The Honors College had a packed agenda as its lecture series approached the end of the Spring 2013 semester. In previous seminars the Honors College presented two speakers per week, but on Monday, there were three presenters.
The event opened with William Sutton, Grambling State University’s public relations acting director. Sutton gave an overview on the evolution of journalism by enlighting the audience with the complexities and advancements from the 1970s to the 2000s with a Power Point presentation. One piece that brought obvious bewilderment to the faces of most was a picture of the Royal typewriter.
“I was amazed by how far the tools and technology have come. Now we have iPhones and PCs to do the same thing that the typewriter used to do,” said Burgundy Hammond, a sophomore, criminal justice major.
Hammond described Sutton’s presentation as “very informative and entertaining.”
Sutton was followed by Student Government Association president, Jonathan Allen who outlined projects that his administration have started or developed.
Allen said among the projects was a student discount card, which is available to GSU students for use at several businesses in the area. Allen and his administration has also been making progress in expanding the bandwidth to provide better internet service on campus. He also gave insight into the Bills that were voted on in last week’s elections. He noted that the bill for the student assessed $1 fee for a recycling program was passed. The bill to increase the theatre fee to $5 was also passed.
Allen was asked why a bill for a new library was not on last week’s ballot. He explained that before a Bill is placed on a ballot it must go through several stages, and must get approval from the University of Louisiana System Board, but was removed from the agenda.
“Allen was very informative, and was able to give insight into the pros and cons of certain Bills,” said Ebony Wilson, honors student and sophomore nursing major.
The final speaker was former GSU baseball coach and legend, Wilbert Ellis who gave the audience a history of the late Eddie G. Robinson and how the Robinson Museum came to be built at Grambling.
Ellis told the audience anecdotes of Coach Robinson; from the time he was hired as GSU’s football coach to the end of his 57 year career. Ellis also pointed out that when the idea to build the museum came about, some people wanted it to be built off the I-20 or in Shreveport, but Coach Robinson insisted that it be built in Grambling.
Ellis reminded all present that thanks to Coach Rob, over 200 men GSU made it to the NFL.
“I wish each one of you had the opportunity to meet Eddie Robinson,” Ellis said.