New Grambling State University project allows alumni, faculty, staff, students, supporters for purchase bricks to say “I was here” at new campus icon
Grambling State University graduate Anita “Alexis” Dominique is the first alum, student and person to have a brick purchased for placement on GSU’s new Legacy Square.
Dominique’s “legacy brick” is one of 60 bricks purchased since the bricks went on sale May 27. In a short few days, university alumni, faculty, staff, students and supporters have been calling, emailing and visiting to make sure they get a special spot with the limited space available in the newly-named Legacy Square. Dominique feels special.
“It feels pretty good,” she said during an interview. “From my understanding, they are going to put the bricks by the tiger and we’re going to be there forever.”
Carolyn Collier, interim executive director for alumni affairs, said the project has had a big jump start with about 60 bricks purchased in just a few days, all without a lot of publicity. She said the circle around the tiger will hold about 1,000 bricks, and once the circle is filled, bricks will be added to the north, east, south and west sidewalks. Bricks purchased by August 1 will be installed in time for homecoming this fall, she said.
Dominique, 22, graduated last month with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Dominique, who played soccer four years at GSU, plans to attend graduate school in the fall at Grambling State University with the goal of one day becoming a probation officer or a social worker. Anita’s grandmother, whose name is also Anita Dominique, 64, heard about the new project and purchased a brick for her granddaughter, making the younger Anita Dominique the first one with a brick.
“I’m so excited she graduated,” said the elder Dominique, swelling with joy during a telephone interview from Sacramento, California. “She is the first grandchild to graduate from college and a black university…. The history that’s going to go along with that brick is exciting. “We also have other family members that have graduated from Grambling and we are pleased to be able to add her to the family of Gramblinites,” added the elder Dominique.
“Anyone who has a tie with Grambling, who wants to have a commemorative brick is welcome to do so,” said Collier. “When you purchase a brick you will receive a beautiful certificate that can be framed, which shows the brick and how it will be worded.”
GSU President Frank G. Pogue’s dream is to have the GSU legends around the Legacy Square: faculty, athletes, students and alumni. “Eddie the Fighting Tiger is about helping keep our enrollment up,” Pogue said during a recent Legacy Square brick event as he noted that it is the big, new icon drawing a lot of attention on campus. “Now the fights are over who is going to take the picture first. The fighting tiger has received a lot of attention, and it’s right by the Eddie Robinson Museum. The location of Legacy Square was no accident.”
Stacey Duhon, interim vice president for institutional advancement, said the square is a place where alums, students and others visit to “stroke Eddie's tail” or simply to gather, a place “to say this is where we belong.”
Added Duhon, “We belong in front of the Eddie Robinson Museum and your name on the walkway will show the kids, the day, time, and that you were here.”
Bricks ordered before August 1 are discounted at $200. After August 1, brick prices will carry the regular price of $250. Each brick has eighteen characters per line and four lines per brick. Collier said funds raised for this special project will provide scholarships for GSU students.
Those interested in purchasing a brick can make checks/money orders payable to:
Grambling University Foundation, Inc.
c/o Office of Institutional Advancement
P.O. Box 587
Grambling, Louisiana 71245
Or, contact the alumni affairs office at 318-274-6404 or 318-274-2217.
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About Grambling State University
Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, is a historically black university founded in 1901. The University has been accredited by 13 accrediting associations and holds accreditations in all programs required by the Louisiana Board of Regents. The 590-acre campus offers 47 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Grambling State University is a member of the University of Louisiana System.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Tuesday, June 10th 2014 at 4:45PM
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