Lincoln Preparatory student receives citizenship award

Jaeden Hunter was awarded the Dr. Birdex Copeland, Jr. Citizenship Award in recent graduation exercises at Lincoln Preparatory School.

“The award recognizes a student who possesses strength of character, is a school or community leader, promotes citizenship, or other similar characteristics of leadership,” said school Executive Director Gordan Ford, who made the presentation along with Lolita Copeland, Birdex Copeland’s widow.

Ford said Hunter is the first to receive this award. Hunter and future winners will be recognized as part of a permanent display at the new Lincoln Preparatory School complex, which will open in the fall of 2022.

Ford said this is not the first time Dr. Copeland has been recognized for his contributions to Lincoln Preparatory School.

“In 2018, Dr. Copeland was awarded the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools’ Governance Award, recognizing him for his exemplary service on behalf of our school and the students and families we serve,” Ford said. “Lincoln Preparatory School, the city of Grambling and the Copeland family celebrate the life of this amazing man today.”

Copeland was president of the Grambling High Foundation Board of Directors. Prior to becoming president of the Foundation Board, he worked with members of the board, Grambling State University administrators and Grambling city officials to gain approval from the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to convert the Grambling Laboratory Schools into what is now Lincoln Preparatory School.

Copeland was a native of Mansfield and completed his bachelor’s degree from GSU, a master of social work degree from Atlanta University, and his doctorate from Kansas State University.

Copeland served as a teacher and administrator for 34 years at Grambling State, retiring as dean of the School of Social Work.

Prior to becoming dean, he was head of the Sociology Department at GSU for 18 years. Copeland also served as chairman of the board of directors of Shreveport Federal Credit Union for many years, chairman of the Grambling Legends Square Taxing District, member of the Grambling Economic Development Council, Grambling city councilman, and a deacon of the Mount Olive Baptist Church of Grambling.