LSU_Alumni_Magazine_Summer_2026

Hall

58 On Roses, Hunger, and Designing the Original Master Plan for NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans: Meet Max Conrad Max Conrad started and ended his teaching career at LSU in the Year of the Fire Horse, an event that comes around only every 60 years. Meet the landscape architecture professor and LSU alumnus whom Robert Reich hired to help build LSU’s nationally acclaimed landscape architecture program.

On the Cover – Meet our new LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction honorees: Frank W. “Billy” Harrison III; Alumnus of the Year; Jaime Glas Odom, Young Alumna of the Year; Karen Brack; Johnny Fife, Speaker Mike Johnson; Rene Joyce; and Jeffrey Springmeyer.

Joe Carvalhido

President & CEO

LSU Alumni Association

Publisher

John Schiller

Chief of Staff

Sally Stiel

Vice President

Marketing, Travel & Corporate Partnerships

Chris Russo Blackwood

Editor

Jackie Bartkiewicz

Editor Emerita

Tricia Reed

Advertising Sales

Kimberly Mackey

Art Director/Graphic Designer

STUN Agency

Chuck Sanchez

Principal/Creative Director

STUN Agency

Contributors

Barry Cowan, Ted Griggs, Jordanne Davis-Guerin, Elsa Hahne, Brian Hudgins, Grace Myers, Drew Sarhan, Mitchell Scaglione, Sally Stiel

Photography

Photos by Reagan Cotton, Alex Crabtree, Sean Gasser, Emily Hodginson, Gianpaolo Nicolosi, Milton Ourso, Eddy Perez, Gabi Roller, Mitchell Scaglione, John Schiller, Sally Stiel, Tonya Stiel, Kristen Young

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

James G. “Jimmy” Gosslee, Chair Shreveport, La.

G. Archer Frierson III, Chair-Elect Shreveport, La.

Mark Kent Anderson, Immediate Past Chair Monroe, La.

Dr. Jack A. Andonie, Director Emeritus Metairie, La.

Chris Adams, Baton Rouge, La.

J. Ofori Agboka, Carnation, Wash.

Michael B. Bethea, Madisonville, La.

Paul Buffone, Baton Rouge, La.

Dr. Corey Foster, Lake Charles, La.

Erin Monroe, Baton Rouge, La.

Lauren Olinde Hughes, Houston, Tx.

R. Scott Jenkins, New Orleans, La.

Arenn Martin, Los Angeles

Dr. Louis Minsky, Baton Rouge, La. Jady H. Regard, Lafayette, La. William E. “Billy” Rose, Lake Charles, La. Ilene Sheldon, West Hills, Ca. Michael Wascom, Naples, Fl.

Theodore Williams III, Atlanta Michael Woods, Shreveport, La.

LSU ALUMNI MAGAZINE is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the LSU Alumni Association. Annual donations are $75, of which $6 is allocated for a subscription to the LSU Alumni Magazine. Periodical postage paid at Baton Rouge LA and additional mailing offices.

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

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225-578-3838

www.lsualumni.org/editor@lsualumni.org

© 2026 by LSU ALUMNI MAGAZINE.

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

LSU ALUMNI MAGAZINE reserves the right to edit all materials accepted for publication. Publication of material does not indicate endorsement by the magazine, the Association, or LSU.

What a night!

In April, we celebrated seven of LSU’s most outstanding alumni at our annual LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction gala.

Congratulations to Frank W. “Billy” Harrison, our Alumnus of the Year; to Jaime Glas Odom, our Young Alumna of the Year; and to Karen Brack, Johnny Fife, Speaker Mike Johnson, Rene Joyce, and Jeff Springmeyer.

Part of our mission here at the LSU Alumni Association is to connect Tigers with Tigers, and that evening was filled with joyous and heartfelt examples of reaching that goal.

Another way we connect Tigers is through our upcoming Summer Networking Series, which begins with events in June and July. These are more than traditional networking events: they are built with intention and a broader vision to support alumni at every stage of their careers. Find out in this issue where these events are being held – from New York to New Orleans and places in between.

As we wrap up another successful Coast to Coast Crawfish Boils season, I’d like to thank all of our chapters that hosted these events and our presenting sponsor, Tony Chachere’s.

From gowns and formalwear at the Hall of Distinction gala to super casual wear at the crawfish boils, we love meeting LSU alumni where they are, representing so many different areas and walks of life.

Their service and dedication to LSU were clearly evident on LSU Giving Day in March. Thanks for your donations to and involvement with LSU.

Geaux Tigers!

Joe Carvalhido President/CEO

LSU Alumni Association

AlumniLSU

lsualumniassociation

From the PRESIDENT

“New spaces expand opportunity for our students” -LSU President Wade

Rousse

LSU leaders, including the LSU Board of Supervisors, broke ground recently on two new campus residence halls to be built along South Quad Drive.

The project, known as the “South Quad Project,” will add 1,266 on-campus beds dedicated to first-year students. Doubleoccupancy rooms will be arranged in a pod-style layout, featuring shared lounges and study spaces, to create a more social environment that encourages students to meet, form connections, and build a sense of community.

Chancellor James Dalton has busy spring, including new program launch

LSU Chancellor and Executive Vice President James Dalton was in Lafayette recently for the launch of a new hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program, the first of its kind in Louisiana, under the LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Health Professions and Sciences. This collaboration connects LSU Health Shreveport’s academic excellence with Ochsner Lafayette General’s clinical expertise. The hybrid format allows students to stay in their communities while earning a top-quality DPT degree.

A group of Seattle alumni marked the holiday weekend with Mardi Gras at Old Stove Gardens and a specialty menu featuring oyster po-boys, jambalaya, and, of course, king cake. One dollar from every specialty cocktail, beer, and menu item was donated to the LSU Alumni Association.

Chapter Mardi Gras celebrations

The LSU & Tulane Alumni Clubs of Chicago held their Mardi Gras Ball in February at the Standard Bar and Grill on North Milwaukee Avenue. Party-goers enjoyed a New Orleans-themed buffet, drinks, and entertainment by the Krewe of Chicageaux.

Gumbo Cookoff – Three hundred people gathered for the 2026 LSU Carolinas Chapter Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off in February at Lenny Boy Brewing in Charlotte, N.C. The event featured gumbo, beer, and live music. Team Brisco was presented the winning plaque by Stephanie Robinson, gumbo chair.

Premiere of ‘The Fighting Tiger’ celebrates D-D Breaux

To celebrate the release of “The Fighting Tiger,” a powerful new SEC Storied film chronicling the life, impact, and legacy of trailblazing former LSU Gymnastics head coach D-D Breaux, LSU Athletics hosted a special premiere event in February at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

Created by acclaimed filmmakers Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern Winters, “The Fighting Tiger” dives into Breaux’s extraordinary 43-year journey building LSU Gymnastics from a program with almost no resources into a national powerhouse. Through athlete and coach interviews, historical footage, and intimate storytelling, the film captures Breaux’s relentless spirit, Title IX advocacy, and fiery leadership that fueled LSU’s rise on the national stage.

The ESPN documentary explores Breaux’s role at the forefront of the modern era of women’s sports, including her support of NIL growth and the rise of LSU stars whose impact stretches far beyond competition. Filmmakers Lax and Stern Winters describe Breaux as a “relentless trailblazer” whose passion and purpose shaped generations.

After an injury ended her own Olympic aspirations, Breaux arrived at LSU in 1978 to find a team fighting for survival. Her four decades in Baton Rouge were marked by grit, innovation, and community-building—turning a struggling program into a perennial contender and laying the foundation for LSU’s landmark 2024 NCAA Championship, a title that further solidified her enduring influence.

The public premiere offered fans, alumni, gymnasts, and the Baton Rouge community an opportunity to honor one of LSU Athletics’ most influential figures inside the arena she helped build.

Members of the Young Alumni Advisory Council (YAAC) represent cities both in Louisiana and across the United States as well as a wide range of industries. The council meets monthly, via conference call and in person for the annual meeting. The council serves as a streamlined focus group to provide key insight and feedback on engagement, development, and fundraising. This year’s council members are Arenn Martin, Joseph Nittolo, Therese Walker, Christian Cervantes, Derecka Alexander, Connor Leblanc, Monique Harris, Kyle Stanley, Andrew Hall, Jessica Mosley, Nicole Torres, left to right; and not pictured: Jada Alexis, Connor Comeaux, Dat Hoang, Justin Martin, Bowen McCulloch.

LSU Food Pantry – Staff members of the LSU Alumni Association partnered with the LSU Food Pantry for the SEC Food Fight, held in March. The SEC Food Fights pits every school against one another to see who can raise the most support for their campus food pantry. The LSU Food Pantry serves up to 450 students every day.

Horizon Financial Group hosted a very successful LSU Alumni Association business networking event at its office on Jamestown Boulevard in Baton Rouge. Pictured are Brooke Gautreau, Colby Barnett, Kaitlyn Williamson, and Bailey Coleman, front row, left to right; and Bill Bush, Pete Bush, Andy Bush, and Robert Burke, back row, left to right. It was a great way to connect with fellow Tigers and celebrate the strength of the LSU network.

Houston Rockets player and former LSU Basketball star Tari Eason poses with LSU Alumni Association group at a recent basketball game

Partnering with the Houston Rockets

The LSU Alumni Association hosted an event in conjunction with a recent Houston Rockets basketball game at Houston’s Toyota Center. Rockets team member and former LSU great Tari Eason was on hand for the festivities.

Alex Crabtree, director of Chapters and Annual Giving; Lauren Giffin; LSU Alumni Association director of development; Joe Carvalhido, LSU Alumni Association president/CEO; and John Schiller, LSU Alumni Association chief of staff

LSU Women’s Basketball fans gathered in Greenville, S.C. to cheer on the Tigers at the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament. The team had a recordsetting offensive day against the Oklahoma Sooners, scoring 112 points in the quarterfinals. The point total broke the program record for points in a game at the SEC tournament. Senior Flau-Jae Johnson officially surpassed 2,000 career points at LSU during the game.

LSU Women's Basketball NCAA Sacramento Regional

The LSU Alumni Association and the L Club hosted a pre-game celebration for fans traveling to the LSU Women’s Basketball team’s appearance in the NCAA Tournament Sacramento Regional in March. Spirit was at an all-time high, but the Tigers lost by two points in a heartbreaking game versus the Duke Blue Devils.

Fast Break Luncheon

LSU Alumni Association President & CEO Joe Carvalhido joined Coach Kim Mulkey, her LSU Women’s Basketball team, and hundreds of fans at a recent Fast Break Luncheon. Carvalhido’s first job at LSU was with LSU Women’s Basketball, where he was part of all five of LSU’s Final Four appearances, three Southeastern Conference regular season titles, and the 2003 SEC Tournament title— so this one’s full circle in the best way.

Welcoming incoming freshmen – The LSU Alumni Association joined the LSU Office of Admissions and the Carolinas Alumni Chapter to host a reception for newly-admitted LSU students from the greater Charlotte, N.C. region. Joining the honorees were excited Carolinas Chapter alumni.

Saluting our Tiger Legislators!

KEEP THE GOAL IN SIGHT...VICTORY FOR LSU

The LSU Alumni Association congratulates the 41 LSU alumni serving the people of our state in the Louisiana Legislature. We all know that Tiger roars are loud enough to be heard. Please join the LSU Alumni Association and start a conversation with our legislators at lsualumni.org/tigeradvocates.

SEN. MARK ABRAHAM

REP. GERALD “BEAU” BEAULLIEU

REP. KIM CARVER

REP. PHILLIP DEVILLIER

SEN. ROBERT ALLAIN

REP. RYAN BOURRIAQUE

REP. TEHMI CHAISSON

REP JESSICA DOMANGUE

REP. ANTHONY “TONY” BACALA

REP. MICHAEL “MIKE” BAYHAM

REP. JACOB BRAUD REP. ROBBY CARTER

REP. EMILY CHENEVERT

REP. KATHY EDMONSTON

REP. DARYL DESHOTEL

SEN. FRANKLIN FOIL

The LSU Alumni Association Geaux Getters recognize LSU alumni under the age of 35 who are making meaningful contributions in their professions and communities. These outstanding young LSU graduates are leaders, innovators, and changemakers —driving progress every day through dedication, creativity, and service.

While high-profile roles often receive the spotlight, the Geaux Getters celebrate the unsung heroes of the LSU alumni community—those whose impact is felt through professional excellence, community involvement, mentorship, innovation, and personal growth. By sharing their stories, the LSU Alumni Association honors their achievements and inspires the next generation of Tigers to pursue success with purpose.

Geaux Getters

ALASIA JOHNSON

Alasia Johnson (2021 BACH MCOMM, 2024 JD), an attorney in Baltimore and a Maryland native, was “raised for a love for the purple and gold” since her father’s family is from Louisiana.

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Communication.

“I was initially drawn to the unique coursework and quickly fell in love with how beautiful the campus and the culture are,” Johnson said. “I genuinely knew LSU was going to support all of my dreams from the moment I stepped on campus.”

While at LSU, she completed numerous internships, including one with the U.S. Senate in 2019 and another with America Votes in 2020, both based in Washington, D.C.

She completed a membership and marketing internship with the American Society of Anesthesiologists in Schaumburg, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, in 2021, and a legal internship with the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana in 2022. She was also a student attorney in 2023.

She always knew she wanted to be an attorney, even before attending LSU, but grew successful in her career goals through LSU societies and organizations.

“The work I did through the Black LSU organizations, such as the Black Women’s Empowerment Initiative (BWEI), NAACP, and the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), really gave me the mentorship, tools, and focus to thrive at LSU,” Johnson said. “I will forever be grateful for the memories, scholarship, service, and friendship LSU gave me!”

Johnson said that her experiences working in student government and interning with the ACLU helped shape her into “the fearless advocate I am today.” She is also very grateful for the opportunity to learn with such esteemed faculty. Being able to study both common and civil law has been instrumental in her career as a public servant.

