LSU Alumni Magazine - Spring 2023

LSU VET MED

Dear LSU Alumni

Today, I’m taking a break from focusing on our Pentagon Priorities to preview something I’m really looking forward to. In my year and a half as LSU’s president, I have had some truly incredible experiences getting to know the geography and culture that make us so unique. From the Red River to the wetlands, I have met some absolutely awe-inspiring people who prove to me that Louisianans are the most adaptable, innovative, and resilient people on this planet.

But now, I am taking it one step further with a bus tour around our great state. On March 13-16, I will travel around Louisiana, visiting di erent communities, learning about industries that are critical to the economic success of our state, and most importantly, listening. I want to hear first-hand from the people who make this state run – the taxpayers, the farmers, the soldiers, and the citizens who put their hearts and souls into our success. And I want to see and feel the challenges and opportunities facing our people in a way that I simply cannot from any campuses.

The important aspect of this tour is simply this: LSU isn’t just in Baton Rouge, or New Orleans, or Shreveport, or anywhere in between. LSU is Louisiana, pure and simple. And we are deeply committed to improving the lives and livelihoods of everyone who calls this state home – not just our alumni, but our friends and neighbors as well.

Details are still being worked out, but you’ll be able to follow our travels and learn more about our tour on www.lsu.edu/president. We might even stop in and visit an LSU Alumni Chapter or two along the way!

I look forward to seeing or hearing from you while on the road. I hope you’ll help us spread the word … and if we make this an annual event, we’ll be coming back to this group for suggestions about where we should visit next time.

Thank you for supporting LSU here in Louisiana and around the world. Alumni like you are what distinguish our university from the competition.

Sincerely,

William F. Tate IV

“LSU is Louisiana, pure and simple.”

C ONTENTS

FEATURES

14

The Stephenson Vet Clinic

A powerful hurricane heralded the arrival of Oliver Angus Garden to Louisiana in August 2021, and ever since, it’s as if he has harnessed the forces of nature for change as dean of LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Since taking the helm of LSU Vet Med on the eve of Hurricane Ida roaring onto Louisiana’s coast, Garden has focused his considerable energy on maximizing the potential of the school for the betterment of animals, humans, and the environment.

On the Cover Savannah Billings performs an examination as Leigh Ann Burton, ophthalmology technician, holds Chloe, a diabetic alert dog, who comes from Mississippi for a checkup every three months. Although Chloe is blind, the nine-year-old dog is still able to perform her medical alert duties for her owner, who adopted her from a rescue eight years ago.

Publisher LSU Alumni Association

Joe Carvalhido

President & CEO

Editor Jackie Bartkiewicz

Marketing Manager

Ally Richardson

Editorial Assistant Jackson LeBoeuf

Art Director/Graphic Designer STUN Design & Interactive

Kimberly Mackey

Principal/Creative Director STUN Design & Interactive

Chuck Sanchez

Contributors

Ava E. Borskey, Barry Cowan, Ed Cullen, Elsa Hahn, Brian Hudgins, Abbi Rocha Laymoun, Alison Satake, Marc Stevens, Presley Tyler

Photography

Sarah Armstead, Johnny Gordon/JGPhoto, Brandli Greer, John Grubb, Brandee Patrick/Louisiana Department of Veterans A airs, Eddy Perez/ LSU Communications & University Relations, Kathryn Seghers/LSU Communications & University Relations, Frances Snowden, LSU Athletics, LSU Foundation, Sally Stiel

Printing Baton Rouge Printing

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kathryn “Kathy” Fives, Chair Baton Rouge, La.

Mario J. Garner, Chair-Elect Spring, Tx.

David Braddock, Immediate Past Chair Dallas, Tx.

Jack A. Andonie, Director Emeritus Metairie, La.

J. Ofori Agboka, Carnation, Wash. Mark Kent Anderson, Jr., Monroe, La. Michael B. Bethea, Madisonville, La. Karen Brack, San Diego, Calif. Paul Bu one, Baton Rouge, La. Corey Foster, Lake Charles, La.

G. Archer Frierson, III, Shreveport, La. James G. “Jimmy” Gosslee, Shreveport, La. Leo C. Hamilton, Baton Rouge, La.

Lauren Olinde Hughes, Houston, Texas R. Scott Jenkins, New Orleans, La. Brandon Landry, Baton Rouge, La. Louis R. Minsky, Baton Rouge, La. Je rey M. Mohr, Baton Rouge, La. Jady H. Regard, Lafayette, La. Bart B. Schmolke, Alexandria, La. Rori P. Smith, Baton Rouge, La.

LSU ALUMNI MAGAZINE is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the LSU Alumni Association. Annual donations are $50, of which $6 is allocated for a subscription to LSU Alumni Magazine. The LSU Alumni Association is not liable for any loss that might be incurred by a purchaser responding to an advertisement in this magazine.

Editorial and Advertising

LSU Alumni Association 3838 West Lakeshore Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4686

225-578-3838 • 888-RINGLSU www.lsualumni.org / jackie@lsualumni.org

© 2023 by LSU ALUMNI MAGAZINE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LSU ALUMNI MAGAZINE, 3838 West Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4686

Letters to the editor are encouraged. LSU ALUMNI MAGAZINE reserves the right to edit all materials accepted for publication. Publication of material does not indicate endorsement of the author’s viewpoint by the magazine, the Association, or LSU.

Moving Forward with You for LSU

As many of you may already know, I assumed presidency of the LSU Alumni Association in January as Gordon Monk transitioned into his “second retirement.” Gordon is a true friend and supporter, and I am pleased to share his message with you:

“. . . as a proud LSU graduate and a longtime active member and supporter of the LSU Alumni Association, I never imagined that one day I would serve this prestigious organization as interim president.” Those were the words I shared with you when I joined the Association four years ago, following my retirement from the Louisiana Legislative Fiscal O ce after thirty-five years of service.

LSU has always been special to me, and it has been an honor to serve my fellow alumni, as well as faculty, sta , and students through the Association. It has been most rewarding, and I will continue to support e orts to grow and strengthen its excellent programs.”

It is a privilege to serve you in this capacity. I look forward to working with you to enhance and grow our programs that support scholarships, professorships, faculty awards, reunions, special events, and other programs.

You’ll enjoy this year’s first issue, which includes coverage of the Annual Meeting & Past Presidents Luncheon, the Scholars Banquet, and more. A particularly delightful piece in is a “look back” at ads that appeared in the magazine’s “ancestors,” beginning with The Louisiana State University Alumni News Vol. 1 No. 1 (1924).

A busy spring semester is underway, with chapter crawfish boils, spring sports events, and myriad events at the Lod Cook Alumni Center on the calendar. And, of course, a highlight of the spring semester is the Hall of Distinction. The outstanding alumni selected for induction at the end of this month are Alumnus of the Year Andrew Whitworth, Young Alumna of the Year Amy Brittain, Donald Remy, Donna Dees-Thomases, A.P. Tureaud, Jr., Pepper Rutland, and Nancy Perrier. We’ll share it all with you in the summer issue.

Congratulations to Kathy Fives and Mario Garner, the Board of Directors chair and chair-elect, respectively. Both have served the Association with distinction and are committed to enhancing its programs and activities that benefit alumni, students, friends, and the University. And, congrats also to longtime board member Leo Hamilton, who was recently named a Distinguished Attorney by the Louisiana Bar Foundation.

Our alumni and friends are vital to our success, and we thank you for sharing your time, talents, and resources with the Association. Your loyalty and generosity are deeply appreciated.

Joe Carvalhido President/CEO

Geaux Tigers!

LSU Alumni Association AlumniLSU lsualumniassociation

LSU A LUMNI A SSOCIATION

Chapter Events

Toys for Tots – Charles Favors, center, president of the Southern California (SoCal) Chapter poses with LSU and Southern University alumni participating in the chapter’s annual Toys for Tots in collaboration with U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. More than 300 toys were collected to distribute to disadvantaged children in Southern California.

San Diego – A $68,000 donation for the the San Diego Chapter Scholarship Fund was presented in November. Pictured, from left, are, Mary Clare Trevison, chapters manager; chapter members Jacinda Matherne; Kathryn Crossin; Je Matens, Adrienne Tesarek, and Karen Brack; Gordon Monk, former Association president; and Amy Parrino, vice president of development.

Dallas – Displaying a $30,000 contribution to the Dallas Chapter Scholarship Fund are, from left, Sally Stiel, vice president of engagement and marketing; Ron Young, then Association President Gordon Monk, and Linda Young.

Collecting Toys for Tots.

Orlandeaux Tigers

By Paul West

The LSU Alumni of Central Florida Chapter welcomed LSU Tigers to Orlandeaux for the Citrus Bowl win against Purdue.

To kick o the week the Central Florida alumni group welcomed the team with OJ and Cheez-Its as they arrived in Orlandeaux The next day, local area children were invited to team up with LSU and Purdue football players and enjoyed time at Fun Spot Amusement Park on multiple park rides. A Pep Rally was held at Orlando Pointe, and local fans showed up to cheer for LSU with the Tiger band, LSU cheerleaders, Coach Brian Kelly and a few players in attendance.

Local alumni board member Kris Cowart, twenty- year retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, was chosen Honorary Team Captain for the game and invited to join the coin toss and pregame activities on the field.

Prior to kick-o the Orlandeaux Tailgate Krewe gathered for good food and spirits. It was a great week and an even better victory for the LSU Tigers!

Welcome to Orlandeaux.

Orlando Tigers welcome the team with OJ and Cheez-Its.

Kris Cowart with Drew Brees on the field.

Reid West with LSU punter Peyton Todd.

Chapter board member Susie Bragg; Paul West, president; and LSU alums Sean Airey and Elizabeth Thompson.

Football Wrap-up – Traveling Tigers, friends, and fans celebrated as the Tigers roared to a 63-7 win over the Purdue Boilermakers at the Citrus Bowl after wrapping up the 2022 season at home and on the road for games against Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas, UAB, and Texas A&M.

Photos: Brandli Greer, Sally Stiel

Hal and Tonya Stiel, Sarah Felton, Michael Wiethop, and Nester and Dalsy Navarro.

Cooper Alvarez and Luis Alvarez.

Sally Stiel, Brandli Greer, and Leighann Westfall.

Josie Taylor, Sally Stiel, Sarah Felton, Brandli Greer, and Cooper Alvarez.

From left, Debbie and Gordon Monk, Liz and Lee Butler, and Susan and Allen Berlin.

Amy Middendorf, Jan Scott, Lanell Brizzolara, and Ed Middendorf.

Joe Carvalhido Assumes LSUAA Presidency

Joe Carvalhido, vice president of advancement at the LSU Alumni Association, assumed presidency of the organization on Jan. 16. He replaces Gordon Monk, who stepped down after four years of service.

Carvalhido joined the association in 2021. He was previously vice president of operations and services at the Tiger Athletic Foundation (TAF), where he was also director of operations and services and assistant director of marketing during his more than thirteen years of service. Prior to joining TAF, he was director of basketball operations for LSU Women’s Basketball.

“I look forward to working with and supporting my fellow sta members to broaden and strengthen the

Association’s legacy,” Carvalhido said. “We have LSU’s best interests at heart, and I am indeed fortunate to have the opportunity to serve the University in this capacity.”

