Grambling State News

University Uses $50,000 “Retool Your School” Winnings to Improve Study Spaces and More  

GRAMBLING, La. – July 1, 2020 – Grambling State prepares for students to return to a distancing-friendly campus using the $50,000 prize from The Home Depot’s 2020 “Retool Your School” competition. Campus updates can be expected in Carver Hall, The Tiger Den, and other prominent outdoor areas of the campus.  

“Our Student Affairs Team and SGA conducted a survey that received over 500 responses about where students felt the campus updates would be most beneficial,” said Gourjoine Wade, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. “We were able to combine some of the final suggestions into one multilayered project based on cost estimates, sustainability, and the need for increased safety.” 

The University garnered unprecedented support to the tune of hundreds of thousands of tweets containing the hashtag #Grambling_RYS20 to win the online competition. Other top prize winners were Jackson State University, Southern A&M University, and Stillman College.  

“It was powerful to see everyone coming together on social media for weeks to make sure the prize went to GSU,” said Student Government President Steven Wilson. “Using the funds to help students stay at safe distances in the areas where we spend the most collective time will keep us safer when we return to campus.”  

Energy-efficient lighting will illuminate interior common areas and exterior green spaces so students, faculty, staff, and community members can study, research, engage, and interact within appropriate safe distances. The University will also install modern, sustainable furnishings that can be easily moved apart to give students safe and comfortable areas to support their social and emotional well-being.

Relaxation spaces will also provide students with a quiet room that will serve as havens to practice self-care. A collaborative effort between key campus partners will conduct quality assurance inspections and practice ongoing industry recommended cleaning and maintenance of all lights, furnishings, and equipment to ensure the project’s sustainability. 

“Investments from partners like The Home Depot are essential to our continued success at maintaining a student-centered experience at Grambling State,” President Rick Gallot said.  

The Home Depot “Retool Your School Program” has provided over $2.6 million in campus improvement grants for HBCUs to make sustainable improvements to their campuses.  

Potential partners who would like to contribute to Grambling State’s ongoing infrastructure and safety plans can contact Marc Newman, Vice President for Advancement, at advancementservices@gram.edu.