“As an attorney, I take the lessons I learned in the classroom and the Baton Rouge community with me with every individual I represent here in Baltimore,” Johnson said. “Not only has LSU focused on my academic achievement, but in practice, LSU gave me the platform to serve.”

DR. DERECKA ALEXANDER

If you or someone you know exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding young alum, we invite you to complete a nomination form by scanning the QR code below. Candidates must be 35 years or younger.

Dr. Derecka Alexander (2011 BACH SCI, 2011 BACH AG, 2018 DVM) is an LSU alumna based in Arlington Va., and a DVM (doctor of veterinary medicine) in the DMV-metro area (an acronym for the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia tristate region). Alexander remembers LSU playing a foundational role in shaping both her academic journey as well as her professional path in veterinary medicine.

“Beyond earning my degree, LSU gave me the lagniappe (the extra leadership skills, resilience, and adaptability) that became the true foundation of my career,” Alexander said. “That added layer of preparation has allowed me to pivot confidently and grow comfortable navigating the uncomfortable things in a multifaceted profession.”

She chose LSU because she wanted to attend a university with strong academics and a vibrant campus culture. She visited during her spring invitational and immediately knew she wanted to come here.

“It was clear that LSU was a place where I could grow academically while fully immersing myself in student life,” Alexander said.

Alexander took advantage of opportunities beyond the classroom, including summer programs through the LSU Summer Scholars and volunteer events for LSU freshmen. Through these service programs, she made friends and deepened her commitment to service. She was also part of agricultural research as an undergraduate.

“I also had the opportunity to conduct research at an R1 institution and gained hands-on experience working with food animals like dairy cattle,” Alexander said. “That combination of rigorous academics, research exposure, and practical experience not only prepared me well for veterinary school but also shaped me into a more well-rounded and service-oriented professional.”

She was also a member of the Eta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the experience helped her develop a “deeper understanding of excellence, sisterhood, and elevating not only myself but others around me.”

After graduating from LSU, Alexander worked at a small animal practice in Las Vegas, before taking a position as an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow in agricultural policy at the USDA.

When her fellowship ended, she pivoted to launch her own in-home euthanasia practice, while also continuing relief veterinary work

“LSU prepared me not only with strong clinical and public health training, but with the ability to think critically, collaborate across disciplines, and adapt to new challenges,” Alexander said. “My experiences at LSU contributed to my mastering career pivots.”

KAMRYN HUGGINS

Kamryn Huggins (2023 BACH MCOMM), a digital advertising major from Monroe, La., helped rebrand and reform LSU’s student magazine The Mag.

When she first toured the Manship School of Mass Communication as a freshman, she initially wanted to go into criminology. But, after learning what the career paths she could pursue with a digital advertising major, she knew she wanted to work as either a creative director or a social media manager.

“I don’t know what it was about that feeling,” Huggins said. “I don’t know if the sunlight was hitting the room right, I don’t know what it was, but I had this amazing feeling come over me and just was like: ‘This is what I wanted to do,’”

Huggins has always been a fan of the purple and gold, following a family tradition. As a kid, she remembers lots of weekend trips to Baton Rouge to watch the football team play in Tiger Stadium.

Huggins first attended LSU in Fall 2020, amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. She was here for three years, graduating early in 2023. She was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and earned a minor in entrepreneurship, a requirement to graduate from the mass communication program.

“That’s another cool story,” Huggins said. “Through entrepreneurship, I was able to pitch a business idea, and I won $5,000 for it.”

Huggins was a part of student media for a little over a year, where she helped in the rebrand of the magazine, including setting up the social media pages. Through interviews with athletes like Josh Pearson, a baseball player who briefly played for the Brewster Whitecaps, a collegiate summer baseball league in Massachusetts, she honed her skills. Huggins was a senior at LSU when she became the magazine’s content lead.

“It started with me and two ladies over there, Laura Metcalf and Bonnie Ratcliff,” Huggins said. “They were amazing at helping us students really make the magazine our own. We ended up getting three graphic designers by the time I was done, and we added one more magazine to the [quarterly] schedule.”

Huggins is now a social media strategist in the Monroe area, where she helps businesses with social media strategies and developing their target audiences.

Geaux Getters

NAVY COGGINS

For Navy Coggins, a first-generation college student from Bernice, La., attending LSU was more than earning a degree — it was finding a community that shaped his future.

A 2023 graduate of LSU with a degree in kinesiology and minors in biological sciences and leadership development, Coggins is now in his second year of medical school at LSU Health Shreveport, where he expects to graduate in 2028.

Coming from a small high school class of just 47 students in northeastern Louisiana, Coggins wasn’t deeply immersed in LSU football culture growing up. But during his first campus tour, he immediately felt a sense of belonging. That connection led him to enroll at LSU in Fall 2019 — a decision that would transform his life.

“As a freshman, I arrived on campus not knowing anyone,” Coggins said. “Getting involved helped me build meaningful relationships and feel deeply connected to LSU.”

In his junior year, Coggins was named LSU Homecoming King — a moment he describes as unforgettable. He was crowned during the Magnolia Bowl game on October 22, 2022, when LSU defeated Ole Miss in a thrilling comeback victory at Tiger Stadium. After the final whistle blew, fans stormed the field in celebration.

“With my sash across my shoulder and Homecoming King scepter in hand, my friends hoisted me on their shoulders as we jumped the fences and joined the crowd,” Coggins said. “Taking photos under the lights of Death Valley is a memory I’ll carry with me forever.”

But for Coggins, the recognition wasn’t about personal achievement. “I don’t see the honor as individual — it reflects the community that shaped me during my time at LSU.”

Throughout his undergraduate career, Coggins immersed himself in campus leadership and service, including: Sigma Phi Epsilon, president of the LSU Interfraternity Council, LSU Greek Board of Directors, Student Government, and active service within his campus church community.

“Each space offered something unique,” he said. “Saying yes to opportunities across campus allowed me to grow in ways I never could have planned.”

By Lauren Giffin

This summer, the LSU Alumni Association is taking its mission nationwide with an ambitious and energizing initiative: The Networking on the Geaux series, designed to bring alumni together in major cities across the country, is more than just a set of networking events—it’s a strategic effort to strengthen the professional bonds that define the LSU community. At the heart of the Networking on the Geaux series is a simple but powerful idea: Tigers hiring Tigers. Tigers supporting Tigers. Whether you’re a recent graduate breaking into your field or a seasoned professional looking to hire the next generation of talent, the LSU Alumni Association is creating intentional spaces for meaningful connections that translate into real opportunities.

A NATIONWIDE MOVEMENT

Spanning seven cities in just under two months, Networking on the Geaux reflects the expansive footprint of LSU alumni and the association’s commitment to meeting Tigers where they are. Each event offers a curated environment for professionals to connect, collaborate, and build relationships rooted in shared experience and school pride.

Tigers Connecting Coast to Coast: LSU Alumni Association Announces 2026 Summer Networking Series

Summer 2026 Event Schedule:

• Chicago — Wednesday, June 10 (6:00–8:00 PM)

• Austin — Thursday, June 25 (5:00–7:00 PM)

• New York City — Wednesday, July 15 (6:00–8:00 PM)

• Washington — Tuesday, July 21 (6:00–8:00 PM)

• New Orleans — Thursday, July 23 (5:00–7:00 PM)

• Atlanta — Wednesday, July 29 (5:00–7:00 PM)

• Nashville — Thursday, July 30 (5:30–7:30 PM)

From the Midwest to the East Coast and throughout the South, the series underscores the LSU Alumni Association’s role as a connector—not just socially, but professionally.

MORE THAN NETWORKING

Unlike traditional networking events, Networking on the Geaux is built with intention. The goal isn’t just to exchange business cards—it’s to foster relationships that lead to mentorship, partnerships, and career advancement. By creating a trusted network of LSU alumni, the association is helping Tigers tap into one of their most valuable lifelong resources: each other.

This initiative also aligns with a broader vision—supporting alumni at every stage of their careers, no matter where they live. In an increasingly mobile and competitive workforce, that kind of built-in community can make all the difference.

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR SPONSORS

With its national reach and professional focus, Networking on the Geaux also presents a compelling opportunity for corporate partners and sponsors. Aligning with the LSU Alumni Association means tapping into a highly engaged, loyal, and career-driven audience.

Sponsors have the chance to:

• Build brand awareness in key markets

• Connect directly with professionals across industries

• Support career development and alumni success

• Associate their brand with a trusted and respected institution

As companies look for more meaningful ways to engage in talent and communities, the LSU Alumni Networking on the Geaux series offers a platform that is both authentic and impactful.

THE POWER OF THE PURPLE AND GOLD NETWORK

The LSU Alumni Association has long championed the idea that being a Tiger doesn’t end at graduation—it evolves. Through initiatives like Networking on the Geaux, that evolution becomes tangible, creating pathways for alumni to support one another in real, measurable ways.

This summer, across cities and time zones, one thing remains constant: when Tigers show up for each other, powerful things happen.

Learn more about how to get engaged and keep an eye on event near you at https://www.lsualumni.org/involvement

2026 ALUMNI

The LSU Alumni Association was excited to introduce and recognize its 2026 Hall of Distinction honorees at a gala event in April.

Joining Frank W. “Billy” Harrison, Alumnus of the Year, and Jaime Glas Odom, Young Alumna of the Year, were Karen Brack, Johnny Fife, Speaker Mike Johnson, Rene Joyce, and Jeff Springmeyer.

The evening was a chance to celebrate our honorees’ connections to LSU and to hear firsthand the memories and events that have connected LSU to their lives.

Frank W. “Billy” Harrison III earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology from LSU. He is the co-founder and co-owner of Houston Energy L.P., an independent oil and gas exploration company.

Harrison has more than 30 years of successful petroleum exploration in the Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coast, as well as the Gulf of America. As exploration manager, he oversees all aspects of oil and gas exploration for Houston Energy.

He began his career as a geologist with Amoco Production Company and later served as division and operations geologist at Quintana Petroleum Company, before founding Houston Energy with fellow LSU alumnus, Ron Neal, in 1988.

He is a past chairman of the LSU Foundation Board of Directors (on which is father also served), a member of the College of Science Dean’s Circle, and a member of the Geology Field Camp Endowment Committee – in appreciation for the important impact the Field Camp had on his own life and career. He was inducted into the LSU College of Science Hall of Distinction in 2012.

Harrison and his wife, Ann, established the Billy and Ann Harrison Chair of Sedimentology and the Billy and Ann Harrison Family Laboratory for Subsurface Geology, both in the Department of Geology and Geophysics. They have also been lead donors supporting the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building, Patrick F. Taylor Hall, LSU Foundation Center of Philanthropy, President’s Scholarship First Fellows Fund, the Geology Summer Field Camp, the Harrison Family Laboratory for Subsurface Geology, and the Brookshire Military Museum Endowment for the Future.

Harrison has been pivotal in encouraging and supporting fellow Tigers in the Houston area to engage with LSU, particularly as academic donors, and by hosting events on behalf of the LSU administration.

As a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, he received the Kappa Sigma award at the 2015 Greek Excellence Award Gala.

Harrison and his wife, Ann, have two children, Will and Andy Harrison, and seven grandchildren.

LSU means everything to me. It laid the foundation for my career and for my family.”

I learned at LSU you don’t have to fit into one particular mold or stereotype. At LSU, I was encouraged to explore all of my interests. I took a variety of courses from fashion history to differential equations to Mandarin language.”

Karen Brack is a Technical Fellow in Airborne Electronic Hardware Engineering at The Boeing Company in Everett, Wash. She earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from LSU in 1984 and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of California, Irvine.

During her 13-year career at Boeing, Brack has been a delegate of the FAA to find compliance for FAA and EASA regulations for electronic hardware on transport airplanes, and has represented Boeing on several FAA/EASA/Industry international AEH policy committees. She is currently a co-chair of an international standards committee for certification of airborne electronic hardware, known as DO-254.

She has 35 years of experience in Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and hardware design and verification spanning commercial, military, and space avionics on a wide range of systems. She established an objective-based process of ASIC obsolescence re-design and applied it for more than 25 years. She has 5 years of experience in system-level process assurance on multiple supplier-developed avionics systems, identifying shortcomings of required validation practices and system testing approaches.

Brack holds two patents: 2013 Arithmetic Logic Unit for Use within a Flight Control System, for a novel device architecture for 787 flight control direct mode; and 2011, System and Method of Redundancy Management for Fault Effect Migration, for a 787 flight control hardware architecture. Before her work at Boeing, Brack worked at Honeywell International Aerospace in Phoenix as an ASIC staff engineer, DO-254 specialist, and ASIC design engineer. From 1989-1997, Brack worked at the TRW Avionics Systems Division in San Diego as a digital design engineer, hardware systems engineer, and test engineer.

Brack has a long-standing involvement with and commitment to LSU, establishing the William and Karen Brack ECE Graduate Student Scholarship, the Karen and Bill Brack Teleconference Room at the Cook Hotel at LSU, and the William and Karen Brack ECE Professorship Startup Fund. She was inducted into the LSU College of Engineering Hall of Distinction in 2016 and was honored with the LSU Alumni Association President's Medal in 2011 and the LSU Alumni Association Chapter Leadership Award in 1993 and 1998.

Brack helped lead LSU Alumni Chapters in Phoenix, San Diego, and Seattle. She also worked several years as treasurer and as a volunteer coordinator for the LSU Alumni Association San Diego Chapter’s crawfish boil.

Brack has served on the LSU Alumni Association Board of Directors and is presently on the LSU Electrical and Computer Engineering Industry Advisory Board and the LSU College of Engineering Dean’s Council.

She volunteered for her local chambers of commerce and neighborhood civic councils’ fundraising events. Brack enjoys Louisiana cooking, hiking, travel, and being an avid college sports fan for LSU and her husband, Bill’s, alma mater.

