Cornerstone Winter 2018 and Spring 2019 by LSU Foundation

CORNERSTONE WINTER 2018 AND SPRING 2019

A Letter From

J. BRYAN BENCHOFF

Photo by Kathryn Gaiennie

“We are uniquely positioned to solve global challenges acute to our state, in ways that respond to the needs of all Americans and improve lives around the world.”

Friends, I am fortunate to have spent my career surrounded by people who are deeply committed to making our world a better place. The sentiment of “making a difference” can seem like a cliché, but I see the limitless opportunities that exist to harness the power of philanthropy to transform access to education, drive innovative research and strengthen communities. In fact, as this issue went to press, Dr. Herman Soong committed a historic gift—the School of Veterinary Medicine’s largest ever—that will continue his life’s work and celebrate his and wife Connie’s love of animals. The Soongs’ total support through their estate now exceeds $10 million in critical endowment funding to care for injured, homeless animals; to sustain our Shelter Medicine Program, which is entirely supported by philanthropy; and to fund forensics training that will help veterinarians and law enforcement identify animal abuse, then leverage those insights in ways that could prevent violent crimes against people, too. The Soongs’ support is but one example of how our donors invest in LSU to solve the challenges that are most important to them and their families. As a university, we’ve never been in a better position to meet those challenges; the ambitious strategic plan LSU introduced last year is rooted in delivering outcomes that matter. Over the past several months, we’ve worked closely with our colleagues on every LSU campus to articulate the fundraising priorities that will move LSU’s plan ever forward. We are uniquely positioned to solve global challenges acute to our state, in ways that respond to the needs of all Americans and improve lives around the world. March 28-29, 2019, will mark the public launch of the LSU Campaign, the success of which we’ll measure not only by reaching a dollar goal, but also by changing the conversation about Louisiana from one of problems and opportunities to solutions and outcomes. Quite simply, LSU’s vision is Louisiana’s future; we are Louisiana. Louisiana is counting on LSU, and our university is up to the challenge. Thank you for being part of LSU’s vision of leading Louisiana and impacting the world. Gratefully,

J. Bryan Benchoff LSU Foundation President and CEO LSU Vice President of Institutional Advancement

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YOUR GIVING ... DRIVES EXCELLENCE 7 10 12 13 14

Superbug Busters Blended Rallying Passing the Torch Reaching Out

CREATES EXPERIENCES 17 20 22 24

Lights, Camera, Action! Vision Quest Big Moments

Encores EnvironMentors Sign of the Times

Awakening

People Like Me Spirit of Generosity Worthy Investments Cannonballs for Kayne

SPECIAL SECTION

Adopt-A-Work

SUPPORTS STUDENTS 41 42 44 45 46

The Adventurous Student

ADVANCES COMMUNITIES 33 37 38 40

ANNUAL REPORT

NEW ONLINE CONTENT ¨ READERSHIP SURVEY  FEATURE VIDEOS LSUFOUNDATION.ORG/CORNERSTONE

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ABOUT THE COVER Cornerstone Winter 2018 and Spring 2019 cover artist Nhu Ngoc Quynh Dao, a first-year master’s student in graphic design and member of the Graphic Design Student Organization, enjoys immersing herself into new experiences to find inspiration for creating beautiful art. “I like to imagine and translate what I feel and hear to visual narrations,” Dao said. While envisioning the issue’s theme, “Limitless,” Dao, a Vietnam native, was transported to water. “The school of koi fish swimming forward represents us all taking our equal opportunities and moving toward the future. We are in a race, we are fighting for our purposes and we are not alone,” she said, noting that koi are also symbolic of good luck. Dao’s goal is to become a creative director, and she is “utilizing my grad school time to sharpen my skills, to explore and develop different techniques, and to earn valuable experience to solve creative issues.” When she’s not creating, you can find her playing sports and hanging out with friends at the LSU UREC.

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WINTER 2018 AND SPRING 2019 EDITOR Jennie Gutierrez ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sara Whittaker

WHY I GIVE As Kathryn Otwell Greene (Humanities & Social Sciences, ’77; Business, ’79) was deciding how to direct her planned gift to LSU, the Golden Band from Tiger Land played its way through her mind. “I have so many great memories of attending football Kathryn Greene and her games as a child,” shared Greene, who husband, Ernest, (center) on grew up in Port Allen, La. “The Tiger Band their boat, Sweet Pea members give so much of themselves to serve our great university.” Her percussion section leader endowed scholarship was also inspired by Cornerstone Winter 2017 and Spring 2018. “It was eyeopening to see in Cornerstone all of the opportunities that people have for giving to LSU,” Greene said. “Through reading what other Tiger Band donors felt and what motivated them to make a donation, I realized that I had those same emotional ties.” Greene plans to direct a qualified charitable distribution from her IRA to maximize her giving experience. “When I turn 70 ½, I can direct my IRA trustee to send the endowment amount plus the onetime development support fee to the LSU Foundation without me incurring income taxes,” she said. “I will have the opportunity to meet my annual scholarship recipient while I am still alive.” bands.lsu.edu lsufoundation.planmylegacy.org

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EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Marianna Davis ART DIRECTOR Ashley Motsinger CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Adrienne Gale Libby Haydel Dawn Jenkins Amanda Rabalais PRINTING Progress Printing TO SHARE FEEDBACK, PLEASE CONTACT: Jennie Gutierrez  Associate Director of Communications and Marketing  jgutierrez@lsufoundation.org   225-578-3836

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Profile

RICK WOLFERT

Board of Directors

Frederick “Rick” Wolfert (Business, ’76) came to LSU on a basketball scholarship—taking it all in as a wide-eyed, first-generation college student. With 35 years of running global financial services companies under his belt, Wolfert shares his expertise as part of the LSU Foundation Board of Directors as they prepare for LSU’s first capital campaign to include its campuses statewide. “It was a daunting experience, coming to Baton Rouge from a small town in Indiana. My parents hadn’t gone to college—I was the first kid to do that. With a scholarship from Coach Dale Brown in hand, I packed my bags and headed south, and it was fascinating,” Wolfert remembered. Wolfert, who has a master’s degree from the University of Delaware’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking, launched his coast-to-coast career as a corporate Photo by Kathryn Gaiennie finance and banking executive. He retired in 2007 as vice chairman of commercial finance in New York City for the CIT Group Inc. “I entered that job market with a great deal of confidence,” Wolfert shared. “I always felt very pleased with the educational experience that LSU provided me. It certainly gave me the foundation that enabled me to have a very rewarding career.” Wolfert co-chaired the LSU Business Education Complex capital campaign, an integral project in the Forever LSU Campaign. He’s ready to tackle the upcoming $1 billion-plus LSU Campaign. “We’ve been ramping up for this major capital campaign that we expect will be very successful and pay some huge dividends to the university. As a foundation board, our role is to understand the vision and work closely with the development team to execute the plan.” Wolfert wants Tigers everywhere to celebrate and participate in the largest capital campaign for higher education in the history of Louisiana. “LSU has a great story, and I think that the LSU Strategic Plan 2025 is very bold and exciting. Now the challenge is to share our strategic plan with our alumni and friends of LSU, and fully engage them in helping us make this the most successful campaign ever,” he said. Wolfert and wife Holly (Human Sciences & Education, ’76) reside at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Ga. Wolfert is an E. J. Ourso College of Business Hall of Distinction inductee and continues to serve as a Dean’s Advisory Council member. He currently serves as a director for Stadion Money Management and is chairman of St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital. lsufoundation.org/board

2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

DIRECTORS

Robert M. Stuart Jr. | Baton Rouge, La. Chairperson of the Board & Director

Clarence P. Cazalot Jr. | Houston, Texas Chairperson-elect of the Board & Director J. Bryan Benchoff | Baton Rouge, La. LSU Foundation President and CEO and LSU Vice President of Institutional Advancement Laura L. Dauzat | Marksville, La. Corporate Secretary & Director D. Martin Phillips | Houston, Texas Corporate Treasurer & Director

EX OFFICIO F. King Alexander LSU President

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Profile

DR. BILLY BICKHAM

LSU Foundation Membership

Raised on a dairy farm, internal medicine specialist Dr. Billy Bickham (Humanities & Social Sciences, ’59; LSU Health New Orleans, ’63) was an active 4-H member and, beginning at age 10, came to LSU every March for the annual livestock show. Through his LSU Foundation membership, Bickham now supports future farmers and doctors, and therefore the health of his home state. “A vet friend of mine said livestock is kind of an addiction. It’s something you have to really like, because it takes a lot of time and a lot of effort,” Bickham, who still raises angus cattle, explained. “Being raised on a dairy farm is a good training for the rest of your life as far as work ethic because it’s twice a day, seven days a week.” As a student at LSU, Bickham lived in a dorm room in Tiger Stadium and spent his free time at the Huey P. Long Field House, “where you could have snacks and visit.” His sister introduced him to his wife, Anne (Human Sciences & Education, ’59); the two have been married for 59 years now. Both of their children have degrees from LSU. Dr. Billy Bickham “I started listening to LSU ball games in 1949, and I still remember that particular ball game very well. I’ve been an LSU sports fan ever since,” Bickham recalled. “My wife had never been to a football game before attending LSU. Now we both attend “The foundation for our state, almost all the home games and have for a very long time.” for our future, and for all of Bickham graduated from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1963, specializing in internal medicine. He began an the young people growing up, eight-year career in the U.S. Air Force, ultimately serving as chief is the opportunity to have a medical officer at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier Parish. He has practiced at Willis-Knighton Health System since 1971 and good education.” is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. “I’ve been blessed with this profession. There’s no other profession where you can touch lives, treat disease and ailments of all sorts. The humanistic rewards are numerous,” he shared. “I’m still practicing not because I have to, but because I want to ... It’s the people I’ve seen for 30-something years.” LSU Foundation Board of Directors member David B. Means III, who is also a cattleman, invited Bickham and fellow LSU supporters over to his farm several years ago. There, Bickham decided to become an LSU Foundation member. “The foundation for our state, for our future, and for all of the young people growing up, is the opportunity to have a good education,” Bickham said of his decision. lsufoundation.org/membership

