LSU System Hosts Successful Day at the Capitol

BATON ROUGE, La. – President Wade Rousse praised campus leaders during the LSU Board of Supervisors meeting for hosting an outstanding LSU Day at the Capitol on Wednesday. All eight, soon to be nine, campuses comprising the LSU System were represented in Memorial Hall at the State Capitol, with leadership available to share stories of success with legislators, policy makers and influencers.

“Our entire team engaged legislators from across the state sending a unified message of excellence and accessibility,” Rousse said. “We were able to highlight the innovative research, student achievements, statewide economic impact and athletic wins that distinguish our university system, giving us a unique relationship with all of Louisiana.”

House members unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming April 22, 2026 as LSU Day at the Capitol after hearing the LSU System’s many accomplishments from the Voice of the Tigers, Rep. Dixon McMakin.

Those highlights include:

• LSU Flagship Campus in Baton Rouge seeing record enrollment and graduation numbers and opening new educational and research facilities.

• LSU Research expanding the frontier of knowledge while working to bring new insights that create critical solutions to Louisiana’s challenges, such as improving health outcomes, saving the coast and expanding energy production.

• LSU AgCenter ranking 12th in the nation for research expenditures among academic agricultural enterprises, ensuring that commodities such as sugarcane, rice and sweet potatoes remain the lifeblood of Louisiana agriculture, and educating our state’s future leaders through programs such as 4-H.

• LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans educating the next generation of Louisiana’s medical professionals, providing outstanding patient care, and working diligently to combat the state’s high rate of cancer deaths through groundbreaking research.

• LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport bringing critical medical care to north Louisiana, educating doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who will serve the region for generations and growing its research portfolio to make critical discoveries.

• Pennington Biomedical Research Center working to find health solutions for the future, including addressing Louisiana’s nearly 40% obesity rate through the development of new diets and medications.

• LSU Alexandria experiencing record enrollment and creating Louisiana’s first accelerated bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields to meet critical workforce needs and put students into careers faster.

• LSU Shreveport becoming Louisiana’s fastest-growing university over the past decade and graduating more students than any other university in the state, with the exception of LSU’s Flagship Campus in Baton Rouge.

• LSU Eunice experiencing record enrollment and leading Louisiana’s two-year institutions in the number of students who transfer to bachelor’s degree programs and earn degrees.

• LSU New Orleans joining the LSU family officially in July 2026.

Looking ahead, President Rousse said the LSU System will strategically engage with legislators as the state budget and other key pieces of legislation affecting higher education advance through the session. He also shared with the board an increased focus on government relations and engagement in local communities where LSU has a footprint including Shreveport, Eunice, Alexandria and New Orleans.

“For years, LSU’s approach has leaned mostly toward state and federal government engagement,” Rousse noted. “While these officials are critically important to our funding and sustainability, this administration is committed to engaging all stakeholders. We want to be a reliable partner in our shared interests and strategize on topics like job creation and housing so Louisiana can retain its best and brightest. Most of all, LSU wants to be a good and trusted neighbor.”

Finally, the President praised the service of four Board of Supervisors members whose terms are expiring in June. Student Body President Lavar Henderson, Laurie Lipsey Aronson, Collis Temple, Jr. and Patrick Morrow were recognized collectively, each expressing gratitude for being part of the LSU family.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is established in the Louisiana Constitution and composed of two members from each congressional district and three members from the state at large, appointed by the governor with Senate confirmation. Members serve six-year, staggered terms and a student member is selected each year to serve a one-year term.