Good Afternoon,
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the LSU College of Agriculture Alumni Association e-Newsletter. I am beyond excited to begin my tenure as the LSU College of Agriculture Alumni Association President. I am humbled and honored by this opportunity. I look forward to working alongside the alumni board, Dr. Richardson, the LSU College of Agriculture Team, and all of you, as we work together for the benefit of our college, current students and alumni.
Similar to many of you, I credit my time as a student at LSU as life-changing. The education I received was tremendous and the mentors and relationships I developed formed a solid foundation for a rewarding career devoted to sustaining and enhancing Louisiana Agriculture. Our LSU COA alumni base is spread across the globe and one of our key goals over the next two years will be to build our numbers and encourage participation in our association.
If you are reading this e-newsletter, I challenge you to share it with at least five other alumni of the college and recruit them to join! Membership levels and incentives associated with each level are outlined in this issue as well. 2020 has certainly dealt out many challenges but I also see 2020 as a year where a different approach can result in success. Many of us have become immersed in a virtual world during the past five months as we have continued to work and remain relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. One positive is that social and mass media, as well as virtual meetings, have made membership and participation on our board easier and more accessible than ever. Our social events will look different this year, but our goals remain the same: sustaining, building, and sharing all the LSU COA is and has to offer, with our alumni.
Thank you for all you do, for your support and commitment to our college and our university!
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Geaux Tigers!
Tara Smith
LSU College of Agriculture Alumni Association,
President
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JOIN NOW or RENEW MEMBERSHIP |
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Don't Let Your Membership Expire! |
Renew your dues or update your membership with the LSU College of Agriculture Alumni Association. Don't miss out on the great opportunities that come along with your membership. At any level, your membership will automatically join you with the LSU Alumni Association. Your membership also sponsors student and alumni events exclusive to the LSU College of Agriculture. Enjoy the benefits that come from each of your membership levels. |
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After months of quiet, it is great to see students back on our beautiful campus. We have taken countless steps to ensure that we provide a safe learning environment. Also, our faculty have worked diligently to transition larger classes online and have paved the way for smaller classes to meet safely in person.
Things will be different this fall but know we remain committed to keeping strong connections from the College of Agriculture to our alumni, the agricultural industry and our many stakeholders.
Lastly, we have put together a diversity council made up of our College of Agriculture and LSU AgCenter faculty and staff. We are hiring an Assistant/Associate Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion and Opportunity. This candidate will provide oversight and leadership for diversity, inclusion, and opportunity and help to create a broad vision in achieving excellence, along with managing change to build and support initiatives.
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Thank you for continuing to partner with us to make Louisiana agriculture strong and sustainable.
Dr. Bill Richardson
Vice President of Agriculture
Dean of the LSU College of Agriculture
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Hello Ag Tigers,
As we navigate a year of unprecedented change, your College of Agriculture (COA) Alumni Association board remains committed to supporting student and alumni programming.
The COA Alumni Association held officer elections at its summer board meeting on July 13, 2020. Once elected to the board, our officers serve two-year terms.
Tara Smith was elected president, and she currently serves as Regional Director for the LSU AgCenter. She received her Ph.D. in Entomology from LSU. Our former president, Fran DeVille, was a 1970 graduate of the College of Agriculture, and he serves an Activation Manager and Certified Crop Advisor for Climate.
Our president-elect is Julie Richard. Julie holds three degrees from LSU, and she and her husband, Christian, own Richard Farms in Kaplan, LA. Secretary is Lori Richard. She has three degrees from LSU. Lori is an Assistant Professor at Nicholls State University, and she and her husband, Jason, farm sugar cane in Lafourche Parish. The treasurer is Ashley Peters. He holds two degrees from LSU and owns Peters Crop Consulting out of Winnsboro, Louisiana.
New board members are Jeremy Hendrix, Allison Dumas, and Lindsay Smythe-Doucet, they will be beginning their two-year terms on the COA Alumni Association Board.
The COA Alumni Association promotes student programming, alumni engagement, and fundraising initiatives for the college. Through an endowed scholarship, they provide multiple scholarships to students annually. Learn more, visit the COA Alumni Association website.
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Lindsey Kelly
Director of Alumni Relations
& Career Development
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Remembering Don Welge
LSU College of Agriculture was saddened to learn of the passing of alumnus Donald “Don” E. Welge in April 2020. Welge was a passionate supporter of the LSU College of Agriculture, having majored in agricultural economics.
After completing his degree in agricultural economics, Welge returned to his home state of Illinois. Welge served as the president and CEO of Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation and had been with the company since 1957.
Welge advocated for the LSU College of Agriculture to implement food science and management curricula in the Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness. He wanted to prepare students to enter the food industry and have a holistic understanding of food production from farm to table.
Read more about Don Welge in the Fall issue of The Stately Oak.
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The Stately Oak
Our annual magazine, The Stately Oak, details the wonderful philanthropy benefiting the LSU AgCenter and the College of Agriculture. It continues the tradition of recognizing those who help us grow. As part of your membership benefit, you will receive a copy of The Stately Oak. Be on the look over for this year's issue in November!
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Alumni Board Member Spotlight |
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Alumni Board Spotlight:
Dr. Tara Smith
Tara Smith, director of the LSU AgCenter’s Central Region, has begun a two-year term as the president of the LSU College of Agriculture Alumni Association. A Louisiana native, Smith earned her doctorate in entomology from LSU in 2006.
