Two peas in a pod are what they are. Courageous, ambitious, accountable, and the epitome of success are just a few terms that describe them best.
Cynthia and Martin Lemelle Jr., a tag team duo, is a force to be reckoned with. Anyone who has been on the Grambling State University campus for any time can tell you about the Lemelle powerhouse. These native Gramblinites have a dynamic presence not only at the university but in the community as well. Those who come across their paths are enlightened and inspired to achieve.
Martin Lemelle Jr., a Tiger in the making, graduated as valedictorian in 2002 from Grambling Laboratory High School. Once at GSU, Martin wasted no time making his mark as a GSU gem. As a freshman Lemelle was elected freshman class president, and later elected SGA vice president, student senate president, and SGA president all before his senior year.
Besides his SGA reign, Lemelle has served as a member of the Favrot Student Union Advisory Board, National Association of Black Accountants, and the past Polemarch of the Gamma Psi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Lemelle is also the former host of Good Morning Grambling, an informative talk show on KGRM 91.5 FM and a member of Entourage Performing Arts Group.
Lemelle has positioned himself in the corporate world. He has been the "ultimate intern." In 2004, he completed an internship at Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Dallas, and during the 2005 summer, he interned with Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu in Washington D.C. He recently completed a six month cooperative education assignment with International Business Machines (IBM) in Southbury, Conn.
Lemelle appeared on the March 2006 cover of the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal, a distinct honor received after being named the Southwestern Province Undergraduate Brother of the Year. Now a Grambling State University Alumnus with a bachelors’ in accounting, Lemelle will begin a two-year rotational assignment with General Electric in their Financial Management Program.
Lemelle’s success did not just happen over night, but partly from the fine tuning and grooming of his mother, business etiquette guru, Cynthia Lemelle.
C. Lemelle, a Summa Cum Laude graduate of GSU, has enjoyed an 18 year university career. She leaves Grambling as the director of Career Services. At the close of her Grambling career, Lemelle plans to further her entrepreneurial pursuits and expound on her civic and community endeavors.
During her Grambling career she also served as assistant professor in the College of Business, special assistant to the President, interim vice president for finance, director of development, and internal auditor. Those who know her best are familiar with the 12x12x12 theory that she instills in all students.
"People judge you twelve feet away, twelve inches away, and the first twelve words that come out of your mouth," said Lemelle.
Lemelle served as the coordinator for the first leadership conference geared towards student leaders in partnership with Earl Lester Cole Honors College through a grant from Procter and Gamble. As a successful grant writer, Lemelle secured $85,000 to develop the Young Entrepreneurship Program for undergraduates and 6-12th graders. Lemelle established a plethora of corporate partnerships for the university with over 60 companies.
including: Nike, ESPN, NBA, Hersheys, Procter & Gamble, KPMG, State Farm, IBM, Federal Express, ChevronTexaco, and the FBI. Being a mover and shaker Lemelle branched out on her own as the founder and chief executive officer of Den-Mart Enterprises, an African American Youth Money Management Program. Presently, Lemelle is a Senior Sales Representative for Mary Kay Cosmetics and a Financial Services Representative for Primerica Financial Services.
Lemelle holds membership in the National Association of Black Accountants, Black Executive Exchange Program, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Accountability + Productivity equals Success and this is just what the Lemelles have brought to Grambling State University. Martin says, "The only way to achieve excellence in anything is to give it everything." Cynthia Lemelle states, "I want the students to be better than the best. They always need to remember to compete at a higher level in order to improve.
As they embark on two separate journeys, they will definitely be missed by the students, faculty, and administrators. Grambling graduate, Ashlee Spearman states, "Career Services will never be the same. Mrs. Lemelle brought so much energy and enthusiasm to the students. Her absence will definitely be felt." Senior, Kourtney Giles said, "Martin is destined for great things. He has made his community and Gone yes, but certainly not forgotten, Lemelles are definitely on the M.O.V.E. (Monumental Opportunities through Vision and Empowerment).