LSU College of Science Hall of Distinction Honorees
2024
The LSU College of Science’s Hall of Distinction recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in their endless pursuit of excellence and fervent dedication to scientific leadership. Through their extraordinary achievements, outstanding characters, and commitments to their communities, the college’s honorees have established lasting legacies of excellence in their individual fields. When appropriate, the college will also recognize an industry partner who has made a transformational investment or is engaged in a dynamic conversation with the potential of high-value to LSU and to our college.
Join us as we recognize the exceptional accomplishments of the College of Science’s 2024 Hall of Distinction honorees.
Diola Bagayoko, PhD - Chancellor’s Fellow and SU System Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics
Dr. Diola Bagayoko, a distinguished alumnus of LSU's Department of Physics & Astronomy,
is a Professor Emeritus at Southern University. Since joining Southern's faculty in
1984, Bagayoko has excelled in the research field of condensed matter and has become
a nationally recognized figure in teaching and mentoring across STEM disciplines.
In 1990, Bagayoko founded the Timbuktu Academy, which has offered financial aid, research
programs, advising, and mentoring to over 2300 undergraduate students in STEM fields.
It also provides outreach programs like ACT/SAT workshops, career presentations, and
summer programs for middle and high school students. The initiative has received support
from various organizations, including NSF, the Louisiana Board of Regents, Office
of Naval Research, NASA, NIST, Louisiana Space Consortium, Exxon-Mobil, Siemens Foundation,
Hewlett Packard, and Southern University. The academy's notable success led to its
replication across STEM units at Southern University and throughout Louisiana via
initiatives like the NSF-funded Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation
(LS-LAMP) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Undergraduate Programs,
deeply impacting underrepresented student participation in STEM education.
Bagayoko also played a critical role in establishing the Joint Faculty Appointment
Program (JFAP) in 1996, initiated by the Board of Regents to foster collaboration
between the state’s Historically Black and majority White Colleges and Universities.
The LSU-Southern JFAP program was the first in the state and is now the longest-lasting,
largely thanks to Bagayoko's oversight and effort.
Bagayoko’s dedication and impact have earned him numerous awards. In 1993, he received
the Louisiana Governor's Award for Excellence in Educational Reform and the Southern
University System's Presidential Faculty Excellence Award. In 1996, he was a member
of the first group of recipients of the U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in
Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, and in 2002, his Timbuktu Academy
received the same award. In 2010, he received the Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement
from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Alfred Gardner, PhD - Emeritus Curator of Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
Dr. Alfred Gardner earned his PhD in Zoology (with a minor in Paleontology) from LSU
in 1970, marking the beginning of a distinguished career as Curator of North American
Mammals at the National Museum of Natural History. He maintains close ties to LSU
through his support as a donor to the Museum of Natural Science (MNS).
Gardner's doctoral research, conducted from 1965 to 1970 under the mentorship of Dr.
George Lowery, the founder of LSU's MNS, focused on marsupials across the Americas.
This research significantly bolstered the global reputation of the MNS as a crucial
hub for biodiversity science. Gardner's fieldwork in Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico,
and other regions added nearly 4000 specimens to the MNS collections, including mammals
and birds, solidifying his status as a foundational figure in mammalogy and establishing
the MNS as a widely recognized resource for biodiversity researchers worldwide.
His extensive scientific contributions, including over 180 published papers, the description
of two new genera and 20 species of mammals, and substantial revisions to numerous
taxa, have profoundly impacted animal classification and our understanding of mammalian
diversity. One of his major achievements, Volume 1 of The Mammals of South America
published in 2008, is a comprehensive resource detailing nearly 400 species with identification
keys, distribution maps, and natural history narratives. This monumental publication
is still used by LSU students and remains a vital reference, inspiring further research
and nurturing a passion for mammalogy among aspiring scholars.
Gardner's retirement in 2018 marked the culmination of a remarkable career spanning
seven decades, covering research across two continents and addressing various aspects
of mammal taxonomy. Yet, he remains an active and respected member of the mammal research
community, still contributing significantly to scientific literature. Gardner's enduring
legacy lies not only in his scientific contributions but also in his mentorship of
young mammalogists, shaping the future of biodiversity research.
William Stickle, PhD - Emeritus Professor, LSU Department of Biological Sciences
Dr. William B. Stickle, Jr. is a pillar of dedication and excellence at LSU, with
a legacy marked by an unwavering commitment to mentorship, scholarly achievements,
and philanthropy within the College of Science.
His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Slippery Rock
State College in 1965, followed by a Master of Science in Zoology from the University
of South Dakota in 1967, and a PhD from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, in
1970. Since joining LSU in 1972, Stickle has held various academic roles and currently
serves as an emeritus professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, demonstrating
over 50 years of dedication to academia and scientific progress. Renowned for his
enthusiastic mentorship, Stickle has guided numerous graduate and undergraduate students
at LSU, profoundly impacting their academic and professional paths. He has been pivotal
in encouraging student participation in national associations and conferences, fostering
networking opportunities, and strengthening their connections within the scientific
community.
Stickle’s expertise in organismic physiology and environmental stressors has led to
significant contributions to the field of environmental physiology of marine fauna,
with over 100 publications in top journals and successful grant funding from esteemed
agencies like the National Science Foundation, Sea Grant, National Geographic Society,
and the Mineral Management Service. Beyond academia, Stickle's passion for marine
biology is evident through his establishment of the highly regarded LSU Marine Biology
in Alaska Program. Overseeing this summer program is truly Stickle's legacy, providing
invaluable academic experiences to hundreds of LSU students for nearly two decades.
The program covers a range of marine biology topics through lectures, field courses,
and interactions with local experts based in Juneau, Alaska. Participants also enjoy
visits to key sites like the Alaska State Museum, NOAA lab, salmon hatcheries, glaciers,
and a whale-watching cruise. Stickle has gone above and beyond to ensure the success
of the program, establishing the Marine Biology Travel Fund to provide financial support
to students.
Stickle's continued generosity and support for the College of Science extend to his
membership on the Executive Committee, as well as contributions to essential programs
and initiatives within the Department of Biological Sciences and the Museum of Natural
Science. These actions reflect his commitment to shaping LSU's future in science education
and fostering a culture of excellence.
Shell - 2024 Industry Champion
Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies, employing over 103,000 people and operating in more than 70 countries. Utilizing advanced technologies and taking an innovative approach, Shell seeks to help the world build a sustainable energy future.
Shell's partnership with LSU advances the university's Scholarship First Agenda by creating solutions that are essential to the future of energy within Louisiana and throughout the nation. Together, LSU and Shell aim to pioneer energy-related collaboration, focusing on areas such as hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), coastal studies, and low carbon fuels.
Throughout this longstanding partnership, Shell has invested a total of $60 million in LSU, with the latest contribution of $27.5 million marking the university’s largest gift ever from a for-profit corporation and its largest philanthropic investment in energy-related initiatives. Shell's investment in the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building will facilitate the construction of a cutting-edge academic and research facility, spanning four stories and nearly 150,000 square feet. This building will serve as a nexus for collaboration among LSU faculty and students across various scientific disciplines, enhancing research capabilities and fostering industry partnerships. The new science building will address significant educational and lab space needs within the College of Science, alleviating over half of the current gap and meeting the growing demand for academic resources driven by enrollment growth and increased instructional requirements