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Shreveport chapter gives donation

Grambling State University President Frank G. Pogue was surprised when Doug Mosley ended an otherwise enjoyable, though normal luncheon program by handing him an unexpected gift: A $10,000 donation.

“It was a great day for Grambling State University students when the Shreveport chapter of the Grambling State University National Alumni Association presented me with that check to establish an endowed scholarship for students,” said Pogue.

During a recent annual scholarship luncheon at the Clarion Hotel in Shreveport, the Grambling University National Alumni Association (GUNAA)-Shreveport
 Chapter commended Pogue for his university leadership then gave him an enlarged copy of a $10,000 check as visual evidence of the chapter’s commitment to endow a scholarship in the chapter’s name. 

“Our chapter has remained positive, focused and committed to GSU,”  said chapter president Douglas Mosley, a 1984 graduate who majored in electronics technology. “Our chapter knew this was a way we could help by making a donation. Our members were eager to do this. We will continue to be ambassadors for GSU by recruiting and encouraging students to attend and use every opportunity and setting to share information about the outstanding academic and co-curricula accomplishments at GSU.”

“As a chapter we are trying to do our part and we understand that giving back creates new opportunities for future Grambling alums,” added Mosley. “Ideas have a short shelf life, so we readily responded to the call and will continue to do so.”

Under Louisiana Board of Regents, University of Louisiana System and Grambling State University guidelines, a named endowed scholarship can be established with a minimum of $10,000. The interest from the gift is used to help a student with tuition, books, room and/or board, depending on the interest amount available.  Individual named scholarship endowments can be funded with a single gift, or with a pledge which is payable over a five year period. Such gifts are tax deductible, as allowed by law.

Pogue said the university works regularly to encourage the university’s alumni chapters, churches, friends and supporters to contribute scholarship money directly to the university so the institution can use those contributions as part of larger fundraising efforts and strategies.

The president noted that he launched a soft fundraising campaign last year, and this is the largest single contribution to date. He also noted that Catherine Payne, an active member of the Shreveport chapter and former chapter president, was the first person to donate $1,000 towards the president’s Ask Campaign. Pogue and his wife, Dorothy, established an endowed scholarship at the university, and they understand how helpful such scholarships can be in assisting students.

In addition, the 150-member strong Shreveport alumni chapter announced and presented the E. Edward Jones Endowed scholarships, coordinated by Joseph Carter, a 19XX graduate. Scholarships were presented to five recent Shreveport high school graduates: Jim Mario Davis, Woodlawn Leadership Academy; Kayla Phillips, Southwood High School; Karlisa Travers, Booker T. Washington High School; Asia Scott, Captain
 Shreve High School and Shermaine Shorter, Huntington High School.

During the luncheon, attended by more than 125 people, event mistress of ceremony Lueburda Jamison Myers, the chapter’s vice president, acknowledged four members of the Grambling State University Class of 1963, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their undergraduate graduation.

 

Myers gave special recognition to Katie Lucille Markham Walker, 95, who graduated in 1942. Walker, a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and a retired Caddo Parish school teacher, was delighted to meet Pogue. Musical selections were performed by alumna Cynthia Mosley and Jamie Washington. 

 

As if the significant financial pledge was not enough, Pogue got another couple of surprises during the event.
Dock Voorhies, president of the Delta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. in Shreveport honored the president with a one-of-a-kind Alpha fraternity medallion and a special Alpha poem. Pogue became a member of Beta Upsilon Chapter at Alabama State
University in 1960.