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Grambling Picks New President

By Eric M. Henry
Black College Wire

Dr. Horace Judson, former president of Plattsburgh State University in upstate New York, has been named president of Grambling State University after a nationwide search.

Judson, senior fellow at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, was selected March 26. He has a Ph.D from Cornell University.

At Plattsburgh, Judson said he increased enrollment from 5,500 to 6,250.

Judson told interviewers he had also strengthened Plattsburgh's legislative advocacy program, annual fundraising campaign and community relations, and he expanded community support.

In all, six candidates came to the campus to share their ideas.

The search committee included University of Louisiana Systems President Sally Clausen and other board members, who conducted the interviews.

Of the six, two were female.

Daniel Tolliver, a senior biology major from Shreveport, La., said, �The presidential candidates presented themselves well.�

Roshunda Smith, a freshman English major, said, �I am very confident that the board would make a decision that is for the betterment of the university.�

The last interviews took place March 25.

The final three candidates included Melvin Johnson, provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs, Winston-Salem State University; and Rodney Smith, president and chief executive officer, Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Johnson said he would diversify the student body by developing programs that would attract non-African American students.

Smith said, �When I make a commitment to GSU, I would like to see GSU make a commitment to me.�

The Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System made the final selection.

Eric M. Henry, a student at Grambling State University, is campus editor of The Gramblinite.

Posted March 26, 2004