LSU President William F. Tate IV embarked on a four-day whirlwind tour across Louisiana last week, connecting with communities and showcasing LSU’s dedication to the state’s future. 

The Scholarship First Bus Tour focused on aligning the university’s research with Louisiana’s economic needs, as Tate met with students, alumni and industry leaders across several key communities in Louisiana from Oct. 15-18.

“We have 64 parishes. The university has a presence in every single one of those 64 parishes,” Ashley Arceneaux, Tate’s chief of staff, said. “. . .For those places where we don’t necessarily have a campus, it’s nice for the people to see the president come and put feet to the ground, shake some hands, listen to the people’s problems.”

From operating heavy machinery at a logging facility to trying his hand at shooting skeet, Tate engaged with communities during the 1,000-mile tour, showcasing Louisiana’s unique culture and industries.

Day 1: Start, Rayville, Chase, Monroe

Kicking off in Start, Louisiana, the first day of the tour featured a celebratory send-off with U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) and a performance by LSU student and rising country star Timothy Wayne. The day embodied the “Start Small, End Big” motto of Start Elementary, the tour’s first stop.

The first scholarship of the tour was awarded to Anna-Marie Poland of Riverfield Academy, marking the start of her LSU journey as a member of the class of 2029.

“I think one of the most powerful things we did was start in Start, Louisiana…” Arceneaux noted. “Start has maybe 800 people in it, but people are so closely connected with one another and the town’s identity.”

Following the scholarship award, Tate and Surgeon General Ralph Abraham visited the Guardian Health Clinic in Rayville, where a panel discussion at the Rayville Public Library addressed the unique challenges and potential solutions for delivering healthcare services in rural areas.

The day continued with a visit to the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase to commemorate its 75th anniversary. Tate even tried his hand at digging sweet potatoes, experiencing firsthand the agricultural heritage of Louisiana. 

The day concluded with Tate joining LSU Shreveport’s champion bass fishing team in Sterlington for a fishing trip, showcasing the diverse interests and talents of LSU students. A lively alumni fish fry provided a fitting end to the first day.

Day 2: Winnfield, Arnaudville, Fort Johnson

Tate started the second day by learning about the logging industry with State Rep. Jack McFarland, gaining insight into this vital economic driver for the state. 

“Forestry is a massive industry in Louisiana, and we do a lot of work and research in that area as well,” Arceneaux said.

A visit to the Louisiana Political Museum in Winnfield provided a glimpse into the state’s rich political history, followed by a trip to Fort Johnson in Vernon Parish to discuss potential partnerships with local leadership. 

The day took a cultural turn with a visit to the NUNU Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville, where Tate received a warm welcome, learned Cajun and Creole phrases and even participated in a cooking lesson.

“We went to the NUNU collective in Arnaudville, which was just such a beautiful moment,” Arceneaux said of the experience. “There are all these folks there who are really intent on preserving the Cajun and Creole culture.”

Arceneaux said the people from Arnaudville were excited to welcome the university’s president.

“That’s kind of the refrain we kept hearing everywhere we went,” Arceneaux noted, saying Arnaudville was “… just a really warm, welcome, great community.”

The day concluded with a festive reception at Bayou Teche Brewery, celebrating the vibrant culture of Acadiana.

Day 3: New Iberia, Avery Island, Houma

The third day began with a visit to Conrad Rice Mill, America’s oldest rice mill, followed by lunch at Cane River Pecan Pie Bar in New Iberia. 

The tour then moved to Avery Island, home of the iconic Tabasco sauce. Discussions centered around how brands like Tabasco and LSU, with their deep Louisiana roots, represent the state’s culture on a global stage. 

The day concluded with a visit to Danos, a family-owned and operated company that has grown into a national corporation, emphasizing the importance of family values and legacy in Louisiana’s business landscape. 

Day 4: Morgan City, Port Allen, Plaquemine 

During the last day of the tour’s stop in Morgan City, Tate announced the construction of a new $107 million Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building at LSU.

The new building will house the Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management and provide state-of-the-art facilities for advanced manufacturing and construction research.

Tate then visited the Bridgeview Gun Club, where he met with the five-time national champion 4-H Shooting Club and received a shooting lesson. Then the tour headed to Plaquemine for a visit with A. Wilbert’s Sons, the family-owned company that sponsored the Scholarship First bus tour. 

“We really got to go see some of their precision agriculture work and in action, which is really amazing because Louisiana is such an agricultural-based state,” Arceneaux said.

The tour concluded with a celebratory reception in Port Allen, marking the end of a successful journey across Louisiana.

“We’re really proud of this,” Arceneaux said. “It’s really important for the university to really make itself as a public university, to make itself available to the people of the state, but also to reach out and demonstrate how we are helping people.”