“Because I grew up outside of Louisiana, my time at LSU brought me to my Louisiana roots. I have continued to come to my LSU home to celebrate and support my Louisiana and LSU families!”

After graduating from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, Johnny Fife went to work for the Universal Corporation, owned by Homer Knost, a pioneer in local industrial construction. After 12 years, Fife became vice president of the parent company, Arkel International.

He left in 1988 to buy Southern Equipment Rental Services but re-joined Arkel International in 1992 as president and CEO.

While there, Fife bought into Apollo Contractors, which was later renamed Arkel Constructors. In 1994 he partnered with Knost and two others to form Pipeline Technology, which owns and operates chemical pipelines in the Plaquemine/Geismar area. He and Knost also partnered with builder Larry Jordan to develop small subdivisions in Baton Rouge.

In 2000, Homer’s son, George, took over operating Arkel International so Fife could concentrate on growing Arkel Constructors. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Iva and Katrina, there was an opportunity to expand further into the Gulf Coast. In 2008, Arkel Constructors teamed with two other general contractors to build Woman’s Hospital. Fife became the sole owner of the company in 2012.

In 2020, Fife transitioned day-to-day operations to his son, Derek, but remained focused on managing growth and customer relations. In 2023, he re-engaged as managing partner of Pipeline Technology.

Fife has been a member of Tigers Unlimited/ Tiger Athletic Foundation over 35 years, Arkel Constructors completed several major construction projects on campus including Tiger Stadium Football Locker Room renovation, PMAC Women’s Locker room renovation, Women’s Basketball Operations office renovations, two major renovations to Football Operations Facility, total renovation to Huey P Long Fieldhouse, to Evangeline and Highland Halls dormitories.

Fife received the LSU Foundation President's Award and the Catholic High School Perpetual Founder Award. Arkel Constructors has been consistently listed in LSU Top 100 private companies owned by LSU Alumnus as well as Baton Rouge Business Report Top 100 private companies.

Fife served on the boards of the Baton Rouge High Foundation and TRUCE, a non-profit supporting at-risk youths in the parish. He was chairman of the board of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Commission from 2022-2024 and was recently appointed for a five-year term to the newly created Baton Rouge Regional Airport Authority board of directors.

He is married to Rose Marie Fife and they have two children and seven grandchildren.

“LSU isn’t just a school in Baton Rouge, it is Baton Rouge. It is where me, my wife and children and their spouses graduated. My daughter was a Tiger Girl, my daughterin-law was a cheer leader, my son-in-law played on the 2000 College World Series championship team. They all received degrees from LSU and have been very successful in their careers after graduation.”

Speaker

and a Republican member of Congress serving Louisiana’s Fourth District. He is the first person from Louisiana ever elected to the position, and the highestranked government official in the history of the state.

Speaker Johnson was elected to his post after serving less than 6.8 years in the House, making him the second fastest person to ever receive the honor. (In 1883, Speaker John G. Carlisle had previously served only 6.75 years.) Speaker Johnson was also the first person to be unanimously elected to the position by his party in more than two decades.

His success in leading one of the smallest majorities in history through our polarized era of politics has earned him many accolades. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich describes Speaker Johnson’s tenure as “the most challenging speakership since the Civil War more than 160 years ago.” He has been labeled “The Survivor” when featured on the cover of “Master of the House” by Commentary magazine, and “The Leader of the Free World” by internationally for his leadership as a principled leader, and is the first U.S. Speaker to be invited to address the British Parliament, and only the third to be invited to address the Israeli Knesset.

As a Member of Congress, Speaker Johnson represents the nearly 760,000 residents of 20 parishes in the western, northwest, and northeast regions of Louisiana. Speaker Johnson was first elected to Congress in December 2016, by the largest margin of victory in his region in more than 50 years, and is currently serving in his fifth term. Prior to that, Speaker Johnson served in the Louisiana Legislature (2015-2017), and practiced constitutional law for nearly 20 years, successfully litigating high profile constitutional law cases in district and appellate courts nationwide.

Speaker Johnson (1995 BACH BUS, 1998 JD) is a proud LSU alumnus and is the first college graduate in his family. At LSU, he served as president of the LSU Interfraternity Council and vice president of Kappa Sigma fraternity. At LSU Law School, he served as class president, founder, and president of the Christian Legal Society, and was selected to represent LSU as a member of the National Moot Court team.

Speaker Johnson’s greatest joy is his family. He and Kelly, his wife of 27 years, have four children: Hannah, Abby, Jack, and Will.

“As the first person in my family to attend college, I applied to only two schools, and never really considered anything but LSU. It provided me an opportunity and a launching pad for a meaningful career, lifelong friendships and connections, and a deeper love and appreciation for our amazing state. I am ‘Forever LSU’”

Rene R. Joyce has served as a director of Targa Resources, Inc. since its formation in 2005. He previously served as executive chairman of the board and general partner from 2012-2014 and as a director of the general partner from 2005-2021. He also served as CEO from 2005-2011, and as the general partner from 2006-2011.

Joyce was previously a director of Core Laboratories between 2000-2013 and director of APA Corporation from 2017-2021. He was a consultant in the energy industry from 2000-2003, providing advice to various energy companies regarding their operations, acquisitions, and dispositions.

Joyce was president of onshore pipeline operations for Coral Energy (1998-1999), a subsidiary of Shell, which was the gas and power marketing joint venture between Shell and Tejas, a natural gas pipeline company, where Joyce served as president of various operating subsidiaries from 1990-1998, when Tejas was acquired by Shell. He also served on the board of directors at Apache, an exploration and production company.

Joyce served as president of Acadian Pipeline Company from 19801999, when Acadian was acquired by Tejas. He began his career as an engineer at Texaco, Inc. in 1970. He received a mechanical engineering degree from LSU and a juris doctorate from Loyola University.

Joyce is a member of the LSU Foundation Board of Directors and has served on the LSU Foundation National Board and the Society for Engineering Excellence. A generous supporter of the College of Engineering, Joyce contributed to the renovation of Patrick F. Taylor Hall and established the Joyce Leadership Fund to support current students. He also supports scholarships campus-wide through the LSU Scholarship Fund.

In 2022, Joyce was invited to deliver “The Mechanical Engineering Achievement Lecture” to share insights from his five-decade career. As part of LSU's Fierce for the Future fundraising campaign, Joyce made a leadership gift of $1 million to the College of Engineering. He has been inducted into the LSU College of Engineering Hall of Distinction.

He is married to Kay P Joyce, and they have two children.

“When I think of LSU, I am so proud of the positive impacts LSU has on the lives of its students and alumni as well as the tremendous benefits created for the State of Louisiana and our nation.”

Jeffrey N. “Jeff” Springmeyer served as president of Geophysical Pursuit Inc. (GPI) after co-founding the company in 1984. GPI supplies modern seismic data to the energy industry, providing geoscientists with the clarity to drill with confidence and maximize reservoir understanding. Today, GPI and its partners own more than 20,000 square miles of 3D and 21,000 miles of 2D, representing a replacement value exceeding $1.2 billion.

GPI is built upon the core values of quality, service, and integrity. These values also define Springmeyer’s commitments beyond his successful career, exemplified by his strong and multifaceted relationship with LSU. Jeff has made LSU a philanthropic priority, supporting the university loyally and consistently since graduating. His service to LSU has also been extensive, spanning volunteer positions as a member of the LSU Foundation Board of Directors, Tiger Athletic Foundation Advisory Council, LSU Foundation National Board, and LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council.

Springmeyer earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1981 and was inducted into the E. J. Ourso College of Business Hall of Distinction in 2006. His philanthropic support of LSU has been broad and impactful, including gifts to priority capital projects such as the Business Education Complex, the LSU Foundation Center for Philanthropy, and the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building. He has provided crucial, flexible support through gifts to the Ourso College of Business and the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, as well as support through student success-focused funds in each of these colleges, including gifts benefiting students with significant financial need and those experiencing personal crises.

While at LSU, Springmeyer served in several leadership roles for Kappa Sigma fraternity, including as pledge trainer during his junior year and as president as a senior. He was inducted into the LSU Gamma Chapter of Kappa Sigma's Hall of Honor in 2004.

He married his high school and college sweetheart, LSU alumna, Amie Springmeyer, with whom he has four children and 12 grandchildren. During his children’s formative years, he devoted much of his time to leadership roles within his church, his children’s schools, and other youth activities, including coaching more than 30 youth sports teams.

Springmeyer was recently honored as the Society of Exploration Geophysicists Foundation’s 2025 Sally Zinke Individual Impact Award recipient in recognition of his ongoing support of its programs, fundraising efforts, volunteer recruitment, and strategic planning. The foundation specifically noted Jeff’s ability to motivate others through his example of integrity, respect, generosity, and putting the interests of others first.

“LSU has provided numerous opportunities for my family. I treasure the lifelong friendships built through Kappa Sigma and my time living in the fraternity house, and Amie feels the same about her experience with Chi Omega. It has always been an honor for me to give back in gratitude for the meaningful way that LSU has shaped my life. Every step of the way, Amie has been by my side and has also shared my passion for supporting LSU.”

Around CAMPUS Noteworthy

Dr. Pramod Achar, Shirley Blue Barton Professor of Mathematics, was invited to speak at the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians—an honor reserved for researchers whose work is shaping the direction of the field.

Sonja Ardoin, LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education alumna, has been awarded the 2026 Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member Award by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA).

Dr. James L. Byo, director of the LSU School of Music, and Carl Prince Matthies, memorial professor of LSU Music Education, were inducted into the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA) Hall of Fame during the LMEA Professional Development Conference in New Orleans.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) recognized Dr. Samba Dieng, LSU associate vice provost for Global Engagement, with the prestigious 2025 Senior International Officer (SIO) of the Year Award. This annual honor is reserved for a leader who demonstrates extraordinary vision in international education, with honorees selected by a panel of global peers.

James C. Garand, the LSU Emogene Pliner Distinguished Professor of Political Science in the Department of Political Science, won the 2025 Manning Dauer Award from the Southern Political Science Association. The award recognizes “exceptional contributions to the political science profession.

Edwards Gibbons III of the LSU School of Leadership and Human Resource Development received the College of Human Sciences and Education Mentorship Award, which recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates sustained excellence in mentoring students and/or other faculty members.

Zack Godshall, LSU associate professor in the Department of English in the LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences and Sundance Film Festival alumnus, won a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award in the Netherlands. There, he will share his expertise gained from two decades of documenting Louisiana’s waterways, researching rivers and coastal communities, and advancing the practice of filmmaking rooted in place.

Darrell Henry, Campanile Charities Professor in the LSU Department of Geology & Geophysics, received the Outstanding Educator Award from the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies.

This award highlights his exceptional contributions to geoscience education across the Gulf Coast region.

Kenneth “Kip” Matthews is the new director of the LSU – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Dr. Charles M. Smith Medical and Health Physics Program. Dr. Matthews, from the LSU Department of Physics and Astronomy, previously served as interim director and brings decades of leadership in medical physics education and research. In his new role, he will lead the program’s academic, research, and training initiatives—expanding research opportunities, strengthening mentorship, and building industry

partnerships to prepare the next generation of medical physicists.

Michael A. Patterson (1971 JD) was honored as the 2025 Distinguished Attorney by the Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) at its 40th Anniversary Gala in April in New Orleans.

Patterson is a founding partner of Long Law Firm, where he serves as of counsel and has been a senior litigator for more than four decades.

Patterson is also an adjunct professor at LSU Law, teaching advanced trial techniques and evidence, and he has also been an instructor at the Vinson & Elkins Trial Advocacy Program since the program’s inception more than 35 years ago.

Music Teachers National Association announced “Fueling the Flames of Burnout,” by Pamela D. Pike, as the American Music Teacher Article of the Year. This award is presented to the author of an outstanding feature article written expressly for American Music Teacher. Pike, whose article was published in the October/ November 2025 issue, receives this distinguished honor, along with a $1,000 award made possible by the MTNA Foundation Fund, at the 2026 MTNA National Conference in Chicago, in March. Pike is the Spillman professor of Piano Pedagogy and associate dean of Research, Creative Practice, and Community Engagement in the LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts.

Fahui Wang, LSU Cyril & Tutta Vetter alumni professor in the LSU Department of Geography & Anthropology, was named a 2025 Fellow for the American Association of Geographers. This honor recognizes Wang’s impactful research in social sciences and leadership.

Scott Wilks from the LSU School of Social Work received the College of Human Sciences and Education (CHSE) Outstanding Impact Award, which recognizes a CHSE faculty member whose publications, programs, or exhibitions have had a significant societal impact.

LSU Construction Management students win national competition –

Students from LSU Construction Management in the LSU College of Engineering have been named national champions in the 2026 Construction Management Competition, outperforming 29 teams from across the country.

The competition is sponsored by DEWALT and ABC National (Associated Builders and Contractors), a national construction industry trade association with a local chapter based in Baton Rouge that sponsored the team. From estimating and scheduling to safety and quality control, this team delivered at the highest level across every phase of the competition.

“We’re on cloud nine,” said senior Madison Baglio, a team co-captain and president of the college’s Construction Student Association. “It was such an incredible experience, and we were so driven from start to finish. We were determined to bring it home, and I’m so proud we did.”