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DRIVING EXCELLENCE

Antibiotic-resistant infections are one of the most serious threats of the 21st century, causing 750,000 deaths worldwide each year, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. William and Patricia Senn Jr. Professor of Science Dr. Carol Taylor is using a $390,000 National Science Foundation grant to combat these “superbugs.”

Chemistry PhD candidate Joshua Lutz

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William and Patricia Senn Jr. Professor of Science Dr. Carol Taylor

aylor and her team are exploring the construction of microbisporicins, powerful and complex peptide antibiotics that could be used to fight advanced infections resistant to common medications. “It’s exciting to think that molecules we make in our lab could ultimately help people with bad infections,” Taylor said. “It is that biomedical motivation—the thought of being able to make compounds that may be clinically useful and improve the quality of life—that’s the driving force.” This chemical synthesis of lantibiotics, the class of compounds that microbisporicins belong to, has been intensely investigated by the scientific community; so far, no approach has been able to deliver useful quantities of the antibiotics. “Nisin is a lantibiotic that has been used as a food additive for 40 years. Bugs have not developed resistance to nisin, so there is great hope,” Taylor explained. “Our goal is

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to develop methods that will enable a production of these molecules efficiently and cost effectively.” “When an infected patient isn’t responding well to treatment, there is a real need to expand the toolbox a little bit. Our target peptides are naturally made by bacteria to fight other bacteria. We are co-opting their weapons against themselves,” added Joshua Lutz, a Louisiana Board of Regents Graduate Fellow, chemistry PhD candidate and member of Taylor’s team. Taylor’s team also includes a post doctoral researcher and two undergraduates. She designs projects for team members that are directly applicable to what they are learning in class. Taylor enjoys watching them grow as scientists. “It’s fun to get in there and share the excitement of doing science, of making compounds that have never been made before, being able to predict what’s going to happen and form the right bond,” she said.

“

It’s exciting to think that molecules we make in our lab could ultimately help people with bad infections. It is that biomedical motivation—the thought of being able to make compounds that may be clinically useful and improve the quality of life—that’s the driving force.” - William and Patricia Senn Jr. Professor of Science Dr. Carol Taylor

Postdoctoral researcher Dr. Jyoti Mukherjee Photos by Slade Blanchard

Taylor’s NSF grant funding goes toward the researchers’ salaries, tuition, facilities and equipment fees, and chemical reagents. “We also pay for overheads, the cost of doing business at a research university. You can’t do these things in your garage at home. There is some pretty sophisticated stuff that we need to use. It’s like paying tax, but it’s really important that everyone is contributing,” Taylor said. Taylor’s professorship namesake, William L. Senn Jr. (Science, ’53, ’55 and ’58), met his wife of 61 years, Patricia (Human Sciences & Education, ’56), in a chemistry class at Coates Hall. The Senns are proud to provide Taylor opportunities to continue her innovative and impactful research at LSU. “I obtained my bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees at LSU. My professors were outstanding and highly regarded in their fields of study. The education I received

was of the highest quality and enlightening and gave me insight into research around the world,” William shared. “We hope to help obtain and retain excellent people for LSU. We feel helping fund transformational research at LSU will enhance the university’s prestige and the students’ experiences.” Taylor exemplifies the Senns’ vision: she left her native New Zealand to join the LSU faculty in 2006. Here, her research is focused on the chemical synthesis and physical characterization of architecturally interesting molecules that have biological or medicinal significance, and the potential to improve health and well-being around the globe. chemistry.lsu.edu

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BLENDED LSU alumnae Lillian Hoover and Jackie Wintle (Human Sciences & Education, ’56 and ’62) are making the most of their support of the LSU School of Library & Information Sciences through blended planned gifts. By combining charitable gift types, both women are enjoying the impacts of their gifts today, while committing to future gifts that will extend their dedication to library studies.

oover’s SLIS graduate scholarship is in memory of her late husband, Jimmie (Human Sciences & Education, ’58), director of government documents for LSU Libraries from 1967-84. She has enjoyed meeting the scholarship recipients for years, and the fund will increase through her estate. “He was such a kind person. He really loved working with the students. And they loved him. I received hundreds of cards when he died, from all over the U.S.,” Hoover shared. Hoover left Baton Rouge when she was 20 years old to join the U.S. Navy. She oversaw the women’s barracks at Naval Air Technical Training Center in Norman, Okla. “We were the first group that opened up the service for women,” she remembered. “I would join again today. It was wonderful, one of the highlights of my life.” Hoover returned home after the untimely death of her first husband, Erwin Klettke, an ExxonMobil employee. She met Jimmie soon after. As a surviving spouse, Hoover’s gift was matched 3-to-1 by the company. She considers it a tribute to both of her “wonderful husbands.” Hoover worked with Trianon/The ARC Baton Rouge, an advocacy group for people with disabilities, and owned a nursery school. She is still an active member of Louisiana Women Veterans.

Lillian Hoover

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Wintle, a Shreveport, La., native, discovered her passion for connecting people with disabilities to library services while volunteering through a Junior League project. “I learned to use a brailler and transcribed braille for a resource teacher who suddenly found that she had several blind students coming through,” Wintle, who earned her master’s at SLIS, said. “We helped out with making books and transcribing the teacher’s handouts for the students.” Wintle, who also has a master’s in teaching from Yale University, was “fascinated” by a visit to the Library of Congress’ National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, a free braille and talking book library service for people who are blind, are vision-impaired or have physical disabilities that prevent them from reading. She spent the majority of her 30-year career there. “I want to be sure that any student from SLIS doesn’t come out of school without knowing something about services for the blind and handicapped, and for all disabled people,” Wintle shared. “To have at least one library school in the nation that takes an interest in disabled people and does some publication or work with it.” Jackie Wintle Wintle’s fund, made through a cash gift, ensures SLIS curricula and LSU Libraries include library services and resources for patrons with disabilities. It also provides educational opportunities for faculty and students; publications and workshops for library professionals; and ways to enrich the LSU experience for disabled faculty and students. The fund will increase through support from her IRA. slis.lsu.edu lsufoundation.planmylegacy.org

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Rallying The Adameks’ gift supports the Office of Business Student Success, which gives students comprehensive educational and professional development services.

Tom (Business, ’82) and Lisa (Business, ’89; Law, ’94) Adamek, longtime philanthropic supporters of the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business, have made their largest gift to date in support of the Department of Finance and the Office of Business Student Success. The Adameks’ generosity will provide tools for future business leaders to enter careers that suit their talents, interests and values.

self-proclaimed “numbers guy,” Tom started his career at Bank One of Louisiana (later acquired by Chase Bank) under former LSU Foundation president and CEO and Board of Directors member Lee Griffin, whom Tom considers a mentor. Today, Tom is president of Stonehenge Capital Company LLC, a specialty finance company. “LSU does provide a good return on investment,” Tom said. “Roughly 30,000 students—that provides a tremendous local recruiting ground. We provide internships for students that are here, and then we provide long-term career opportunities. Of the people that we have working for us here in Baton Rouge, 80 percent-plus are LSU graduates.” Lisa was a part of the inaugural class of the Center for Internal Auditing, through which she received an internship and, later, a job at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. She returned to earn her JD from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center and practiced as a business attorney. She now focuses on her role as a mother, community activist and certified Yoglates instructor. “Alumni need to rally behind the university,” Lisa said. “It’s not only what we attract by having a strong university here, but it’s what LSU gives in terms of that camaraderie of Saturdays at Tiger Stadium or having the vet school ... There’s a symbiotic relationship with LSU giving back so much to the community, and we need to be there. We need to step up and make sure that continues to be the case.” The Office of Business Student Success offers students comprehensive educational and professional development services, ranging from study abroad programming to career coaching. Through Tom’s engagement with the Dean’s Advisory Council, in addition to their children’s experiences, the Adameks understand the need for OBSS’ services. “Not everyone has the self-starting skills or the natural abilities to do it all on their own,” Lisa said. “Although they might have great capacity for excellence, having some support services in a large and competitive environment is, for many students, the difference between success and failure. It’s critically important.” lsu.edu/business

