With two minutes to seven o’clock, the chilly calm Grambling air hit the faces of a few students straggling in front of the Barnes and Noble bookstore.
Shortly, more students appeared leaving the cafe, exiting the Express and coming from Freshman Village. All gathering for a central purpose: prayer for Grambling State University.
“The prayer was organized per student request,” said Jordan Harvey, Student Government Association president. “Through everything this university has happened, we, as a student body, needed it.”
The SGA was inspired to organize this event after the school received national attention regarding the football team strike and academic funding unbalance.
Some students marched hand down from the construction filled area of the yard to the large “G” in front of Brown Hall. They encircle the “G” grabbed hands and lowered their heads in prayer.
Lance Wright, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry director, led the prayer of togetherness, redemption and good dreads.
“The reputation of Grambling is on the line,” he said. “Your character represents Grambling.
“Let’s build together as a family. We got time to redeem.”
Kimberly Monroe, 26, mass communication graduate student from Lake Charles, united the participants together. Students also released pink balloons as homage to those affected by breast cancer. Jazmyn Allen is the niece of an 8 year survivor of breast cancer.
“Many think it’s a death sentence,” said the freshman criminal justice major. “It’s not permanent. Be strong, have faith and stay prayed up.”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a nationally recognized, annual campaign that takes place in October.
The university held many other events this week and month that highlighted the impact of this disease.
Sheniqua Moss, a freshman nursing major, believes the university and many campus organizations are doing a “wonderful job raising awareness.”