TIGER TRIVIA

1. When was the first issue of the Gumbo published? 1860 1900 1926 1958

2. What was the Poop Book produced in the 1960s?

An analysis of courses and A general campus newsletter professors created by the by the Student Government Student Government Association Association

A review of public restrooms A student handbook that on campus created by the competed with the L Book Student Government Association

3. What was Foster Hall’s original purpose from 1925 to 1950? It was the student health It was a general classroom center building

It was the main dining hall It was the alumni center

4. Which denomination had the first on-campus religious center?

Baptist Catholic Presbyterian Episcopal

5. According to the cadet regulations of 1881, which of the following were prohibited?

Drinking “any spiritous or Keeping “a waiter, horse or dog” intoxicating liquor”

Throwing “water into the All of the above halls or upon the galleries of the college building”

6. ROTC once included a machine gun squad and an artillery battalion on campus.

True False

7. Which father and child duo coached and played basketball at LSU in the 1960s?

Clarence “Pop” Strange and Shaquille O’Neal and Charles “Bo” Strange Shareef O’Neal

Press Maravich and Daryl Knox and Grace Knox

Pete Maravich

8. Who threw and caught the winning touchdown in the 1988 LSU-Auburn “earthquake” game?

Tommy Hodson to Tommy Hodson to Eddie Fuller

Todd Kinchen

Tommy Hodson to Joe Burrow to Justin Jefferson

Corey Raymond

9. When was the field at Alex Box Stadium named in honor of Skip Bertman? 1937 1984 1991 2013

10. Who was the first female Tiger Band drum major?

Kristie Smith

Louise Garig

Catherine Mansfield

Joan Miller

11. What were the Golden Girls called when the group was established in 1959?

The Dancing Tigerettes The Tiger Twirlers

The Ballet Corps The Lady Tigers

12. When was men’s gymnastics discontinued at LSU? 1958 1984 1991 2001

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

LSU research bridges gaps to control telerobots, teach visual learners to read

By Ted Griggs and Grace Myers LSU Office of Innovation and Technology

Two new LSU innovations help guide robots and those needing help learning to read.

“You can’t send 100 construction workers to the Moon to build a permanent settlement. Robots will have to do the work,” Construction Management Assistant Professor Ali Kazemian said. “However, fully autonomous operations are not always feasible. There are limits on the current technology and our knowledge of extreme environments.”

Kazemian’s solution is a new system to remotely control construction robots, including in environments too hazardous for people, such as space or nuclear sites. He uses an algorithm and hardware to precisely direct robots through complex tasks. Intelligent haptic feedback sends physical sensations— vibrations, pressure or resistance—to the operators’ hands, so they can “feel” what’s happening.

Another new LSU innovation, called Phonic Faces, teaches visual learners to read by making letters and their sounds tangible with a unique visual alphabet and a multi-sensory teaching method.

“Telling them D is for dog doesn’t do anything. The letter doesn’t represent the sound in any way they can see,” Speech-Language Pathology Professor Janet Norris said. “But show them a picture with a D that looks like a drumstick inside a person’s mouth, tell them it makes a drum sound, and that makes sense.”

Norris created 42 Phonic Faces that mirror the mouth shape, facial expression, or movement used to produce a sound. Her research shows visual learners vastly improved reading ability by associating visual cues with sounds.

In 2023, 43% of U.S. 4th graders scored at or below proficient in reading. Meanwhile, 65% of adults and students learn best visually.

“Those numbers highlight why new teaching tools are needed now more than ever,” Norris said.

The Office of Innovation and Technology Commercialization’s (ITC) mission is to turn university research, creative works, and engagements into meaningful and valuable products. Whether it’s helping a faculty member patent a discovery or negotiate a licensing deal, ITC fosters innovation and drives advances that benefit the residents of Louisiana, the United States, and the world.

LSU Law honors its distinguished alumni

LSU Law honored a group of distinguished alumni for their contributions to the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the legal profession at the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards celebration April 9, in the South Stadium Club at Tiger Stadium.

“This year’s Distinguished Alumni honorees are an incredibly impressive group of legal professionals who reflect the core values of professional excellence, civic engagement, and public service that we strive to instill in all our students at LSU Law,” said Interim Dean Caprice Roberts

Selected by the LSU Law Alumni Board of Trustees via a nomination, review, and ranking process, the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards honorees are: Ben Aguiñaga (2015 JD), Outstanding Young Alumnus; Bill Corbett, Honorary Alumnus; Vance Gibbs (1982 JD), Engaged Alumnus; the late Richard Ieyoub (1972 JD), Outstanding Public Service; Kean Miller, Career Champion; Michael Pinkerton (1997 JD), Legal Innovator; and Hon. Jay Zainey (1975 JD), Service to the Profession.

Launched in 1986, the LSU Law Distinguished Alumni Awards program was expanded in 2012 to include more than one honoree each year. In 2025, the awards program was further defined with new award categories and criteria as well as a selection process led by the LSU Law Alumni Board of Trustees.

College of Sciences holds Hall of Distinction event

The LSU College of Science honored its 2026 Hall of Distinction inductees at an event in March.

Honorees include Michael L. Cherry, professor emeritus, Department of Physics and Astronomy; Cynthia B. Peterson, dean emerita, LSU College of Science; and Thomas C. Shirley, alumnus, LSU Department of Biological Sciences.

As a respected voice in the national scientific community, Cherry held numerous advisory roles with NASA and served on the Executive Committee of the Division of Astrophysics of the American Physical Society. At LSU, his service included leadership roles on the Faculty Senate, the Council on Research, and multiple university committees focused on academic policy and student success.

During her tenure, Peterson oversaw the recruitment of more than 100 faculty members, led major growth in extramural research funding, and developed the College of Science Master Plan, which laid the foundation for the new Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building. She secured broad support from the state, healthcare partners, and private donors to bring this vision to life and position the College for long-term growth.

Shirley began his academic career at LSU and went on to hold faculty positions at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, where he served as the Endowed Chair of Biodiversity and Conservation Science at the Harte Research Institute. He retired in 2013 as professor emeritus and is also recognized as professor emeritus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Together with his wife, Susan Shirley, he has made significant contributions to higher education, including a transformative legacy gift to the LSU Foundation to establish an endowed fund supporting graduate student travel in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Around Campus

Rainmakers have garnered international recognition

Six LSU faculty members have been selected as Rainmakers in Research by the LSU Council on Research based on their outstanding scholarship and creative activity within their respective ranks and disciplines. The Rainmaker awards recognize sustained work with high impact both within and beyond academia.

LSU’s Rainmakers are researchers at the early, middle, or senior stages of their careers. They have built strong track records in securing external research funding, publishing in high-impact journals, and gaining national as well as international recognition for their work.

Rainmakers include Kevin Smiley, associate professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Eric Burns, associate professor, College of Science; Juliet Brophy, associate professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Bhuvnesh Bharti, associate professor, College of Engineering; Kristine DeLong, professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; and Fabio Del Piero, professor, School of Veterinary Medicine.

The Rainmaker awards are presented in partnership with Campus Federal Credit Union with a one-time cash stipend of $1,000. This year's winnners were celebrated during a reception at the South Stadium Club at Tiger Stadium.

The Bengal Belles celebrated their 30th anniversary at a festive luncheon in April at the Lod Cook Alumni Center. Aimee Simon and Machita Eyre, founding members of the organization, took the reins for the pearl-themed event, with Simon at the podium and Eyre donning her famous “Bengal Belle” costume for the final time before its retirement. Special guests and dignitaries included LSU President Wade Rousse and his wife, Angela; LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry and his wife, Cherie; Norman and Kay Deumite; and Susan Lipsey.

LSUA Celebrates Grand Opening of the Martin Family Student Success Center

Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) celebrated the grand opening of the Martin Family Student Success Center in January, marking the completion of the university’s newest facility and the first new building on campus since Mulder Hall opened in 2012. More than a ribbon-cutting, the opening represents the culmination of a multi-year vision to redefine the LSUA campus experience, beginning with a bold philanthropic commitment in 2019 and culminating in a modern, welcoming front door that reflects the university LSUA has become.

Designed as a central hub for student support, the Martin Center consolidates key services that guide students from recruitment through graduation and beyond. Housed within the facility are Admissions and Recruiting, Financial Aid and Student Accounting, First-Year Experience, Advising, Career Development, and centralized student support services, all intentionally co-located to ensure that students receive timely, personalized assistance in one welcoming space.

The center bears the Martin family name in recognition of their extraordinary leadership and generosity. Through Martin Sustainable Resources LLC and Martco LLC, Roy O. Martin III and Kathy Kilpatrick Martin committed a foundational gift to LSUA as part of a systemwide investment in higher education. Their support completed the private match necessary to move the project forward and reflected a deep belief in LSUA’s role in strengthening central Louisiana’s workforce and economy.

The grand opening celebration brought together donors, students, faculty and staff, elected officials, LSU System leaders, and community partners, many of whom had been part of the journey from its earliest planning stages. Together, they marked not only the opening of a building, but the realization of a long-term vision to align campus infrastructure with LSUA’s mission and momentum.

Brandi Bush Roberts named LSU chief financial officer – LSU President Wade Rousse announced the appointment of Brandi Bush Roberts (1996 BACH BUS, 1998 MAST BUS, 2015 PHD HS&E) as the university’s new chief financial officer, directing system-wide operating and capital budget development. She has more than two decades of leadership experience, most recently serving as associate vice president and chief of staff for finance and administration at LSU.

Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade leading financial operations for LSU Auxiliary Services, where she oversaw capital projects, contract compliance, and multi-year financial modeling for units generating more than $30 million annually.

Casper Sunstrom named chief communications officer

LSU President Wade Rousse named Meg Casper Sunstrom (1994 BACH MCOMM) the chief communications officer of the LSU System.

Sunstrom, who began her role in February, most recently served as the chief communications officer for the Louisiana State Legislature.

“Meg’s experience and expertise as a strategic communicator will immediately elevate our efforts to tell LSU’s story across Louisiana and the nation,” said Rousse.

“She believes in LSU and shares our ambition of making LSU one of the nation’s elite institutions. Her passion for strategic and transparent communications is contagious, and we could not be more excited to add her to our leadership team.”

Sunstrom serves as a key member of the President’s leadership team and provides strategic guidance and oversight for the LSU System’s communications – including internal and external communications, reputation and crisis management, media relations, and brand management.

Sunstrom spent several years producing and reporting news for WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge. She has lent her talents to the Louisiana Department of Education, the Board of Regents, and the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office. Most recently, in her role with the Louisiana Legislature, Meg directed one of the only non-partisan, joint House/Senate communications offices in the country - winning national recognition for the launch of a one-of-a-kind mobile phone app for legislative information.

Montero named LSU System Procurement Officer

LSU President Wade Rousse appointed Michele Montero as his new System Chief Procurement Officer, directing her to establish clear, efficient, and accountable purchasing practices across the LSU System to improve efficiencies and economies of scale. Montero, with more than 20 years of experience in the field, is a recognized leader in higher education procurement and property management. She played a pivotal role in modernizing Louisiana’s Higher Education Procurement Code and is known for her operational excellence and elevated service.

In her current role as LSU A&M’s designated Chief Procurement Officer, Montero oversees approximately $375 million in annual procurement activity and manages the stewardship of roughly 85,000 taggable assets valued at $604 million. Under her direction, the Office of Property Management has achieved a reduction in unlocated assets to below 0.45 percent annually, demonstrating a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and asset visibility.

Additionally, Montero led the sourcing and negotiation of some of LSU’s most significant and complex contracts, including multi-campus food service, transit service, athletics concessions, the LSU First Health Plan, and multilicense software agreements.

Emmett Brown named Enrollment Managaement VP – LSU named Emmett Brown its permanent Vice President for

Enrollment Management, a role he has held on an interim basis since July.

Reporting directly to the Provost, Brown will lead the Division of Enrollment Management & Student Success and will serve as LSU’s chief enrollment strategist. In this capacity, he will guide LSU’s overall approach to enrollment, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and a focus on student success from recruitment through graduation.

Locker ROOM

Haleigh Bryant transitions from athlete to coach and Kailin Chio shines

In July of 2025, Haleigh Bryant (2024 HS&E, 2025 MAST HS&E) joined the LSU Gymnastics coaching staff after a historic career as a gymnast. She brings a unique experience and expertise as a two-time national champion and a 33-time All-American. After all these accolades as a student athlete, Bryant looks to build an equally successful career as a coach.

The five-time SEC title winner played a key role in securing the program’s first team national championship, both with her gymnastics and her leadership in the locker room. These leadership characteristics provide a strong foundation for becoming a coach.

“I do want to coach for a while. I think kind of in the beginning I knew I wanted to coach, but actually being in it this year, I'm like, "Okay, this is something I can see myself doing long term,” said Bryant “It's been seriously an honor and just very grateful that everybody's been so welcoming and so understanding, and we're learning together.”

Throughout her career, Bryant set the school record with 18 perfect tens. As a former gymnast, less than a year removed from graduating, Bryant must balance a new relationship with former teammates as a coach.

“Some of them are my age, but the respect they have for me and the respect I have for them is just there.” said Bryant.

The North Carolina native wants to draw on her experience to relate to the current gymnasts. Her success came from remaining calm and focused in the biggest moments.

“I say it every single time that this is just another competition and to not make the moment bigger than it needs to be,” Bryant said before the Tigers’ NCAA Regional appearance hosted in the PMAC in April. “We've done these routines so many times, and just setting them up to do what they do every single day. It's something we're looking forward to, and I'm excited to see them start reaching their goals.”

The gymnastics team went on to win its 16th regional title and take second place at the NCAA Championship under head coach Jay Clark. Clark had high praise for the 2024 Honda Award winner before the competition.

“Her role is going to continue to expand. There were certain little things that we limited her just to make sure that she got her feet wet and grew accustomed to the role that she was playing, but she's done that flawlessly.” Johnson said. “So, then next year, we see her role expand and, you know, give her more autonomy on an event than she's had this year and be able to let her grow into the coach that I know she is and that she'll be long-term.”

Bryant will continue to grow in her role as an assistant coach, helping student athletes chase their dreams as she did during her time as a Tiger.

“It is truly an honor to be named an assistant coach at LSU – a program that means so much to me,” Bryant said at the time of her announcement. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to begin this next chapter of my life in a place that has shaped me in so many ways, alongside the best coaching staff. Competing for LSU was a dream, and now I get to continue that dream and help our athletes grow in and outside of the gym.”

