Agricultural and extension education student receives K.C. Toups Memorial Les Voyageurs Award

Each year, the College of Agriculture awards the K.C. Toups Memorial Les Voyageurs Award to a rising senior member of the Les Voyageurs. The Les Voyageurs is a student ambassador group for the college and often greets prospective students when they visit campus. 

To honor the late K.C. Toups, a service-minded student with a strong pride for LSU and the College of Agriculture, an outstanding student receives the award with a scholarship. 

Zachary Mayfield, an agricultural and extension education major with a concentration in leadership, exhibited these qualities and was named the 2022 K.C. Toups Memorial Les Voyageurs Award recipient. 

Being surrounded by a support team with the shared goal of advancing agriculture through research, education and service makes Mayfield proud to be in the College of Agriculture.  

"I am supported heavily by my academic advisor, Dr. Stair, and many folks in the dean's staff that care about my future. I can walk into any of their offices at any time, email them at any time, and ask for guidance," said Mayfield. "Being surrounded by peers that are trying to advance the industry and mentors that care about my future is a recipe for success." 

In addition to being a Les Voyageur, Mayfield is heavily involved in other LSU campus student organizations and activities. He is the president of the Alpha Nu Circle of the national honor society Omicron Delta Kappa, a student worker for the dean's office and served as vice president of the Agriculture Student Association. 

When asked why he chose to join the Les Voyageurs team, he reflected on his first-time tour of the campus and how the Les Voyageurs answered many of his questions and concerns about coming to LSU. He had a desire to pay forward that experience to future students. 

"I am now going into my final year as a Les Voyageur, and I have been able to talk to prospective students and parents and help them in any way possible," he said. "It just feels right that I am doing it just like that Les Voyageur had once done for me. It's awesome that I get to see it from this side of the table." 

Over the summer, Mayfield completed an internship with Sherwin-Williams in Houston, Texas, and has plans to continue his education at LSU after graduation. 

"As of now, I am planning to enroll in an MBA program where I can build upon the foundation the College of Agriculture has given me to advance my skill set and open up my career options," he said.