ULS Board names Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. new president of Grambling State University
The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Thursday afternoon to name Dr. Martin Lemelle as the next president of Grambling State University.
“To this illustrious Board, to our Gram Fam across the globe, to our students, current and future, to our alumni community, my family, friends, and supporters … This is our story. This is the Grambling State University story,” Lemelle said.
The Grambling Presidential Search Committee narrowed the field to three finalists, Dr. Gregory Ford, Dr. Monica Williams, and Lemelle after interviewing six semifinalists on Grambling’s campus earlier this month.
“Dr. Lemelle’s appointment as the 11th president of Grambling State University guarantees a leader well-prepared on day one,” said Rick Gallot, who left the Grambling presidency to assume the role of UL System President and CEO at the start of the year . “I am confident that under President Lemelle’s leadership, Grambling State University will continue to thrive with its best days yet to come.”
Lemelle is a 2006 graduate and former student government association president of Grambling. He has most recently served as executive vice president & chief financial officer at Maryland Institute College of Art. Prior, he served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at GSU from 2016-2021.
Gallot and Board Chair Dr. Jimmy Clarke are authorized to negotiate Lemelle’s start date.