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Tom and Lisa Adamek

PASSING THE TORCH In 1932, Clarissa “Chris” Metzger traveled to Baton Rouge on a ferry, crossing the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers. She is proud to “pass the torch” to future educators through her support of the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education.

etzger won a contest to cover her tuition of 30 dollars a year. While she said she wasn’t exactly “setting the world on fire” when she began college at 15 years old (She skipped second grade, and there was no 11th grade at the time.), she admits she had a lot of fun. “I went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras for the first time. I had never been there before. Oh, I was impressed out of my mind!” Metzger remembered. “I thought I had arrived.” A double major in English and French, Metzger joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society for women educators, and became an ROTC sponsor. She spent a lot of time at the student center at St. Alban’s Chapel, where she met her husband, Bert (Engineering, ’35). “I lived in the French House. It was new then, and that was fun,” Metzger shared. “[54th mayor of New Orleans and appointee of President John F. Kennedy] deLesseps Morrison’s mother was the house mother!” Morrison isn’t the only politician that Metzger made connections with at LSU. “I went on the train trip to a football game in Tennessee. Huey Long paid for the train,” Metzger said. “He would make a big speech in the Greek Theatre. Then he’d say, ‘Now let’s all go to the cafeteria; lunch is on me!’ And, of course, being teacher folks—it was the Depression, so free lunch was something.” Metzger later received her master’s in library science at the University of North Texas and served as a high school librarian for the last 20 years of her career. Following Bert’s death, Metzger

established a petroleum drilling fluids lab support fund in his honor. Her most recent gift is an Endowed Superior Graduate Scholarship for education majors. “We certainly need educators in this day and age. We feel very strongly about that,” Metzger’s daughter Cris Dowdy (Human Sciences & Education, ’63), also a former educator, shared. “We’ve got to do something to keep the world intact and to carry on.” Metzger, still spry at 102, plays bridge, does water aerobics twice a week and is a “ferocious” crossword puzzle solver. A devoted gardener, she’s won Yard of the Month three times. lsu.edu/chse

Chris Metzger and Cris Dowdy at Chris’ 100th birthday party Photo by Michellustrations

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eaching O The Student Success Program is part of the LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciencesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ongoing efforts to create a welcoming, inclusive hub for its students, and to help make navigating the bustling LSU campus feel a bit more comfortable. Photos by Andrea Barbier

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THE STUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAM, MADE POSSIBLE BY THE PHILLIPS FAMILY FOUNDATION ENDOWED FUND, CONNECTS ACADEMIC COUNSELORS TO LSU COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES STUDENTS WHO MAY NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO NAVIGATE ACADEMIC CHALLENGES AND ADAPT TO COLLEGE. A FRONTRUNNER OF ACADEMIC ADVISING SOLUTIONS, THIS PROGRAM HELPS THOUSANDS ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL OF EARNING AN LSU DEGREE.

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o structure the program, Assistant Dean Rebecca Caire and two of the college’s academic counselors, Angel Barnes and Tanya Crochet, evaluated the university’s existing outreach efforts and their successes, and researched national trends and best practices. The Phillips Fund helped to bring their vision to life, and as a result, 32 students were removed from academic probation during the 2017-18 academic year. “We wanted to take our programming to the next level and be much more intentional in what we were doing in supporting our students,” Caire explained. “We are able to help students get the information that they need to make the very best decisions possible. We want to make sure that we are talking with students as early as we can and connecting them with resources.” Through the fund, seven graduate student callers were hired to reach out to the college’s students who earned either a D or an F grade at midterm or missed several classes in the first half of the semester. In fall 2017, the callers connected with 43 percent of the 1,369 students identified, yielding 200 face-to-face visits with academic counselors. “Based upon the information that students are sharing with me, I can help them get plugged into the appropriate resources on campus,” Barnes said. “The midterm initiative gives us an opportunity to build relationships with students and for the students to feel comfortable coming to us for any assistance that they may need.” “One example involves a young man who has been juggling a number of family and

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external challenges,” Crochet added. “He is a little shy, so he probably would have never reached out to us. Now that we have formed a working relationship with him, we have had an opportunity to guide him toward his graduation goal. He only has two classes left to graduate. It is important for us to recognize that one call may show our students that we care about them and want them to be successful.” The program is part of the college’s ongoing efforts to create a welcoming, inclusive hub for its students, and to help make navigating the bustling LSU campus feel a bit more comfortable. “We are able to offer students, through the generosity of our donors, the opportunity to be part of this close-knit community and get wonderful support from our academic counselors, our Student Support Services staff and through our Freshman Success Seminar,” Interim Dean Troy Blanchard shared. “It is a seamless experience.” The Freshman Success Seminar, another retention initiative implemented by the college during the fall 2018 semester, was designed to provide support to incoming Humanities & Social Sciences freshmen as they transition into university life. This course assists students in developing skills for academic success, learning about expectations and responsibilities of university students, and familiarizing themselves with campus resources. lsu.edu/hss

CREATING EXPERIENCES

THE ADVENTUROUS STUDENT LSU Manship School of Mass Communication senior Baele Hasbrouck spent her spring and summer 2018 studying in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her trip was made possible by the Jay Perkins Scholarship, funded by the professor emeritusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former students and inspired by his dedication to global education. Throughout her 2018 trip abroad, political communication senior Baele Hasbrouck visited El Cerro de San Cristobol in Santiago, Chile; Iguazu Falls in North Argentina; and La Boca in Buenos Aires.

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ince taking a Latin American literature class in 10th grade, Hasbrouck’s goal was to learn Spanish and study in a Spanish-speaking country. When she came to LSU, she researched which area she should stay in, landing on Argentina. “They are a very familial culture; they love family and being surrounded by people. That’s who I am,” she explained. “I wanted to be around a culture that was supportive and would help me feel at home.” Hasbrouck wanted a full cultural experience and knew juggling a job could interfere with that; the Jay Perkins Scholarship relieved her concern. The magnitude of the adventure hit her mid-flight to Buenos Aires. “I was on autopilot until I got on the plane,” Hasbrouck recalled, adding her thoughts, “Immediately, Spanish is going to start happening! I’m familiar with Spanish, but they’re going to have a different accent than what I’m used to. And I don’t know airport Spanish!’”

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Turns out, her host mother knew no English, while her fellow hosted student knew very little Spanish. That left Hasbrouck as their translator. “It was nerve-wracking, but I got over that quickly,” she said. “My family was very welcoming, and I really, really love them. I’m going to go back and see them one day.” There, Hasbrouck visited one of the seven natural wonders of the world: Iguazu Falls, which spans from Brazil through North Argentina. Following a 20-hour bus ride through the rain, she was amazed by the power of the waterfall and the rainbow that peeked out. Her favorite place that she visited, though, was Santiago, Chile: “It’s so close but has a completely different culture than Argentina—how they speak, the way they eat, how they season their food, even the Argentine tradition of kissing.” Hasbrouck’s scholarship is funded in large part by Perkins’ former students, including Kelly Rucker Bingel and Al Comeaux, and is “for the adventurous student.” Perkins, a

Hasbrouck also spent quality time with her host mom (center) and fellow hosted student, serving as their translator for much of the trip.

former Associated Press political reporter, taught journalism at LSU for 30 years and encouraged his students to expand their horizons. “Jay taught us to walk up to complete strangers and have the courage to ask any question relevant to our story,” Bingel said. “He would want you to be curious.” “Jay Perkins pushed the living daylights out of his students. He advised The Reveille and identified talent, showed them he expected more of them, and we all rose to the occasion,” Comeaux said. “When I was fundraising for the scholarship, I got a lot of respondents who said, ‘You know, I wouldn’t have had this career if it weren’t for Jay.’” Perkins accompanied Manship School’s study abroad trips, and he enjoyed “watching the lightbulbs going off in the heads of the students” as they traveled throughout Europe and realized the universal bond that humanity shares. His favorite experience occurred in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.

“I was confined to a wheelchair because of a broken ankle. I found the restroom, but it was up three steps. People appeared out of nowhere, grabbed my wheelchair, lifted it up the stairs and then disappeared,” he remembered. “When I emerged, other people appeared and took me down the steps. No one asked if I were Muslim or Christian, Turkish or American. I was just a person who needed help.” Through her trip, Hasbrouck realized that she wants to be an immigration lawyer. “I met people from other countries that make it a point to learn other people’s cultures, to learn our culture,” she said. “I want Spanish to be a part of my every day job. I really want to be an advocate.” lsu.edu/manship

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LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! In her 12 years at University Lab School, instructor Jennifer Bevill has transformed how students learn technology through her classes: multimedia, digital graphics and now, thanks to a $12,000 grant from the ULS Foundation, broadcasting.