Monk joined the association following his retirement from the Louisiana Legislative Fiscal O ce after thirty-five years of service.

“After nearly forty years of service to the state and the university, I look forward to my “second retirement” to spend time with my family,” Monk said. “It has been an honor to serve my fellow alumni, as well as faculty, sta , and students. It was most rewarding, and I will continue to support e orts to grow and strengthen the association’s excellent programs.”

Congratulations to our colleague Sally Stiel, vice president of alumni engagement, who received her MBA degree at winter commencement. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in communications studies from LSU.

New Faces at LSUAA –

A hearty “Welcome to the Team” to new employees, from left, Sarah Armstead, marketing coordinator; Mike Robin, maintenance engineer; and Shannon McConnell, accountant.

Photo: Ally Richardson

Hats O to Sally! –

Photo: Sarah Armstead

Incoming and outgoing Association presidents Joe Carvalhido and Gordon Monk celebrate at Monk’s retirement party in December.

Photo: Sarah Armstead

2022 Annual Meeting

Fives, Garner Named to Top Posts

Kathy Fives and Mario Garner were named chair and chair-elect, respectively, of the LSU Alumni Association Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting and Past Presidents & Chairs Luncheon in November.

Fives, of Baton Rouge, a founding member and past president of the LSU Alumni Las Vegas Chapter, earned a bachelor's degree from the LSU College of Agriculture in 1987. Fives is an entrepreneur and owns businesses in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. A board member since 2013, she has served on the engagement/marketing, human resources, and finance committees.

Mario Garner, of Spring, Texas, is president of CHI St. Luke’s Vintage Hospital in Houston. He earned a bachelor's degree in microbiology from LSU, a master's degree in healthcare administration from Tulane University, and a doctor of education degree in administration and supervision from the University of Houston. He has served on the board since 2017 and has been a member of the finance, human resources, and project committees.

Re-elected to the board for three-year terms were Scott Jenkins, a partner at Jones Walker, New Orleans; Jimmy Gosslee, chairman, Coldwell Banker Gosslee and president, Gosslee & Associates Inc., Shreveport; David Braddock, cofounder and board member, Broad Oak Energy Inc., Dallas; G. Archer Frierson, director of brokerage and leasing, Vintage Realty Company, Shreveport; Garner; Louis Minsky, chief of sta , Baton Rouge General Medical Center; and Bart Schmolke, financial advisor, Financial Solutions Group, Alexandria.

Paul Bu one, senior vice president, Louisiana Workforce Commission, Baton Rouge, was newly elected for a three-year term.

Ex-o cio o cers re-elected to serve one-year terms were LSU President William F. Tate IV; Gordon Monk, president; Landon Jordan, treasurer; and Rachel Burke, secretary. All terms began Jan. 1, 2023.

At the Past Presidents and Chairs Luncheon following the meeting, Tracy Jones, assistant vice president of operations and management, and Vicky Washington, housekeeping manager at The Cook Hotel, were recognized with the Minsky MVP Award as Employees of the Year.

Also spotlighted was the A.P. Tureaud, Sr. Black Alumni Chapter which celebrated a $100,000 endowment to their Black Minds Matter Scholarship, and the Greater Baton Rouge Chapter, which presented a $20,000 check for its scholarship fund.

Past LSU Alumni Association Board of Directors chairs, from left, Bart Schmolke, Je Mohr, Dr. Mary Lou Applewhite, Dr. Louis Minsky, and Leo Hamilton.

Dr. Louis Minsky, right, and his wife, Lori, present Minsky MVP awards to Tracy Jones and Vicky Washington.

Photos: Johnny Gordon

Director of Human Resources Jan McBride presents awards recognizing years of service to, from top, Sally Stiel, vice president of engagement and marketing, five years; Brittany Ernest, senior manager of alumni engagement, five years; and Tammy Brown, director of hotel sales, twenty years.

Rachel Burke, executive assistant to the president, presents a token of appreciation to Stan Williams for his decade of service on the LSU Alumni Association Board of Directors. Williams will continue to serve on The Cook Hotel Board of Managers.

Celebrating the endowment of its third Black Minds Matter scholarship are, from left, A.P. Tureaud, Sr. Black Alumni Chapter members, Phaedra White Abbott, Jeremiah Sams, Brittany Ernest, Katrina Dunn, Tracy Richard, and Leo Hamilton.

Beth Tope, Luke Laborde, D-D Breaux, and Mary Clare Trevison, Present a $20,000 check for the Greater Baton Rouge Chapter Scholarship Fund.

Student Scholars Recognized

LSU’s best and brightest future alumni and the donors who funded their scholarships were recognized at the Scholars Awards event in November.

The President’s Alumni Scholarship, one of the top merit-based scholarships on campus, is funded through the LSU Alumni Association from an endowment made in memory of Ola and Ruth Cain by Gordon A. Cain and Mary H. Cain. Flagship Scholarships are funded through the Association by individual donors, organizations, and alumni chapters. To establish or donate to a scholarship, visit lsualumni.org/giving.

Marie Stewart, second from left, recipient of the Kaye Devillier Person Memorial Endowed Scholarship, and Owen Mosely, right, recipient of the Cari and David S. Dawson Endowed Flagship Scholarship with family members.

Greater New Orleans Crescent City Tigers Scholarship recipients, front, from left, Brooke Whelan, Mia Foremaster, Riley Guillot, and Elle M. Broussard with family and friends.

Linda and Ron Young pose with Dallas Chapter Flagship Scholarship recipients Landry Nelson, Mark Stubbs, and Katherine Sorrels.

Brad Sanders and son Evan with Erika Dusek, who received the Azalie & Euell Norman Sanders Endowed Flagship Scholarship.

Danielle Thai, recipient of the Drs. Hubert Owen & Darrell Tate Endowed Flagship Scholarship, with her parents and donor Hubie Owen, right.

Dr. Mary Lou Applewhite and Elle M. Broussard, recipient of the Applewhite Endowed Flagship Scholarship.

Photos: Johnny Gordon

President's Alumni Scholars –LSU Alumni Association Board of Directors Chair Kathy Fives and then President Gordon Monk with President's Alumni Scholars Jaxton Bell, Colton Bruni, Emily Gundry, Caroline Henry, Sydney Junot, Kristen Richard, Sarah Stenhouse, and Charles Robertson.

Jaxton Bell

Colton Bruni.

Emily Gundry

Charles Robertson.

Caroline Henry Kristen Richard. Sydney Junot.

Sarah Stenhouse.

Your Board of Directors

Getting to Know Kathy Fives

Raised in part in New Orleans, Kathy Fives’ first experience at LSU was attending the first of many LSU sporting events, a football game at Tiger Stadium. On that day, Kathy became an LSU Tiger and hasn't looked back.

Fives earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Agriculture. She founded the Las Vegas LSU Alumni chapter to bring her beloved LSU traditions to a new area of the country during her time in Las Vegas and has held membership in and supported LSU Alumni Association chapters across the country over the years. She is a member of The Cook Hotel Board of Managers, the LSU College of Agriculture Dean’s Council, and the Tiger Fan Council.

Kathy and Lou Fives, of Baton Rouge, have two sons. She is a jewelry buyer for Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, as well as owner of two restaurant locations of The Jambalaya Shoppe. She enjoys attending LSU sporting events, cooking, traveling with friends and family, and being involved in community interests. Her most gratifying activities include volunteer work at LSU and mentoring up-and-coming business owners.

What does it mean to serve your alma mater and fellow graduates through the Association? I joined the LSU Alumni Association to support furthering the organization’s goals. The Association houses more than 400 undergraduate scholarships and thirty professorships that are awarded annually. Scholarship support plays a significant role in developing the University's student body and attracting students of the highest caliber. I believe every student should benefit from a well-rounded education, and I am honored to help pave the way for these students to achieve their dreams. It may be a better professor, an extra lab o ering, or maybe a new state-of-the-art piece of equipment or cutting-edge technology that could make a di erence in these students' futures.

Tiger Advocates is another LSUAA program near to my heart. Its mission is to be a collective voice for LSU to help ensure it is the best it can be – a top-ranked university that educates Louisiana’s future leaders, drives the state’s economic development, produces breakthroughs in scientific research, and serves the people of our state. Tiger Advocates committed to communicating LSU’s goals to Louisiana legislators and has positively influenced countless e orts by University leaders in improving state funding for campus wide improvements.

I donate my time and money willingly to fund these types of programs. I believe alumni can accomplish so much together through innovative, creative, interactive fundraising. This is what I enjoy most about being a member of this group.

What is your most memorable accomplishment? The day I married my husband is the most memorable day in my life, followed by raising my husband’s two sons. Being a wife and parent has a orded me so many blessings and experiences that enriched my life in indescribable ways.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

Spending time with family near and far if we could all be in one place for a day. I love my heritage and the traditions we practiced growing up, so I would cherish reliving them if the chance presented itself.

What was your favorite place on campus as a student? Now? As I mentioned above, my first experience at LSU was attending a football game at Tiger Stadium when I was about ten years old – the day I became an LSU Tiger. I enjoy the feeling of a live game or performance of any kind, and LSU has an abundance of entertainment, museums, exhibits, and cultural enrichment across the campus. My family and I spend most of our spare time on campus attending events.

Kathy Fives.

LEGACY FUNDING DREAMS

We have been very fortunate to be able to set up and actually see the benefits of establishing LSU Alumni Association endowed Flagship Scholarships for young scholars just starting their LSU higher education journey, writes Bill Ziegler (1972 BACH ENGR). My brother and sister, as well as my wife, have been supportive of e orts to establish three separate endowments that fund four to six student each year.

Even with this level of family support, it took a number of years to reach the endowment threshold that allows these awards to be self-sustaining within the Association and the LSU student aid program. We’ve been fortunate to be able to meet a number of “our” scholars, and are honored to be a part of their education success.

As we explored opportunities to maintain and grow our support for students beginning their educations, the Association shared that other donors were not as fortunate as we were to be able to complete their scholarship establishment dreams. As in all things, “life happens.” There are a number of scholarship funds that have been established, but not fully funded. Some are still active, while others are dormant.

Of particular interest to us were those scholarships that had not reached endowment thresholds before the donors passed away. Of immediate interest was an incomplete scholarship endowment fund benefiting incoming music students established many years ago by an LSU music education graduate who has since passed. My mother earned a music education degree from Belhaven College (Mississippi) and taught students in our home while we kids were growing up. This coincidental fit between our interests in supporting incoming LSU students and the original donor’s intention to support incoming music students was too good a match for us to pass up. We will now be working with the Association to complete that endowment fund.

There are a number of such opportunities in the Association’s scholarship funding system. While many LSU supporters may not be able to individually create and fund endowments, even limited resources can help complete these legacy scholarship-funding dreams that have yet to be fulfilled.

Our experience in working on these scholarship opportunities has been rewarding to us as well as to the students. If you are considering how to focus your support of students toward a meaningful, tangible, and measurable result, we urge you to contact the Association and ask how donation can help complete some of these legacy dream opportunities.

–BILL ZIEGLER

JOIN OUR TRADITIONS OF GIVING

The LSU Alumni Association embarked on a quest to increase it scholarship endowment in the early 1960s. At that time, the cost to fully endow a scholarship was $20,000. Over the years, the cost of tuition, room, and board have increased dramatically, and the need to increase the award amounts now exceeds the earnings on the $20,000 endowment.

