LSU ‘Scholarship First’ bus tour stops by Cenla

PINEVILLE, La. (KALB) - Louisiana State University is using the month of March to spread awareness and to listen to residents on the crucial role the school serves in our state.

The LSU ‘Scholarship First’ bus tour made its first stop in Pineville on Monday morning, where LSU started as a state seminary and military academy, over 160 years ago.

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The tour is a journey around the state, aimed at learning more about some of Louisiana’s key industries, listening to stakeholders and visiting with alumni and elected officials to ensure the university is meeting the needs and demands of the state.

LSU’s President, Dr. William Tate IV, said LSU is a driver for the future of our state and is important to many, so this is his way of bringing LSU to the people.

“Agriculture, biomedical sciences, coastal sciences, defense and ROTC, cyber in particular and energy, we are committed to those five areas,” said Tate. “That is our pentagon to protect the people of the state. But we want to hear from the people of the state. What do they want? What do they need?”

The tour will also make stops in Chopin, Natchitoches, Shreveport and Lake Charles before returning to Baton Rouge on Thursday.

So what exactly will the school do with all the information? Tate said beginning next year what they learn will be considered when executing the university’s strategic planning.

Here in Cenla, LSU Alexandria is a major part of the LSU system. Chancellor Dr. Paul Coreil feels the tour is especially important because it addresses the workforce needs in our state, adding every school in the LSU system plays a significant role in keeping the economy successful.

“So, we got to make sure that we keep the cutting edge of the economic impact that we have,” said Coreil. “That is what universities do for the state of Louisiana, and LSU Alexandria is right there at the forefront.”

When Tate makes it back to Baton Rouge at the end of the week, he will have made a 1,000-mile road trip around the state, which he calls a listening tour and an awareness campaign rolled into one.

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