“A

t ULS, our faculty sees the big picture. We work to educate the whole child and to prepare them for the future,” Bevill, a National Geographic Society Spotlight Educator, said. “I need for them to be comfortable exploring technology, to be resourceful when presented with new technology and, most importantly, to understand how technology can be utilized to improve lives.” With their new high-quality cameras, sound and editing equipment and a green screen, students can create

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professional video productions and manage projects for clients. They conduct research, write scripts, plan video shoots and edit and digitally design the final product. “Along the way, they learned life and career skills valuable to any future profession, including adaptability, initiative, self-direction, productivity, accountability, leadership and responsibility,” Bevill noted of her first students to participate. “They also gained a greater understanding and a deeper connection to some of the issues of the greater Baton Rouge community.”

The broadcasting course is now a part of Public Broadcasting Service’s Student Reporting Labs program, through which students will produce original, youth-focused news reports for Louisiana Public Broadcasting. If selected, their content will run on PBS’s national NewsHour site and nightly broadcast, reaching more than 1 million viewers daily. Bevill will help other SRL program leaders develop curricula to ensure that the youth voice is active in news and public affairs. “My goal is to facilitate meaningful engagement in technology and real-

“

My goal is to facilitate meaningful engagement in technology and real-world issues, and to provide whatever platforms are available so that our students grow to be empowered participants in our community.” - Jennifer Bevill, ULS instructor

ULS students use high-quality equipment, purchased with Annual Appeal funds, to create professional video productions for clients within and outside of the school. Photos by Jennifer Bevill’s multimedia students

world issues, and to provide whatever platforms are available so that our students grow to be empowered participants in our community,” Bevill shared. “An important component of that is the equipment needed. The continued support from the Cub community through the ULS Foundation has been integral in keeping us in action.” Gordon (Humanities & Social Sciences, ’78; Business, ’84) and Debbie (Science, ’80; Business, ‘88) Monk are donors to the ULS Annual Appeal, which supports innovative initiatives like Bevill’s multimedia

classes. The Monks’ triplets graduated from ULS in 2011. Gordon knows that their gifts to ULS support generations of educators—from LSU School of Education faculty to ULS student teachers and students. “ULS has something for everybody that goes there,” Gordon said, adding, “There is a place for whatever you may be interested in. They fulfill that need or desire, which is unique, but they are only able to do that through people giving to the Annual Appeal. Outside resources from donors are critically important to providing these cuttingedge kind of classes.”

Bevill is a grant recipient of the Institute for International Education and the American Institute for Foreign Study, recognizing her successful integration of a global perspective into the classroom. She is also a Fund for Teachers fellowship recipient and a U.S. representative at Microsoft Partners in Learning Global Forum. uhigh.lsu.edu

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LSU mechanical engineering students Macie Coker, April Gaydos and Lucy Guo spent their spring 2018 semester designing temporary eyeglasses for students at Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge. The project is a realization of the LSU College of Engineering’s mission to create engineers who can transform ideas into reality, solve society’s problems and improve quality of life.

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he effort came together after LSVI Director Leslie Bello reached out to the college about potential student projects that could benefit the school. Eyeglasses—the expensive and only means of sight for many LSVI students—came to mind. “They’re taping their glasses together or just holding them up all day,” Bello explained. “It could be months to a year before they can get new glasses. The success of this will alleviate this problem.” The three ME students volunteered, and David Bowles,

who runs the Chevron Center for Engineering Education in Patrick F. Taylor Hall, came on as the project’s principal investigator. “We get this stigma of being behind a desk and being quiet and introverted all day. We solve problems, slide them under the door and that’s that,” Coker, a senior from Chalmette, La., shared. “But this is a chance to make people’s lives better and make engineers a little more personable than we get a reputation for.” “I get to utilize the concepts I learned in my engineering classes and incorporate them into something

LSU mechanical engineering students April Gaydos, Lucy Guo and Macie Coker use 3D technology to produce temporary eyeglasses. Photos by Casey Muller

productive that will visibly improve someone’s life. Knowing that makes this project well worth the effort for me,” Guo, a sophomore from Baton Rouge, added. They utilized a 3D-modeling program in the Chevron Center to scan 35 LSVI students’ glasses. The scan is converted into a model, which is then printed using a 3D printer. The printing process builds layers of melted plastic into the pattern of the glasses. “For ME students, it’s not just some theoretical thing; it’s a project with an impact in the community, Bowles said. “It’s forcing them

to learn a lot—not only the possibilities, but also the limitations of these technologies.” Although LSVI has this technology in-house, the ME students found the most costeffective, efficient way of executing the process. They then met with LSVI students to show them the project, demonstrating a real-life application of STEM. They also led a training session with LSVI staff and students in August to ensure the continued success of the project. “I have a student in 10th grade who scored a 30 on the ACT and a 35 in science,” Bello said. “This

would be the perfect opportunity to challenge him.” The 2,916-square-foot Chevron Center houses more cutting-edge equipment, including a holographic design station, and serves as a hub for students interested in traveling abroad and learning communication techniques. The center was renovated through a generous donation from Chevron, who recognized the bustling studio’s potential to energize students and drive outcomes. lsu.edu/eng

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“

It felt really great to be able to give to a program that would have an immediate impact. A feeling of belonging is such an important part of the college experience, and STRIPES helps freshmen develop strong ties to what it means to be a Tiger." - LSU National Diversity Advisory Board member Jaimee Pangburn (Humanities & Social Sciences, ’97; Human Sciences & Education, ’10)

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BIG MOMENTS The LSU National Diversity Advisory Board used Launch LSU, LSU’s crowdfunding platform, to raise $10,000 to provide STRIPES fee waivers for financially disadvantaged incoming Tigers. Political science freshman Brittany Auzenne is one of 15 students who were able to attend STRIPES thanks to the board’s rallying cry of support.

efore attending STRIPES, Auzenne wasn’t particularly passionate about becoming a Tiger. She chose LSU mostly to be closer to extended family in Opelousas, La., and to learn more about Southern culture. STRIPES, as it is for many freshmen, was her game-changer. “I wanted to do STRIPES because I thought it would probably be really good to go into college knowing about LSU’s traditions, history and campus,” Auzenne said. “It was a lot of money to go, so I knew I was only going to go if I got a fee waiver.” At the LSU National Diversity Advisory Board’s spring 2018 meeting, LSU Vice President for Enrollment Dr. Jose Aviles spoke about the increase in numbers and diversity of the incoming class of 2022, and the importance of retaining those students. His presentation was a call to action for the board’s programming and student life subcommittee members, who remembered the effect STRIPES had on their freshman years and initiated the crowdfunding effort. The Office of Academic Affairs, led by Interim Executive Vice President & Provost Dr. Stacia Hayne, also contributed to the campaign. “It felt really great to be able to give to a program that would have an immediate impact. A feeling of belonging is such an important part of the college experience, and STRIPES helps freshmen develop strong ties to what it means to be a Tiger,” said board member Jaimee Pangburn (Humanities & Social Sciences, ’97; Human Sciences & Education, ’10). “The whole board was excited.” STRIPES, a four-day, three-night on-campus experience, helps incoming students acclimate to LSU by exploring campus, connecting them with friends and mentors, and encouraging them to be leaders. Thanks to her fee waiver, Auzenne attended the last STRIPES session before classes began, and calls it “the most incredible experience ever.” Some of her treasured memories include learning her small group’s roll call chant, a heartfelt discussion by flashlight and the alma mater session.

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“We sat on the steps of the Law Center, and they gave us our key to the university and LSU ring, and we all sang the LSU Alma Mater together,” Auzenne shared. “That was a really big moment because that was the first official moment that I felt like I was an actual student at LSU.” Energized by STRIPES, Auzenne’s freshman year is off to a great start. She’s on track to study at the LSU Law Center her senior year through the 3+3 program, and she is enjoying living in the new Spruce Hall. She hopes to become an LSU Ambassador. “If someone from a different state or area came to LSU, I’d be so excited to tell them everything about the school and show them around,” she said. Auzenne keeps in touch with her STRIPES small group. She thanks everyone who made a gift to the crowdfunding campaign and said she “can’t imagine” where she’d be without the STRIPES experience. “It’s good to have a familiar face and be more comfortable on campus, to know my way around,” she said. “If I didn’t go to STRIPES, I would have been so lost when I came on move in day.” Comprised of national industry leaders, the National Diversity Advisory Board fosters diversity and inclusion on campus and drives the mission and vision of diversity to faculty, staff, students and neighboring communities in support of the advancement of LSU.

“

We sat on the steps of the Law Center, and they gave us our key to the university and LSU ring, and we all sang the LSU Alma Mater together. That was a really big moment because that was the first official moment that I felt like I was an actual student at LSU.” - Brittany Auzenne, political science freshman

lsu.edu/diversity lsu.edu/students/fye launch.lsu.edu

Top: Brittany Auzenne (second row, third from left) with her STRIPES small group Bottom: Auzenne’s STRIPES keepsakes include her key to the university and LSU ring, a craft Mardi Gras mask and photos with her small group.

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2017-18 GIVING REPORT

“

Last year, LSU celebrated many accomplishments that reflect our university’s commitment to improving lives through discovery, diversity, engagement and learning. It takes every Tiger giving every year to sustain excellence and achieve even more, and our donors proved how powerful that loyalty can be. Thanks to your generosity, we surpassed our fundraising goal and raised LSU’s alumni giving rate six spots among our SEC peer group.”