The current mission of the Association is to raise funds to build the endowments of the scholarships to $50,000.

We sponsor more than 438 Legacy Scholarships, of which only 82 have reached $50,000, the principal gift needed to generate earnings to cover the annual cost of each scholarship.

We hope you will consider joining the Zieglers in their mission to help fully fund the “orphaned” Legacy Scholarships –making the dreams of future LSU alumni come true ensuring that your legacy lives on . . . Forever LSU.

Reach out to Amy Parrino, senior vice president of advancement, for information on the numerous opportunities available, and we will do our best to match you with a fund in need that may have special meaning and connection for you.

225-578-3835 • amy@lsualumni.org

Scholarship donors Bill Ziegler and Joanne

Fox-Ziegler.

Photo: Johnny Gordon

Advertisers from the Past

Local and national businesses and organizations have supported LSU’s alumni publications since the beginning – The Louisiana State University Alumni News Vol. 1 No. 1 (1924).

Here we share a sampling of ads that have appeared in the magazines over the decades. Note the various names used by our predecessors and the lowercased alumni news in the 1963 and 1973 editions.

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY alumni newsNovember-December 1953

The LSU Alumni Association heartily acknowledges its current LSU Alumni Magazine advertisers and encourages readers’ patronage of these businesses and organizations.

The Louisiana State University Alumni

The Louisiana State University Alumni NewsOctober 1933

PHOTOS BY EDDY PEREZ

powerful hurricane heralded the arrival of Oliver Angus Garden to Louisiana in August 2021, and ever since, it’s as if he has harnessed the forces of nature for change as dean of LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

Dean Oliver Garden in the new Stephenson Pet Clinic.

A BOLD GROWTH INITIATIVE LAUNCHED TO RELIEVE A VETERINARIAN SHORTAGE AND ADVANCE VETERINARY AND BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH TOWARD A HEALTHIER WORLD FOR ALL.

Since taking the helm of LSU Vet Med on the eve of Hurricane Ida roaring onto Louisiana’s coast, Garden has focused his considerable energy on maximizing the potential of the school for the betterment of animals, humans, and the environment. This has required vision, tenacity, discipline, and the willingness to listen to stakeholders. More than 1,200 visitors, including Louisiana’s governor, legislators, and other dignitaries, have stepped inside LSU Vet Med to better understand all the school delivers, as well as its areas of need, helping to garner $2 million in capital outlay and nearly $1.5 million

in additional state appropriations for 2023.

“I hope this signals the beginning of our momentum as we educate future veterinarians, protect humans from zoonotic disease through our diagnostic laboratory and biomedical research, ensure food security, serve the equine industry, and treat wildlife and family pets,” he said.

LSU Vet Med has launched a plan to significantly expand its entering class size and to increase its veterinary services in response to the growing need for veterinary care.

“There is a workforce shortage, especially in rural and large animal practices,” said Heidi Banse, dean for educational strategy.

Community Practice service inside the Stephenson Pet Clinic focuses on primary care for pets, including annual check-ups, preventative health care, vaccinations, and more. Learn more

SPACE TO GROW AND LEARN

Accepting more students creates a need for more teaching space and more professors to teach. The 1970s-era auditorium will be updated to include flexible learning space.

The Surgical Training Center will double surgical bays to train seventy students at a time in teams of three. The school is recruiting for several positions to help teach clinical and surgical skills. In addition to the D.V.M., the school offers Ph.D. and M.S. degrees.

STUDENTS GAIN HANDS-ON KNOWLEDGE TO PERFORM AT HIGHEST LEVELS

“A competency-based curriculum involves reframing the role of instructors to teacher-coaches, rather than simply lecturers and test-givers,” said Banse. At the heart of the student learning experience is a three-year integrated hands-on-animals program in a spacious new Clinical Skills Laboratory that integrates classroom learning and prepares practice-ready graduates. The Clinical Skills Lab is located within our new 40,000-square-foot Stephenson Pet Clinic, home to our companion animal wellness efforts and several clinical services, including community practice (primary care), dermatology, integrative medicine, and ophthalmology. Our veterinarians-in-training learn from boardcertified and other experts who are trained to teach.

President Tate speaks at the Stephenson Pet Clinic Ribbon Cutting event.

INTO THE FIELD

Students gain exposure to all species. Treating 1,200 wildlife cases and releasing 40 percent back into the wild each year, the Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana provides veterinary care for injured wildlife, conducts conservation research, and educates the public with resident raptors.

The Shelter Medicine and Community Outreach programs feature two fully equipped mobile clinics, including a new unit funded by Petco Love in which students and clinicians perform spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention, and general wellness examinations.

The mobile clinics are used to provide disaster relief and animal shelter services. LSU Vet Med trains and deploys animal rescue and response teams who are ready when disaster strikes our hurricane-prone region.

A new Community Outreach Mobile Unit and outreach veterinarian funded by Petco Love will extend the school's ability to teach, heal, and protect.

AT THE HEART OF THE STUDENT LEARNING EXPERIENCE IS A THREE-YEAR, INTEGRATED HANDS-ON-ANIMALS PROGRAM IN A SPACIOUS NEW CLINICAL SKILLS LABORATORY THAT INTEGRATES CLASSROOM LEARNING AND PREPARES PRACTICE-READY GRADUATES.

Students practice in the new Clinical Skills Lab as Dean Garden observes.

A RESEARCH POWERHOUSE

With $74 million in research funding, students are part of a research powerhouse that includes two Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence – the Center for Lung Biology and Disease and the Center for Pre-Clinical Cancer Research – and the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, along with other research laboratories investigating ways to improve and protect lives. Included in federal funding for biomedical research is $22 million in Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) funding from the National Institutes of Health.

The newest center of excellence is the Center for Pre-Clinical Cancer Research. The Cancer COBRE established the Pre-Clinical Evaluation Core to provide scientific and technical expertise for cancer projects and researchers.

The Cancer COBRE enhances cancer research both at LSU and at Southern University, strengthens collaborative research efforts with LSU HSC-New Orleans, and aids in efforts to establish a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in Louisiana, which ranks fifth in the nation for cancer mortality.

The school is leveraging its Center for Pre-Clinical Cancer Research and its small animal clinical trials toward a Center for Comparative Oncology that provides preclinical testing for cancer drug development. This center will work together with the LSU Health Sciences Center Stanley Scott Cancer Center and the Louisiana Cancer Research Center to address the disease in animals

and humans, with the intention of taking steps toward forming a nationally recognized comprehensive center with a National Cancer Institute designation.

Biomedical research at LSU Vet Med focuses on the link between animal and human health, with scientists investigating human and animal diseases and injuries related to cancer biology, infectious disease, vaccinology, equine health, lung biology, toxicology, and other areas aimed at enhancing and protecting lives.

“In all that we do we are working for a healthier world for all,” Dean Garden said.

Veterinary technician Elizabeth Arnold and fourth-year student Tobi Mangum examine Cheddar the cat in Community Practice.

CAMPUS

Jan Barker Alexander was named executive associate vice president for diversity and inclusion following a twenty-seven year career at Stanford University where she “curated experiences for students that pushed them intellectually and created programs that serve as a national model for intellectual engagement, cultural awareness, leadership development, and social justice." Alexander earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from LSU and a master’s in education from Southern University.

Jacqueline Bach, interim vice provost for academic programs and support services, was appointed to the position permanently.

Units reporting to the vice provost include the Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership (CCELL); Communication Across the Curriculum (CxC); Academic Center for Student Athletes; Gordon Cain Center for STEM Literacy; LSU Discover; and Residential Colleges.

Ernie Ballard, longtime director of LSU media relations and most recently interim vice president for communication and university relations, assumed the position of senior director of communications and marketing at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in December. Ballard earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations in 2001 and an MBA in 2003, both from LSU, and worked at LSU for eighteen years.

Andrea Beauchamp Carroll, the Donna W. Lee Professor of Family Law at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, was named Distinguished Professor and Calogero Justice Award Recipient by the Louisiana Bar Foundation at the organization’s Fellows Gala in April.

Theda Daniels-Race was named a Provost's Fellow in the O ce of Academic A airs, heading up the Open Educational Resources project, Integrative Learning Core, and the Learning & Teaching Collaborative. Daniels-Race, the Michel B. Voorhies Distinguished Professor in the Division of Electrical & Computer Engineering, was formerly the director of the School of Collaborative Academic Programs.

Nicollette Davis, LSU’s kinesiology, social work, and health sciences librarian, was named a 2023 Emerging Leader by the American Library Association. Davis’ cohort includes forty-six early-career leaders from across the U.S. and Canada who will gain an inside look into ALA structure, network with other emerging leaders, and participate in project planning work groups to enhance their careers. Davis earned a master’s in library and information sciences from LSU in 2018.

Tammy Dugas, professor of comparative biomedical sciences, and Michael Khonsari, professor of mechanical engineering, were elected as Fellows to the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). They will be inducted at the NAI annual meeting in June 2023.

Todd Manuel was named vice president of Civil Rights & Title IX, overseeing LSU’s Title IX compliance programs and obligations. Manuel is a seasoned executive and diversity thought leader with expertise in leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion as a business enabler at both enterprise and industry levels. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from LSU, a JD from Southern University Law Center, and an executive certificate in diversity, equity, and inclusion from Georgetown University.

Adam McCloskey was named director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at LSU, leading an o ce that provides no-cost consulting to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in the nine-parish capital region.

James Olson was appointed chief executive o cer of the Stephenson Technologies Corporation (STC), LSU’s a liate to conduct high-level defense and national security applied research and development. Olson is also executive director of the LSU Stephenson National Center for Security Research and Training.

Eugene Kennedy, professor in the School of Education, was named associate dean for academic programs and institutional e ectiveness, facilitating and documenting assessment and reporting processes, supporting a culture of assessment at the department and college levels, working in the development of student learning outcomes, and evaluating curriculum e ectiveness.

Michelle Schulte, senior curator and director of public programs at the LSU Museum of Art, received the Southeastern Museums Conference 2022 Museum Leadership Award, and the museum received awards in the exhibition and publication competitions.

Jennifer Scott, assistant professor of social work, received a $999,992 grant from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to adapt, deliver, and assess the e cacy of a brief group mental health intervention in East Baton Rouge Parish organizations. The team includes Scott; Tara Powell, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; and Khalid Hudson, Together Baton Rouge.

Julie Schneider, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders (COMD), and her co-investigator, Janna Oetting, professor in COMD and associate vice president of humanities, social sciences, and allied fields in the LSU O ce of Research & Economic Development, were awarded a $365,766 grant from the National Science Foundation to study how researchers measure and characterize the type of language input children throughout the Deep South hear in their day-to-day lives. The grant will examine whether the language children hear and speak aligns with the way their vocabulary is tested, as most research on this topic has been conducted in urban cities in the Northeast and Midwest United States.

Jenny Sones, associate professor of theriogenology in the School of Veterinary Medicine, received a Catalyst Award from the National Academy of Medicine. Sponsored by the National Institute of Aging, the award includes a $50,000 cash prize and travel costs to attend an annual Global Innovator Summit. She is one of only twenty-five U.S.-based innovators to receive the award each year during 2020-2022.

