The Newstar.com March 8, 2012 Grambling head seeks funding GSU president expects to launch $10 million capital campaign Grambling State University President Frank Pogue says as state funding to higher education continues to decline, financial<http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20120308/NEWS01/203080325> support from the community will become more important than ever for GSU. Pogue spoke to members of the Monroe and West Monroe business communities about the financial state of the university during a breakfast Wednesday morning at The Atrium. "All higher education institutions that contribute to the economic growth and stability of this region must be supported equally," he said. "When one suffers, we all suffer." Pogue said one of GSU's goals has been to look for alternative ways to boost financial support. To help with that effort, the university is expected to launch a $10 million capital campaign in the coming months. Kenoye Eke, interim vice president for the office of institutional advancement at GSU, said the campaign will have four priorities: student access to scholarships, faculty support, campus beautification and renovating certain campus facilities. Pogue said he set the initial goal at $10 million, but he hopes to raise triple that amount. "I'm saying $10 million with the understanding that we want to raise $30 million," he said. "I think we can certainly do that." Pogue said when he first became interim president at GSU two years ago, state funding to higher education was reduced from $32.6 million to $18.4 million. While other institutions in the state felt the same blow, Pogue said GSU felt a deeper impact because of its role as a historically black university. "The reality is, we have never been funded equally, so when we experience such a massive reduction in support, it impacts places like Grambling in different ways," he said. Pogue said institutions of higher education are known for being "huge economic engines" for the region, adding that GSU's yearly economic impact is around $264 million. The problem, Pogue said, is that Grambling lacks certain amenities - including hotels, theaters, major restaurants, hospitals, pharmacies and car dealerships - where people can spend their money. He said students at GSU have to drive to other cities like Monroe, Ruston or Shreveport to visit a shopping mall or to see a movie. "What kind of message is that sending?" he asked. GSU alumna Millie Atkins, of CenturyLink, said she was surprised to hear the Grambling community still lacked certain common amenities. "Because it's ripe for these things, it should have these things," she said. Pogue said he hopes to see the community continue to support GSU as it moves forward in addressing its financial concerns, adding that the university will make a stronger effort to connect with alumni and to form new partnerships with area businesses. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.