SPOTS JUMP IN ALUMNI GIVING RATE AMONG OUR SEC PEER GROUP

- Robert M. Stuart Jr., chairperson of the LSU Foundation Board of Directors

TOTAL FUNDRAISING

JULY 1, 2017, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2018

$56,027,622 GIVEN TO LSU FOUNDATION

45.6%

$16.9 MILLION

ENDOWED GIFTS

COMMITTED THROUGH ESTATE PLANS

GIFTS OF $1 MILLION OR MORE

$99.5 MILLION given to support academics

}

$56 MILLION to LSU Foundation $43.5 MILLION directly to LSU and LSU AgCenter

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2017-18 GIVING REPORT JULY 1, 2017, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2018

Of the $56 million given to the LSU Foundation last fiscal year:

45.28%

18.9%

ALUMNI $25,369,434

ORGANIZATIONS $10,591,555

WHO GAVE

15.09% FOUNDATIONS $8,454,831

19.27% FRIENDS $10,795,044

0.27%

1.19%

NON-ALUMNI PARENTS $151,897

HOW THEY GAVE

WHAT THEY GAVE

CASH - $20,413,130

NON-ENDOWED - $30,462,940

PLANNED GIFTS - $16,912,654

ENDOWED - $25,564,682

PLEDGES - $18,701,288 GIFTS IN KIND - $550

FACULTY AND STAFF $664,861

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Market Value of Total Assets as of June 30, 2018

$679.1 MILLION $560.3 MILLION - LSU FOUNDATION INVESTMENT ASSETS endowed and non-endowed assets managed for the benefit of LSU and the LSU AgCenter $78.6 MILLION - OTHER LSU FOUNDATION ASSETS physical and financial assets that are not part of the pooled investment programs $40.2 MILLION - INVESTMENT ASSETS MANAGED ON BEHALF OF OTHER LSU SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS endowed and non-endowed funds managed on behalf of LSU Alexandria Foundation, LSU Eunice Foundation and Tiger Athletic Foundation

Market Value of Total Assets: 10-year Snapshot The LSU Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiscal year begins July 1 and concludes the following June 30.

rounded to nearest million

DOLLARS IN MILLIONS

$700 679

$650

644

$600

655 627

617

568

$550

538

533

2011

2012

$500 $450

475 446

2009

2010

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

FISCAL YEAR

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2017-18 GIVING REPORT JULY 1, 2017, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2018

General Endowed Portfolio: Investment Performance and Asset Allocation

This investment portfolio is composed of endowment gifts directed by donors. It is managed by CA Capital Management, with high-level oversight by the Investment Committee of the LSU Foundation Board of Directors. PORTFOLIO RETURNS

ASSET ALLOCATION

14.1%

FIXED INCOME/ LIQUIDITY

2017-18 RETURN

8.51%

3-YEAR ANNUALIZED

5.19%

44.2%

5-YEAR ANNUALIZED

5.28%

PUBLIC EQUITY

10-YEAR ANNUALIZED

4.61%

20.2% DIVERSIFYING STRATEGIES 21.5%

RETURNS FOR THE GENERAL ENDOWED PORTFOLIO OUTPACED 72 PERCENT OF OUR PEERS.

PRIVATE INVESTMENTS

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF LSU’S VISION FOR LEADING LOUISIANA AND IMPACTING THE WORLD. LSU’S VISION We are committed to solving global challenges acute to Louisiana through cutting-edge research, while graduating future leaders equipped with the ability, skills and desire to make positive contributions to the world.

LEADING LOUISIANA Louisiana's most urgent and compelling concerns in education, health, wellness, culture, coastal resilience and economic development cannot be solved without LSU's human capital.

IMPACTING THE WORLD Our commitment to LSU is a commitment to each other, and to advancing the greater good for our entire world.

LSU’S STRATEGIC CHALLENGES

Advancing Arts and Culture

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Bridging the Coast, Energy and Environment

Fostering Research and Catalyzing Economic Development

LAST YEAR, $16.7 MILLION IN ENDOWMENT FUNDING WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO LSU TO SPEND IN SUPPORT OF PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS CAMPUS-WIDE.

Board of Regents Support Fund Portfolio

This investment portfolio is composed of endowment gifts matched through the Board of Regents’ matching program for chairs, professorships and scholarships, as well as of the related matching funds received from the state. It is also managed by CA Capital Management. PORTFOLIO RETURNS

ASSET ALLOCATION 30.7%

2017-18 RETURN

6.83%

3-YEAR ANNUALIZED

6.08%

5-YEAR ANNUALIZED

6.83%

10-YEAR ANNUALIZED

5.63%

FIXED INCOME/ LIQUIDITY

54.2% PUBLIC EQUITY

10.1% DIVERSIFYING STRATEGIES

5.0% PRIVATE INVESTMENTS

LSU educates the future leaders, thinkers and doers in every industry. We are true to our promise of being Louisiana’s state university. Just last year, we celebrated:

straight years in top tier of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best National Universities”

percent of students graduating with zero debt

new species discovered by LSU researchers

places jumped in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings for 2019

Forbes’ Top Colleges that Dominate Academically and Athletically ranking

Improving Health and Well-being

6,497

Transforming Education

degrees awarded

Developing Leaders

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OUTCOMES THAT MATTER There is no shortage of pride in the LSU community, and for good reason. At LSU, we’re driven by outcomes that matter. Donors are our greatest champions for making an outstanding education accessible and affordable—and that’s the most important way we deliver on our promise of being Louisiana’s state university. Here are just a handful of the milestones you made possible last year.

RANKED IN TOP HALF OF FLAGSHIP UNIVERSITIES FOR BOTH EARLY AND MID-CAREER EARNINGS

SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE IS ONE OF U.S.’S TOP BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH FACILITIES

CONSISTENTLY RANKED A BEST-VALUE LAW SCHOOL

ARCHITECTURE PROFESSOR NAMED ONE OF TOP 13 FEMALE ARCHITECTS IN THE WORLD

BUILT NATION’S LARGEST WORKING MODEL OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO ADDRESS COASTAL LAND LOSS

ENGINEERING SENIORS BUILT A BEACH-ACCESSIBLE WHEELCHAIR

PUBLIC RELATIONS STUDENTS WON THE NATION’S TOP STUDENT COMPETITION, CREATING A CAMPAIGN FOCUSED ON SURVIVING PEDIATRIC CANCER

SCIENTISTS FOUND CLUES IN LIZARD BLOOD THAT MAY LEAD TO CURES FOR MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASES

DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS STUDENT EARNED FIRST PRIZE AT 45TH NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SINGING ARTIST AWARDS COMPETITION

NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS PROJECT PROVIDED 5,200 EXPERIENCES FOR BATON ROUGE YOUTH

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LIBRARIES HOSTED 1.1 MILLION VISITS

ADVANCING COMMUNITIES

ENCORES

John Turner and Jerry Fischer’s $4 million investment in the LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts creates the John G. Turner and Jerry G. Fischer Center for Opera at LSU and enables the renovation of the School of Music Recital Hall. Their historic gift will strengthen the renowned opera program, build a world-class facility for educating high-level artists, and advance arts and culture within Louisiana. The John G. Turner and Jerry G. Fischer Center for Opera at LSU produces two main stage productions—fully staged, designed, costumed and accompanied by the LSU Symphony Orchestra—a year, plus smaller staged shows and numerous outreach performance opportunities. Photos provided by LSU Opera

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 WATCH ONLINE

lsufoundation.org/cornerstone

“O

pera is a combination of voice, theater and the orchestra all together. Often, it also includes dancing and ballet. That’s why it’s the most expensive art form to produce,” Turner said. “We realize that they’re not going to be able to do it on their own. This was our chance to help them out and to make an investment that we felt, now at this time, would get us the best bang for the buck.” The Recital Hall’s aesthetic and technological improvements will enhance quality of production and make the space more attractive—a “wow factor,” said Turner—for potential students, faculty and visitors. It will also facilitate the installation of the Paula G. Manship Concert Organ, donated in 1999. “The Recital Hall is one of the most important and most used spaces in our building,” explained Turner-Fischer Scholar and vocal performance senior Monica Music. “I’m thrilled to say that we will have performance venues that will reflect the quality of the art that we give. Up until this point, organ recitals have been held off campus, so now having this organ will give the opportunity to our organists to perform in their home, with their colleagues nearby to support them.” Turner and Fischer gained an affinity for opera through their European travels. They joined the Patrons of the LSU Opera Board 20 years ago after attending LSU Opera performances and have since created several funds supporting the program. “We knew a little bit of money could actually go a long way with helping with the productions,” Fischer said. “We can see from our support over the years the continual improvement on many levels at the school ... Not only

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Jerry Fischer and John Turner with LSU Opera students in fall 2017

are there more voice majors now than ever, but they’re more talented than ever. It’s such a win.” With deep ties to LSU, Fischer (Humanities & Social Sciences, ’83) is an alumnus, and Turner grew up in the “shadows of LSU.” Turner is inspired by his parents, Bert (19212008) and Sue Turner, alumni and fellow transformational LSU supporters who he calls “visionaries, forward-thinkers.” He and Fischer are following their example by using philanthropy to increase exposure, appreciation and support of the arts for the future of Baton Rouge. “I think about what it means to come to LSU, where you are able to garner the support of patrons like John and Jerry and know that not only do the experts believe in your talent, but somebody in the community is ready to support that. That’s a warm fuzzy feeling that helps you through the times of self-doubt,” said Robert Grayson, professor emeritus and Edith Killgore Kirkpatrick Professor of Voice.