Greg Upton, associate professor, was named interim executive director of the LSU Center for Energy Studies, replacing David E. Dismukes, who retired in January. Upton holds doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees from LSU. He is a member of several professional associations and currently serves as chair of the 2023 U.S. Association for Energy Economics conference, to be held in Chicago in November.

Richard Vlosky, Crosby Land & Resources Professor of Forest Sector Business Development and director of the Louisiana Forest Products Development Center, School of Renewable Natural Resources, was re-elected chair of the LSU Agricultural Faculty Council for 2023.

Ursula White, assistant professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, was selected by the Obesity Society for the Society of Behavioral Medicine Leadership Institute, which helps advance the careers of participants by fostering self-awareness and the development of leadership skills.

Critical and cultural media scholar Asha Winfield, the Doris Darden II Professor in the Manship School of Mass Communication, was awarded the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award and the National Communication Association's Outstanding Dissertation Award, among other honors this year, for her research on black health and black representation in media.

William T. “Bill” Treas (1995 BACH BUS, 1997 MAST HS&E), founding partner in Nielsen & Treas, Metairie, La., was named to Louisiana Super Lawyers for 2023 in the area of insurance coverage.

LSU cybersecurity researchers are developing a new tool, HookTracer, to speed up cybercrime investigations using artificial intelligence (AI) to reveal cybercriminals and cybercrime. Investigators such as Louisiana State Police’s Cybercrime Unit can use HooKTracer stop or at least understand and mitigate cyberattacks. Louisiana ranks high on the list of U.S. states most at-risk of cybercrime, in fact, the highest among all Southern states, besides Florida.

The Reilly Center for Media & Public A airs at the Manship School of Mass Communication is partnering with Tulane University’s H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College Institute to document women’s experience as political leaders through oral histories. This partnership will expand the geographical footprint and constituencies for the Louisiana Women in Politics Oral History Project, an e ort to provide a record

of female political figures who played important roles in some of Louisiana’s most notable historical moments.

The LSU Police Department is the first in the SEC to implement a “soft interview room” for victims of trauma or sexual violence. The new room features comfortable lighting, furniture, weighted blankets, and items intended to help survivors talk to police about what happened. The room was installed with the help of Project Beloved, a nonprofit charitable organization that partners with law enforcement agencies to implement soft interview rooms across the nation.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded LSU Upward Bound and the McNair Scholars Program grants totaling $6,019,530 over the next five years. The funding for the proposals, written by wifeand-husband team Stephanie and Joseph

Givens, will help improve outcomes in higher education enrollment, retention, and graduation of first-generation college students with financial needs. Stephanie Givens serves as the Upward Bound director and associate director of the Gordon A. Cain Center. Joseph Givens is director of the Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars Program.

The LSU Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS) received a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration grant to build an artificial intelligence (AI) engine to study driver behavior that leads to crashes in order to help prevent them. The grant will help provide information about driver behavior on roads, especially around commercial vehicles. Lead principal investigator is Helmut Schneider, CARTS executive director and the Ourso Family Distinguished Professor of Information Systems in the E.J. Ourso College of Business.

The Stephenson National Center for Security Research and Training is changing its name to the LSU Stephenson Security Programs Institute (SPI) to support LSU’s agenda to create a thematic zone for defense capabilities by building and strengthening collaborations with local, state, and federal partners in national security and cybersecurity.

LSU Executive Education’s new Certified Public Manager Program is a nationally accredited, comprehensive leadership development program that prepares individuals for careers in federal, state, and local government, as well as public or notfor-profit organizations. Those completing the 300-hour program will receive a Public Manager Certificate from LSU.

LSU was approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to receive a Challenge America Award of $10,000 to support the Collaborative Piano Institute at the LSU School of Music. This year’s edition will focus specifically on issues of race, underrepresentation, and bias in classical music. Eight Black, Indigenous People of Color, or BIPOC faculty, and guest artists deliver lectures, discussions, master classes and live performances from June 4-24, which are free and open to the public.

TIGER TRIVIA

1. What was the minimum age for admission in 1915?

12

18

2. What were beneficiary cadets

16

There was no minimum age

Students chosen by parish Students who received free meal police juries who couldn't a ord plans the fees and other expenses required for attendance

Students who received All of the above free books

3. How tall is the Memorial Tower?

435 feet

300 feet 175 feet 75 feet

4. When was the Memorial Tower completed?

1860 1926 1941 1960

5. What was Charles E. Coates Hall originally used for? A dining hall A classroom building An administration building Chemistry laboratories

6. Who was LSU’s first men’s basketball coach?

Edgar Wingard Press Maravich

Joe Dean Harry Rabenhorst

7. Who was the first Lady Tigers basketball coach?

Sue Gunter Van Chancellor

Barbara Swanner Jinx Coleman

8. When were women’s sports first recognized by the Southeastern Conference?

1893-94 season

1979-80 season

1936-37 season

1985-86 season

9. In what department were the first education courses taught?

Department of Education Department of Philosophy

Department of History

Department of English

10. What institution did LSU merge with in 1877?

The Louisiana Agricultural The Louisiana Normal School and Mechanical College

Tulane University Bossier Parish Community College

11. Which universities were once junior colleges in the LSU system? McNeese State University Nicholls State University

University of Louisiana Monroe All of the above

12. What is The Delta?

The history of the

The newsletter of Delta Delta Mississippi River Delta sorority

A literary journal produced A bar on Chimes Street by undergraduates in the English Department

Tiger Trivia is compiled by Barry Cowan, assistant archivist, Hill Memorial Library.

Grammy Nomination – Four-time Grammy-nominated zydeco musician and LSU alumnus and Tiger Band member Sean Ardoin’s (1994 BACH H&SS) album, “Full Circle,” which features a collaboration with LSU’s Tiger Marching Band, was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Regional Roots Music Album. “Full Circle” features Ardoin’s band, Kreole Rock and Roll, accompanied by the Tiger Band on every work – the first time a marching band and a popular genre band have collaborated for a full album.

The 2022 Homecoming Queen

Olivia Christopher and King Navy Coggins, along with the court and senior royalty candidates, were introduced at halftime at the LSU-Ole Miss game.

Christopher, of Mandeville, La., is a senior in graphic design; Coggins, of Bernice, La., is a kinesiology senior.

Members of the Senior Court were Stephanie Lofton, Alexandria, La., biochemistry; Ella Otken, Denham Springs, La., biological sciences; Sebastian Canales, New Orleans, mass communication; and Zachary Mayfield, Slidell, La., agricultural and extension education.

Celebrating Brookshire Scholars – LSU will achieve transformative progress in scholarship funding and support for military veterans via a $7.575 million gift to elevate the College of Engineering’s S&B Engineers and Constructors Scholarships, catalyze the new Future Scholars Pipeline Initiative, and establish the William A. Brookshire Veterans Law Clinic.

This latest gift to LSU by the William A. Brookshire Foundation continues the legacy of the late LSU alumnus William Alfred “Bill” Brookshire, who earned master’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from LSU after becoming the first in his family to earn a high school diploma. His philanthropic focus at LSU is providing scholarships to working students and ensuring access to holistic on-campus support for military veterans and their families while commemorating the University’s military heritage.

Photo: LSU Foundation

The Brookshire family joins Brookshire Scholars to celebrate their pace-setting 97 percent graduation rate.

Homecoming Queen Olivia Christopher and King Navy Coggins with LSU Alumni Association Board of Directors Chair Kathy Fives and then President Gordon Monk.

Rucks Fellows Announced

The 2022-2023 E.J. Ourso College of Business Rucks Department of Management Rucks Fellows are Maxwell Bond, New Orleans; Kylan Borskey, Baton Rouge; Rylie Brown, Baton Rouge; Lauren Craig, Baton Rouge; Dane Eastman, Kingwood, Texas; Andrew Gallmann, Baton Rouge; John Heimendinger, Franklin, Tenn.; Ashley Laughlin, Dallas; Cody Pech, Raceland, La.; and Isiah Travis, New Orleans.

The students, selected by faculty, represent the highest level of academic achievement among senior management majors in any of the department’s concentrations. To qualify, a student must have a grade-point average in the top ten of all graduating seniors in the management curriculum.

Edwards Tapped for LSU ODK

Governor John Bel Edwards delivered the keynote speech at the fall meeting of the Baton Rouge Area ODK Alumni Chapter and was inducted as an honorary member of the LSU Alpha Nu Circle. The Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society annually recognizes and invites into membership the top one percent of juniors and seniors at LSU.

From left, Isiah Travis, Andrew Gallmann, Lauren Craig, Kylan Borskey, John Heimendinger, Maxwell Bond, Rylie Brown, Dane Eastman, Cody Pech, and Ashley Laughlin.

Tara Singer, ODK national president; Gov. John Bel Edwards; and Bridger Eglin, president of the Baton Rouge Area ODK Alumni Chapter.

Governor John Bel Edwards and Zachary Mayfield, president of LSU ODK.

2022 LSU ROARING 10

LSU announced company rankings for the 12th Annual LSU 100 and LSU ROARING 10 in October.

The LSU 100 celebrates the 100 fastest-growing LSU graduate-owned or LSU graduate-led businesses in the world.

The LSU ROARING 10 list celebrates the ten highest revenue-generating businesses from those that apply for the LSU 100.

The 2022 ROARING 10 are Turner Industries Group, LLC; HNTB Corporation; Performance Contractors, Inc.; LIPSEY’s, LLC; The Newtron Group, LLC; PSC Group; Christus Health-Louisiana & Southeast Texas; Provident Resources Group, Inc.; Danos; and Safety Management Services, LLC

LSU Executive Education hosts the LSU 100 event with partners Postlethwaite & Netterville, the Tiger Athletic Foundation, and E. J. Ourso College of Business Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems.

Sponsors are 1Bank, Lee Michael’s Fine Jewelry and Distinctive Gifts, the LSU Alumni Association, Vivid Ink Graphics, and Gatorworks.

LSU Black Pioneers Honored

LSU is honoring Black pioneers Lutrill and Pearl Payne, Pinkie Gordon Lane, and Julian T. White, whose impact on the University merits lasting recognition, by naming two programs and one building in their honor.

The Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education in the College of Human Sciences & Education honors Lutrill Payne and his wife, Pearl Payne, the first Black woman to earn a degree from LSU. She received a master’s degree in education in 1956.

The Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School honors Lane, the first African American to earn a doctorate from LSU, in 1967. An accomplished educator and Pulitzer Prizenominated poet and author, she was the first woman to chair Southern University’s English Department and was Louisiana’s first Black Poet Laureate.

Julian T. White Hall, formerly the Design Building, honors Julian T. White, the second Black licensed architect in the state of Louisiana and LSU’s first Black professor of architecture.

Math Equity

To help address the challenge of math inequity, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System was awarded a $3.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help Black and Latino students and all students experiencing poverty to graduate from high school skilled in the math required to be successful in higher education, the workforce, and life.

The LSU Social Research & Evaluation Center will serve as the research partner, with a sub-award of $473,000 for three years. DreamBox Learning will serve as the technology solutions partner. Together, the partners will work to construct a research plan to focus on students primarily in kindergarten through eighth grade.