One LSU Gymnast chasing Bryant’s greatness is sophomore Kailin Chio, whose award-winning story continues to unfold as she builds on her already impressive career. The Las Vegas native claimed the school record for the most tens in a season, passing Haleigh Bryant’s 2024 campaign, and added more at the NCAA Gymnastics Semifinals and National Championship.

In Chio’s first year with the team, she claimed the 2025 vault championship and took home the 2025 SEC freshman of the year award, to cap off a stellar year. The nine-time SEC freshman of the week received regular-season AllAmerican honors in all four events and the all-around. She was also named a finalist for the 2026 Honda Award. Chio also excelled in the classroom, earning a spot on the 2025 SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Building on her great freshman year, Chio continues to make history. In the regular season, the gymnast collected perfect tens in eight competitions. In the Tiger’s match up with Arkansas on March 17, the sophomore scored tens in all three events she competed, posting the first perfect 30.00 in NCAA History.

Chio added to her collection of all Americans, being added to the Women’s

Collegiate Gymnastics Association’s All American list in Vault, Balance Beam, Floor Exercise, and the All Around. During the SEC Championship competition, Chio claimed the SEC All Around Championship, scoring a 39.775.

In the Regional competition, the standout gymnast scored another perfect 10 on the season, bringing her total for the year to 12. Chio has 13 during her 2 year career, only Haliegh Bryant has more, with 18. Chio also claimed her 40th event title for the year, becoming only the fourth LSU Gymnast to win 40 or more event titles in one season. With the ten on vault and a 9.975, she claimed two titles and took home the all-around title with a score of 39.750. This performance helped the Tigers advance to the NCAA finals.

Flau’Jae Johnson: One of a kind

LSU senior guard Flau’Jae Johnson excelled on the court, while being one of the biggest names in the Name, Image, and Likeness landscape, all while balancing her career as a rapper.

In her first year at LSU, Johnson started in all 36 games and was named the SEC Freshman of the Year. Johnson and the Tigers went on to win the first national championship in program history, defeating Iowa, with the freshman guard scoring 10 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. She had a career-high 28 points in a March Madness tournament game against UCLA in 2025.

This season, Johnson helped lead the Tigers to another successful season, culminating in a Sweet 16 berth in Sacramento. LSU set a record for most 100-point games after defeating Texas Tech 101-47.

Throughout her career at LSU, Johnson scored more than 2,000 points, only the sixth player in program history to do so. She is currently the winningest player in the PMAC across both men’s and women’s basketball history.

Flau'Jae Johnson became a force off the court over the past four years. She continues to give back to the community, participating in numerous volunteer and charity works. In February of 2025, Johnson was named to the SEC Community Service Team.

Johnson lost her grandmother to cancer, so she honors her by working with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. After working with the organization for four seasons, they named her the first-ever Kay Yow Servant Leader of the Year.

“Flau’jae represents exactly what this award stands for,” said Jenny Palmateer, CEO of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. “She competes at the highest level, but more importantly, she leads

with heart. She understands her platform is bigger than basketball, and she uses it to make a real difference.”

The senior donated one dollar for every student in attendance at each of the annual Play4Kay games and wore a patch on her jersey representing the charity.

“Flau'Jae's impact goes far beyond the court,” said Bob Starkey, LSU assistant coach and Kay Yow Cancer Fund board member. “She doesn’t serve for recognition. She serves because she genuinely cares. That’s what makes her special.”

When she was not on the basketball court or helping the community, the Savannah native was pushing the boundaries of what was possible for student-athletes’ personal brands.

Johnson signed to Roc Nation, a record label founded by Jay-Z and has released 3 albums, with multiple songs having more than 2 million plays. The rapper has also appeared alongside famous rapper Lil Wayne and made appearances on America’s Got Talent.

Along with her music career, the All-American built a massive personal brand through NIL deals with Puma, Meta, and Taco Bell. She also appeared on the Amazon Prime show Money Game alongside notable LSU Athletes like Jayden Daniels and Angel Reece.

Johnson leaves a legacy in Baton Rouge, as Mayor-President Sid Edwards declared April 4th Flau’jae “Big 4” Johnson Day and presented her with a key to the city.

“Flau’jae represents the very best of our community—talent, determination, and leadership," said Mayor President Edwards. “She has made an incredible impact both on the court at Louisiana State University and beyond. She’s not only a standout athlete, but also an artist and a role model who continues to inspire young people across our city and around the country.”

Welcome Will Wade

LSU announced Will Wade as the next head coach of the Men’s Basketball program in March. Wade, who coached the Tigers from 2017 to 2022, returns after spending two seasons at McNeese and one season at North Carolina State.

A press conference held on March 30 in the PMAC officially welcomed the head coach back to the PMAC. Wade’s entered with fireworks, flashing lights, and a drum line.

“Make no mistake, this is home for me,” Wade said. “I wasn’t born in Louisiana, but this is home.”

LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry and LSU President Wade Rousse introduced Wade to the crowd full of reporters and fans.

“There was only one coach that made sense at LSU, and we got him.” said Ausberry.

In his time at McNeese and NC State, Wade made three more tournament appearances, but the chance to return to LSU was an opportunity he could not pass up.

“I’m not for everybody," Wade said. “One thing we understand is I’m for LSU, and LSU is for me.”

During his time at LSU, the Tigers made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, with the 2019 team reaching the sweet 16. Wade and the 2019 Tigers also claimed the regular-season SEC Championship that season.

“I’m incredibly excited about the challenge ahead — about developing young men, competing for championships, and representing the state of Louisiana with pride. There’s a standard at LSU, and I’m energized to embrace it fully. I can’t wait to get home and get to work.”

Shortly after his arrival, Wade added former LSU Head Basketball Coach Johnny Jones, former Mississippi State and Western Kentucky Head Basketball Coach Rick Stansbury, and former Georgia Tech Head Basketball Coach Damon Stoudamire to his staff.

By Elsa Hahne

On Roses, Hunger, and Designing the Original Master Plan for NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans: Meet Max Conrad

He started and ended his teaching career at LSU in the Year of the Fire Horse, an event that comes around only every 60 years. Meet landscape architecture professor and LSU alumnus Max Conrad, who Robert Reich hired to help build LSU’s nationally acclaimed landscape architecture program in 1966 and retired from teaching this year. (He plans on keeping his office.)

LSU’s second-longest-serving professor, landscape architect Max Conrad, retired from teaching this year. His long career traces the outlines of an ambitious America since World War II as science shaped a victorious nation toward the beautiful and the bold—and the better, mostly.

Landscape architecture is not the same as landscaping, Conrad is always quick to explain.

“As soon as you get outside the skin of a building, you have landscape architecture,” Conrad said. “Some people think landscape architecture is only decorative, but that’s like referring to interior design as ‘pillow-fluffing.’ Interior designers are not decorators, just like we’re not landscapers. We deal with living materials and plants… Not only for decorative purposes, but to shape spaces and make them useful as well as beautiful.”

Conrad’s story began in New Orleans, Louisiana, and stretched west to California before he returned home to pursue his bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture at LSU between 1957 and 1961. After that, he was off to Harvard Graduate School of Design, receiving his Master of Landscape Architecture in 1963. Next, he joined NASA at the height of the Space Race, where he drew the original master plan for the two-million-square-foot NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, also known as “America’s rocket factory.” Much of this work relies on LSU equipment and support through

its National Center for Advanced Manufacturing, or NCAM.

Now, let’s retrace Conrad’s story. It is 1948. President Harry S. Truman signs the Marshall Plan to help post-war Europe rebuild and recover. The first monkey astronaut, Albert I, has been launched, unsuccessfully, toward space from New Mexico. In southeast Louisiana, WDSU airs its first televised broadcast.

NOT EVERYTHING COMES UP ROSES

“From the time I was a little kid, I was fascinated by flowers. While we lived surrounded by cemeteries near New Orleans City Park, a friend of the family was living out on Metairie Ridge and had a little farm. He was an accomplished amateur horticulturist, and he would take me to his house where he grew roses.”

“I became fascinated with roses. I started growing them and breeding them—saved what little money I had to buy more. I got very good at it… Eventually, in fifth grade, I won a prize for a rose that I grew.”

“That blue ribbon was my deepest, darkest secret because boys didn’t grow roses, right? I always did stuff that wasn’t boy stuff. Just wasn’t interested, and never played sports.”

“Well, they published the winners in the paper. My teacher saw the article and spilled the beans and outed me… ‘I want to tell the class that Max is in the paper... He won a prize for a rose that he grew...’ I’d been exposed. From then on, I was called Rosebud.”

IT CAME IN THE MAIL ONE DAY

“When I was a kid, I always loved to get mail… One day, a magazine showed up. Never had one prior… On the back cover, there was an upside-down picture, and the title was ‘The School That Is Upside Down.’ It was Cal Poly, near Los Angeles.”

“At the bottom of the page, they described how the students all learned by doing—build stuff and grow flowers. Ah, flowers… I’d watched, on early

television, the Rose Parade. The students would design the floats and grow the flowers and put them on the floats. That’s all it took. I got a postcard and wrote off: ‘I’m interested in your school. Could I come study horticulture and learn about growing flowers?’”

It is 1956. President Dwight D. Eisenhower is reelected and signs the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, creating the U.S. Interstate Highway System. The hard disk drive is invented by IBM. An American Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft makes its first flight over the Soviet Union. In Louisiana, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway opens, while LSU and Southern University both establish campuses in New Orleans.

HUNGER AND LOVE FOR MONDAY

MORNINGS

“Cal Poly had two campuses at the time. One in San Luis Obispo, where they didn’t have space for me in the dormitories, and one in San Dimas, where there was space.”

“This was a commuter college. Only a few people were left on the campus on the weekend, while everybody else went home, so the cafeteria closed. The people who had money and a car, they’d go off and buy food. I didn’t, I’d arrived with a bicycle. So, what did I do? The campus was in the middle of orange groves and avocado orchards. You can eat only so many oranges in

a weekend, and the avocados weren’t ripe yet. It got to where I couldn’t face another orange… But I discovered that if you lie in bed and don’t move, you don’t get too hungry. So, every weekend I starved, and learned to love Monday mornings.”

It is 1957 and the Space Race begins with the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth, and then Sputnik 2 with the dog Laika on board and no technology available to return her to Earth. IBM sells the first compiler for the brand-new FORTRAN programming language. In Louisiana, Hurricane Audrey demolishes Cameron Parish, killing 400 people.

BECOMING A TIGER

“Somehow, I made it to the end of the year at Cal Poly, but during Christmas break, when I was able to come home, I thought, ‘Maybe I can’t starve another semester. Maybe I’ll go see about LSU.’”

“I looked at the course catalogue, but LSU offered only general horticulture, not ornamental horticulture… But I kept coming across something in the catalogue named landscape design—it wasn’t called landscape architecture yet.”

“I was told to go see this guy; I thought his name was Dr. Riche, not Reich… He just signed me up! He brought me to the studio and showed me the drawings on the wall that

looked very much like my idea of California. I thought to myself, ‘This is it—I’m in the right spot! This is just like Cal Poly, but with food.’”

“But I didn’t notice one little detail. I had to take two years of architecture first… Well, all I could see in my brain was the plants, and that overshadowed everything. I said, ‘Okay, I’ll learn how to draw a house…’ That was my idea of architecture at the time.”

“It was a big class. Must have been 120 people. The other students already knew mechanical drafting, while I knew zero… But somehow, I persevered and learned to like it.”

It is 1961. John F. Kennedy is sworn in as president and launches the Apollo program to land a person safely on the Moon and return them to Earth; Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin shocks America by becoming the first human in space, while Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space not even a month later. In New Orleans, the desegregation of public schools continues with Ruby Bridges spending her first year at William Frantz Elementary.

GOING TO HARVARD

“How did I go to Harvard? That was luck… It was because Doc—or the Wizard of LSU, as I call him, because he would cast his spell and then you did whatever Doc wanted you to do—he wanted me to go to Harvard.”

“I had no desire to go to Harvard. After graduating from LSU, I wanted to travel, and this LSU architecture teacher I liked very much, Bertram Berenson, found out. He tried to help me. He said, ‘You should go to officer candidate school in the Navy because officers get to travel, and when the boat arrives, you can get off and see things.’ That’s all he had to say.”

“Well, the Wizard of LSU discovered this, and he was a pacifist. ‘No!’ he said. ‘You’re not joining the Navy—you’re going to Harvard Graduate School of Design.’ ‘No Doc,’ I said. ‘I already signed the contract.’”

“Next thing, I get a letter from the Commandant of the Navy. It read, ‘Dr. Reich spoke to us, and we would prefer to have you after you graduate from graduate school. Goodbye.’ So, Doc got me out of a contract with the federal government. Wizard, right?”

It is 1963. President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas. The U.S. and the Soviet Union establish the so-called red telephone, a direct communications link between the Pentagon in Washington and the Kremlin in Moscow. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech, and NASA launches the world’s first synchronous satellite, which appears to always stay in the same position in the sky.

JOINING NASA

“When I was at Harvard, so was one of my classmates from LSU, named Terry Schnadelbach. He had graduated a year after me in architecture and we were both from New Orleans. For Christmas, we borrowed a friend’s car and drove home. After Christmas, Terry said, ‘We can stop in Huntsville and spend the night at my brother’s house. He works for NASA.’”

“When we got there, Terry’s brother Bert said, ‘My boss wants to meet you.’ His name was Hannes Luehrsen and we saw all these pictures on the wall of rockets launchers… Luehrsen, who was German, said, ‘Ven you graduate, you vant to come vork for me?’”

“When it came time for me to graduate, Bert said, ‘Send your application in.’ Miracle of miracles, they offered me a job!”

