LSU Alumni Magazine: President's Message

The LSU Alumni Association welcomes Dr. Michael V. Martin as the 8th Chancellor of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. With Chancellor Martin’s experience and tenure at land-grant universities, he comes to LSU well-versed on the operation and management of a land-grant university. We look forward to his leadership and direction.

The Forever LSU Campaign has achieved more than two-thirds of the $750 million goal. The LSU Foundation, Tiger Athletic Foundation and the LSU Alumni Association are diligently working toward the achievement of this goal by 2010. Many opportunities for donors are available. If you are interested, contact any of the above organizations for designating your specific gift. The Association is focusing its efforts toward the endowments of the Top 100 Scholarship and Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship programs. Since the last issue of the LSU Alumni Magazine, the Association received a letter from Harry and Norma Longwell containing their alumni contribution for the year. There was a special note and contribution in which Harry and Norma endowed four Top 100 Scholarships in the name of Charlie W. Roberts. WOW! What a surprise and what a most gracious gesture and gift.I had my first meeting with Harry and Norma on September 24, 1988, at the LSU vs. Ohio State football game in Columbus, Ohio. At the game, which we lost in the final minute 36 - 33, we discussed the three-to-one matching-gift program of Exxon, Inc. To this date, Harry and Norma have led the way in contributions and matching gifts from Exxon/Mobil. Thank you very much, Harry and Norma.

The Fall semester is underway, and as of this date, final enrollment counts are being made. The University has seen the largest number of applicants in its history with 15,122 students seeking admittance for the fall semester. Football season begins in less than a week, and already we are sold out at The Cook Hotel for all games, two-night stay (Friday and Saturday) with the exception of Troy State and North Texas State. A few rooms remain for Saturday night only for all other games.

We have ended our cross-country visits to chapters. Attendance has increased at all chapter meetings, and the excitement about LSU was at its peak. It is truly exciting to observe the participation by alumni of all ages at these events. To enter a park in New York City and see more that 500 alums clad in purple and gold makes anyone swell with pride for our great University. In July, the Retired Faculty and Staff Independence Day Celebration was held at the Lod Cook Alumni Center. It was a magnificent sight to see more than 250 retirees, dressed in red, white and blue, joining together for fellowship and fun. It is an honor for the Association to host this dedicated group of retired faculty and staff.

In conclusion, we are now approaching the final quarter of the year. As always, your support is greatly appreciated and needed, and we thank you for this support - past, present and FUTURE.