Courtesy of Grambling State University
Grambling State University is offering a limited number of signed and numbered prints of its recently unveiled Digital Library and Learning Commons. The grand opening of this groundbreaking facility on Aug. 22 marked a significant milestone as the first digital library structure at a Historically Black College or University and the only one of its kind in Louisiana.
Only 500 exclusive 30×40 prints are available. The prints commemorate the innovative space that symbolizes a new chapter in educational access and resources within the Black community. The purchase of these limited edition prints will directly contribute to establishing a $100,000 endowment for the library. The goal is to ensure future generations of students can benefit from cutting-edge digital resources and collaborative learning environments.
Brandon A. Logan, GSU’s vice president for advancement and innovation, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “The opening of the Digital Library & Learning Commons at Grambling State University marks a pivotal moment in our institution’s history as we embrace the future of education and innovation,” he stated. “This limited edition print not only commemorates the first digital library on an HBCU campus but also provides a rare opportunity for our community and supporters to directly invest in the legacy of learning we are building.”
Designed By A Grambling Artist
Darryl Tripplett created the artwork during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. An alumnus of GSU, Tripplett holds a bachelor’s degree in art education and a master’s degree in art and humanities from the university. Like his notable pieces celebrating significant sports events, Tripplett’s painting captures the essence of the excitement surrounding the digital library’s grand opening.
The state-of-the-art, 50,000-square-foot Digital Library and Learning Commons features over 150 computer stations, extensive study areas, and multipurpose spaces for events and seminars. Dean Adrienne Webber shared her vision for the painting. “ I wanted to make sure the (ribbon-cutting event) would live on in history, and it wouldn’t be just a one-time happening,” she said. “The painting allows the excitement of having a one-of-a-kind facility among HBCUs and the state of Louisiana to live on in perpetuity.”
