Richard Joseph Gallot Jr., known as Rick Gallot (born April 1966) was named president of the University of Louisiana System in October 2023 after serving nearly nine years as president of Grambling State[1][2] Also he was a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate for District 29. In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 22, 2011, Gallot received 12,992 votes (50.3 percent).[3]

Richard J. Gallot, Jr.
Gallot in 2016
President of University of Louisiana System
Assumed office
2024
10th President of Grambling State University
In office
2016–2024
Preceded byWillie Larkin
Member of the Louisiana Senate
from the 29th district
In office
January 9, 2012 – January 2016
Preceded byJoe McPherson
Succeeded byJay Luneau
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from the 11th district
In office
2000–2012
Preceded byPinkie C. Wilkerson
Succeeded byPatrick Jefferson
Personal details
BornApril 1966
Ruston, Lincoln Parish
Louisianan, USA
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseChristy Cox Gallot
ChildrenFour children
Residence(s)Grambling, Louisiana
Alma materGrambling State University
Southern University Law Center
ProfessionAttorney

Gallot, an African American born in Ruston, graduated from the historically black Grambling State University in Grambling and the Southern University Law Center of Baton Rouge. He is a member of Grambling's Gamma Psi chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and an inductee of the Southern Law Hall of Fame.[4] In 2012, he succeeded the term-limited white Democratic Senator Joe McPherson.[3]

Despite a generally liberal voting record, in 2014 Gallot was one of only two Democrats in the State Senate to vote against reforming Louisiana's payday lending laws, having sided with the payday lending industry against a grassroots campaign that supported reform.[5][6] Gallot did not seek reelection in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 24, 2015.

In April 2016, Gallot began serving on the Board of Directors of Cleco Corporation, an electric utility company based in Pineville, Louisiana.[7]

Gallot was selected as president of Grambling State University and to begin his tenure, donated $20,000 to the institution noting, "I wouldn't ask anyone to do what I wouldn't do myself."[8]

In October 2023, Gallot was named president of the University of Louisiana System.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Gallot finalizes contract to become UL System president after Landry questioned hire • Louisiana Illuminator".
  2. ^ "Grambling State University - Gallot Named Grambling State University President | News". www.gram.edu. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  3. ^ a b "Louisiana primary election returns, October 22, 2011". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
  4. ^ "Richard Gallot, Jr. Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  5. ^ "Votes on SB 84". legis.la.gov. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  6. ^ "Richard Gallot, Jr.'s Ratings and Endorsements". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  7. ^ "Cleco Board and Executive officers - Cleco". www.cleco.com. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  8. ^ "Rick Gallot named new Grambling president". Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  9. ^ Profile, ulsystem.edu. Accessed March 25, 2024.
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