The Office of Research and Economic Development announced LSU Rainmakers at the Faculty Club on Tuesday night by honoring four University professors for their outstanding achievements.
An LSU Rainmaker is a faculty member who is nationally and internationally acknowledged for inventive research and scholarship, competes for funding at the most competitive level and attracts and mentors outstanding graduate students, according to Matthew Lee, interim associate vice chancellor of the Office of Research and Economic Development. 
Campus Federal Credit Union sponsored the event.
“LSU Rainmakers bring good recognition to the University,” Lee said.
Lee said the selection process began with a campus-wide nomination process. The University Council on Research chose the winning scholars. Lee said there are two broad categories of candidates and the competition is intense among applicants. Nominees are narrowed into categories by their field of research. The nominees are then defined as early, middle or senior scholars.
“It reminds us of the very strong quality of the professors at the University,” Lee said. “We are pleased to recognize the select few of them.” 
Graham Bodie, assistant professor of communication studies, received the Emerging Scholar Award and said it meant a lot to him.
“It is a very selective award,” Bodie said. “Only [four] people are able to receive an award, and that makes it important to me.”
Bryan Carstens, assistant professor of biological sciences, received the other Emerging Scholar Award, and Bijaya Karki, associate professor of computer science, received the Mid-Career Scholar Award. Kalliat Valsaraj, chemical engineering professor, received the Senior Scholar Award.
Ralph Izard, interim dean of the Manship School of Mass Communication, said celebrating outstanding faculty is essential.
“It’s important for the University and students that we honor outstanding faculty,” Izard said. “Students and faculty are the most important [people] on campus.”
Ron Moreau, vice president of marketing at Campus Federal Credit Union, said the bank encourages improving the education of students.
“Having been LSU’s credit union for 75 years, we support many activities and functions that improve the quality of education for students,” Moreau said. “We exist because of LSU.”
Key speakers of the reception included Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Jack Hamilton, president and CEO of Campus Federal John Milazzo and Interim Vice Chancellor of the Office of Research and Economic Development Thomas Klei.
This event is the second of five during the University’s first Research Week. ORED and the University’s Council on Research created Research Week to celebrate academic work and studies.
The Council on Research presented Chancellor Michael Martin with ongoing projects and accomplishments by University faculty and students, according to Lee.
Slideshows of undergraduate achievements will be shown at the Student Union and on television and computer screens throughout campus beginning Wednesday, Lee said.
The Distinguished Research Masters and Distinguished Dissertation Awards Ceremony will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at the Faculty Club, Lee said.
A conference consisting of oil spill researchers will be held Friday at the Faculty Club as part of Research Week, Lee said.
 
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Contact Claire Caillier at [email protected]