Rick Gallot accepted a Fannie Lou Hamer Community Service and Leadership Award at Grambling State University and immediately announced a monetary donation to his alma mater.
While Gallot made his acceptance speech, he thanked Dr. Pogue and the entire Grambling family for the award, but as a recipient Gallot showed the true meaning of community service and support by giving back.
“God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others,” said Gallot, the 1987 GSU graduate. “I can bless a student therefore they have the opportunity to make their future successful.” His donation will go to the Grambling University Foundation.
The Grambling native made his announcement and the audience applauded.
Gallot presented Dr. Pogue with a $250 check to be given to a student directly to benefit him/her in purchasing books or other needed supplies.
The third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Awards Leadership Luncheon celebrated the life of King and some community heroes who live and work as King did.
To elaborate on the meaning of freedom, justice, non-violence, and social changes members of the community read “Facing the Challenge of a New Age,” a 1956 original piece by King.
One of the readers was Sandra Andrews Lee, a mass communication professor. “I was happy to be a part of the readers, the program was very inspiring and enriching,” said Lee. “It was definitely an honor to recognize our community civic leaders, and for Grambling to be visible world-wide and not just Grambling-based.”
At the awards luncheon seven recipients who continue to make contributions in our community were recognized. The Shreveport Federal Credit Union was recognized with the Madame C.J. Walker Business Award. Helen Godfrey Smith, the president and CEO of the credit union, accept the award. Smith is president of the Grambling University Foundation.
“I am happy to say that we have joined the race of Martin Luther King Jr.,” Smith said as she accepted the honor. “It is an honor that the Shreveport Federal Credit Union is eligible to be recognized.”
In addition to Gallot,the Fannie Lou Hamer Community Service and Leadership Awards were given to State Rep. Patrick Jefferson, Monroe Mayor James E. “Jamie” Mayo and Arcadia Mayor Eugene Smith and Billie Smith, his wife.
The Eddie G. Robinson Sports Award was presented to Willis Reed, a former basketball player, GSU graduate, and a two-time championship winner with the New York Knicks.
“I’ve been to many events, but this has been a great experience to get a sports award in honor of Coach Rob is wonderful,” Reed said. “Coach Rob was like a father to all of his players. The most important thing is we all wanted to be just like him. He was an idol to me. I wanted to be smart like he was and give back to the community as he always did. I hope I’ve been an inspiration to someone else as coach Rob was to me.”
Reed and the other MLK award recipients were chosen based on award criteria that includes making significant contributions in the areas of race relations, justice and/or human rights in one or more of the following areas: arts, business, education, justice, political, religion, science or technology.
EG
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About Grambling State University
Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, is a historically black university founded in 1901. The University has been accredited by 13 accrediting associations and holds accreditations in all programs required by the Louisiana Board of Regents. The 590-acre campus offers 47 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Grambling State University is a member of the University of Louisiana System.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, February 14th 2014 at 4:30PM
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