President William F. Tate IV, center, and members of the LSU Social Research & Evaluation Center, from left, Sam Robison, Stacey Terrio, Judith Rhodes, Colleen Sinclair, Youn Kyoung "Lily" Kim, Sito Narcisse, Tim Hudson, Arend Van Gemmert, and Jason Sinquefield.

Pearl Payne.

Julian T. White.

Pinkie Gordon Lane.

LSU Retirees

WAFB meteorologist Steve Caparotta, guest speaker at the LSU Faculty Sta Retirees Club October meeting, spoke about gaps in Doppler radar coverage, which leaves Baton Rouge in the “purple haze” for alerting residents about oncoming tornadoes.

Refreshments were provided by club members Barbara Aldrich, Barbara Brown, Deborah Cross, Jerry Exner, and Rebecca Johnson.

The club is open to all LSU retirees and their spouses. Members meet monthly for talks, tours, and social activities. Contact lsu.faculty.sta .ret.club@gmail.com.

From left, Karen Overstreet, Rita Culross, Steve Caparotta, Barbara Aldrich, and Kenneth Koonce.

Fall Commencement

LSU awarded 1,805 degrees to graduates at the University’s 309th commencement exercises in December. The fall graduating class represented forty-four Louisiana parishes, forty-three states, and forty-one countries.

Women comprised 55.24 percent of the class, and men 44.76 percent. The youngest graduates were twentyone; the oldest was sixty-eight.

Thirty-six LSU employees received degrees, and African American, Hispanic, and multiracial students received the most degrees ever awarded during a fall semester.

Photos: Eddy Perez and Kathryn Seghers, LSU Communications & University Relations

Students Capture the Voices of Louisiana’s Veterans

Students in an LSU Ogden Honors College seminar have captured the first-person narratives of Louisianans who have served in the military. In addition to being added to the T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History, part of the LSU Libraries, the oral histories they collected will be housed in the Library of Congress’ national database as part of a partnership with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.

The students learned how to preserve valuable historical information by collecting personal recollections through recorded interviews. These interviews become powerful primary sources that are available to anyone interested in understanding the impact of Louisiana veterans who have served in the U.S. military during the 20th and 21st centuries.

According to Jen Cramer, director of the Williams Center and instructor of the course, “What’s amazing about this class is that you’ve got these…freshmen and sophomores doing original research…[T]hey’re creating this primary source that is going to be preserved locally and nationally,” Cramer said.

Students met with Monica Mohindra, director of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project, who spoke about the collaboration with the Library of Congress. Later, Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser spoke to the students about their work.

“Louisiana veterans are near and dear to my heart. So, when I heard about these LSU students who were preserving their stories for future generations of Louisianans, I recognized the significance of what that meant. What a di erence it will make to the veterans telling these stories as well as to other veterans who will hear these stories and feel that what they have done for their country and their state has made a lasting di erence to the citizens of Louisiana,” Nungesser said.

To Cramer, the mission of the class and the mission of the Williams Center are aligned to document first-person stories about Louisiana history and culture, especially to help fill in the gap of under-documented communities, individuals, and groups. The Williams Center holds several important interviews from Black Americans who served in WWII and returned to a country that did not give them the same respect or opportunities as white veterans. Despite their sacrifice, they were still made to use the back door or sit at the back of the bus.

“Many veterans from World War II, mostly African American veterans but even some white veterans, ended up participating in social movements in large part because of their experience in World War II – having been treated one way while abroad and then returning to very di erent treatment in the Jim Crow South afterward,” Cramer said.

For example, most of the founding members of the Deacons for Defense and Justice, an armed Black self-defense group operating during the civil rights era in Bogalusa, La., were combat veterans who served in WWII and the Korean War. Another example is the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott, which was led by many WWII veterans and helped to plant the seed for the more well-known Montgomery bus boycott.

“I chose a civilian life, but I want to somehow help honor those who serve,” Cramer said, “Veterans are so much a part of our culture and have so much to teach us civilians about life and leadership. What better way to understand and honor the veterans in our lives than by providing a welcoming place to tell stories, and, most importantly, to listen.”

To learn more about the oral histories of Louisiana veterans stored in the T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History, visit the Louisiana Digital Library website.

Christine Wendling is director of communications at LSU Libraries.

By Christine Wendling

Items belonging to Leroy Poydras, a Lafayette, La., native, who served as a Chief Petty O cer in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His oral history was captured by Michelle Melancon, an assistant processing archivist in LSU Libraries and a volunteer for Oral History Day, held by the Library of Congress Veterans History Project in 2019. Two years later, he participated in a follow-up interview with Dale Rhodies, a graduate student in LSU’s T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History. Photo: Brian Baiamonte, LSU Libraries' Harry T. Williams Center for Oral History.

Tara Jones, center, is the Incarcerated Veterans

Liaison and Louisiana National Guard Disability

Benefits Administrator for the Louisiana Department of Veterans A airs. She was a sta sergeant in the Louisiana Air National Guard (1988-1997) and more recently the subject of an LSU student-led oral history interview about her military experience. Ajalynn Crum, right, of Lake Charles, La., right, served as the interviewer while Amara Bordelon, left, of Baton Rouge, served as the audio engineer. Both students are Ogden Honors College freshmen studying mechanical engineering. Photo: Brandee Patrick, Louisiana Department of Veterans A airs.

By Ava E. Borskey

Monique Cain Assumes Board Executive Directorship

“Go and Greaux.” Monique Fondren Cain has passed on those three simple words of advice to more than 200 students while in leadership positions and teaching at LSU. With a career spanning twenty-two years and several leadership positions, it’s one of her personal mottos, too.

Cain’s journey at LSU started in 1996 as an undergrad. A Chicago native, she moved to her mother’s home state for college. She fell in love with LSU and put down roots, earning her bachelor’s degree in information systems and decision sciences in 2000, a Master of Public Administration in 2005, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership in 2012. From there, she worked in leadership positions in student a airs and served as president of the LSU Black Faculty and Sta Caucus for two terms. She is now executive director for the LSU Board of Supervisors.

“The culmination of everything that I've done has led me to this place and to this position,” Cain said.

“We are delighted to welcome Monique Fondren Cain as executive director,” said Valencia Sarpy Jones, board chair. “As an alumna, she also brings more than twenty-two years of professional experience and perspective, which uniquely positions her to serve as the board’s liaison to the president and the University.”

As executive director, Cain serves as liaison between the O ce of the President and Board of Supervisors; facilitates and manages all board administrative duties, including modifications to board bylaws, regulations, and policies; manages and facilitates board meetings; plans and designs board-sponsored meetings and events; and spearheads organizational orientation and educational activities that enhance the board’s understanding of the University.

“From her work with the Black Faculty and Sta Caucus, the College of Human Sciences & Education, and Residential Life, Cain brings a wellrounded background into the position,” said Rémy Voisin Starns, who was board chair when Cain was hired. When she’s not fulfilling her duties as executive director, Cain can be found in the classroom. For the past five years, she’s served as an adjunct professor in the College of Human Sciences & Education, helping students understand student development theory and educational technology. In her educational technology administration class, she helps students create educational technology plans – and some of her students’ projects have been implemented in K-12 school systems. “I love working with things that are not esoteric, that are very tangible, and things that we can achieve,” Cain said. “I feel like I'm making a di erence – even though I’m not implementing these things but just showing people that you can.”

Cain said her own long-stretching success at LSU proves the caliber of education available, the opportunities for leadership, and the milestones a person can achieve within a community of people who care. She says she certainly couldn’t have predicted the trajectory of her career, but looking back – from serving as the first altar girl at her church to attending boarding school to taking on management opportunities – it makes sense that she’s where she is today.

“As you work your way through your journey, you have to enjoy where you are, and you have to find the flowers where you are,” Cain said. “And then, you just keep going. Sometimes you end up with a bunch of flowers, and you get to hand them on to someone and move on to the next thing. You keep going and greauxing.”

Ava Borskey, a senior in mass communications, writes for The Mag and was former entertainment editor at The Daily Reveille

“You keep going and greauxing.”

Monique Cain, LSU Board of Supervisors executive director.

LSU Football Exceeds Expectations in 2022

The 2022 season was supposed to be a transitional one for the LSU football team. In 2021, LSU posted a 6-7 record, finishing last in the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division, and parted ways with National Championship winning coach Ed Orgeron.

The team, led by new head coach Brian Kelly, faced a daunting stretch in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Prior to the season, the Tigers were picked fifth in the SEC West by the media covering SEC Football Media Days. Few expected them to compete. Fewer expected them to succeed.

But they exceeded those expectations.

The Tigers went 9-3 in the regular season including a victory over their annual rivalry against the Alabama Crimson Tide, and won the SEC West to secure a spot in the SEC Championship Game.

Kelly’s team ultimately fell to the Georgia Bulldogs in the championship game, but they earned a berth in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers to close out the season.

LSU claimed its tenth win by defeating the Boilermakers in dominant fashion. They tallied nearly 600 yards of o ense and forced three turnovers en route to a 63-7 victory to bookend a storybook season.

“You get these opportunities, and you want to be able to celebrate your season, enjoy the bowls and the atmosphere, and then you want to go play well. We did that today,” Kelly said during his postgame press conference. “Our guys executed at a high level. They competed at a high level.”

It was a season full of surprises, and Kelly was asked what stood out most in first year at the helm.

“The relationships with the players and developing new relationships with 115 players and getting to know them,” Kelly said. “[in] our first meeting [I] said ‘hey, we’re going to build trust, but it’s going to take time for both sides.’ And, I think that’s what happened. I’ll remember that in Year 1, that process of building trust.”

“You get these opportunities, and you want to be able to celebrate your season . . . you want to go play well. And we did that today.”

LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly receives a celebratory Cheez-It bath from his players. The Tigers defeated Purdue 63-7 to win the 2023 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

LSU Volleyball Lays Foundation for the Future in 2022

When LSU Volleyball head coach Tonya Johnson began her LSU tenure, she had big shoes to fill. Johnson replaced Fran Flory, the winningest coach in LSU volleyball history, who retired at the end of the 2021 season.

The shoes fit just fine.

The LSU alumna and Zachary, La., native returned to Baton Rouge after serving as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Texas since 2014 and fulfilled a dream when she took the helm of the Tigers prior to the 2022 season.

“It has been a lifelong dream of mine to return to LSU and lead this incredible volleyball program to new heights,” Johnson said in a press release. “I am beyond thrilled that I have been given the opportunity to make that dream a reality. The pride and passion that was instilled in me as a player and as an assistant coach has

transformed my life, and those values have never left me.

In Johnson’s first year, the Tigers posted their first winning record since 2019, 16-14, made their first NCAA tournament since 2017, and they defeated the University of Hawaii to claim their first NCAA Tournament Match victory since 2014.

Ultimately, LSU fell in their next match against Stanford, the No. 4 overall seed in the tournament to end their campaign.

Despite the loss, the future appears bright for the LSU volleyball team. After bringing in a solid recruiting class including Wisconsin transfer and 2021 National Champion Jade Demps, Johnson is laying a strong foundation for the Tigers’ future.