“I ended up in Huntsville in the heat of summer, and for the first time in my life, I could go to the Winn-Dixie store and buy whatever I wanted. That was my big day. Finally, I could have food.”

THE MICHOUD MASTER PLAN

“Everyone thinks, ‘What does a landscape architect do at NASA?’ But remember, spaceflight starts on planet Earth, not up there, and to build and test rockets, you need a lot of space.”

“Michoud was my first job, my very

first. It was a truly giant factory. People who worked there had to run around on bicycles, it was so big. So, you had to have a road. You had to have parking. Simple stuff, but it had to be designed. And Michoud is in a very low area of New Orleans, so drainage was an issue. We needed to figure out how to get the water out.”

“Our job was to design a place that could assemble the future Nova rocket. So, I designed a facility on water where they could assemble the rocket, put the pieces and different stages together, and stand it up. That required a special building, and it had to have a lock. You had to float the barge in and then drain the water out so the barge could settle down within the building. Then they’d flood it again to float the barge out.”

It is 1964. The second of two Mars flyby attempts by NASA returns the very first photos of another planet from deep space; launch of the IBM System/360 enables computing for both commercial and scientific applications, defining the basic unit of memory, the byte, as 8 bits.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 285 DAYS

“After the Michoud project, I really wanted to travel. That’s when I applied for the Charles Eliot Traveling Fellowship, and in early 1964, I won. I got $3,000 for travel in Europe for at least six weeks. I added my Huntsville savings and ended up traveling for nine and a half months. I circumnavigated the globe; I went everywhere.”

“Eventually, I started getting letters from NASA. ‘We want you to come back.’ I’d just said, ‘Adios!’ when I left, and didn’t want to go back… But I’d already stretched the money as far as I could.”

“It was around that time I started getting offers from Dr. Reich to come teach at LSU, which I also had no desire in the world of doing at the time. All I wanted was to travel, but finally, I told Doc I’d come back for one spring semester to help, just temporarily. That was in 1966, and I’m still here.”

Profile

By LSU Marketing and Communications

Renee

Horton’s

path to helping power the return to the moon didn’t follow a straight line

A Baton Rouge native and LSU graduate, K. Renee Horton turned early setbacks into fuel, ultimately carving out a career at NASA that connects her directly to the Artemis program. From years spent “boots on the ground” at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to her research on advanced welding techniques, Horton has helped shape the core systems that enable deep space exploration.

What began as K. Renee Horton’s childhood dream of going to space evolved into something even greater: ensuring others can get there—and return safely.

“When it really hit me—the importance of the work that I’ve done and what that means for mankind—that’s so heavy. It’s so beautiful,” she said.

Horton (2002 BACH ENGR) is a 2020 LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction honoree. We asked her about her career journey. Answers were edited for brevity and clarity:

Q. TELL US ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL CONNECTION TO ARTEMIS.

A. So very few people get to watch their dissertation live and in full effect. And for me, my dissertation is actually the welding we do, the circumferential welding, for Artemis. And so, I got to watch my dissertation launch the first time on Artemis I, and I get to watch it again on Artemis II.

Artemis II is really special to me because I got a chance to meet (NASA astronaut and Artemis II pilot) Victor Glover and his family, his wife, and his kids. And so, just that personal connection to someone actually riding on it is really different for me.

I spent about 12 years working on the space side of NASA. And now I'm currently working in aeronautics. But over my 12 years, I spent almost all of them in New Orleans working at our rocket factory, the Michoud Assembly Facility.

Q. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR DISSERTATION AND HOW YOU CAME TO HELP CREATE THE ROCKET THAT'S SENDING US TO THE MOON.

A. My dissertation actually is the material characterization and strength of the circumferential welding, or they call it self-friction stir welding. The type of welding that I studied is robotic welding, and I looked at what the failure path was, what the failure mechanisms were, and the strength associated with them.

“It was just so surreal to watch something I had worked on, something that had my name on it, be launched into space.”

I worked as a graduate student for several summers at NASA, and then when it came time to decide what my area would be, I chose the NASA work. I was hired at NASA eight months after graduation, and I moved back to Huntsville, Alabama. I moved back home (to New Orleans) in 2014 and was there until 2021, boots on the ground.

Q. YOU WERE BORN AND RAISED IN BATON ROUGE. TELL US ABOUT THAT.

A. Actually, I’m a product of McKinley High School. I graduated at 16, and had joined the Air Force ROTC, which was at LSU. They sent me to get my physical, and during the physical, at 17, I actually found out I was hearing impaired, which meant I did not qualify for the Air Force.

Right then, it was like, oh my God, my dream. It was my dream to become a pilot and then an astronaut. My grandmother and them will say as long as they can remember I was in love with being a scientist. But definitely I fell in love with space at 9 when I got a telescope. And so, it was just so disheartening.

Q. YOU LEFT LSU AT THAT POINT, GOT MARRIED, HAD CHILDREN, TRAVELED OVERSEAS, AND EVENTUALLY DIVORCED. WHAT BROUGHT YOU BACK TO LSU?

A. When I got pregnant with my daughter and she was born, I was like, I probably need to get myself together and do something. I was 27 and so I decided I was going back to school. And I moved, the three kids and me, and I guess the rest is history, as they say.

I always dreamed of going to space or putting people into space. Well, first it was, “I want to go to space,” and then that didn't happen. I was out of school for 10

years. So then when I went back, I realized, wait a minute, maybe the dream to put people in space isn't a bad dream either.

When I first started working for NASA—and my very first project there was to create hardware—we created this piece of hardware in Huntsville, Alabama. And we had not welded hardware there for 30 years, and they allowed us to write our names on it. And I felt like right then, that was my moment of going into space. It was just so surreal to watch something I had worked on, something that had my name on it, be launched into space.

Just being at the factory gave me the opportunity to shake hands with astronauts, talk to them, be personal with them, and see just how human they are. And how important my job is. To make sure that they get back.

Q. CAN YOU PUT INTO WORDS WHAT THIS ARTEMIS MISSION MEANS TO YOU?

A. Last night I flew into Saratoga Springs, New York, and the gentleman at the desk who checked me in at the Saratoga said to me, “I was alive when we landed on the moon.”

“I was like 3 or 4,” he said, “and I am super excited to see us making this venture again.”

And then he said, “And I heard that you are our special guest and that you helped with sending us back to the moon, and I want to thank you.”

It was that moment right then that I was like, this is real. This is really real. We're about to take the next step to send humans back to the moon. And so, the idea that I thought about as a child—I never even processed that I wouldn't be the one going to the moon, but that my work would directly impact us going back to the moon.

Later, when it really hit me—the importance of the work that I’ve done and what that means for mankind— that’s so heavy. It’s so beautiful.

Profile Cook, Eat, Play, Travel at La Chiusa

Have you ever wanted to sell it all and start over? Ever think about moving to Tuscany? Ever wonder what you would do if you quit your job and moved to an exotic place?

Well, George (1985 BACH H&SS) and Linda Meyers did just that. After 25 years of exploring the globe, they found what they were looking for: a place and culture that embraces their lifestyle. After a life of food and travel, George and Linda found their calling in Tuscany.

George, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot and Linda, a retired schoolteacher, spent their summers traveling the world in search of local customs.

“I never wanted to be a tourist–I wanted to be a local,” says Linda of her years of travel. “I found myself bringing home souvenirs from local grocery stores.” During his journeys around the world, George has cooked and eaten in both obscure and off-the-beaten path kitchens around the world, as well as restaurants run by famous Michelin-starred chefs. During his travels to Italy, George could often be found in the kitchen making pizza with the women of the local villages.

"I want to share my experiences and passion with our guests,” says George.

On one of their many trips to Tuscany years ago, George and Linda fell so in love with the village and people of Montefollonico, they decided to stay.

These two high-school sweethearts, both from New Orleans, combined their love of food and travel by starting their cooking school, Cook in Tuscany, where they share their love of Tuscany with a dose of Southern hospitality. “We want our guests to see and feel like they live here in the village, so we give them a true authentic visit."

The school hosts people from all over the world for six days where they “immerse” students in cooking and the local culture of Tuscany.

The cooking school specializes in regional food and has an unusual benefit--the classes are taught by local "Nonnas" (grandmothers). The concept allows student to become immersed in the culture, and not only receive firsthand instruction, but sample the lifestyle of these locals, the cuisine and wine. Nothing has changed for generations--this is the way women in Tuscany have cooked for hundreds of years.

Rather than it being a formal, sterile opportunity, meals are enjoyed with other culinary travelers, students and instructors. Off hours are spent roaming local shops and markets, wine cellars and vineyards, and becoming a part of the local landscape. Students walk the cobblestone streets of villages, shop at local markets, visit wineries and cheese makers, see historic sights, and stop for cappuccino and local made pastries and taste creamy gelato.

Students stay at George and Linda’s La Chiusa, a 1,700-year-old 4-star, 17 room boutique inn and restaurant located in the village of Montefollonico that has a historic olive oil mill that dates to the year 302 AD. George and Linda have undertaken the huge project of restoring it back to its original beauty and tradition.

Each of Relais La Chiusa’s seventeen rooms offer a place to rest and relax after a day of exploring Tuscany. Every room is unique and has all the comforts of a luxury hotel.

Montefollonico is at the heart of this experience. Nestled in the hills of the Tuscan countryside, this 500-resident village is paved with medieval stone-lined streets, bustling markets and surrounded by bucolic vineyards. It is off the beaten path and far from the usual tourist destinations. It is in this setting that people get to know the “real” Tuscany and its people.

For more information on the Meyers’ Cook in Tuscany, visit www.lachiusatusany.com or www.cookintuscany.com

LSU Alum's company honored at the White House

By Drew Sarhan

Subterra Technologies, a company created by Jacob Voiselle (2024 BACH ENGR), was honored at The White House by Vice-President J.D. Vance and the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the Native American Coalition for Economic Prosperity’s Government-toGovernment Roundtable Series.

Voiselle has been the chief business development officer at Subterra Technologies since September 2024. He works with Chief Executive Officer Noah Deshotel (2024 BACH ENGR, 2025 MAST BUS) and Chief Strategy Officer Michael Chustz, (2004 BACH ENGR).

“We’re LSU grads,” Voiselle said. “Being graduates from the flagship [university] of the state, you kind of have a sense of pride, you kind of have to live up to something. I feel like we’re trying to do that by bringing AI innovation to Louisiana.”

Subterra Technologies is a full-service artificial intelligence firm that offers both AI consultation and development. The company’s mission is to build customized, private AI solutions to help businesses stay secure and efficient in their work. As AI grows, Subterra will consistently develop solutions to improve its models.

“With consulting, you sit with a business, you learn exactly their workflow and how their business operates, and learn what’s most valuable to them with their data,” Voiselle said. “Then we build a customized, private AI solution for them that they can benefit from.”

Subterra is a full-service AI firm, meaning that they also develop the large language models that they use as a template for chatbot development. As the name suggests, chatbot development is the creation, development, and implementation of an AI assistant that can help with navigation on a website, or help with finding sources similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude.

“When you see a website, you see ‘Hey! we’re an AI assistant, message us!,’ We do stuff like that,” Voiselle said. “We host models on their own servers.”

Subterra also develops an AI model to improve workflow automation, but what makes the company unique is its focus on data integration. By breaking down the barriers between different data systems, the AI is more efficient, and the many moving parts of a business can be synthesized, smoothing out intercommunication with the company's data.

“We’re very service-based now,” Voiselle said. “We do custom development, a lot of it is [AI development] for businesses.”

Voiselle is Native American himself, belonging to the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe. Because of this and his familial connection with Chairman of the Tribe Marshall Pietre, he and his CEO Deshotel are considered the AI advisors of the tribe.

Pietre invited the young innovators to the White House with other tribal leaders, who, along with Subterra were recognized by the executive branch for their efforts in expanding AI technology in Louisiana.

“The whole goal of the visit was to get governmental leaders, specifically tribal leaders, talking with industry leaders and people involved in the federal government,” Voiselle said. “It was all for the economic development of Native Americans and enhancing their sovereignty and success in this administration.”

Companies like to partner with Native American tribes because they don’t have as many regulations as other parts of the United States. Because the land is a sovereign nation controlled by tribal governments, production is cheaper and the customer pays less money for products. Voiselle said it's a win-win for both companies and consumers.

The government is predicting the energy demand will be significantly greater within the next five to 10 years, as the population gets larger and AI becomes more intelligent, so the executive branch arranged the luncheon with Native American tribes from around the United States, and suggested that they ramp up production of energy within the sovereign nation.

Voiselle was thankful for the opportunity to attend the conference on behalf of Tunica-Biloxi. He remembers his time fondly and appreciates Pietre giving them the opportunity to go to the White House and meet with Vice President Vance and Secretary Kennedy.

“I was just super proud to be a part of Chairman Marshall’s tribe,” Voiselle said. “He’s from Marksville, where we’re based, so it was just super, kind of inspiring to see someone from a small town making big waves in Washington D.C.,”

Profile Mike’s in the Army now

By Brian Hudgins

Before Lt. Nathan Istre (2020 BACH ENGR) ever served with the 21st Theater Sustainment Command in Kaiserslautern, Germany, he commanded the attention of 102,000 fans in Tiger Stadium.

Istre, a U.S. Army environmental science/engineering officer, is part of the Surgeon’s Cell that provides preventative medicine support to operational units. “I wear a lot of different hats,” Istre said. “I am an adviser on the preventative medicine side (assisting) with the occupational health of soldiers.”

He grew into that wide-ranging set of medical responsibilities by gaining building blocks at LSU. Istre “bounced around on picking a degree plan before settling on a forever love of biological engineering.”

Working within the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine enabled Istre, a Killeen, Texas, native, to learn as an undergraduate researcher under the guidance of Dr. Shafiqul Chowdhury, a professor in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences. “That fostered my love for (researching) infectious diseases and epidemiology as a whole,” Istre said.

