Grambling State University has changed the name of recently acquired property formally known as Grambling State University West Campus.
In honor of the university’s longest serving president, R.W.E. Jones, effective Tuesday the university’s 157- acre west campus is called Grambling State University West Campus: R.W.E Jones Annex. The naming was approved by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors at its monthly meeting Tuesday morning.
From 1936 until 1977, Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones, often referred to as “Prez,” served as president. Before that, he worked at Grambling for 10 years as a math professor, band director of the World Famed Tiger Marching Band and dean of men.
“His legacy is one of honor and respect during his lifetime,” said Grambling President Frank G. Pogue in a news release. “He led Grambling State University during a time of scarce resources and built a strong foundation on which we continue to build our academics today.”
In addition to the west campus naming, the university requested, and the system board approved, the naming of the president’s university home and an annex building attaching to the Washington-Johnson Complex.
Honoring the late Allen Williams, former chair of the Department of Speech and Theatre, the university has named the annex building, at corner of R.W.E. Jones Drive and College Avenue the Allen Williams Annex.
Before Allen’s retirement in 2004, Williams built an academic legacy as professor and chair. Allen’s most memorable accomplishment was the establishment of a student-ran radio station, KGRM-FM (91.5). The radio station provides hands-on learning broadcasting experiences for Grambling students while listeners in three states enjoy various music genres. “Dr. Williams’ determination and perseverance were keys in establishing KGRM, which today receives numerous broadcast awards,” said Pogue.
“Were it not for Dr. Allen Williams, there would be no KGRM,” said Joyce Evans, the radio station’s general manager who served as a student worker under Williams from 1970 through 1974. “What started out as a 10-watt training facility for radio majors, is now a 50,000-watt radio station…”
The home where Pogue and his wife, Dorothy Pogue, live on campus was built in 1984. Grambling President Joseph B. Johnson and his wife, the late Lula Young Johnson, were the first president and first lady to live in the 4,940-square-foot home. In honor of Mrs. Johnson, a Grambling alum that also worked as a counselor at the Alma B. Brown Elementary School on campus, the home now carries the name Johnson Place.
The three requests were approved by the ULS Board, as required. Separately, in an action not requiring board approval, Pogue announced that Robinson Stadium, where the football team plays home games, will be called Eddie G. Robinson Stadium in honor of the university’s longest serving football coach and the winningest NCAA Division I football coach.