Locker Room is compiled and edited by writer and sports lover Marc Stevens, project manager at STUN Design. Marc has covered LSU Athletics and written for local publications including The Daily Reveille and DIG Magazine

“

. . . laying a strong foundation for the Tiger's future.”

LSU’s volleyball team celebrates a point during the NCAA Tournament match against Hawaii. The Tigers won 3-1, their first NCAA Tournament win since 2014.

Former LSU All-American Mondo Duplantis Named 2022 World Athlete of the Year

World Athletics, the governing body of international track and field, named former LSU Pole Vaulter Mondo Duplantis as the 2022 World Athlete of the Year.

The 2022 award marks the second time Duplantis, a Lafayette native, received the honor. He previously won in 2020.

The 23-year-old pole vaulter set three world records, claimed two global titles, and won 18 of his 19 competitions while vaulting higher than six meters (19.685 feet) 22 times. But his peak was in the World Championships.

On the last day of competition, Duplantis secured the gold medal, but he wanted more. After aborting his first attempt at a world record height of 6.21 meters, The Former LSU-All American launched himself and cleared the height with room to spare.

“You picture the moment when you’re a kid,” Duplantis said in a World Athletics press release. “You’re on the biggest stage, which would be a World Championships, you’re going for the world record, and you end up breaking the world record and doing something that nobody has ever done. It’s one of these moments where it’s really a dream come true situation.”

“

. . . it’s really a dream come true situation”

Leaving a Legacy

Former LSU Women’s Basketball Player Seimone Augustus’ Statue Unveiled

Throughout the history of LSU’s women’s basketball team, there have been countless players to wear the purple and gold, but one name stands above the rest.

Seimone Augustus.

Augustus scored 2,702 points, the second highest in program history, and led the Tigers to three consecutive NCAA Final Four Appearances. She was named SEC Player of the Year and National Player of the Year - twice - and was a two-time recipient of the Wooden Award and the Honda Award.

The Baton Rouge native won 121 of her 140 games, the most victories over a four-year span, and only lost back-toback games once at LSU.

In 2010, she became the first LSU female student-athlete to have her jersey retired. In January, she set another mark by becoming the first female student-athlete with a statue outside of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Her statue will stand alongside three other LSU legends’ statues - Pete Maravich, Bob Petit, and Shaquille O’Neal.

“Words can’t express the gratitude I feel in my heart,” Augustus said

in a LSU press release. “To leave a timeless legacy of inspiration for generations to follow is a lifelong goal, and with this announcement, I am humbly honored. Representing Louisiana has always been and always will be a driving force in my continued pursuit to greatness.”

After her collegiate career, Augustus was selected No. 1 Overall in the 2006 WNBA Draft and was named the 2006 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Throughout her 15 years in the WNBA, she won four WNBA championships and was named MVP of the 2011 WNBA Finals. Augustus was an eight-time WNBA All-Star, scored over 6,000 points, and earned All-WNBA honors six times.

“Seimone Augustus is one of the greatest players in the history of our game. She has been successful at every level of basketball, and what she did for this program and this university deserves to be recognized,” said LSU Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kim Mulkey. “I am proud we are able to honor Seimone with a statue where our fans will forever be able to reflect on her impact and greatness.”

“Words can’t express the gratitude I feel in my heart. To leave a timeless legacy of inspiration for generations to follow is a lifelong goal . . . I am humbly honored.”

Seimone Augustus addresses a crowd of Tiger fans during the unveiling of her statue. She is the first LSU female student-athlete to have her own statue.

A sold-out PMAC celebrates Seimone Augustus during LSU’s game against Auburn. LSU defeated the visiting Tigers 84-54.

LSU WINTER 2022 GRADUATES

CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!

On behalf of the LSU Alumni Association and proud LSU alumni across the country and around the globe, congratulations and welcome to Tiger Nation. You have earned it. You have met many challenges and overcome many hurdles, and we are proud of you and all that you have accomplished.

No matter where you live, the LSU spirit is there – and you'll find fellow alumni to support you in your new endeavors and show the world just how awesome LSU graduates are. Our more than 135 alumni chapters around the world provide connection and camaraderie, and we hope you’ll unite with your fellow alums to keep the Tiger spirit alive.

To take advantage of all we have to o er you, visit LSUAlumni.org/recentgrad. Again, congratulations and Geaux Tigers!

1970s

David R. Cassidy (1972 BACH H&SS, 1972 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named to the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Tax.

Murphy J. Foster (1972 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named to the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Construction Litigation.

Leo Hamilton (1973 BACH H&SS, 1977 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named Distinguished Attorney by the Louisiana Bar Foundation at the organization’s Fellows Gala in April.

Van R. Mayhall, Jr. (1971 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named to the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Business/Corporate.

DEGREES

BACH Bachelor’s Degree

MAST Master’s Degree

PHD Doctorate

SPEC Specialist

DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

MLIS Master of Library & Information Science

JD Juris Doctorate (LSU Law School)

LLM Master of Laws

MD Medical Doctor (LSU School of Medicine)

DDS Doctor of Dental Science (LSU School of Dentistry)

COLLEGES/SCHOOLS

AGR Agriculture

A&D Art & Design

C&E Coast & Environment

H&SS Humanities & Social Sciences

SCI Science

BUS Business

HS&E Human Sciences & Education

ENGR Engineering

M&DA Music & Dramatic Arts

MCOM Mass Communication

SCE School of the Coast & Environment

SVM School of Veterinary Medicine

SW Social Work

Eve B. Masinter (1979 BACH H&SS, 1982 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, New Orleans, was named to the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Employment & Labor.

Benton Toups (1977 BACH H&SS, 2000 JD), an attorney with Cranfill Summer was listed in the 2023 Business North Carolina Legal Elite.

1980s

Richard Arsenault (1980 JD), a partner of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, chaired the LSBA's 22nd Annual Complex Litigation Symposium along with a conference in St. Louis: The Current Mass Tort Landscape, and chaired the HarrisMartin's MDL Conference in New York: Navigating Current Mass Tort Litigation. Additionally, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, will be recognized in the 2023 U.S. News "Best Law Firm" for Admiralty & Maritime Law and Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions.

Jude Bursavich (1983 BACH H&SS, 1988 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named to the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Business Litigation.

Angie Christina (1986 BACH BUS) returned to McGlinchey Sta ord’s New Orleans o ce as a partner in the Enterprise Litigation & Investigations practice group. She was a partner in the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice group from 2007-2017, at which time she joined Angie, a prominent AmLaw 100 firm, as a partner in its Consumer Financial Services practice group. She earned a JD from Tulane University Law School. Active in the New Orleans community, she has served as president of the New Orleans Bar Foundation since 2018, is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and is a member of the New Orleans Bar Association.

Marshall Grodner (1983 BACH H&SS, 1990 JD), a partner at McGlinchey Sta ord, was appointed to the Louisiana State Law Institute’s Uniform Commercial Code Committee. Grodner is immediate past president of and a Fellow in the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers; past president of the Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys, Inc.; immediate past chair of the Commercial Finance Committee of the American Bar Association Business Law Section; and a Fellow in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and American College of Mortgage Attorneys.

1990s

Corey S. Alemand (1991 BACH BUS), a thirty-two year employee of Exxon Mobil Corporation, was promoted to the executive position of supply chain chief, the highest senior technical professional position in a specified field.

Marlon D. Henderson (1997 BACH SCI, 2001 DDS), a general dentist and owner of Henderson Dentistry in Shreveport, was installed as the ninety-ninth president of the National Dental Association (NDA) and began his one-year term in January.

Henderson served on the LSU School of Dentistry Alumni Board from 2005-2010, is a current member of the LSU Alumni Association Shreveport/Bossier Chapter and Tiger Athletic Foundation, is a past president of the Pelican State Dental Association, and is and a former member of the Louisiana Health Care Commission.

Scott N. Hensgens (1993 BACH H&SS), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named to the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Business Litigation.

2000s

Lane Aiena (2009 BACH SCI) received the Texas Academy of Family Physicians (TAFP) Public Health Award, which recognizes individuals who make extraordinary contributions to the public health of Texas. In practice at Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Aiena is an at-large director on the TAFP board, president of the Walker-MadisonTrinity County Medical Society, and active in the Texas Medical Association. As director of the Walker County COVID Medical Response, he worked with state representatives to secure and distribute vaccines for his community and taught classes to local the hospital sta on overcoming vaccine hesitancy. In 2021 he work with his local radio station to broadcast “Thursday Morning House Call,” focused on COVID, and recently launched “Doc to the Future,” a podcast on the field of primary care.

Brad Barback (2008 BACH BUS, 2014 JD), an attorney with McGlinchey-Sta ord, Baton Rouge, was named Of Counsel in January. Barback served for two years as chair of the Baton Rouge Bar Association’s Construction Section and was named to the Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch (Construction and Litigation - Construction) list in 2022 and 2023.

Joseph J. Cefalu (2009 BACH BUS, 2012 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named a Rising Star in the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Civil Litigation: Defense.

Druit Gremillion, Jr. (2007 BACH H&SS, 2011 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named a Rising Star in the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of General Litigation.

Richard T. Haik, Sr. (2005 JD), retired U.S. District Judge, Lafayette) was named Distinguished Jurist by the Louisiana Bar Foundation at the organization’s Fellows Gala in April.

Alexandra C. Hains (2009 BACH AGR), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named a Rising Star in the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Employment & Labor.

Rachael Jeanfreau (2007 BACH H&SS), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, New Orleans, was named a Rising Star in the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Employment & Labor.

Derek D. Maxey (2002 BACH ENGR) was selected for a three-year term as a Lockheed Martin Fellow. In this role he will be an advisor to Lockheed Martin executive leadership teams and an ambassador to government, industry, and higher education organizations.

Amanda S. Stout (2000 BACH H&SS, 2003 JD), an attorney with McGlinchey Sta ord, Baton Rouge, was selected for the 2023 Leadership Baton Rouge professional development program. Stout chairs the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, has served on the board of directors of Capital Area United Way since 2012, and has held leadership roles, most recently as chair of the Community Impact Cabinet. |She received “Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year” and the "Outstanding Service Project of the Year" honors by the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division in 2012 and has been named among The Best Lawyers in America® for employee benefits (ERISA) law and labor law on behalf of management. She also has held numerous positions within local and state bar associations.

Shawanesh Underwood (2005 BACH H&SS), a member of the O ce of Policy Planning, Department of State, was named to the 2022 U.S. National Security & Foreign A airs Leadership List sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies with the Diversity in National Security Network. The list spotlights leaders of diverse backgrounds in the fields of foreign a airs and national security.

2010s

Danielle L. Borel (2011 BACH BUS, 2014 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named a Rising Star in the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Business Litigation.

Alexis Curtis (2019 BACH HS&E, 2022 JD) joined Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, as an associate in the casualty litigation section.

Philip J. Giorlando (2015 BACH BUS, 2018 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named a Rising Star in the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Employment & Labor.

Bradley J. LeDoux (2017 BACH H&SS) joined Feldman, Kleidman, Co ey & Sappe, Fishkill, N.Y. He was previously a law fellow for Queens Defenders Youth Justice Court Program and a law clerk at the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights in New Orleans. He earned his law degree at St. John’s University School of Law and served as a law clerk at St. John’s University’s Child Advocacy Clinic. He also volunteered at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services.

