Chapter Summit

Alumni chapter officers from across the country gathered at Lod Cook Alumni Center in February for the annual Chapter Summit. Leighann Westfall, LSU Athletics executive director of external relations, was guest speaker at the Friday luncheon, and Kathy Fives, chair of the LSU Alumni Association Board of Directors, spoke at the luncheon on Saturday.

The workshop included sessions with campus experts, among them, Phil Verpil, director of LSU Admissions, Olivia Cassin, associate director of LSU Admissions; Lindsay C. McCrory, manager of Parent & Family Relations/ Division of Student Affairs; Brian Hommel, director of LSU Trademark and Licensing; Taylor Jacobs, associate director of LSU Athletics Strategic Initiatives; and Blair Napolitano, assistant director of LSU Athletics Compliance.

Also on the agenda was a group tour of the LSU Vet School and a gymnastics meet at which LSU gymnasts took on and beat the Georgia Bulldogs.

The Houston Chapter made at $30,000 donation to its scholarship endowment.

Looking for Gran Dude –

Photographs of Gil Rew, a longtime, active member and officer of the LSU Alumni Association and the DeSoto Parish Alumni Chapter, and LSU Hall of Distinction inductee, have appeared in this publication many times over the years. And his eight-year-old granddaughter, Ava Rew Britton, keeps track of “Grand Dude’s” photos.

“My granddaughter, Ava, went to the mailbox this evening and came in announcing to her mom, ‘This is the best day ever,’ as she sat down to read,” Rew writes.

“They thought it was a toy magazine, but it was the latest issue of the LSU Alumni Magazine. She not only reads it cover to cover but also looks for my pic. I guess you guys overexposed me in the past. She told her parents, ‘It’s like playing Where’s Waldo, but better.’”

“We love the mag,” Rew continues. “It is the best and most effective communication tool LSU has. Thanks for making all of our lives better. She is right – best day ever!”

EDITOR’S NOTE TO AVA: Grand Dude didn’t make the Spring 2023 issue, but here he is just for you!

LSU Ring Donation – The late Larry Michel’s class ring was donated to the LSU Ring collection by Nanette Harms (1972 BACH HS&E), left, and his widow, Judy Michel, in February. Michel, a member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communication in 1967 and a master’s degree in speech in 1969.

LSU Retirees – Chuck Boeneke, associate professor dairy science, was guest speaker at the Faculty/Staff Retirees Club meeting in March. The club, which meets monthly for talks, tours, and social activities, is open to all LSU retirees and their spouses. Contact lsu.faculty.staff.ret.club@gmail.com.