GRAMBLING, La. — Grambling State University’s Moorehead College of Business & Entrepreneurship received national recognition from the HBCU Business Deans Roundtable on June 5, 2026, earning the Award for Excellence in HBCU Business Entrepreneurship and Innovation during the Roundtable’s annual summit in Dallas, Texas.
The award recognizes HBCU business programs that advance entrepreneurship education, foster innovation, create pathways to economic mobility and prepare students for leadership in a changing global economy.
Dr. Derrick V. Warren, Dean of the Moorehead College of Business & Entrepreneurship, accepted the award on behalf of the college’s students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters.
“This recognition speaks to the outstanding work of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners,” Warren said. “Our scholars are competing on national stages, earning industry-recognized credentials, launching ventures and showing what is possible when talent, opportunity and determination come together. We are honored to receive this award from the HBCU Business Deans Roundtable and grateful to the selection committee and our fellow deans for their commitment to advancing excellence in business education.”
The honor comes during a period of significant momentum for Grambling State and its business college.
In 2025, Thomas and Joyce Moorehead established a $10 million partnership with Grambling State University, the largest individual philanthropic commitment in the university’s history. The partnership led to the naming of Grambling State University’s Moorehead College of Business & Entrepreneurship, the first named degree-granting college in Grambling State’s 125-year history.
The investment supports student scholarships, entrepreneurship initiatives, faculty excellence, leadership development and innovative programming that expands opportunities for current and future Grambling State students.
Students in the Moorehead College of Business & Entrepreneurship have earned more than $146,000 in national competition awards since 2023 while competing in business, innovation, data and entrepreneurship challenges across the country. Recent successes include top finishes in the Mastercard Data Challenge, the HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program, Experian’s #IYKYK Pitch Competition, InternXL, the Pelican Cup and other regional and national competitions.
Through signature initiatives including Golden Pitch, Bayou Business Bowl, Tiger Think Tank and Grampreneurs, the Moorehead College of Business & Entrepreneurship provides students with year-round opportunities to develop ventures, sharpen leadership skills and apply classroom learning to real-world challenges.
The college has also expanded its focus on entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, digital credentials and experiential learning. Through partnerships with IBM SkillsBuild and other industry leaders, students earn workforce-aligned credentials in emerging technologies while gaining practical experience that supports career readiness and entrepreneurial success.
In spring 2026, every graduating senior completed AI-related digital credentials, further strengthening graduates’ preparation for a workforce increasingly shaped by technology.
Grambling State University’s Moorehead College of Business & Entrepreneurship has also expanded student and industry engagement through its Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program, strategic collaborations and events such as the nationally recognized Dope Thinkers Only Conference, which brought entrepreneurs, executives, innovators and thought leaders to Grambling State’s campus.
The HBCU Business Deans Roundtable selected Grambling State University’s Moorehead College of Business & Entrepreneurship for its demonstrated excellence in entrepreneurship education, innovation, student outcomes, economic impact and leadership within the HBCU business education community.
Grambling State University President Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. said the award underscores the university’s commitment to academic excellence, entrepreneurship and student success.
“On behalf of Grambling State University, I congratulate Dean Warren and the entire Moorehead College of Business & Entrepreneurship community on this national recognition,” Lemelle said. “This honor affirms the important work taking place at Grambling State to create transformational opportunities for students and strengthen our role as a leader in business education, entrepreneurship and economic mobility.”
AACSB-accredited since 2000, Grambling State University’s Moorehead College of Business & Entrepreneurship continues to build a reputation as a destination for students seeking a business education grounded in excellence, innovation, leadership and opportunity.
About Grambling State University’s Moorehead College of Business & Entrepreneurship
Grambling State University’s Moorehead College of Business & Entrepreneurship is the university’s first named degree-granting college and has maintained AACSB accreditation since 2000. Celebrating 50 years of business education in 2026, the college offers undergraduate programs in Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Management and Marketing while fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, workforce readiness and experiential learning through strategic industry partnerships and student-centered programming.
About Grambling State University
Grambling State University is a public historically Black university located in Grambling, Louisiana. Founded in 1901, the University has a proud legacy of expanding access to higher education, advancing academic excellence, and preparing graduates for leadership, service, and career success. With a strong commitment to student success and social mobility, Grambling State offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs that support workforce development, innovation, and community impact. Serving more than 5,000 students from 41 states and 31 countries, the University continues to educate and inspire future leaders from Louisiana, across the nation, and around the world. Home to a nationally recognized tradition of excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts, Grambling State reflects its enduring motto: The Place “Where Everybody is Somebody.”
About the HBCU Business Deans Roundtable
The HBCU Business Deans Roundtable serves as a forum for leaders of business schools across Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Roundtable advances excellence in management education, research, innovation, strategic partnerships and student success, with a focus on expanding access to rigorous business education that supports economic advancement and community impact.