Kelsey Clark Luckett (2012 BACH H&SS, 2014 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named a Rising Star in the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Class Action.

Catherine B. Moore (2015 JD), an attorney with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, was named a Rising Star in the 2023 edition of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of Health Care.

Sarah Perkins (2018 BACH H&SS, 2022 JD) joined Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, as an associate in the administrative law section. In law school, she was named the Robert Lee Tullis Moot Court Competition Champion and competed in the Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition and the American Bar Association's National Appellate Advocacy Competition.

Christopher Vidrine (2018 BACH MCOM), 2022 JD) joined Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, Baton Rouge, as an associate in the healthcare section. He is a member of the Order of the Coif.

2020s

Joseph “Joey” Dronet (2021 JD) joined Cha ee MCall, Baton Rouge as an associate in commercial litigation. While in law school, he was a member of the Ethics Committee, served as president of the tennis club, and participated in the Prosecution Clinic in association with the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s O ce. He received a bachelor’s degree from McNeese State University.

Michelle Lollie (2022 PHD SCI) , the first Black woman to receive a doctoral degree from the LSU Department of Physics & Astronomy, was featured in November 2022 issue of APS NEWS in the article “From Banking to Quantum Physics.” Lollie is an advanced laser scientist at Quantinuum, Honeywell’s quantum computing spino Outside of physics, she recently picked up the violin and has a burgeoning whiskey collection.

Sydney McGovern (2022 BACH MCOM, 2022 BACH H&SS) was promoted to a Fulbright Grantee and will teach for nine months in Galicia, Spain, as part of the English Teaching Assistantship grant. She will serve as an assistant teacher at a high school, teaching the English language and subjects such as social studies, science, art, and technology in English. Additionally, she will conduct a host country engagement project and plans to create an environmental journalism club.

BABY BENGALS

Victoria “Tori” Bourgeois Burke (2015 BACH BUS) and Christopher “CJ” Burke (2015 HS&E), of Denver, Colo., welcomed future Tiger Bodhi Bourgeois Burke on Aug. 12, 2022. Proud grandparents are Michele Dressman Burke (1982 BACH HS&E) and James Burke (1983 BACH H&SS), of Boca Raton, Fla.

Likely third-generation alumnus Quinn Subjeck, son of Kirsten Petersen Subjeck (2008 BACH H&SS) and her husband Sean, and grandson of Glen R. Petersen (1973 BACH BUS, 1977 JD) and Melinda Petersen (1974 BACH H&SS), promptly indicated his prediction for LSU’s SEC performance when asked. “Quinn the Eskimo,” who lives with his parents in balmy Phoenix, Ariz., was elated to be swaddled in appropriate garb.

Future Tiger Leigh Virginia Walker was welcomed to the world on Oct. 26, 2022, by David and Courtney Broussard Walker (2012 BACH H&SS), of Atlanta, Ga.

OOPS!

In the story “Forecasting LSU Baseball’s 2023 Season,” The word as in the second line of the drop quote should read at –“There is high-end talent at . . .”

In Melvin L. Hawkins’ item in Tigers in Print, the word Peter should be Peters –“Peters forewarned . . .”

The Scot McKenzie profile was written by Libby Haydel, communications manager in the LSU O ce of Communications & University Relations.

WEDDING BELLS

Phillips-Paul Wedding Bells – Kobi Phillips (2014 BACH MCOM) and Germol Paul exchanged vows on Jan. 7 at the Lod Cook Alumni Center, where they met at a company Christmas party in 2019.

The bride’s attendants were LaKeitcha Pierce (2021 MAST HS&E), Brittany Telfair (2012 BACH BUS), Tina Collins (2011 BACH H&SS), and Shea’La Schenall (2019 MAST BUS).

The couple honeymooned in the Bahamas. Germol, a chau eur, and Kobi, a stay-at-home wife and mother, reside Baton Rouge.

Gri th-Maryland Jumping

the Broom – Nicole Gri th (2012 BACH HS&E and David Maryland, Jr. cemented their love for each other on April 30, 2022, at the Lod Cook Alumni Center. Nicole is the daughter of Samuel and Joell Gri th. David is the son of Linda Barnett.

Nicole and David have a common interest – their love for football. They met at a high school football championship weekend at the Superdome. Another thing the couple shares is an anniversary with the bride’s parents, being married on their thirty-ninth wedding anniversary. The couple plans to go on their honeymoon at the end of 2023.

Their LSU connection – Nicole, the o ce administrator at the LSU Board of Supervisors, and David, a Walker Junior High and twelve-year high school coaching veteran for the University Lab Cubs – drew a large crowd of LSU alumni and friends to celebrate with them.

Gerald-Tullier Nuptials – Fallon

Gerald (2020 BACH SCI) and Devin Tullier (2019 BACH SCI) exchanged vows on July 2, 2022, at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. Fallon is the daughter of Meg and Don Gerald. Devin’s parents are Renee and Patrick Tullier (1979 BACH SCI).

The couple met through friends during their first semester in 2016. Their relationship sparked in their second semester when they shared a class and ate lunch in the LSU Union every Tuesday and Thursday. Throughout college, Fallon was an active member of Delta Gamma Sorority, and Devin was a member of the Golden Band form Tigerland.

Following the nuptials, a reception was held at the Lod Cook Alumni Center. The newlyweds took a delayed honeymoon in Italy, visiting Rome and Sorrento.

Fallon is the research and technology manager at Visit Baton Rouge, and Devin is a software developer at PayStar.

Nicole and David Maryland. Photos Jordanne Guerin Photography

In Memoriam

1940s

Keith Aloysius Falcon, Sr., 1948 BACH SCI, 1954 MAST HS&E, Dec. 25, 2022, Donaldsonville, La.

Holly Louise Frederick, 1941 MAST HS&E, Oct. 11, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Sybil Stephens, 1948 BACH BUS, Oct. 30, 2022, Houston, Texas

1950s

Jesse Bernard Bilberry, Jr., 1957 MAST HS&E, Oct. 7, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Bernice Gardner Bordelon, 1956 BACH HS&E, Nov. 4, 2022, Metairie, La.

Francis Joseph "Frank" Gaude, Jr., 1954 BACH SCI, Oct. 30, 2022, Cameron Park, Calif.

Barbara Austrum Hazlip, 1951 BACH AGR, Nov. 30, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

William Oliver Jeansonne, 1955 BACH H&SS, 1959 MD-NO, Oct. 12, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Walter D. Landry, Jr., 1954 BACH H&SS, Sept. 16, 2022, Brusly, La.

Mary Elizabeth McGill, 1959 BACH HS&E, 1961 MAST HS&E, Oct. 14, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Nan Angela Young McKowen, 1951 BACH JHS&E, Jan. 9, 2023, Zachary, La

Carolyn Leake McKowen, 1950 BACH H&SS, Oct. 12, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Montegudo, 1958 BACH HS&E, 1963 MAST HS&E, Oct. 21, 2022, Central, La.

Kenneth Louis Odinet, Sr., 1952 BACH ENGR, 1957 MAST ENGR, Dec. 30, 2022, Arabi, La.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Guidry O’Quinn, 1952 BACH HS&E, Dec. 6, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Frank Vitrano, 1952 BACH AGR, Nov. 6, 2022, Gramercy, La.

1960s

James Tillman Austin, Jr., 1963 BACH H&SS, 1967 MED-NO, Nov. 28, 2022, Lake Charles, La.

John Stephen Bosarge, 1963 BACH MCOM, Dec. 4, 2022, Gulfport, Miss.

Jerome Clinton “Jerry” Campbell, III, 1968 BACH MCOM, Dec. 16, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Erwin Marsh Dabbs, 1965 CERT MSW, 1966 MAST MSW, Nov. 8, 2022, Frankston, Texas

William Roberts “Billy” Graves, 1968 BACH H&SS, Jan. 9, 2022, Milton, Fla.

James R. “Jim” Jeansonne, 1966 BACH H&SS, Dec. 2, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

John Selby Kean, III, 1962 BACH BUS, Nov. 13, 2022, Woodville, Miss.

John “Hawley” Landry, 1966 BACH H&SS, Nov. 7, 2022, Plaquemine, La.

Dominic Paul Michelle, Jr., 1968 BACH BUS, Oct. 4, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Elena “Jeannie” Posadas Miller, 1966 BACH, 1967 MLS, Oct. 19, 2022, College Station, Texas

Linda Cartin Bofinger Rigell, 1969 BACH HS&E, Jan. 1-0, 2023, Baton Rouge, La

Edward Michael “Mike” Ross, 1960 BACH ENGR, Nov. 21, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Nadine Carter Russell, 1967 BACH H&SS, Oct. 27, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Peyton Leon Smith, 1964 BACH ENGR, Oct. 28, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Gail Lagarde Willson, 1961 BACH H&SS, Oct. 9, 2022, Pearland, Texas

1970s

Mark Brandon, 1978 BACH AGR, Nov. 2, 2022, Gonzales, La.

Jaynie Kellett Reed Brown, 1978 BACH MCOM, Nov. 14, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Cameron “Cammie” Adelia Comeaux Carville, 1970 BACH HS&E, Dec. 11, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Russell Paul Conger, Sr., 1970 BACH BUS, Jan. 4, 2023, Amite, La.

Consuelo “Connie” Corripio, 1976 BACH HS&E, 1982 JD, Dec. 3, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Ronald Glynn Couvillion, 1971 BACH BUS, Dec. 14, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Michael Lee Duke, Oct. 30, 2022, 1972 BACH ENGR, Florien, La.

Clyde Dunaway, Jr., 1978 BACH BUS, Oct. 31, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Alan Dale Fisher, Oct. 3, 2022, 1975 BACH H&SS, Baton Rouge, La.

Kenneth Lawson Franklin, 1979 BACH MCOM, Dec. 20, Baton Rouge, La.

Idalena Marie Kelone “Ticker” Gravois, 1968 BACH HS&E, 1980 MAST HS&E, 1983 MAST HS&E, Jan. 13, 2023, Cleburne, Texas

Edwin Michael Gray, 1976 BACH H&SS, Dec. 7, 2022, Brandon, Miss.

William Peterson, 1971 BACH AGR, Dec. 20, 2022, Port Allen, La.

Randall K. “Randy” Serrett, Nov. 23, 2022, 1973 BACH BUS, Durango, Colo.

John Stanton Woods, 1979 BACH H&SS, 1991 BACH AGR, Aug. 22, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

1980s

Morris “Mash” Bonadona, 1984 BACH MCOM, Nov. 4, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Andrea Joan Hingle Fleming, 1986 BACH MCOM, Nov. 8, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Amanda White Gaines, 1980 MAST HS&E, Oct. 12, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Mignonne Marie Simoneaux, 1985 BACH H&SS, Oct. 16, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

1990s

Marcus Demetris Ashford, 1994 BACH ENGR, October 2022, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Luis Felipe del Solar, 1994 BACH AGR, Jan. 2, 2022, St. Francisville, La.

Greta Jo Senn Hill, 1993 BACH H&SS, 1996 MAST H&SS, Dec. 4, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Lance Keas, 1999 BACH BUS, Nov.1, 2022, BACH Greenwell Springs, La.

