building.

“All net proceeds will go towards establishing an endowment for the library, ensuring that future generations of students have access to cutting-edge resources in a space that honors our rich history while shaping the future.”

The painting was created during the ribbon-cutting ceremony itself by Darryl Tripplett, who earned a bachelor’s degree in art education and a Master’s degree in art and humanities as a GSU student.

A New Orleans native, Tripplett was an All-American football player at Highland Community College in Kansas before playing his final two collegiate years at GSU under Coach Eddie Robinson.

Tripplett has created widely recognized paintings, including the 20th Bayou Classic football game program, an image for the 2003 LSU National Championship Football Team, and a piece celebrating the New Orleans Saints as Super Bowl champions.

A space to connect, create, and collaborate, the state-of-the-art, 50,000 square foot Digital Library and Learning Commons is designed to support all aspects of learning. With more than 150 computer stations, 17,000 square feet of study space, and multipurpose space for events, meetings, and seminars, it is the ultimate intersection of academics, curiosity, and community.

Digital Library and Learning Commons Dean Adrienne Webber said the painting is designed to allow the excitement surrounding the ribbon-cutting/grand opening of the facility to live on forever.

“I wanted to do something that was different and bring it to the university as a possible fundraising idea,” Webber said. “Something like this happened at another institution where I worked and I wanted to make sure we were doing the first of something and I wanted to make sure the (ribbon-cutting event) would live on in history and it wouldn’t be just a one-time happening.

“The painting allows the excitement of having a one-of-a-kind facility among HBCUs and the state of Louisiana to live on in perpetuity.”

Each 30×40 limited edition print is available for $275, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of history while supporting the future of education.

To purchase, please visit link.gram.edu/libraryprint.