Nation’s Youngest HBCU President to be formally installed at Grambling State during Investiture Ceremony

On the heels of a history making event with the opening of the first Digital Library building at an HBCU campus, Grambling State University is set to honor its new President, Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr., with its first-ever Investiture Ceremony. Set for Friday, September 6 at 9:00 a.m., the free, public event will take place in the arena of the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.

A tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, an investiture is an academic ceremony in which a new leader is “vested” with the official powers of office.

Usually occurring during a president’s first year in office, the ceremony provides an opportunity for the community to celebrate a new era in a university’s history. An investiture ceremony itself features several rituals normally associated with events such as commencement and includes a full academic procession led by the chief marshal and color guard, followed by the board of trustees, faculty, and distinguished delegates from other academic institutions and learned societies. The full academic regalia worn by these groups adds to the majesty of the ceremony.

The youngest current serving HBCU President in the country, Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. is committed to honoring the university’s history while advancing its future through strategic initiatives. A third-generation alumnus, Dr. Lemelle brings extensive leadership experience and financial expertise, having served as Executive Vice-President and CFO at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and managing large-scale financial operations for companies like PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM, and General Electric.

At MICA, Dr. Lemelle was known for his strategic financial management and visionary leadership, enhancing the institution’s operations. His tenure at Grambling State as Executive Vice-President and COO saw remarkable achievements, including securing the university’s largest corporate gift and improving its fiscal health score by 200%.

Dr. Lemelle holds a B.S. in Accounting, Magna Cum Laude, from Grambling State University, an M.B.A. from The George Washington University, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from SKEMA Business School in Paris. His professional affiliations include Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the United Way of Central Maryland Board of Directors. Dr. Lemelle’s leadership is deeply rooted in a commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and community engagement.