Grambling State University inducts Distinguished 10 Class of 2026

Grambling State University inducted its Distinguished 10 Class of 2026 on Oct. 2 during its Homecoming celebrations, honoring ten alumni for professional achievement and community service, news.gram.edu reported. While the official university announcement detailed the honorees and their accomplishments, promotional material hosted on a Canva publishing page by grambling.my.canva.site noted that candidates are selected through a unified scoring rubric and evaluated by a diverse panel of alumni and staff.

Honoring Leadership Across Higher Education and Military Service

The Class of 2026 features prominent leaders across multiple industries, including higher education administration and military public affairs. Dr. Ivory V. Nelson, a 1959 chemistry graduate and former President of Lincoln University, was among the inductees. Joining him in the class is Jeremy M. Martin, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and Director of Global Public Affairs for Bell Textron. Martin completed a 30-year military career that included serving as spokesperson for the Secretary of the Army and Director of Public Affairs for the Joint Task Force at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Advancing the Judiciary and Urban Housing Development

The roster also highlights judicial leadership and municipal housing strategy. Yvette Mansfield Alexander, an 1989 political science graduate, was recognized for her legal career, which includes serving as the first African American woman on the Baton Rouge City Court and later as its Chief Judge. Terri M. Lee, a 1993 graduate, serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlanta Housing. Lee previously worked as Atlanta’s first Chief Housing Officer, where she helped mobilize $1 billion in public-private investments under the One Atlanta Housing Affordability Action Plan.

Recognizing Athletic Strategy and Philanthropic Leadership

NFL coach and defensive strategist Eric Washington, who graduated in 1993, joined the class for his coaching tenure with organizations such as the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills. Additionally, Fred Payne, President and CEO of United Way of Central Indiana, was honored through his niece, Dr. Farrah Cambrice. Payne leads poverty reduction and community investment initiatives in central Indiana. The selection process for these honorees relies on a structured review framework overseen by a university committee, ensuring candidates meet predetermined benchmarks in leadership, public service, and philanthropy, according to grambling.my.canva.site.