Grambling State University celebrated the 25th anniversary of Earl Lester Cole Honors College with the induction of 39 outstanding students into the 26th cohort of the Honors College on Oct. 29.
The Honors College was named after Earl Lester Cole, who began his tenure at Grambling in 1936 as a science teacher and was appointed vice president in 1969. He was affectionately called “Dean Cole,” even after he assumed the vice presidency.
E’VONNE GIPSON/GSU Media Bureau
Freshman Breyana Robinson is pinned by Melanie C. Thomas, becoming one of the newest Earl Lester Cole Honors College members.
He is remembered for his active involvement in implementing curriculum, which is considered to be the cornerstone to courses still being offered at Grambling. Even after his retirement in 1977, Cole remained active at GSU and continued to advise members of the faculty and administrators. He passed away at the age of 89.
“The Earl Lester Cole Honors College was established at Grambling State University in 1990 to increase challenges for academically talented students, who desire additional intellectual and unique educational experiences, and who show readiness to take greater individual responsibility for extending their academic, personal and social development while completing requirements in their chosen degree,” said Ellen Smiley, dean of the Honors College.
“We are extremely proud of our current students and graduates for their accomplishments over the past 25 years.”
The inductees names, majors, grades and hometowns are: Alickson Alexander, computer science, sophomore, Grand Bay, Dominica; Alexis Ashley, elementary education, sophomore, Shreveport; Noelle Barnes, elementary education, sophomore, San Bernardino, California; Shareika Benjamin, accounting, senior, Portsmouth, Dominica; Asha Bronson, history, junior, Los Angeles; Debrielle Browder, criminal justice, senior, Compton, California; Riki Burroughs, criminal justice, sophomore, Las Vegas; Lainey Clayton, management, junior, Old Hickory, Tennessee; Eddie Crane, biology, sophomore, Edgewood, Texas; Yolonda Decker-Williams, biology, sophomore, Pearland, Texas; Agnita Degallerie-Peters, physics, sophomore, Roseau, Dominica; Ryan Dillard, mass communication, sophomore, Simsboro; Katerra Dooley, biology, sophomore, New Orleans; Tiffany Doss, biology, sophomore, New Orleans; Rayshun Hawkins, social work, sophomore, West Monroe; Malikah Jackson, accounting/CIS, sophomore, McKinney, Texas; Ke’Yon Jones, biology, sophomore, Lisbon; and Kiana Jones, biology, sophomore, Natchez, Mississippi.
The officers of the Earl Lester Cole Honors College Student Organization are (from left) Earl Lester Cole Honors College La’Terious Pouncy, Secretary Tafadzwa Chiridza, Student Assistant to the Dean Yolanda Decker-Williams, Miss Earl Lester Cole Honors College Raven Croft, President Prentiss Smiley and Vice President Jeirlyn Augustine.
More inductees include Imani Kimble, biology, sophomore, Las Vegas; Arianna Kossie, music education, junior, Lancaster, Texas; Allen Mays, mass communication, junior, Little Rock, Arkansas; Kisha McCoy, social work, junior, Roseau, Dominica; Sheniqua Moss, social work, junior, Ruston; Mecca Muhammad, math and physics, junior, Ruston; Yunique’ Murphy, mass communication, sophomore, Norman, Ohio; Destinee Perkins, management/marketing, sophomore, Las Vegas; La’Terious Pouncy, accounting, junior, Bossier City; Kenneth Rhodes, engineering technology, senior, Bienville; Bryana Robinson, management, freshman, Grambling; Faron Rush, management, sophomore, Iowa City, Iowa; Jasmine Starks, kinesiology/health promotion, junior, Winnfield; Karlisa Travers, theatre, junior, Shreveport; Ariel Webb, accounting, sophomore, Homer; Alexis White, biology, sophomore, Arcadia; Emily Williams, accounting, senior, Portsmouth, Dominica; Jaime Williams, biology, sophomore, Ruston; Mercedes Williams, biology, sophomore, Roseville, California; and Brittney Woods, special education, sophomore, Ruston.
In order to become a member of the Honors College, freshman students must have an ACT score of 23 or above and a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher. Upperclassman with a GPA of 3.5 and higher can apply to become a member of the Honors College with three letters of recommendation.
“We are asking persons to support the Honors College with a donation to our fundraising campaign,” said Prentiss Smiley, president of the Earl Lester Cole Honors College Student Organization. “Funds will be used to award scholarships, provide technology enhancement and educational resources, ensure conference travel for students and faculty, support research, service and other scholarly activities, to purchase honors college memorabilia for recruitment purposes, and to support the graduating seniors’ medallion luncheon.”
Donations can be sent via check or money order to: Earl Lester Cole Honors College, Grambling State University, GSU Box 4208, Grambling, LA 71245.