2000s

Zachary Duncan Byerly, 2007 BACH SCI, 2011 MAST SCI, 2014 PHD SCI, Oct. 9, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Holly Louise Frederick, 2007 BACH H&SS, Oct. 11, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

Kevin Patrick Minor, 2009 BACH H&SS, Jan. 1, 2023, Baton Rouge, La.

Robert P. “Bob” O’Neil, 2001 PHD H&SS, Retired Professor of Sociology, Sept. 1, 2022, Baton Rouge, La.

2010s

Chad W. Darensbourg, 2011 BACH AGR, Dec. 8, 2022, Baton Rouge, La

A memorial gift to the LSU Alumni Association in the name of a family member, friend, or classmate is a caring way to pay tribute to a person’s life and accomplishments. To make a gift or for more information, call 225.578.3838 or 1.888.746.4578.

William Arp, III Assistant Professor of Political Science Dec. 22, 2022 Baton Rouge, La.

Marion Clyde Day Retired Professor of Chemistry Dec. 11, 2022 Baton Rouge, La.

Rosemary Menard Retired Recruitment/Placement O cer Dec. 19, 2022 Baton Rouge, La.

R. Robert Rackley Faculty, Institute of Insurance Marketing and College of Business Nov. 14, 2022 Baton Rouge, La.

Marie Louise Dugas Dupre Coordinator of Professional Development LSU Law Center Dec. 29, 2022 Baton Rouge, La.

Clinton Patrick Hegwood, Jr. Retired Resident Director, Burden Museum & Gardens Nov. 14, 2022 Olive Branch, Miss.

Bill Hite Former Director, LSU Union Theater Nov. 7, 2022 Baton Rouge, La.

Tigers in Print

Ana Reyes (2015 MFA) House in the Pines Penguin Random House

Maya was a high school senior when her best friend, Aubrey, mysteriously dropped dead in front of the enigmatic man named Frank whom they’d been spending time with all summer.

Seven years later, Maya lives in Boston with a loving boyfriend and is kicking the secret addiction that has allowed her to cope with what happened years ago, the gaps in her memories, and the lost time that she can’t account for. But her past comes rushing back when she comes across a recent YouTube video in which a young woman suddenly keels over and dies in a diner while sitting across from none other than Frank. Plunged into the trauma that has defined her life, Maya heads to her Berkshires hometown to relive that fateful summer—the influence Frank once had on her and the obsessive jealousy that nearly destroyed her friendship with Aubrey.

At her mother’s house, she excavates fragments of her past and notices hidden messages in her deceased Guatemalan father’s book that didn’t stand out to her earlier. To save herself, she must understand a story written before she was born, but time keeps running out, and soon, all roads are leading back to Frank’s cabin….

David Alfery (1976 MD-NO)

Saving Grace: What Patients Teach Their Doctors About Life, Death, and the Balance in Between Wipf and Stock

From the OR to the ICU, cardiac anesthesiologist Dr. David Alfery brings you into a hidden world of medicine. You will witness the exhilaration a physician feels when a life is miraculously saved, the terror when a life is on the line, the shock of an unexpected demise, the grace patients evidence when facing the end of life, the anguish one su ers when a family member is perilously close to dying, and much more. A book that shows what really goes on in acute care medical settings, Saving Grace will help you view your doctor – and your life – in a new light.

William H. Bankhead (1959 BACH

AGR, 1975 PHD HS&E)

The Greatest Shows on Earth

Self-Published

On the fiftieth anniversary of the LSU Assembly Center, its first director has published an informative and entertaining backstage pass to the first decade of the iconic facility. The 114-page co ee table-style book has posters, tickets, photos, and celebrity autographs to illustrate William Bankhead’s behind-the-scenes view of the history and people who brought the building to life. The book describes its primary purpose – to provide a home for campus events like commencement and for LSU sports like basketball and gymnastics –and extensively explores the concerts and entertainment events that flocked there from 1972-1982 and earned the Assembly Center (now the Pete Maravich Assembly Center) a “Top Ten Multipurpose Arena” ranking by the International Association of Auditorium Managers.

Brian

Holers (1989 BACH H&SS)

Mustard Seed

Girl Friday Books

After a lifetime of abuse and loss, sixty-one-year-old Vernon Davidson is ready to get back at God, his coworkers, and everyone else in his northern Louisiana hometown. To numb his pain, he drinks too much, and he shuns his friends and embarrasses himself in the community. The once-cautious Vernon has spiraled into a reckless mess.

When his brother becomes terminally ill, Vernon must track down his estranged nephew, Jody, in an e ort to bring the younger man home to his dying father. Jody himself is struggling after a selfimposed exile, having fled his family for a new life thousands of miles away. As Vernon and Jody set o on their journey home, they find themselves on a path that takes them from loss to healing and will ultimately change their lives.

Mustard Seed is a stirring portrait of small-town Louisiana men – grandfathers, fathers, sons, and brothers – that exposes their flaws while showcasing their inner strengths. It forms a doxology, a song of praise, for the male family bond and the emotional ties men hide from the world and each other. Ultimately, it examines an impossibly di cult question: After a man has faced countless tragedies and endless disappointments, how does he go about forgiving a God he has

grown to despise—and find his way back to the bonds that sustain him?

Theodore Schirmer (1978 BACH H&SS)

Defiance

Self-Published

This book is about the impact a long haired hippy student activist had on the Old South, elitist, racist culture that prevailed at LSU in the ‘70s. I frequently spoke out at Free Speech Alley, organized protests, fought for student rights, and was elected president of the Student Government Association, to the dismay of the Greek fraternity and sorority members who usually dominated student politics. In the fall of 1976, Cynthia Payton was running to be the first Black Homecoming Queen at LSU. On election day, a group of Black students rushed up to my lunch table yelling that they had just tried to vote for Cynthia but were told students had to vote for three candidates or their votes would be thrown out. Someone was trying to manipulate the election to prevent Cynthia from winning. As the recently elected SGA President, I felt it was my duty to ensure this SGAsponsored election was conducted fairly and not corrupted by elitism or racism. I wrote this book to honor the many students, mostly from lower and middle-class families, who did not turn their backs on injustice and fought at my side against the LSU administrators and Greek organizations.

Samuel C. Spitale (1996 BACH MCOM, 1998 MAST MCOM)

How to Win the War on Truth

Quirk Books

In How to Win the War on Truth: An Illustrated Guide to How Mistruths Are Sold, Why They Stick, and How to Reclaim Reality Samuel C. Spitale examines how propaganda impacts our lives, shapes our world views, and damages our democracy – and argues that understanding this is the key to protecting ourselves and making informed decisions. This informative, entertaining, and cleverly illustrated book uses elements of the graphic novel format to break down complex ideas through easy-to-understand realworld examples of propaganda in all its forms. An eye-opening guide to living in a post-truth society, How to Win the War on Truth explores the history of propaganda, including the roots of modern-day public relations and marketing, and outlines common propaganda techniques, how messages are manufactured, why propaganda e orts are so e ective, and who profits from them. A highly digestible and engaging illustrated guide to navigating today’s messy media and political landscapes, How to Win the War on Truth will help readers cut through the endless noise to make informed decisions, whether they’re in the check-out line or the voting booth.

By Brian Hudgins

Capital for Female-led Startups

Jump Start

Kim Seals (1998 BACH H&SS) has seen companies sold, change ownership and move on to new missions, but the most memorable moments come from being there to witness a company’s early growth.

Seals serves as a general partner within The JumpFund, a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based investment group which invests in women-led ventures throughout the Southeast. “We started (in 2013) as a gateway for female founders to have an avenue for funding and create a female funding ecosystem,” Seals said.

That decade-long journey has included investment in more than thirty companies with capital coordination through more than 100 women. Seals, a Baton Rouge native, is the only partner based outside Chattanooga – she is in Atlanta and is also a senior partner at West Monroe Partners, a digital services consulting firm. “The personal networks of our general partners raised a lot of capital,” Seals said. “It has been super helpful to have been in the business community to help fund these startups.”

The LSU influence on The JumpFund is not limited to Seals. A couple of business owners who are LSU grads have worked with Seals and her peers from the client perspective. Jessica Harthcock (2010 BACH MCOM), the 2020 LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction Young Alumna of the Year, founded Utilize Health with her husband in 2012. The JumpFund started to follow the company’s progress. “I met with The JumpFund women and it started as a mentor relationship,” Harthcock said. “They carved out this niche, and they wanted to invest in a larger mission. We wanted them to be a part of what we were doing!”

Harthcock was paralyzed from the chest down due to a gymnastics injury su ered at age seventeen. Her experiences in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital and her recovery process helped Harthcock see the need for Utilize Health. The couple sold the company in December 2020, with The JumpFund having been part of the growth process from a startup to Fortune 500 company.

“I really credit LSU,” Harthcock said. “The education, mentorship and lifelong friendships – Kim and I bonded quickly. It becomes such a source of pride being able to enjoy our successes and share that.”

Sevetri Wilson (2008 BACH MCOM, 2008 BACH H&SS) launched Resilia in 2016 to provide software solutions to help nonprofits navigate the incorporation and exemption process throughout the U.S. In seven years, the outfit has gained steam and now serves nonprofits, foundations, corporations and other entities via a New Orleans base with New York and Mexico City o ces.

“I flew out to Tennessee and met with Kristina Montague (managing partner) and the other partners,” Wilson said. “The JumpFund followed up again when we raised Series A funding and then Series B.”

Wilson credited the combination of direct financial investment support and indirect relationship building as a couple of tools The JumpFund provided to bolster Resilia. “When we first received interest from The JumpFund, we had raised $2 Million. We have now raised $50 Million,” Wilson said. “When they first invested, we had six people. Now, we have o ces in New York and Mexico.”

People outside those o ces have also received resources – namely the LSU community. Wilson established a LSU scholarship endowment in December 2019 to honor her late mother – the S.M. Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

“Giving back to students creates other pathways and opportunities,” Wilson said.

Brian Hudgins is a Houston native who enjoys SEC sports and covering a variety of subjects as a freelance writer.

Jenn Graham, founder/CEO of Inclusivv; Mandy Price, founder/CEO of Kanarys; and Kim Seals, The JumpFund general partner.

Mardi Gras Royalty – Posing for photographs at the Lod Cook Alumni Center were Southdowns Mardi Gras parade royalty Queen Lynn A. Vairin (1979 BACH HS&E, 1979 MAST HS&E) and King Mike Raborn.

Tigers Around the World

Certificate of Recognition – Cleve Dunn, Jr., left, a member of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council, recognized Sarah Holliday James (1984 BACH H&SS), an eight-year breast cancer survivor for her advocacy and sharing her journey and information with the public. Also taking part in the presentation were 19th Judicial District Court Judge Ti any Foxworth Roberson and council member Chauna Banks.

Randy Gurie Recognized –

Randy Gurie, guest speaker at a meeting of the American Legion Boyd-Ewing Post 58, was recognized for his military service, as well as his commitment to education and community involvement, in particular, the LSU Military Museum and Memorial Oak Grove. The group meets monthly at the Lod Cook Alumni Center.

From left, Randy Gurie with American Legion Boyd-Ewing Post 58 Commander Larry Williams and Vice Commander Jeremy Gerald.

Photo: Frances Snowden