Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones, Sr.

Prez Jones, born in Lake Charles in 1905, taught chemistry, math and biology at Grambling before he led it. During his years as president the faculty grew from 17 to about 500 and enrollment from 120 to about 4,000. In 1944 he persuaded the legislature to rename the Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute as Grambling State College, and university status followed in 1974. His baseball teams finished 816-218, with five SWAC titles from 1961 to 1967, and he was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. He died in 1982.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Eddie G. Robinson Museum — 0.8 mi
  A state museum in a former women's gymnasium at Grambling State University, on the 408-win coach who sent more than 200 players to the pros.

More markers nearby

• Eddie G. Robinson — steps away
• Louisiana Colored Chautauqua — 1.3 mi
• Lincoln High School — 4.2 mi
• Old Wire Road — 5.3 mi