Turner-Fischer Scholar and vocal performance senior Monica Music

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Their endowed scholarship has supported more than 50 students, whom they’ve enjoyed meeting and watching perform. One of the first they supported was internationally acclaimed soprano Lisette Oropesa (Music & Dramatic Arts, ’05), a sophomore at the time. As a senior, she won the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Grand Finals; now she performs internationally. “We’re very fortunate that we’re able to give at our current age, because if we waited until we were 70 or 80 to do this gift, we would not be able to see the fruits of our investments,” Turner said. “By doing it now, we are able to watch them go through their careers.” The LSU Opera legacy of excellence continues because of the support of patrons like Turner and Fischer. Musical arts DMA candidate André Chiang won first prize at the 45th National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Awards in January 2018. Taking perspective from his broadening professional career, Chiang notes: “This art form was always about patronage and contributed to by people who think and feel that the arts are the only way to express certain emotions. John and Jerry’s gift shows their commitment to education and to high-quality art. It gives the student body an opportunity to experience professional-level productions.” Turner and Fischer’s generosity extends across LSU, including the School of Veterinary Medicine, Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation, LSU AgCenter, Museums of Art and Natural Science and the Colleges of Art & Design, Coast & Environment, Human Sciences & Education and Humanities & Social Sciences. music.lsu.edu

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Musical arts DMA candidate André Chiang

ADOPT-A-WORK The LSU Museum of Art’s Adopt-A-Work invites art lovers to play a role in preserving the quality and integrity of its 6,500-piece collection. The program’s donors enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the maintenance art often requires before it is enjoyed by the community for generations to come.

onservation needs may stem from inherent flaws in a piece, such as unsustainable media, aging and light exposure, or incidental damage. Curator Courtney Taylor notes that while the process is crucial in preserving the integrity and viewability of the museum’s artwork, it can be time-consuming and very expensive. Like most museums, LSU MOA does not have a conservator on staff; pieces must be shipped offsite or visited by a professional. “There are very few training programs in the country for conservation because it’s so high-level. I like to compare it to like being a surgeon but for art,” Taylor explained. “The collections’ manager and curator are trained in how to handle art and preserve art, but there's a point where we have to stop and say this is beyond our expertise. Then we have to call a conservator.” Overall, the program has resulted in over $41,500 worth of conservation work for more than 30 objects. Carol Steinmuller (Business, ’88 and ’90) adopted a series of six Newcomb watercolors on view in the Newcomb Pottery Gallery in the Art in Louisiana permanent collection. She became aware of the program on Giving Tuesday and felt motivated to support an overlooked area of need. “I thought it was really cool that they gave me an option. I got to see what their conservation needs were, and I got to be involved in picking a couple of items,” Steinmuller shared. “I had heard of Newcomb Pottery—that's very famous—but I didn't realize that the museum had collections of Newcomb watercolors ... I think that adds to the presentation of how significant Newcomb College was. They were part of the early Arts and Crafts movement.” Through investing in the quality and integrity of the collection, Adopt-A-Work donors gain a sense of ownership in the museum. They are included throughout the conservation process, receiving regular updates, written reports, before-and-after photos and a private tour by a curator. Donors are also recognized for their support alongside the displayed artwork, or may choose to instead honor a loved one.

Top: “Blackeyed Susan” (c. 1920-1921) by Cecile Owen, pencil and watercolor on paper Bottom: “Bowl and Cosmos in Jar” (c. 1920-1921) by Cecile Owen, pencil and watercolor on paper Gifts of Dr. A. Brooks Cronan Jr. and Diana Cronan

lsumoa.org

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 WATCH ONLINE

lsufoundation.org/cornerstone

EnvironMentor Michael LaNasa shows LeAnne R. a fish key used to identify species found in the LSU campus lakes and streams.

EnvironMentors The LSU College of the Coast & Environment's LSU EnvironMentors, which pairs Scotlandville Magnet High School students with LSU students, won 2018 Chapter of the Year at the National Fair and Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. Program participants boast a 98 percent high school graduation rate (compared to Scotlandville’s 78 percent), with at least 70 percent of EnvironMentees continuing into college or the National Guard.

nvironMentors targets underserved populations and those underrepresented in STEM career fields. Learning activities, field trips and research projects culminate in an annual poster competition; top students compete at the National Fair—many of the students’ first trip outside of the state. “It’s more than just teaching students about science and fostering this sense of environmental stewardship ... It’s also about

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broadening their horizons,” Chapter Coordinator Brian Matherne shared. The program increases college access through campus tours and events, doing research in university labs and meeting faculty. LSU staff walk students through the application process and gaining tuition assistance. Guest speakers expose them to the broad application of science to career paths. “A lot of these students are often first-generation collegebound. We’ve had some that are the first person in their family to graduate high school,” Matherne explained. “We try to have their mentors work on applications with them, help them with letters of recommendation and writing, but also make it known that these resources are here at LSU.”

Top Left: High schooler Briana C. won fifth place—and a $500 scholarship—for excellence in environmental science research. Top Right: EnvironMentees Chabari T., Briana C. and J’Tyriah W. test water quality in the creek behind the College of the Coast & Environment building. Bottom: EnvironMentees prep for their research experiments at the College of the Coast & Environment.

Katherine King (Law, ’81) is a partner with Kean Miller in Baton Rouge, focusing on energy and utility regulatory law. She learned about the program on a tour of the college and was “blown away.” Her gifts support the program’s greatest needs, including van transportation (a “deal breaker” for most of the high schoolers, Matherne said) to pick the students up at school and drop them off at home after meetings. “It made me think back to my high school days. I had this great science teacher in the 10th grade, and he changed my view of science ... He had a tremendous impact on me and my goals at that age,” King remembered. “I thought, ‘Gosh, this could really have a huge impact on kids.’” “There are some students who are just happy to be there, and I think that’s OK,” Matherne shared. “We provide a welcoming environment for students where all the negativity in their lives can be turned off. They can come in and have reliable mentors who are there each week.”

LSU Undergraduate Admissions Counselor Alexis Johnson (Human Sciences & Education, ’17) said the program kept her on track to begin her future at LSU, one that continues the EnvironMentors legacy. “Because I had those mentors—such a great group of people willing to help and serve students—it’s now my mission, my own personal goal, to serve students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation students, minority students and all students, and to help them further their education.” EnvironMentors is supported by Sea Grant Louisiana, Albemarle Corporation, ExxonMobil, Junior League of Baton Rouge and individual donors. lsu.edu/cce

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SIGN OF THE TIMES The LSU Manship School of Mass Communication and LSU Libraries are partnering to digitize LSU’s award-winning student newspaper. The Daily Reveille Digitization Initiative honors The Daily Reveille’s legacy of excellence and offers Tigers everywhere online access to its invaluable archive.

“W

hen I left my longtime home in Connecticut seven years ago for a new home in Florida, four bound copies of The Daily Reveille from years in the early ‘60s failed to make the trip and were thrown in the trash bin,” former Reveille editor Thomas O. Ryder (Mass Communication, ’66) remembered. “The decision to throw them away still troubles me, but my copies had deteriorated to the point where they could not be read. These were issues I had worked on personally as a student.” The Daily Reveille collection, dating back to 1897, chronicles national and international milestones; illuminates the history of LSU, Louisiana and the South; and showcases rigorous student journalism by generations of Reveille staff. Ryder, a Manship School of Mass Communication Hall of Fame inductee and an advisory board member, was relieved to find that he could access copies on LSU’s campus. “All the issues of all the years are still in the libraries, but those copies, too, are deteriorating. They are even harder to access,” he explained. “They are big, and they vary in size, which means the collection is spread out over lots of currently available space, challenging all but the most dedicated historians. All search is by hand, and it is very hard to copy anything because of the size of the volumes.” Through the initiative, Reveille materials will be published online and keywordsearchable. Ryder, retired chairman and CEO of Reader’s Digest, was impressed when he learned of the vastness and accessibility of the project, and that it could be done at a reasonable price. He immediately made a gift. “Good campus newspapers reflect the spirit of students of their times,” Ryder shared. “They amplify a history that is incomplete without their voice and insight. That is certainly true of The Daily Reveille, which, over the years, has been far better than the average campus newspaper.” Prior to his career with Reader’s Digest, Ryder served in several leadership roles within the publishing industry, including for American Express Publishing Corporation and CBS Magazines. He and his wife, Darlene, have multiple professorships within the Manship School. lsufoundation.org/drdi

