Reagan Martin, Grambling State University- c/o 2001, English and Education
Name : Reagan Martin
HBCU : Grambling State University
Graduation Year : 2001
Major : English and Education
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I am from Lake Charles, Louisiana. I don’t think I knew of HBCU’s until I attended one. I’m not sure I knew that is what they were called.
Reagan Martin a proud graduate of Grambling State University (Class of 2001) | Image Credit: Reagan Martin
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
I didn’t have a lot of knowledge on pwi’s I knew that I did not want to go to the PWI in my hometown and I did not think I was able academically to go to any other ones.
[How did you decide to become a student at Grambling State University?]
I saw the Bayou Classic on television when I was a sophomore in high school and I knew I was going to Grambling.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
Everything I know, everything thing I have learned, my happiest, saddest, and even angriest times ALL happened at an HBCU. The character I have evolved into stems from my experience at Grambling.
Grambling also taught me to be an independent thinker, an entrepreneur. I think I have become some things and developed so many positive characteristics that I didn’t know I was back then, but can see them clearly now.
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
First love, First trip to a different state, first time performing on stage, first car..I think I did everything I had never done before at Grambling.
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
My two English professors left lasting impressions..2 of them because they were caring and motherly and one of them because she seemed at the time to be bitter and “mean” for a lack of better words. This gave a positive and negative impression for me.
heard
What sports and/or extra curricular activities did you do in High School? And why?
I played Volleyball, Choir and Cheerleading
Best restaurants on/near campus? Best dishes?
Jeanes Cafe which is STILL open and the best and of course Tasty’s and Pizza Express.
College crush?
Oh wow.. I had the biggest crush on this snare drummer in the band from Rayville, Louisiana! lol
Who invited you to interview with us?
N/A
Ghost stories involving buildings or spots on campus?
Not that I was aware of.. Probably Woodson Hall because thats an old building with a lot of shotgun type rooms and dark spaces..
What is your major? and Why did you choose it?
English and Education.
I chose English because my highschool principal told me that was my greatest subject. Plus I love words. I chose education because I always wanted to teach.
What to date has been your proudest moment @ Your HBCU?
Graduation.
Where are the spots to go to if you wanted to cuddle with your boy or girlfriend?
The business building (Adams) the Elementary school. Or just taking a walk
What are the chants heard most often at the sporting events?
GS-GS-GS-GS U U U I thought you knew!!!
How are you positively active on campus? (e.g. clubs, SGA, etc.)
I was active in talent shows, University Choir and I was a tiger cheerleader!
Where is the “yard” located?
On the Yard!!
What and where are the historical places on campus?
I am not sure
What to date has been your saddest moment at your HBCU?
Having to leave.
In addition to having to leave, another sad moment was realizing later that I did not take full advantage of everything the HBCU experience had to offer such as pledging or being more outgoing and sociable, joining other groups like SGA.
Just really grabbing the college experience by the horns.. I think at that time I may have thought I would be in school forever and I had time.. Sadly mistaken.
What situation in your life made you feel like you had arrived into woman/manhood?
I had children and got married.
How do you deal with racism when you encounter it?
Fortunately I have not been a direct victim of racism.. however, if I were to be confronted with it I think I would just walk away.
When and how did you discover your passion in life?
When I got to school and was able to do it freely with no restrictions
What's your take on life (in the philosophical sense)?
Just live life and be you and be happy. Trust God and continue to move forward no matter what blocks come into play.. Just keep moving.
How did you overcome your nervousness about going to college?
I wasn’t nervous, I was ready! I actually loved school plus I was ready to get out of my mom’s house!
How did your HBCU prepare you for a diverse workplace?
I don’t think it prepared me in any particular way.. as an HBCU because it was not as diverse in race, but maybe diverse in the fact that people were from different cities and states, but when we all got together we became one culture.
What advice would you give high school students filling out college applications for the first time?
Get some help and advice. Research the schools, see what they require of their students and what they offer.
If you could only speak two sentences to the youth coming after you what would you say?
Stay humble and remember the people that paved a pathway for you to be where you are. It didn’t happen over night and you didn’t get here by yourself.
Are you a member of a sorority?
I did not pledge I actually started my own not for profit non greek organization while I was there.
I wanted to pledge AKA, but at that time there were a lot of politics surrounding the greek organizations so I was unable to.
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Grambling State University
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Students: 4,863
Under Graduates: 3,883
Post Graduates: 980 - Athletics: Grambling State University competes in the NCAA Division I (Football Championship Subdivision for football) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Currently, the Grambling State University Department of Athletics sponsors Men's Intercollegiate football, along with men's and women's basketball, baseball, track & field, softball, golf, soccer, tennis, bowling and volleyball. RIVALS: Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, and Texas Southern University.
- Notable Alumni: Charles M. Blow - 1991 - New York Times columnist** Erykah Badu - Grammy Award-winning artist** Natalie Desselle-Reid - Actress best known for roles in B*A*P*S, Def Jam's How to Be a Player, and Disney's Cinderella** Judi Ann Mason - Television writer, producer and playwright** Burl Cain - Master's degree in criminal justice, now warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary (also known as Angola)** Ollie Tyler - Mayor of Shreveport; former interim state superintendent of education; former Caddo Parish school superintendent** E. Edward Jones - 1952 - Educator, civil rights advocate, pastor, and former president of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., in Shreveport** Edward Joseph Price - 1975 - Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives (District 58), businessman in Gonzales** Alicia Reece - Politician, member of the Ohio House of Representatives (33rd district)** Robert Bobb - Politician and public administrator; Emergency Financial Director for Detroit Public Schools; city manager for thirty years in the cities of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Santa Ana, California; and Richmond, Virginia** Israel "Bo" Curtis - Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1992 to 2008; member of the Rapides Parish School Board from 1976 to 1992** Bettye Davis - Member of the Alaska Senate and former member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 21st district** Rick Gallot - Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate for District 29 since 2012; former state representative for the 11th district** Jeff Hall - Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives (District 26), accountant in Alexandria** Patricia Cage-Bibbs - 1972 - Women's basketball head coach at North Carolina A&T State University, Hampton University, and Grambling State University; has over 400 wins in her coaching career** Ronnie Coleman - Professional bodybuilder and eight-time Mr. Olympia winner** Jason Hatcher - 2006 - Current NFL defensive end** Tyree Hollins - professional football player** Doug Williams - former NFL quarterback; MVP of Super Bowl XXII**
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