Ag Alumni Awards

Outstanding Alumni Award

The Outstanding Alumni award recognizes and honors an LSU College of Agriculture graduate for their outstanding leadership and significant contributions in their career, public service and/or volunteer activities.

Each year, our recipients are recognized at a reception hosted by the LSU College of Agriculture and the LSU College of Agriculture Alumni Association.

2026 Award Winners

 

Nominate an alum for the Outstanding Alumni Award

  • Exhibits outstanding leadership and noteworthy contributions to agriculture in their career, public service, and/or volunteer activities, going above and beyond typical career responsibilities.

  • Embodies integrity, stature and proven leadership worthy of recognition.

  • Achieved a record of outstanding personal and professional accomplishments.

  • Demonstrated commitment through participation and/or support of LSU College of Agriculture and/or the LSU Agriculture Alumni Association programs and activities (e.g., mentorship, speaker series, volunteer support for student programs).

  • Nominees must possess a degree currently or previously housed in the LSU College of Agriculture (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate).

  • Posthumous nominations are welcomed.

Nominations are accepted from any alumnus, friend of the College of Agriculture and/or faculty or staff member in the college and LSU AgCenter.

Nominations MUST be submitted online and include the following items:

  • Nomination Letter (limited to 1500 characters/approximately 350 words)

  • Current Curriculum Vitae or resume to include business, public service and professional honors and awards; noteworthy research, publications or professional business accomplishments. If not accessible by nominator, please share this form link with the nominee to upload.

  • Letter of Support/Recommendation: Must include at least one letter of support from someone other than the nominator (no longer than 2 pages).

Nomination Form: https://lsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5usMWpOQhddBaFE

Nomination Deadline: January 15

The Outstanding Alumni will be recognized annually at the AgExcellence Awards ceremony, hosted by the Senior Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Dean of the College of Agriculture. 

For questions about nominations, please contact agalumni@lsu.edu.

Early Career Outstanding Alumni Award

The Early Career Outstanding Alumni award honors graduates for exceptional leadership, impactful contributions, and public service early in their careers. This award celebrates emerging professionals whose dedication and achievements show remarkable potential for future success.

Each year, award recipients are recognized at a reception hosted by the LSU College of Agriculture and the LSU College of Agriculture Alumni Association.

2026 Award Winner

 

Nominate an alum for the Early Career Outstanding Alumni Award

  • Exhibits outstanding leadership and noteworthy contributions in their career, public service, and/or volunteer activities, going above and beyond typical career responsibilities.

  • Embodies integrity, stature and proven leadership worthy of recognition.

  • Achieved a record of outstanding personal and professional accomplishments.

  • Demonstrated commitment through participation and/or support of LSU College of Agriculture and/or the LSU Agriculture Alumni Association programs and activities (e.g., mentorship, speaker series, volunteer support for student programs).

  • Nominees must possess a degree currently or previously housed in the LSU College of Agriculture (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate).

  • All nominees must be under the age of 40.

Nominations are accepted from any alumnus, friend of the College of Agriculture and/or faculty or staff member in the college and LSU AgCenter. Nominations MUST be submitted online and include the following items:

  • Nomination Letter (limited to 1500 characters/approximately 350 words)

  • Current Curriculum Vitae or resume to include business, public service and professional honors and awards; noteworthy research, publications or professional business accomplishments. If not accessible by nominator, please share this form link with the nominee to upload.

  • Letter of Support/Recommendation: Must include at least one letter of support from someone other than the nominator (no longer than 2 pages).

Nomination Form: https://lsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5usMWpOQhddBaFE

Nomination Deadline: January 15

The Early Career Outstanding Alumni will be recognized annually at the AgExcellence Awards ceremony, hosted by the Senior Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Dean of the College of Agriculture. 

For questions about nominations, please contact agalumni@lsu.edu.

 

Friend of the College of Agriculture Award

The Friend of the College of Agriculture Award recognizes an individual for their outstanding leadership, contributions, and support of the students, faculty, and staff of the College of Agriculture.

 

2026 Award Winner

 

Nominate an alum for the Friend of the College of Agriculture Award

  • Exhibits outstanding leadership, demonstrated interest, and made significant contributions to the LSU College of Agriculture through their career, public service, and/or volunteer activities.

  • Embodies integrity, stature and proven leadership worth of recognition.

  • Achieved a record of outstanding personal and professional accomplishments.

  • Nominees must NOT possess a degree currently or previously housed in the LSU College of Agriculture (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate).

  • Posthumous nominations are welcomed.