LSUFOUNDATION.ORG/CORNERSTONE

SUPPORTING STUDENTS

Awakening LSU Department of Political Science Alumni Professor Dr. Cecil Eubanks transformed the way Drs. John (Humanities & Social Sciences, ’15 and ’17) and Sarah Beth (Humanities & Social Sciences, ’13 and ’14) Kitch thought and shaped their future careers. Their student award for the LSU Ethics Institute, given in Eubanks’ honor, will further his mission to promote moral literacy and ethical leadership.

arah Beth, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri, shared, “It was through training with Dr. Eubanks that I started to use literature to teach ethics, and to use different works of political thought to connect with everyday questions that people have about life, about how we make decisions and act.” The LSU Ethics Institute builds a foundation for principled decision-making—how to reason, defend and act upon moral dilemmas. Eubanks played a pivotal role in its establishment and mission to transform the study of ethics, engage the community and inspire the next generation of ethical leaders. “A significant aspect in the discovery of who we are as human beings is a sophisticated awareness of ethical literacy,” Eubanks said. “An educative awakening, our aim is to promote that awareness in our campus lives and beyond.” Faculty and students work together to study ethical challenges through research and discovery, teaching and learning, and outreach and engagement. In June 2018, John and Sarah Beth attended the Ethics Institute’s first Summer Faculty Workshop. “I had a much better idea, because of the workshop, about what I wanted to teach and how I wanted to teach it,” Sarah Beth said, citing developed language and training techniques as outcomes. “It’s really helped to refine my sense of what goes into effective classroom experience.” To create their endowed award, the institute’s first student award, John and Sarah Beth set up pledge payments over six years. John said that the giving experience has been rewarding. “I’ve been surprised to find out how quickly and directly donations could benefit something,” John said. “You don’t have to have a million dollars to help a student get a scholarship, and it doesn’t have to be a 10-year turnaround. You can really help fund or create things that wouldn’t otherwise exist.” The Kitches’ gift will be one of the institute’s Inspire Awards, annual awards given to students who demonstrate outstanding ethical behavior and decision-making for the benefit of the LSU community. lsu.edu/hss

Dr. Cecil Eubanks with Drs. John and Sarah Beth Kitch at their gift agreement signing

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Photo by Ginger Guttner

PEOPLE LIKE ME The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is celebrating its first scholarships for minorities and disadvantaged populations. The endowed Dr. George E. Robinson III, DVM, MSPH, Superior Graduate Scholarship and Daniels Family Minority Superior Graduate Scholarship commemorate the successful veterinary careers of their alumni benefactors, and will promote diversity and enhance the SVM experience.

obinson (’81) was the first African American from Louisiana to attend SVM. He said he felt like a pioneer, navigating misconceptions and a challenging curriculum. He thrived, becoming the student body president and yearbook editor, and making the dean’s list. In May 2018, Robinson gave the school’s commencement speech. “It sent chills down my spine because it felt full circle. After I graduated from the school, I spent a lot of time working to influence minority students to attend LSU SVM,” Robinson said. “I think one of the gaps is exposure and mentorship. A lot of folks don’t have a black veterinarian to look to in their community and say, ‘I want to be like Dr. George’ ... That puts a kind of social responsibility on me, too.” Robinson is president and CEO of Heartland Veterinary Partners, a private Dr. George E. Robinson III speaking at the LSU equity-backed corporation out of Chicago that owns more than 30 veterinary SVM May 2018 commencement ceremony practices. He made the decision to establish his scholarship after being diagnosed Photo by Marie Constantin with cancer, which he later beat. “I’ve always felt that minorities needed to have a greater role in the veterinary profession. And it’s not going to happen unless people like me help make it happen,” Robinson said.

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Brothers Egeenee (’86) and Shawn (’94) Daniels grew up farming and ranching in Washington Parish. Their father died when Egeenee was just a teenager, so he took on jobs to support the family. Egeenee, the SVM’s 2015 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, shared, “From the age 15 on, I was working most of the time, sometimes 40 hours a week. It was difficult attending professional school with a very limited income.” They are happy to take that burden off the shoulders of students with financial challenges. “My mom always instilled in us that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected,’” Shawn remembered. “We have been given the opportunity to fulfill our dreams of becoming veterinarians. It is only right for us to assist other minority students to reach their dreams.” Egeenee is director of laboratory animal medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, and Rhonda (’90) is the owner and medical director of Animal Doctors of North Texas. Shawn is chief of staff at Banfield Pet Hospital in Harvey, La., leading a five-doctor practice and coaching doctors nationwide. The family feels “privileged” to have attended SVM and made connections with faculty. “Even though disadvantaged students are exposed to the idea of further education, the opportunity is either delayed or never sought because of the monetary issues,” Rhonda said. “Don’t forget where you came from. If you’ve been blessed, you should give a blessing to someone.” Editor’s note: As this issue was going to press, LSU SVM celebrated a transformational gift by Dr. Herman Soong that builds upon the efforts of Dr. Robinson and the Drs. Daniels to increase access to veterinary education for all. See p.2 for more on this historic gift! lsu.edu/vetmed

Dr. Shawn Daniels and his wife, Dr. Bertha Daniels, who is an assistant professor and family physician at Tulane

Drs. Egeenee and Rhonda Daniels with their children, A.J. and Endrea

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Ashley and Jeff Raborn with LSU Law Dean Tom Galligan at the LSU v. Ole Miss Rebels football game on Sept. 29, 2018 Photo by Andrea Barbier

SPIRIT OF

GENEROSITY Jeff (Humanities & Social Sciences, ’90; Law, ’93) and Ashley (Humanities & Social Sciences, ’91) Raborn of Winston-Salem, N.C., are making their first major gift with the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Their scholarship will benefit law students from Jeff’s or Ashley’s home parish and is eligible for competitive matching by the Louisiana Board of Regents.

hile at LSU, Ashley was active in Tri Delta sorority, which helped to shape her as a future leader and mom. Jeff, executive vice president of legal and external affairs at Reynolds American Inc., said LSU’s environment raised his self-expectations. “Fellow students who were clearly bright, smart and driven made me raise my level of performance,” Jeff shared. “The faculty was always challenging, generally supportive and rarely overtly political. This encouraged expression of disparate beliefs in class and allowed for constructive discussions, which in turn helped sharpen our criticalthinking abilities.”

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Jeff studied under LSU Law Center Dean Thomas Galligan, who Jeff said is known for his sense of humor but brought a lot more to the classroom. “What may be the most important attribute was his ability to discuss both sides of the issue without giving away his view,” Jeff said. “He was not indoctrinating; he was teaching. Plus, as the bulk of my career was in product litigation, I am thankful for those lively discussions in his torts classes!” The Raborns made their gift through their charitable trust after reflecting upon how their experiences at LSU impacted their lives. Jeff and Ashley hope that the future scholarship recipients will appreciate the opportunity and carry it throughout their careers.

“We think having a thankful heart helps create a mature disposition about the world and can inspire a spirit of generosity within, especially as they achieve success in their careers,” Jeff explained. “We hope they will remember all assistance they receive, so as to inspire them to likewise help others.” Jeff, who coached youth sports for over a decade, has straightforward advice for graduates starting their careers: “Show up early. Stay late. Be the person the boss knows they can count on every day. Be a good teammate and set goals, both shortterm and long-term. Always look at the positive and enjoy the ride!” law.lsu.edu

Worthy Investments Former Louisiana State Senate President and current Louisiana Board of Regents member-at-large Randy Ewing (Business, ’66) and wife Rosemary (Humanities & Social Sciences, ’66) are passionate supporters of the humanities in Louisiana, especially when it comes to advancing child and family education and health. Their student achievement award in the LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences will progress their mission to enhance quality of life through exposure to liberal arts.

he Ewings’ annual gifts to the college represent the value they place on the liberal arts’ benefit to society, as well as honor the experiences within the college that Rosemary and their granddaughters, Allison Ewing (’16) and Margaret Manning (’17), enjoyed. Now more than ever, with limited state support, Randy and Rosemary realize the importance of providing scholarships to students. Randy said that an “investment in the young is a worthy investment in the future,” as illustrated by his father’s transformational experience with LSU. “My father was given a job on the LSU student farm and a cot to sleep on by Huey Long during Rosemary and Randy Ewing the Great Depression of the 1930s. As one of Photo by Cherrie Haugh eight children living in poverty in the small town of Chatham, La., it was a life-changing experience. He once said that LSU gave him a ‘bump up in life,’” Randy remembered. “We hope that our modest support of students will help give them a ‘bump up in life,’ and that they will be good stewards of their education for their benefit and for others.” Rosemary served for 20 years on the board for the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and believes that humanities and social sciences students can be the social problem solvers of the 21st century. She uses the cell phone as an example of technology beyond imagination. “Our advanced technology must be blended with critical thinking and discernment from those who understand the lessons of civilization and today’s civilization of cyberspace, as well,” she said. To further increase opportunity and improve quality of life for disadvantaged Louisiana youth, the Ewings support the nationally honored PRIME TIME Family Reading, Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program, summer reading programs, the Methodist Children’s Home and scholarships. lsu.edu/hss

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Kayne’s service dog, Dementor the Moose; mom, Kirsten; and dad, Curtis, join him on the Tiger Stadium field. Kayne was honored prior to LSU’s 2017 games against Syracuse and Texas A&M.

