News
Thursday, April 28, 2016
3
CONTACT: [email protected]
Wet and Stress Free Day
AKANE SIMPSON
The Gramblinite
The International Student
Organization (ISO) hosted
Stress Free Day at the ‘Quad’
(the green, open area in front
of the auditorium). The event
started at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27 and ended at
6:30 p.m.
The turnout was high as
students slowly trickled in the
area. The water activities were
being set up. Some of those
who were present were prepared to be soaked to the bone
with water, laughter and building friendships as they released
this year’s spring semester tension.
The instruments of fun included water balloons, water
guns, super soakers, slip and
slides and hoses spewing gallons of water.
Go DJ Twin was present
to crank out music that varied
in intensity. He played songs
from Caribbean and American
hits that everyone could enjoy.
The host was Shelby Prout as
he stood behind the safety of
the DJ booth, keeping the life
in this stress free zone.
It was an all out battle as
water balloons came flying
from all directions, soaring in
the sky like mortars from far
away and crashing into anyone
who was not cautious, some
being dumped with buckets
of water while others were
hosed down. Refreshments
were served to maintain the
fun energies of the event.
Several students remarked
on the event such as Blake
Conley, a freshman from Fort
Worth, Texas studying business marketing said this, “It’s
pretty cool [here].”
“I’m having fun! I’m wet . .
. having fun, ladies out, everybody out, the sun is out! It’s
a good time and y’all did it,”
said Brian Jefferson, a sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia,
studying computer information systems.
Alexis Gipson, a junior
from Shreveport, Louisiana,
studying social work, had this
to say, “Everyone is having fun
. . . Nobody causing problems
and everybody’s having a fun.”
An international student
Ashel Saint-Jill, a senior from
Dominica majoring in biology
remarked on the difference
in atmosphere with previous
events, “So far it’s going pretty
well but it is a little different.
I think people are nervous to
join or whatever but it is going
pretty well.”
STAFF REPORT
DAYO AWOYEMI/Courtesy photo
Two Grambling students enjoy the wet fun at Stress Free Day during the event hosted by the
International Students Organization. (Below) Children join in the fun of the event.
A representative of the
ISO, ‘Remie’ Augustine remarked on the event, “We as
the ISO thought it would be
appropriate to build stronger
relations between international and Americans students.”
She also continued on to
thank those who attended
and supported the event as a
way of building friendship between the two. There are plans
of holding the event again
this coming fall semester.
Green takes over professional development center
YA’LISHA GATEWOOD
Contributing writer
Suzanne Douglas Green
is helping prepare Grambling
State University students professionally for jobs, interviews
and careers, making them
more marketable to employers.
“We're here to assess the
students and their needs,”
said Green, the new director
of the Center of Student Professional Development in the
College of Business.
Green started the job earlier in the semester after working as a digital coordinator in
the university’s communications and media relations office. She is transitioning from
Long-Jones Hall where she
was based for 10 years.
Now located on the first
floor of the business college,
she regularly sees business,
economics, computer science
and engineering majors.
The job became available
when the previous director,
Greta Carter, had the opportunity to work in the president’s office as a special assistant to GSU president Dr.
Willie Larkin.
Green is known to have a
good reputation on campus,
and students should look to her
for help, according to some.
“Green definitely has a
passion for Grambling,” said
Mitzi LaSalle, interim director of university communications, marketing and media
relations.
“She’s a remarkable person,” added Larkin. “Her new
position is going to help GSU
move forward.”
Green, 36, has been working at Grambling State for 10
years. She balances her life as
the CSPD director as well as
a wife, mother of four and a
member of New Living Word
Ministries in Ruston.
“I focus on my relationship with God because that
is what will center you when
everything goes haywire,” said
Green. “And depending on
Him everything is going to
work out right.”
Green grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana, where she attended Peabody High School.
She majored in computer science at Grambling State as a
college student then went on
to pursue a master’s in public
administration with a duel concentration in human resources
and public management.
She is a Ph.D. candidate in
Jackson State University’s program for executive leadership
in urban higher education.
Green is determined to
see students assisted based
on the center’s motto to serve
as “a comprehensive college
of business resource focused
on supporting students successful matriculation through
college and preparing through
various career preparation
workshops, networking sessions, mentoring and experimental opportunities.”
The center focuses on interpersonal skills, communication and decision-making
and professionalism. Students
can earn a certificate from the
center after completing the
courses within the four pillars.
“The main focus is professional development,” said
Green. “I gauge success on
the certification. There are
so many workshops students
have to take in the different
core of pillars, and once they
have achieved all those courses they will be certified.” She
said the overall goal is to help
students intensify their professionalism as they prepare
for