Nominations are accepted from any alumnus, friend of the College of Agriculture and/or faculty or staff member in the college and LSU AgCenter. Nominations MUST be submitted online and include the following items:

  • Nomination Letter (limited to 1500 characters/approximately 350 words)

  • Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume to include business, public service and professional honors and awards; noteworthy research, publications or professional business accomplishments. If not accessible by nominator, please share this form link with the nominee to upload.

  • Letter of Support/Recommendation: Must include at least one letter of support from someone other than the nominator (no longer than 2 pages).

Nomination Form: https://lsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5usMWpOQhddBaFE

Nomination Deadline: January 15

The Friend of the College of Agriculture will be recognized annually at the AgExcellence Awards ceremony, hosted by the Senior Vice Chancellor for the Agriculture and Dean of the College of Agriculture. 

For questions about nominations, please contact agalumni@lsu.edu.

Past Award Recipients

Outstanding Alumni Award

  • Dr. Steve Linscombe
    • Animal Sciences, B.S. ('76)
    • Agronomy, M.S. ('79)
  • James "Jim" R. Monroe
    • Agribusiness, B.S. ('70)
    • Agricultural Economics, M.S. ('74)

  • Terry Dumas, PhD
    • BS in Extension Education ('70)
    • MS in Animal Sciences ('72)
    • PhD in Extension Education ('87)
  • Michael Frugé
    • BS in Plant & Soil Systems ('05)

  • Klein Kirby
    • BS in Industrial & Agricultural Technology ('90)
    • BS in Mechanical Engineering ('96)

  • Krishna Subbarao
    • PhD in Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology ('89)
  • Ken West 
    • BS in Nutritional Sciences ('05)

  • Kenneth Gravois
    • BS in Crop Science ('81)
    • MS in Plant Breeding ('83)
    • PhD in Plant Breeding ('88)
  • Steve Peirce
    • BS in Agricultural Economics ('80)

  • Rogers Leonard
  • David Wilson

  • Luke Laborde
    • BS in Agronomy ('76)
    • PhD in Wildlife Management ('14)
  • Julie Richard
    • PhD ('09)

  • Reynold Minksy
  • Jerry Peters

  • Major General Glenn Curtis
  • Sterling Francis "Fran" DeVille

  • Jeff Hughes, Jr.
  • Jim Simon

  • Dorothy Howell
  • Milton "Mickey" Reese, Jr.

  • Senator Bret Allain
  • Roger Carter

  • Fatemeh Malekian
  • Suzanne Perron

  • Kenneth Paxton
  • Ray Young

  • Dale K. Pollet
  • Larry J. Fontenot

  • David G. Morrison
  • Gerald "Gerry" Dill

  • William W. "Bill" Russell, Jr.
  • Harold C. Lambert

  • Albert J. Ortego, Jr.
  • David B. Means, III

  • Kenneth Roberts
  • Peggy Laborde

  • Rosa M. Dunn
  • John Dupré

  • José Armador
  • R. Ernest Girouard

  • Neva Olsen
  • Donald Welge

  • Kenneth W. Tipton
  • Leo J. Guedry

  • Ganelle Bullock
  • F. N. Fairbanks

  • Alvin Bertrand
  • Dennis McCloskey

  • Beth Reames
  • Jack Jones

  • Benjamin Legendre
  • Kenneth Rodrigue

  • Jon Lowe

  • Gene Smith
  • Laura Dauzat

  • Ruth Patrick
  • Ronnie Anderson

  • Ruben Dauzat
  • Jacob "Jake" Schales

  • Lee Berwick
  • Joe Burns

  • H. Rouse Caffey

  • Weldon Nipper
  • Lee Mason

  • Doyle Chambers
  • Lucien Laborde

  • Norman Efferson
  • James Graugnard

Early Career Outstanding Alumni Award

  • Dr. Matthew Landry
    • Nutrition & Food Sciences, B.S. ('15)

  • Tim Losavio
    • BS in Agricultural Economics ('11)

  • Noah Harper
    • BS in Plant & Soil Systems ('21)

  • Elizabeth Gregorie
    • BS in Animal Sciences ('10)
    • MS in Human Resource education ('13)

  • Jeremy Hendrix
    • BS in Animal Sciences with a concentration in Science and Technology ('04)
  • Rebecca Melanson
    • MS in Plant Health with a concentration in Plant Pathology ('11)
    • PhD in Plant Health with a concentration in Plant Pathology ('14)

  • Marshall Hardwick

  • Andrew Alvis
  • Matthew Braud

  • Tara Smith

  • Melissa Siebert

  • Colorado Robertson

  • Mike Kaller

Friend of the College of Agriculture Award

  • Buck Vandersteen

  • Andy Brown

  • Brenda Sommers