CANN

Kayne Finley’s favorite colors were always purple and gold. Not even a terminal diagnosis could stop him from becoming a Tiger. During his brief time at LSU, Kayne was a freshman in the College of Agriculture and manager of the swimming and diving team. His mother, Kirsten, shares their remarkable story of faith, family and the LSU community—one that carries on through a College of Agriculture scholarship in Kayne’s memory.

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NBALLS

FOR KAYNE

n the day he is to take his SAT, Kayne, a high school senior from Ormond Beach, Fla., is diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma—an aggressive, inoperable, malignant brainstem tumor.

Kirsten Finley: We couldn’t believe it. We were, of course, devastated that “the ‘C’ word” had come into our lives, but then to find out that he had the most devastating brain cancer possible with less than 1 percent chance of survival ... The doctors told us he had six to nine months to live, if we were lucky. Like an early Christmas present, Kayne receives his acceptance letter from LSU. Kirsten and Curtis promise they will do everything they can to get him there. KF: We’re a military family—we don’t give up. We’ve been through a lot of heartache ourselves. Our family has gone through turmoil with my husband being on three deployments. We got divorced when the kids were in middle school, and we got back together just before they went to high school. I look back and know that was God, because He knew what was coming. Kayne is energized. While he does radiation, his swim team catapults the viral #CannonballsforKayne, inspiring his foundation of the same name. He begins raising awareness about DIPG. KF: Only 4 percent of cancer research funding goes to childhood cancer. When you whittle it down to what the brain cancer child-patient gets, it’s about $500. That was unacceptable to him. He became disciplined. He was doing physical therapy twice a week, but also was practicing on his own. Kayne completes 30 radiation treatments and a clinical trial, but shortly before high school graduation, he is told the tumors progressed to his ventricles. He decides on 26 more radiation treatments before stopping treatment. Kirsten and Curtis make arrangements with LSU.

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Kayne and his service dog, Dementor the Moose, on LSU’s campus

“ He got to live his life the way he wanted to live it, and that's the best gift we could have possibly given to him.” - Kirsten Finley 48

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Kayne advocated for awareness and support of DIPG through his foundation, Cannonballs for Kayne, even meeting with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards.

KF: We had faith that it was going to work out. Keeping him home was not an option; he had told us he would have been miserable. His friends would have been in school and not around to hang out. Why not explore something new? We’re so glad we did because we know in our hearts that we did everything that we could do for him. He got to live his life the way he wanted to live it, and that’s the best gift we could have possibly given to him. After missing two flights to Baton Rouge, Kirsten is seated next to Dr. Denis “Chip” Simon, an avid LSU fan and local endodontist. Chip and his wife, Aimee, invite the Finleys over the next day and then open their home to the couple. KF: They live 2 miles from LSU; I can get to campus in seven minutes! The odds of that I couldn’t even tell you. That chance meeting on an airplane was totally God’s work in the tapestry. Their love for LSU is tremendous. They just poured into Kayne and our family. It is as if they are our family. Kayne spends 10 weeks living in a residence hall, getting around on his motorized scooter (a gift from a friend of the Simons) with his service dog, Dementor the Moose, and inspiring the campus and beyond. KF: He had classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday. His chemotherapy treatments and clinics, physical and speech therapies were on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He had to get up an hour early just to shower and get ready, and I would

go over in the morning to feed and let the dog out. In between classes, he would do his work and take a rest. On his very last day in Baton Rouge, Kayne advocated with Gov. John Bel Edwards. He was able to share that 4 percent wasn’t enough. It helped to educate Gov. Edwards on what DIPG was and what it was like to be in a wheelchair, to all of a sudden have your abilities taken away. He was touching more people than we will ever know. He made you feel like you were the only person there that he was talking to. He made you feel special. Kayne returns home and passes away on Nov. 24, 2017, one year after his diagnosis. The Finleys’ LSU story continues through Kayne’s memorial scholarship—his idea—and his older brother, Keagan. KF: LSU had a distance swimmer who wanted to transfer to Florida State University and be closer to home. That opened up a spot for a male distance swimmer on their limited roster. Keagan [then a distance swimmer from FSU] joined the LSU swim team for the fall. Keagan transferred to LSU to not only live out his brother’s legacy, but also to swim in SEC Division I, which is what he’s always wanted to do. Yet another part of the tapestry that builds on Kayne’s and now Keagan’s legacy. lsu.edu/agriculture lsu.edu/disability cannonballsforkayne.org

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A Letter From

PRESIDENT F. KING ALEXANDER

I often tell people that I have the best job in the world—and it’s true. I am inspired by LSU students, faculty, staff and alumni every day. Those educated under our broad oaks and stately arches have a gumbo of attributes: sense of purpose, grit and determination, and sheer force of will, with an always-present optimism. They are using these talents to improve their communities, their state and beyond, creating limitless opportunities for LSU to change the world. Our efforts are myriad, far-reaching and backed by philanthropic support. For example, LSU AgCenter researchers recently received a $5 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for obesity prevention programs in rural Louisiana, affecting more than 40 percent of the area’s population. Experts at LSU’s Stephenson Technologies Corporation received $10 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to protect vulnerable small businesses from cyberattacks. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security just awarded LSU’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training/Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education $22 million to ensure all U.S. responders have access to high-quality training, making our nation safer. And John Turner and Jerry Fischer provided the College of Music & Dramatic Arts’ largest gift to date to create the John G. Turner and Jerry G. Fischer Center for Opera at LSU and renovate the LSU School of Music Recital Hall, creating a world-class facility for advancing arts and culture. We are improving lives in yet another way, having just welcomed our largest, most academically gifted freshman class ever. These students, admitted through a comprehensive review process, represent a class as strong in aptitude as they are in number. In fact, our Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College has a record enrollment, and LSU overall has seen a 42 percent increase in students with ACT scores of 34 or higher. Through evaluating with a wider lens, we are providing more prospective students of talent an extraordinary education that gains value over time—offering less debt and higher salaries than other universities—and boundless opportunities for success. From improving health outcomes to increasing our nation’s security and advancing arts and culture, LSU’s impact on the world around us is truly limitless. And that’s something we should celebrate. Sincerely,

F. King Alexander LSU President

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIGER BAND! The Tiger Band 125th Anniversary Campaign in fall 2018 invited band alumni, parents and fans to join in the birthday celebration and rally behind the band’s talented, hardworking performers. In one week, 254 Tiger fans donated nearly $22,780—a testament to the power of those four simple notes—through Launch LSU, LSU’s crowdfunding platform. Members of the Tiger Band work diligently to maintain high academic standards while balancing rigorous rehearsal, performance and travel schedules. Support of the Band Development Fund gives future generations of Tiger Band members an opportunity to be part of a world-famous collegiate marching band and receive a strong academic education to propel them in life. bands.lsu.edu launch.lsu.edu

LSU RESEARCH NEWS BIODEGRADABLE MARDI GRAS BEADS

RED WINE PROVES GOOD FOR THE HEART

Photo by Paige Jarreau

Tens of thousands of plastic Mardi Gras beads end up in landfills. LSU Department of Biological Sciences Professor Naohiro Kato is developing an innovative form of biodegradable Mardi Gras beads.

hen one of his students forgot to check on a test tube sample of algae, Kato found a large glob of algae that was accumulating oils. He began growing large quantities of this microscopic algae, or microalgae, an ingredient used for bioplastic production, in a 6-foot pool outside. He found Louisiana’s warm, humid temperatures and abundant sunshine ideal for microalgae growth. To offset the costs of Mardi Gras bead production, Kato has a patent pending to make beads entirely out of microalgae using leftover biomass from the nutraceutical (pharmaceutical-grade and standardized nutrient) industry. Nutraceutical companies can market microalgae products as vegetarian or vegan, boosting profits. “I believe we can change and do better. We have great resources to make our Mardi Gras celebrations more sustainable and to protect our environment and health,” Kato said.

Photo by Ginger Guttner

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Professor Tammy Dugas is harnessing antioxidants found in red wine to improve a common procedure for heart disease patients.

here is no one cure for heart disease, which occurs when plaque builds up within artery walls, blocking blood flow and increasing risk of heart attack or stroke. Surgical procedures are used in severe cases. In coronary angioplasty, a surgeon inserts and inflates a tiny balloon into a blocked or narrow artery to widen it and allow blood flow to the heart. Often, this involves a stent, a permanent small mesh tube that supports the blood vessel. Unfortunately, these stents can release toxic chemotherapy agents that can cause the blood vessel to narrow again. Dugas is developing a stent that releases antioxidants slowly over time to promote healing and to prevent blood clotting and inflammation. “By delivering red wine antioxidants during conventional angioplasty, it may be possible to prevent excess tissue from building up and the blood vessel from narrowing again as it heals,” Dugas said.

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