Smith has been an active member of the association since 2010, previously serving as secretary and president-elect. As an employee of the AgCenter, Smith found herself working routinely with other alumni from the college. This encouraged her to become involved with the organization. She was soon recruited to join the association’s board.
Smith encourages any alumni who want to become involved to reach out to her for more information.
Read more about Tara Smith in the LSU College of Agriculture News for Summer 2020.
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LSU College of Agriculture News:
Summer 2020
Find more news from the LSU College of Agriculture. Learn about what research our students are involved with along with awards they have received. We had several faculty receive awards and be honored with organization titles.
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Louisiana Land-Grant Ag Career Prep Week |
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Alumni are welcome to attend! |
Hosted in partnership with the LSU College of Agriculture and Southern University College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences, Career Prep Week provides students from both of Louisiana's Land-Grant Institutions with an opportunity to build on their professional development skills and network with potential employers. Freshmen through seniors are encouraged to participate in these events.
Students, alumni, employers, and faculty interested in participating in any of the events throughout the week should register at the link below by Thursday, October 8, 2020.
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Kayla Benton hails from Houston, TX. She is currently majoring in Animals Sciences and has intentions to attend vet school. During her time here at LSU, Kayla serves as a Peer Mentor, the President of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS). She actively serves the Greater Baton Rouge Area community.
Kayla has a keen passion for promoting diversity around campus. Through her involvement in MANRRS, she strives to engage minority students in agriculture while making agriculture home and LSU an inclusive environment for them. She currently sits on the LSU College of Agriculture and Ag Center's Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a student member.
Kayla continues to excel in the College of Agriculture. It is because students like Kayla that the College of Agriculture can continue to provide dynamic and transformative academic experiences in agricultural sciences through innovation and collaboration in a diverse, supportive, and personal environment.
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Colt Hardee is from the one-stoplight town of Kaplan, LA. He is currently pursuing a B.S. in Agricultural Business. Colt plans to attain an M.B.A. and work in the business sector. During his time here at LSU, Colt has acquired quite the resume of achievements, including National Agribusiness Quizbowl Champions, Agribusiness Club President, Cajun Music Club founder, and now serves as the Agricultural Student Association President.
Colt is no stranger around campus, whether he's mentoring students or playing his accordion, Colt's commitment to the development of students is unmatched. As ASA President, Colt's platform revolves around promoting camaraderie, increasing opportunities, and expanding networks for students within our college. He strives to make sure each student within the College of Agriculture can leave LSU fierce for their futures.
Students like Colt make the College of Agriculture effective in its efforts to revolutionize the future of agriculture.
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Ag Alumni Speaker Series
You can look forward to participating in the Ag Alumni Speaker Series! Our Ag Alumni Speaker Series will be held virtually this year! Connect with alumni and learn about how they entered their career paths.
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Friday, September 25
11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Dr. George Robinson
Dr. George Robinson is the President and CEO of Heartland Veterinary Partners. Dr. Robinson's resume is incredible! It includes holding public office, being a current LSU Foundation Board member, and past President of Southern University’s Foundation Board of Directors.
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Friday, October 23
11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Anthony Ryan
Anthony Ryan Auld is a 2010 graduate of the Textile, Apparel Design, and Merchandising program. Anthony Ryan has been recognized nationally for his award-winning designs in publications like Marie Claire, InStyle, USA Today, US Weekly, and OK Magazine. He was the 2015 Project Runway All Star's Winner.
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Friday, November 6
11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Noble Guedon
Noble Guedon is the Corporate Integrated Solutions Department Manager for Goldman Equipment, the largest John Deere distributor in Louisiana. Noble is a fifth-generation farmer and an innovative thinker. He specializes in data management services and incorporating technology and machinery.
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Be on the lookout for an invitation to attend our cocktails and cuisine virtual event. This year the event will be held over a week-long period, giving you multiple opportunities to participate in our fundraising and connect with other alumni and friends of the College of Agriculture. |
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Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center's Chief Medical Officer and LSU School of Animal Sciences alumna Dr. Catherine O’Neal shares the importance of making a plan and masking up as we return to campus. Check out the first two episodes of this three-part series.
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Matthew Braud and Andrew Alvis |
LSU College of Agriculture graduates Andrew Alvis (’12) and Matthew Braud (’11) co-founded the thriving aquaponics farm Sustainable Harvesters. Now, the fraternity brothers turned business partners are using their business savvy and farming expertise to help communities in Baton Rouge and throughout the Southeast build farming projects and cultivate healthy eating habits.
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José Arce, DVM, is the first Puerto Rican and the first LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and LSU School of Animal Sciences graduate to be named President-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Arce will serve as president-elect during 2020-21 and will succeed Dr. Doug Kratt as AVMA president in 2021.
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Fill out our Alumni Engagement Form
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We're interested in hearing from you! Fill out an Agriculture Alumni Engagement form so that we can learn more about where life has taken you since graduating from the LSU College of Agriculture. |
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Don't Forget to Update Your Membership! |
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Get Involved - Stay Connect - Grow Your Network |
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We want you to stay connected with LSU College of Agriculture Alumni Association on Facebook! |
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Connect with the LSU College of Agriculture! |
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