Dr. Connie Walton, the new interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, set sail on her first day of work, exemplifying what it means to give back to alma mater.
At the beginning of the spring semester, the university was alerted that Dr. Robert Dixon resigned and Dr. Walton would be assigned to the position. Dr. Walton is the former dean of the largest college on campus, the College of Arts and Sciences.
She is a graduate of the class of 1983 of Grambling State University.
Her goals for returning to Grambling were to reach out to the community and contribute to the university that gave her a chance to educate the students, she said.
She is looking forward to working with Dr. Pogue on increasing admission and making sure that the university is well prepared for the review of the QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan).
She also spoke on how the transition would be easy, but the work would be challenging.
“We are keeping the students, as well as the community, alert of the changes that are taking place … Everything that administration is working on is for the good of the university and city of Grambling,” said Dr. Walton.
She talked about plans for the year as well as long-term ones, among which are the opening of the Eddie G. Robinson museum, the new Performing Arts Building (Dunbar) and the renovation of the library.
The latter might mean a construction of a new library building on the empty spot where Wheatley high-rise was once housed. Dr. Walton also shared how blessed she felt to be able to come back to Grambling as an educator.
“My goal is to hopefully have an impact on the faculty, community and especially students, to help change their outlook on life while they are completing one of the most important journeys their lives,” she said.
Dr. Evelyn Wynn is now the interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences until Dr. Walton returns to the position.