Former state legislator is GSU’s 10th president

1st August 2016   ·   0 Comments

On Tuesday, July 26, during a special meeting in Baton Rouge the University of Louisiana’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to select Rick Gallot to serve as Grambling State University’s 10th president.

Gallot, a former state senator, state representative and GSU alum, was one of two finalists for the post which became vacant after GSU President Willie Larkin announced his resignation in late June after one year on the job.

“We have a lot of work to do and I am looking forward to getting that work done,” Gallot, 50, said in a statement Tuesday. “At Grambling State’s core, we are strong. We just need some fine-tuning but I’m excited to be a part of it.”

In 1987, Gallot earned a bachelor’s degree in Arts & History from Grambling. Three years later he was awarded a Juris Doctorate from the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, La.

Gallot served as the representative of District 11 in the Louisiana House from 2000 to 2012 before getting elected to the State Senate in 2011. He did not seek re-election last fall.

“My lifelong roots in the Grambling community, combined with my record of serving this university and community as an attorney, city councilman, state representative and state senator provide the type of leadership needed at this critical time,” Gallot said. “I do believe the core and ‘brand’ of GSU remain strong and with the right leadership, we can achieve the stability and growth that we all know is possible. Higher education in Louisiana faces challenges unlike any time in our past. The relationships I’ve built over the last 15 years with the Governor, legislature, congressional leaders and corporate sector will serve Grambling State University well. Furthermore, my service on the Board of Directors at CLECO has provided valuable training and experience in organizational governance.”

UL System interim president Dan Reneau said Tuesday that GSU’s hiring of 10 presidents over the past 25 years underscores the institution’s need for stability.

“It’s been a revolving door,” Reneau said. “They needed a leader right now to handle their personnel, budget and faculty challenges. They need a leader. Rick has all the characteristics to bring the university back to stability.”

Gallot said he plans to use social media to reach out to prospective students and maintain an ongoing dialogue about the university and its goals and offerings.

“We want to show prospective students the positive image of the university and make sure we engage with them on a daily basis,” he said.

GSU Faculty Senate president Herbert Simmons said the faculty is excited about working with Gallot and pledged to work alongside him to improve Grambling State University.

“(The faculty) plans on meeting with Gallot to voice our concerns about issues in the university,” Gallot said. “We’re concerned about enrollment. We’re concerned about athletics. We feel confident working with him to ensure success.”

Michael Meadows, president of GSU’s student government association, said “With the student body and the new president, Grambling State University will advance to the next level that it needs.”

“For the first time in history that I know of, we have a president from the start that knows Grambling,” Liz White, president of the Ruston chapter of the GSU Alumni Association, said. “He knows its personality, he knows its people.”

Gallot, the son of former Grambling, La. Mayor Richard Gallot Sr. and GSU History Department head Dr. Mildred Gauthier Gallot, is married to the former Christy Cox. The couple has four sons.

Gallot’s salary and starting date have yet to be negotiated.

This article originally published in the August 1, 2016 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.