HLS 19RS-3541 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 281
BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFFERSON
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Dr. Nikole Roebuck, Grambling State University Chair
of the Department of Music and Director of Bands
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend Dr. Nikole Roebuck for her outstanding service as Chair of the Department of
3 Music and Director of Bands at Grambling State University.
4 WHEREAS, a native of Minden, Louisiana, Nikole Roebuck is a 2001 graduate of
5Grambling State University's music education program; in 2005, she received a master of
6music degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe; and in 2009, received a doctor
7of philosophy in music education from the University of Memphis; and
8 WHEREAS, while earning her degree at Grambling State University, she met her
9husband, Esonyo Roebuck, became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated,
10and served as a member and student leader of the Grambling State University Marching
11Tigers; and
12 WHEREAS, spending every summer at band camp since the age of four, Nikole
13Roebuck's passion for music has been there from the beginning, and she always knew she
14wanted to be a member of a band; and
15 WHEREAS, Dr. Roebuck's extensive career in music includes training musicians at
16every level from the elementary grades to the graduate level, and many of her students have
17gone on to careers as educators, musical directors, and international recording artists; and
18 WHEREAS, her work in the classroom includes instructing students at Grambling
19State University for more than twelve years in coursework including music education,
20history, and applied instrumentation; and
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HR NO. 281
1 WHEREAS, Dr. Roebuck's work includes performances for Beyoncé, Adidas, the
2National Basketball Association, and numerous national brands; and
3 WHEREAS, Dr. Nikole Roebuck holds the distinction of being the first woman
4Director of Bands at Grambling State University and is a second-generation leader of the
5world-famous band, following in the footsteps of her uncle and fellow alumnus, Dr. Joseph
6"Doc" Miller, who served as assistant director of bands from 1980 to 1989; and
7 WHEREAS, in addition, Dr. Roebuck holds the special distinction of being only the
8second woman band director in the history of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the
9third in the history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and
10 WHEREAS, Dr. Roebuck believes that "music is like a puzzle" and enjoys sharing
11with her students the practice of deconstructing and rebuilding arrangements to create a
12musical masterpiece; and
13 WHEREAS, through the sharing of her love of music, Dr. Roebuck has touched the
14lives of more than fifty thousand students and countless fans worldwide, and under her
15guidance, the membership of the marching band at Grambling State University has grown
16by over twenty-five percent; and
17 WHEREAS, she has directed in twelve consecutive Bayou Classics and currently
18leads a team of seventeen professors and employees in the Department of Music at the
19university; and
20 WHEREAS, in addition to her vast experience and accomplishments at Grambling
21State University, Dr. Roebuck has served as a member of numerous professional
22organizations including the Louisiana Music Educators Association, the Louisiana
23Bandmasters Association, the National Education Association, Tau Beta Sigma Honorary
24Band Sorority, and the National Association for Music Education; and
25 WHEREAS, Dr. Roebuck has also been the recipient of many awards and
26acknowledgments, including an award for outstanding commitment and dedication from
27Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Teacher of the Year from Arcadia
28High School, Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Leadership Award from Arcadia High
29School, and a proclamation from the city of Arcadia; and
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HR NO. 281
1 WHEREAS, Dr. Roebuck is a widely respected and valued member of the Grambling
2State University family and as stated by President Rick Gallot, "Dr. Roebuck has proven to
3be one of our most committed and humble leaders" and "she is a gift to our students, our
4community, and all who support the worldwide sound of Grambling"; and
5 WHEREAS, it is only appropriate that a special measure of commendation be
6extended to Dr. Nikole Roebuck, a phenomenal talent and treasure who serves as an
7inspiration to the countless students, musicians, colleagues, friends, relatives, and citizens
8whose lives she has touched.
9 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
10Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Dr. Nikole Roebuck, Chair of the
11Department of Music and Director of Bands at Grambling State University; does hereby
12recognize and record for posterity her outstanding accomplishments and singular
13contributions as the department chair and band leader; does hereby express to this
14outstanding musician and innovator gratitude for the pride and honor that she brings to
15Grambling State University and to the state of Louisiana; and does hereby extend to her very
16best wishes for continued success and happiness.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
18Dr. Nikole Roebuck.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 281 Original 2019 Regular Session Jefferson
Commends Dr. Nikole Roebuck, Chair of the Department of Music and Director of Bands
at Grambling State University.
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