When Istre was not learning about infectious diseases as part of his undergrad workload, he had “100 percent fun 110 percent of the time” as a senior member of the Mike the Tiger mascot team. That included being part of the 2019 National Championship run by the football program and getting to participate in Washington D.C.’s Mardi Gras festivities.

Aside from the big events, the daily interactions with both kids and adults gave Istre a perspective that helped him through his early Army career stages. “Joining the Mikes, I thought: This is going to be really fun,” Istre said. “But it was also about managing schedules and meeting people.”

As Istre became more vocal and outgoing thanks to his Mike experiences, the range of soft skills

served him well upon his graduation during the Coronavirus pandemic. Istre was familiar with military career paths and how they tied into medicine thanks to both of his parents, who are also LSU alumni. “My dad commissioned out of LSU, and my mom enlisted in the Navy before she went to LSU,” Istre said. “My mom is now a nurse on the outside (of the military).”

Istre spent nine months in an urgent care environment and later served in Alaska before heading to Germany. Istre’s preventative medicine work helps sustain and improve the mission readiness of the U.S. European Command (EUCOM), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). “Being a medic is challenging in its own right, and this brings a different sort of challenge,” Istre said. “Every day is a new problem set.”

Considering the potential impact of environmental health hazards on service members, Istre and his peers often perform soil, air, or water sampling to address disease risk. The face-to-face discussions with service members are a welcome duty for Istre. “Dealing with the soldiers here – it’s a fun bunch,” he said.

Istre credits the university-wide LSU atmosphere for giving him a leg up in his military career. “At a lot of places you have a situation where the old eat the young,” Istre said. “LSU is the opposite. It fostered how I lead and am able to mentor people. It’s hard to get anywhere without all the people who have lifted you up.”

Istre witnessed that sense of community on campus at gymnastics meets, basketball games, sports press conferences, charity drives, and many other events. He looks back fondly on a singular experience that required many steps made in full costume on foot. “It was phenomenal to be able to go to all those different places, but as far as atmosphere … nothing beat home games at Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night.”

Profile Lee Romaire jokingly calls himself the dead animal king of Hollywood

By Drew Sarhan

Known as one of the secret weapons of the entertainment industry, Lee Romaire (1989 BACH MCOMM), CEO of his eponymous studio, continuously stuns audiences with his 25 years of experience. From making set designs for movies and TV shows to designing theme park exhibits, Romaire is a jack of all trades.

Romaire has always been fascinated by realism, lifelike experiences that feel real, even if they weren’t. As a kid in Louisiana, he grew up surrounded by taxidermy. He mounted his first crawfish at age eight and has been in love with realism ever since. He studied anatomy and realism independently before coming to LSU.

“I had one teacher in particular who took an interest in my creativity, and that was Dr. Fletcher,” Romaire said. “I became really interested in advertising because it allowed me to be creative.”

He interned at DAA in Baton Rouge and worked at advertising firms in New Orleans for a decade before switching into an even more creative field.

“I just started thinking about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and it kind of popped up one day — I want to be a special effects makeup artist.” Romaire said. “Everybody thought I was crazy, but I got out of the advertising world and started sculpting Mardi Gras props.”

While flipping through a makeup artist magazine, Romaire saw an advertisement for a special effects trade show in Pasadena, and attended. There, he met Dick Smith, “the godfather of makeup” according to Romaire, because he did Marlon Brando’s makeup in The Godfather and Linda Blair’s demon makeup as Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist.

After receiving his certificate of advanced make-up artistry from Smith, he started Romaire Studios in 2000.

“When I first started Romaire Studios, it was basically [just] film, TV, and movies,” Romaire said.

It wouldn’t take too long for him to get his first accolade, an Emmy for Outstanding Makeup in a series for his work on Six Feet Under, an HBO show, in 2002.

He has also created props for Elton John’s Red Piano Tour, Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds, The Dictator (2012), Disney XD’s Walk the Prank, Stephen King’s Nightmares & Dreamscapes, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, and created the animatronic for the San Diego Zoo’s “KOALAFORNIA” campaign.

One of Romaire’s biggest projects was in 2008 when he received a call from Disney to modernize their Abraham Lincoln animatronic at Disneyland’s Great Moment’s with Mr. Lincoln, the first audio animatronic Disney built.

One of his more recent projects with Disney was with the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, an immersive hotel experience in Disneyworld in Orlando. It included elements of live-action role play and choose-your-own-adventure that had a limited run from March 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. Romaire won a Thea award from the Themed Entertainment Association for his work.

Universal Studios hired Romaire’s studio to work on The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! for their Orlando theme park. Romaire made creature skins and other props for the dark ride, and the experience was so successful that it earned an Outstanding Achievement Thea award in 2022.

While Romaire Studios mostly works on theme park designs now, it still occasionally creates sets for movies and TV shows, such as Netflix’s Frankenstein (2025) by director Guillermo del Toro.

“It took a team of about eight to 10 people several months to build everything.” Romaire said. “We used a lot of foam, fake fur, and sheepskin rugs we got off eBay.” Romaire worked with Del Toro on other movies such as The Shape of Water.

“Guillermo likes to work with practical [effects] as opposed to digital,” Romaire said. “I’m the dead animal king of Hollywood, apparently.”

Romaire mentioned the sheep and sled dogs had to be 19th-century accurate for cohesion with the story of the movie, but there was room for creativity. One of the sleddogs had their head bashed in, based directly off a sketch from Del Toro.

“One of the dogs had its head completely twisted around, an homage to Regan in The Exorcist when she turned her head around.”

Examples of Romaire’s artistry can be seen in his hometown of Morgan City, La., where he donated a Christmas display for the town.

“My friend was mayor at the time and so I called him up,” Romaire said. “I said ‘Well let’s do this, but instead of regular Santa Claus, let's do a Cajun version of it. So, I came up with these white alligators with little crabs on their heads for antlers… and we developed some characters for the boat. Santa Claus has a muskrat fur hat and shrimp coat and boots. It went viral.”

Tiger NATION

1980s

Richard Arsenault (1980 JD) has been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Lawdragon Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers Guide and will serve as moderator for a Judicial Panel addressing mass tort litigation at a conference in Las Vegas. He will also moderate a Multidistrict Litigation panel focused on emerging challenges in mass torts at a conference in Kiawah Island, S.C..

Byron Trust (1984 BACH ENGR) was appointed to the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board by Gov. Jeff Landry.

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

1990s

Marlon D. Henderson (1997 BACH SCI, 2001 DDS) is the 2026 president of the Diverse Dental Society (DDS). The DDS is composed of the Hispanic Dental Association, National Dental Association, and Society of American Indian Dentists. Dr. Henderson is a general dentist in Shreveport, La., and past president of the National Dental Association.

James Mack (1997 BACH BUS) is the new administrator of Arizona’s Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, which provides retirement benefits to Arizona’s first responders, corrections officers, judicial and elected officials and manages a $26 billion trust, Mack, who was appointed following a unanimous 9-0 vote by the PSPRS Board of Trustees, brings more than 25 years of experience in public pensions, treasury and investment management.

Dr. Mustajab Mirza (1998 MAST SCI) was named the 2025 LSU Vet Med Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in the master’s category. The award recognizes graduates for excellence in research, contributions to One Health, and service to LSU Vet Med and the broader community. Dr. Mirza currently serves as associate professor of equine surgery at LSU Vet Med and is nationally recognized as a leading equine surgeon.

Benton Toups (1997 BACH H&SS, 2000 JD) an attorney with Cranfill Sumner with offices North Carolina and Washington, D.C., was recently listed among the 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

Gretchen Wilson (1999 A&D) of Denver was elected 2027 president of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA. As a co-founder of Dig Studio, she helped grow the firm from 4

to 44 employees. Wilson also advises the Master of Urban Design program at Colorado University (CU) and co-teaches design studios. She was also featured on “Something Else About Landscape Architecture,” a podcast emanating from CU.

David Woodcock (1992 BACH BUS) was appointed as the Director of the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Woodcock is a partner in the Dallas and Washington, D.C. offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, where he serves as chair of the firm’s Securities Enforcement Practice Group.

2000s

Jean-Paul Coussan (2000 BACH BUS, 2004 JD) has been elected vice chairman of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. In this role, Coussan regulates utilities that provide electricity, gas and water to homes and businesses across the state. He formally served as a senator and state representative in the Louisiana legislature.

Alma Roy (2000 PHD) was named the 2025 LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Alumna of the Year. The award recognizes graduates for excellence in research, contributions to One Health, and service to the LSU Vet Med and broader community. She serves as director of LSU Diagnostics (Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at LSU Vet Med and was recently celebrated for achieving 50 years of service to LSU.

2010s

Marco Barker (2010 PHD HS&E) has been appointed chief, diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. In this role, he collaborates across all Enterprises and Bureaus to advance equitable and inclusive outcomes and drive organizational cultural change.

Jason Hamm (2011 PHD AG) has been appointed Southeast U.S. Area Research Manager at Florida Ag Research (Ag Metrics Group), where he will lead and oversee entomology-related research supporting crop protection and grower-facing investigations in the Southeast.

Wynord “Wyn” Thomas, Jr. (2010 BACH A&D) was recently promoted to senior associate by Los Angeles firm CO Architects. He joined CO in 2019 and contributes to the firm’s medical education and

K-12 projects. Thomas is currently working on the new Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science building and a large, comprehensive K-12 modernization project, both in Los Angeles.

Drew Prestridge (2010 BACH MCOMM, 2010 BACH H&SS), founder and president of Prestridge Political, was named to the 2026 “40 Under 40” list by the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC), recognizing the rising stars shaping the future of political consulting in the United States. The honorees were celebrated in March at the 2026 Pollie Awards & Conference.

2020s

Scott Purcell (2024 PHD M&DA), bass baritone, earned second prize at the National Oratorio Competition hosted by the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Fla. He received $3,000 cash and a future solo engagement with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park and/or the Messiah Choral Society of Orlando.

Established in 2025, the competition supports emerging singers by offering young performers the opportunity to experience the joy of collaborative singing with an orchestra.

In Memoriam

E.M. “Ned” Clark (1955 BACH BUS) died March 16. While at LSU, Clark helped lead the LSU Basketball team to the Final Four in 1953 and was awarded the 2010 SEC Basketball Legends Award. He also played baseball at LSU and was a former U.S. Air Force captain.

Clark’s banking career spanned 55 years and included launching two banks. He was involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations and was named a Baton Rouge Volunteer Activist and received the Baton Rouge Brotherhood and Sisterhood Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jew.

Clark is survived by his wife, Laura Clark, three children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Daniel N. “Dan” Landry (1974 BACH AG) died Jan. 31 in Rayne, La.

Landry was a regular guest on local radio station KSIG, where he conversed about farming, food, sports, and trivia. He held leadership positions with the Rayne Chamber of Commerce and supported the Acadia Parish 4-H program with its annual livestock show.

Memorial donations may be made to the LSU Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 3838 W. Lakeshore Dr., Baton Rouge, La.

Joe May, a former LSU athlete and LSU Track and Field Head Coach, died in March.

May served as the head coach for LSU track and field from 1964-1976, during which time five athletes won national titles.

A two-sport star for LSU from 1953-56, May was a threetime conference champion for track and field in javelin and the 440-yard relay. He also played football and returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown versus Kentucky in 1955.

Born in 1932, May was 93 years old at the time of his passing.

LSU Boyd Professor Emeritus Robert F. O’Connell died on March 24.

“Bob O'Connell was a legend who laid the foundation for our department's excellence in quantum physics and astrophysics,” said Jeffery Blackmon, department chair, LSU Physics & Astronomy and Russell B. Long professor. “He made foundational discoveries in quantum statistical mechanics and major contributions to a wide variety of fields, including optics, astrophysics, and subatomic physics. Over his 53-year career at LSU, he published more than 350 papers, and his close collaboration with Eugene Wigner produced important discoveries and papers with more than 1,000 citations.

He has been a Fellow of the American Physical Society since 1969. He accepted a two-year NAS-NRC award at the NASA Institute for Space Studies, New York. Next, he obtained the SRC visiting fellowship which enabled him to spend a year at the University of Oxford and Queen Mary College, London (1975-76). He later spent a summer at the Institute for Astronomy at the Cambridge University and many other summers at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, Garching and the University of Santa Caterina, Brazil, the Technical University of Denmark, the Universities of Paris, Orsay, Rome, and Bilkent, Ankara, as well as the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Dr. O’Connell was inducted into the College of Science Hall of Distinction in 2018.

Richard Oustalet (1971 BACH H&SS) died Jan. 19. While attending LSU, he graduated from the Northwood Automotive Institute in Midland, Mich., and returned to Jennings, La., where he worked in the family automotive business for more than 54 years. He became president and CEO of the Bubba Oustalet Automotive Group upon his father's retirement.

Oustalet was a member of the LSU Alumni Association Board of Directors for 27 years. During his tenure, the Lod Cook Alumni Center and The Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU were completed. He served as a member of the Diocese of Lake Charles Finance Board; president of the Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce; vice president of the Calcasieu Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America; and on the boards of the Ochsner American Legion Hospital, the Zigler Foundation, and the Lena Mae & Bubba Oustalet Foundation.

He is survived by a daughter and grandchildren.

John Chester Spurney, LSU Alumni Association Panhandle Chapter President for more than 25 years, died Jan. 16 in Gulf Breeze, Fla.

Spurny was one of LSU’s most ardent benefactors and the Florida Panhandle's most active and quintessential fans. Spurny was always planning the next LSU Alumni event and building a meaningful alumni group that steered so many students to LSU and helped fund their educations. He was an endearing character and role model who will be remembered for his undying love for LSU and for his country as a United States Marine.

A celebration of life was held Feb. 8, followed by the funeral Feb. 9 and burial at Barrancas National Cemetery.

He is survived by Peggy Arnold.

