News Items

BRChamber.com, December 2007
Chamber releases strategy to make LSU a top school
Within the last 3 years, the Council for a Better Louisiana and the Public Affairs Research Council have endorsed the idea of more funding for LSU to make it a more nationally competitive university.
Read Press Release | Download the White Paper (PDF, 144k)

Newswise, April 27, 2007
LSU Math is a Model
The LSU Department of Mathematics has spent more than three years developing a new approach to teaching college algebra and has since become a national leader in the field of using technology to redesign the delivery of large-enrollment college mathematics courses. This new approach uses a combination of small classroom instruction and a learning lab environment.

The Advocate, May 19, 2007
Baton Rouge Paper Backs Higher Ed Funding
Just say “yes,” Louisiana’s higher education leadership is pleading to lawmakers this week. They are asking for support for one of Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s bigger policy recommendations in the 2007 session, a roughly $200 million infusion of new money into state colleges and universities …

The Shreveport Times, May 18, 2007
Governor Writes on Go Grants
I have always believed you can’t allow your income to determine your outcome. My proposed need-based scholarship program provides low-income students with an equal chance to pursue higher education right here in Louisiana.

The rising cost of college and university tuition places a financial strain on all our students and shuts the door on many Louisianans who simply cannot afford the price tag. Too many students are forced to take time off from their studies to work, while others incur large personal debts to cover the cost of tuition and other expenses. In fact, Louisiana is ranked 12th in the nation in student debt, with our graduates owing on average more than $18,000. Such costs leave countless students behind …

The Advocate, May 16, 2007
Panel Friendly to Higher Ed
More than $200 million in new, annual state funding for higher education received mostly favorable comments Tuesday from the House Appropriations Committee, without education officials even having to make their prepared presentation.

Analysis: For LSU that includes a 5 percent faculty pay increase, covering of mandated personnel costs, and $19.2 million in quality enhancements to focus on faculty students (especially graduate students) and information services.

The Opelousas Daily World, May 17, 2007
Provide Quality Education, Jobs Will Come
Letter to the Editor from Chancellor O’Keefe
This editorial page has offered a view extolling the value of in-state education improvements, but lamenting the migration of our educated leaders to out-of-state jobs. Last Sunday’s editorial, “Graduate out-migration will continue without progress,” contends that we need to provide quality education as well as provide quality employment to Louisiana’s best and brightest students. This is critical to our state’s future. But in contrast to the editorial view expressed, the trend is all positive …

The Advocate, May 8, 2007
Go Grants’ Cost Concerns Lawmakers
Some lawmakers criticized the cost of the state’s new “GO Grants” ­– the need-based, college financial aid program for low-income students.
Even several supporters argued Monday that the program with its $15 million initial price tag could be even bigger.

It is expected to cost $41 million four years from now.

The Shreveport Times, April 24, 2007
College Officials Endorse Budget Plan
State higher education officials have endorsed Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s proposed budget that pumps almost $200 million additional funding into colleges and universities. Representatives from the boards of supervisors of the LSU, Southern, University of Louisiana and the Louisiana Community and Technical College systems joined Commissioner of Higher Education Joseph Savoie on Monday in signing a pledge to support the budget proposal as it moves through the legislation session that starts next week.

The Shreveport Times, April 23, 2007
College University Officials Eye Extra Money
Most campuses have been funded below 100 percent for about two decades. The increase would mean close to $1.5 million more for some local colleges and universities, although they would have to spend some of the money on pay raises for faculty and staff.

The Advocate, March 7, 2007
LSU Proposes ‘Pelican Promise’ Aid Program
The LSU Board of Supervisors on Thursday will discuss the “Pelican Promise” plan. It would offer an average of $3,000 annually, beginning this fall, to accepted freshmen with family incomes no more than 50 percent above the poverty level. Currently, 50 percent above equates to a family income of $25,755 for a family of three.

The Times-Picayune, January 4, 2004
Academic Games
by Coleman Warner
As LSU takes the field today to prove its athletic supremacy, university officials are working to make a similar statement in more scholarly matters....

The Times (Shreveport), January 7, 2004
Parlay Athletic Win with Academic One
LSU Chancellor Mark Emmert holds the reins to a many-headed beast, whose body is the state's flagship university but whose heads compete for widely varying goals that each require attention, resources and support. Right now, having won the Sugar Bowl and the Bowl Championship Series' National Championship, LSU athletics appears to be the dominant head, enjoying the public's praise amidst a national frenzy of media attention and fan ecstasy. LSU points out that Sunday night's victory, although 45 years in the making for football, is the 41st national championship in its athletic history, achieved while claiming 103 Southeastern Conference titles.

The New York Times, January 4, 2004
Beyond a Stereotype of Southern Universities
by Mark A. Emmert, January 4, 2004
Tonight, the victor of the Sugar Bowl will win the Bowl Championship Series title. Both teams vying for the title are Southern universities: Oklahoma and Louisiana State. While the nation enjoys the performance of these two fine teams, appreciation for their athletic talents will mask a contrary and frustrating perception. Far too many Americans believe that Southern universities are more interested in football or basketball than in literature or physics. Nothing could be further from the truth...

 

2007 Goldwater Scholars
2006 Goldwater Scholars and Truman Scholar
2007 Udall Scholar
USAToday 2007 Academic All-Americans