President's Corner

By Willie D. Larkin, Ph.D.
President

Dear friends, colleagues, faculty, students, community and alumni,

As I reflect, deeply, on the many opportunities and challenges our venerable institution has endured over the past 114 years, I am left to ponder a number of immutable questions that give me pause to think, critically, on our legacy, present-day operations and future.

Join me on a journey of discovery and reflection as we ask age-old questions, “What if…?”

1. What if, by all or most measures, Grambling State University was identified as America’s best university?
2. What if administrators responded to all inquiries, questions, comments or complaints with the same zeal, tenacity and innovation as the best customer-service administrators nationally?
3. What if faculty changed class-seating arrangements to make the learning environment more engaging, exciting and thrilling?
4. What if Grambling had private-sector, sponsored and endowed Chairs, Directors and/or Scholars?
5. What if faculty would write more research proposals to help increase indirect cost for Grambling?
6. What if students participated in classroom discussions more openly, freely and with confidence?
7. What if students felt comfortable to approach faculty and ask for mentorship?
8. What if prospective students viewed Grambling as the University of Choice?
9. What if all faculty and staff contributed to the Grambling State University foundation annually?
10. What if all alumni starting giving $20 per month or $240 per year?
11. What if more alumni volunteered on campus annually?
12. What if greater numbers of alumni created fundraising campaigns through innovative projects?
13. What if Grambling’s retention, progression and graduation rates increased 100 fold?
14. What if faculty provided more hands-on mentorship to all students?
15. What if businesses in the local and surrounding community partnered more with Grambling by donating materials, paints, landscaping and other resources to beautify the campus?
16. What if the news media focused on Grambling State University’s positives more often?
17. What if the State of Louisiana viewed Grambling State University as a vital asset?
18. What if the State of Louisiana gave Grambling a competitive budget to eliminate some of the intractable infrastructure and financial challenges for the university?
19. What if the city of Grambling were to transform their community to become even more appealing?
20. What if Grambling State University could build new structures on campus, such as a brand new Student Support Services Building, a new library and new academic buildings?
21. What if the community no longer had Grambling State University?
22. What if Grambling State University no longer existed….?
23. What if…? What if…?

Together, we all have the answers to the question of “What If?” Join me and let’s make a bold statement to the world. Grambling is here to stay.