1950s

Dr. Philip Royce Avet, Jr., 1958 BACH H&SS, 1960 MAST SCI, 1964 MD, March 21,2026, Baton Rouge, La.

John S. Barry, 1957 BACH AG, March 2, 2026, St. Francisville, La.

C. Verne Brian, 1952 BACH SCI, March 22, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Fannie Samuel Compton, 1959 BACH MCOMM, Jan., 30, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Philip Bruce Eckert, 1957 BACH H&SS, Jan. 22, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Katherine Azena Nielsen Evans, 1950 BACH BUS, Jan. 20, 2026, LaPlace, La.

John Norman Gallaspy, 1952 BACH H&SS, 1958 JD, March 21, 2026, Bogalusa, La.

Ellis James Gauthier, 1959 BACH AG, 1961 MAST, AG, Feb. 13, 2026, Port Allen, La.

Philip Norman Hablutzel, 1958 BACH H&SS, Jan. 6, 2026, Durham, N.C.

Barbara Vastine Hughes, 1957 BACH BUS, Jan. 11, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Judge Walter L. Lanier, 1957 BACH SCI, 1961 JD, Feb. 2, 2026, Thibodaux, La.

Henry Joseph Legendre, Jr., 1955 BACH M&DA, 1961 BACH ENGR, Feb. 26, 2026, Houston, Tx.

Mary Alice Marionneaux Lieux, 1956 MAST HS&E, Jan. 27, 2026, New Roads, La.

Charles W. “Billy” Smith, 1957 BACH AG, 1965 MAST AG, March 23, 2026, Jackson, La.

1960s

Ronald W. Browning, 1968 BACH H&SS, 1969 MAST H&SS, Jan. 14, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Bobby Lee Efferson, 1967 BACH H&SS, Feb. 19, 2026, Lake Worth, Tx

1960s

Lee Michael Faucette, Jr., 1962 BACH HS&E, 1966 MAST HS&E, April 4, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

John Nathaniel “Johnny” Gum, Jr., 1961 BACH H&SS, 1964 MAST H&SS, March 5, 2026, Plaquemine, La.

Sharen Seu Hart, 1964 MCOMM, March 4, 2026, Albuquerque, N.M.

Susie” Comeaux, Hotard Heroman, 1965 BACH H&SS, Jan. 22, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Robert D. “Bob” Jones, 1967 BACH H&SS, Jan. 24, 2026, Bogalusa, La.

Kenneth Wood “Kenwood” Kennon, 1968 BACH H&SS, 1969 JD, Jan. 11, 2026, St. Francisville, La.

Ronald Jerry LaCarna, 1966 BACH ENGR, 1970 MAST ENGR, 1977 PHD ENGR, Feb. 3, 2026, Houston, Tx.

Lois Hoffman LeBlanc, 1963 BACH HS&E, 1964 MAST HS&E, Jan. 17, 2026, St. Gabriel, La.

Grace Janice Staples Lutschg, 1960 BACH HS&E, March Feb. 7, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Betty Jo “BJ” Riddle McInnis, 1969 BACH BUS, Jan. 15, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Lawrence Hiern Mercier, St., 1969 BACH SCI, Feb. 14, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Charlene McDonald Nelson, 1967 BACH H&SS, Feb. 19, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Imogene Sue “Genie” Powlett Percy, 1968 BACH H&SE, Feb.2, 2026, Alexandria, La.

John D. Rayborn, Jr., 1964 BACH H&SS, March 22, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Sidney “Coach” Staring, 1969 BACH H&SE, 1976 MAST H&SE, Feb. 5, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Vernon Mark Ventress, Jr., 1963 BACH HS&E, 1966 MAST H&SE, Jan. 6, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Gerald “Jerry” Williamson, 1968 BACH BUS, Feb. 1, 2026, Jackson, La.

Charles Wiley Williams, 1964 MAST AG, April 3, 2026, St. Francisville, La.

1970s

David Assaf III, 1972 MAST ENGR, Jan. 18, 2026, Mandeville, La.

Amos Lany “Al” Black, 1971 BACH ENGR, Jan. 13, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Terry Long Compton, 1972 BACH BUS, 1978 DVM, Dec. 31, 2025, Baton Rouge, La.

Patrick Brooks Cooper, 1972 BACH HS&E, 1976 MAST HS&E, Jan. 8, 2026, Minden, La.

Burton Guidry, 1977 BACH H&SS, Feb. 14, 2026, Mandeville, La.

Raymond Gary Hartley, 1978 BACH ENGR, Jan. 18, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

E. Ramon Arango

Former faculty member

LSU Political Science Feb. 23, 2026

Baton Rouge, La.

Ara Arman

Former Associate Dean

LSU College of Engineering Jan. 31, 2026

Baton Rouge, La.

Ruth Martin Patrick 1950 BACH SCI, 1951 MAST H&SS, 1971 PHD SCI

Former Chief of Nutrition Education Pennington Biomedical Center

Grady Robert Hazel, 1970 BACH BUS, 1971 MAST BUS, Feb. 14, 2026, Baton Rouge La.

Janet LeDoux Jenkins, 1973 BACH HS&E, 1980 MAST HS&E, March 13, 2026, St. George, La.

Alfred Ameen “Al” Mansour, 1975 MD, Jan. 19, 2026, Houston, Tx.

Percy Henry Manuel, 1975 BACH BUS, Feb. 23, 2026, New Roads, La.

Elizabeth Bush “Betsy” McClure, 1979 BACH HS&E, Feb. 16, 2026, Austin, Tx.

Wallace George “Wally” Nesbit, 1978 BACH H&SS, March 22, 2026, Mobile, Al.

John Martel Norwood, 1970 BACH H&SS, 1977 MAST BUS, Feb. 15, 2026, New Orleans, La.

Tressie Alexander Ogden, 1977 BACH HS&E, Feb. 10, 2026, Baker, La.

Charles Leonard Patin, 1971 BACH H&SS, 1974 JD, April 2, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Christine “Christy” Scoggins, 1974 BACH HS&E, 1979 MAST HS&E, 1983 MAST HS&E, Feb. 19, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Charles “Park” Seward, 1978 BACH H&SS, Jan. 7, 2026, Grants Pass, Ore.

Susan Shuey, 1970 BACH H&SE, 1980 JD, Jan. 15, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Robert Wayne Strain, 1970 BACH HS&E, 1978 MAST HS&E, 1983 PHD HS&E, Feb. 21, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Dawn Matthew Tonkovich, 1975 BACH HS&E, Feb. 8, 2026, Brusly, La.

Max Overton Usrey III, 1979 BAH ENGR, March 24, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

Mary Gail Yeates, 1977 BACH SCI, March 3, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

1980s

Gloria Berthelot, 1987 BACH H&SS, Feb. 12, 2026, Gonzales, La.

James Clarence Cancienne, 1987 BACH BUS, March 6, 2026, New York City

1990s

Elizabeth Anding Bonnecaze, 1998 BACH H&SS, Dec. 30, 2025, Baton Rouge, La

Kathleen Elsa “Kathy” Kennedy, 1991 MAST H&SS, April 10, 2026, Erie, Pa.

Sanford Bruce “Sandy” Picou, 1993 BACH ENGR, Jan. 20, 2026, Prairieville, La.

2000s

Dwaynne Anthony Ardeneaux, 2004 AS SCI, Feb. 22, 2026, Baton Rouge, La.

David Michael “Dave” Burst, 2001 BACH H&SS, Feb. 16, 2026, New Orleans, La.

Jacques Christopher Robert, 2007 BACH ENGR, 2013 MAST BUS, March 22, 2026, Gonzales, La.

Mark Andrew Batzer

1988 PHD SCI

LSU Boyd Professor Founder, LSU Genomics Core Jan. 21, 2026

New Orleans, La.

Robert Delaine “Bob” Pechman, DMV Professor Emeritus

LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

Jan. 19, 2026

Baton Rouge, La.

Leonard Charles “Lenny” Kappel

1969 BACH AG, 1971 MAST AG Former Associate Professor

LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Feb. 21, 2026

Baton Rouge, La.

Milan Turk 1960 BACH SCI, 1962 MAST BUS

Former President

LSU College of Engineering

Jan. 18, 2026

New Canaan, Ct.

James E. Keisler

Former Mathematics Professor March 20, 2026

Baton Rouge, La.

Vernon Lee Wright

Retired Professor

LSU School of Forestry Feb. 9, 2026

Baton Rouge, La.

Tigers in Print

Andrew Mims (2008 BACH H&SS)

Don’t Let the State Decide: A Heartfelt Guide to Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning in Louisiana Amplify Publishing

If you don’t create a plan for your family, the State of Louisiana already has one for you—and it may not reflect your wishes, your faith, or your love.

In this compassionate and practical guide, Louisiana estate planning attorney Andrew Mims offers clear, realworld advice for taking control of your legacy and your family’s future after you are gone.

Don’t Let the State Decide walks readers step-by-step through wills, trusts, probate, long-term care, and guardianship—explaining how to protect your assets, avoid costly mistakes, and bring peace of mind to the people you love most.

Blending storytelling with decades of experience, Mims makes complicated legal concepts simple and relatable. You’ll discover how planning can preserve family harmony, protect children and spouses, and keep decisions in your hands—not the government’s.

Whether you’re a young family just starting or nearing retirement, this book will give you the clarity, confidence, and motivation to act before the state decides for you.

Cason E. O’Banion (2011 BACH H&SS, 2014 JD)

Fire Ants: Essays Around and About Texarkana

Stephen F. Austin University Press Fire Ants: Essays Around and About Texarkana is a new essay collection by LSU alumnus and faculty member Cason E. O’Banion that explores the humor, contradictions, and quiet intensity of life in the overlooked corners of East Texas and the Ark-La-Tex region. In a series of vivid and often hilarious essays, O’Banion writes about growing up in

Texarkana—an unusual border town split between Texas and Arkansas— where Waffle House parking lots can double as social arenas, high school friendships stretch across decades, and the rhythms of small-town life shape the people who leave as much as those who stay. With sharp observation and a storyteller’s ear for voice, the collection captures the eccentric characters, family traditions, and cultural quirks that define a place rarely represented in contemporary literature.

O’Banion is an award-winning writer whose fiction, essays, and reviews have appeared in The Southern Review, Whalebone Magazine, The Hyacinth Review, The Dead Mule, and other journals. His debut novel, Chinese New Year, set in Baton Rouge, was nominated for the Thurber Prize for American Humor.

O’Banion completed a master’s degree at Antioch University and the University of Southern California. He now teaches writing at LSU, where his work continues the university’s long tradition of serious Southern letters.

Marianne Rabalais Sulser (1998 BACH MCOMM, 2001 JD)

Like Snow Before Sun Atmosphere Press

Marianne Rabalais Sulser delivers a sweeping love story set amid upheaval, where passion and trust must fight for survival against the shadows of war.

Which will you sacrifice—the father that raised you, or the nation you adore?

Acadia, 1755. Jeanne LeJeune has always lived between worlds—the fierce daughter of a French merchant and a Mi’kmaw woman, she is torn between the quiet rhythms of village life and the wild heartbeats of her mother’s people. But when her father is seized by English soldiers, her fragile peace shatters.

To win his freedom, Jeanne agrees to guide an English officer through the wilds of Nova Scotia—a choice that entangles her in the coming storm of

war. What begins as a wary alliance soon becomes a journey fraught with danger, betrayal, and passion.

As the drums of conflict echo through the untamed heart of the forest, Jeanne must face an impossible choice: betray her heart to save her father or risk everything for the nation that shaped her soul.

Lush, romantic, and unflinching, Like Snow Before Sun captures a love tested by loyalty, loss, and the devastating cost of survival.

Linda Lowe Erley (1977 BACH H&SS) Rainbow Over the Bayou: Jim Crow Through the Eyes of a White Girl

Have you ever looked back on your childhood and realized your world carried so much more than you saw at the time? This is the heart of Rainbow Over the Bayou: Jim Crow Through the Eyes of a White Girl-a historical fiction inspired by the author's Louisiana upbringing and told through dual timelines of 1960 and the present day. You will be transported to Southern Louisiana, where the tranquil beauty of the bayou contrasts with the horrific injustices of Jim Crow, whose echoes still reverberate today.

In this dark chapter of our nation's history, God's hand brings together two worlds: Mimi, a young white girl, and Willa Mae, the beloved Black maid who works for her family. Through the eyes of a child-now remembered by the woman she has become-Mimi realizes there was much she saw, yet did not see.

Set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement, you'll be drawn into the harsh realities of segregation, yet also witness the strength of faith and the resilience of the human spirit.

This story invites you to wrestle with the echoes of America's past and discover-even amid history's shadowsGod's love and light, His redeeming power, and the enduring hope of a more just and reconciled future.

BABY BENGALS

Colin Jeter (2016 BACH BUS) and Isabella Jeter (2019 BACH BUS) welcomed twins, Fallon Jane Jeter and Britain Belle Jeter, born Feb. 5, in Baton Rouge. While at LSU, Colin played on the LSU Football Team, and Isabella was a Golden Girl.

WEDDING BELLS

Lyle Robelot (2010 BACH HS&E, 2017 MAST HS&E), LSU Swimming and Diving assistant coach, married Molly Drago (2010 BACH HS&E) on May 17, 2025 at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge.

A highlight of the wedding reception was the groom’s cake, a miniature version of the LSU Natatorium by Sweet Stirrings of Zachary, La. Robelot, a Baton Rouge native, is in his seventh season for the swimming and diving program and also coached at St. Joseph’s Academy, including a state championship team.

Levin B. Pinho Jr. (2024 JD) and Elise Diebold Pinho (2021 BACH H&SS, 2024 JD) married on September 5 at Hotel Peter and Paul in New Orleans. A reception was held in Breaux Bridge. The couple met in their first year of LSU Law School and graduated together. Since their wedding, the couple has moved to Lafayette to practice law.

Photo by Milton Ourso