Scholarship First Bus Tour
LSU Sets Out on 2024 Scholarship First Bus Tour
LSU President William F. Tate IV embarked on the second Scholarship First Bus Tour from October 15-18 with a goal to align LSU's priorities with the state’s needs, demonstrate the many ways its research supports Louisiana’s people and economy, and explore new pathways that drive even greater impact.
The tour began with a kick-off event at Start Elementary with special guests including Congresswoman Julia Letlow and a performance from country singer and LSU student Timothy Wayne, nephew of Tim McGraw.
Powered by A. Wilbert’s Sons, the bus will cover nearly 1,000 miles in four days, bringing President Tate and the LSU team around the state for hands-on opportunities to experience some of Louisiana’s leading industries.
Scenes from The Bus Tour
DAY 1 - The 2024 Bus Tour kickoff at Start Elementary School in Start, La.
The 2024 Bus Tour kickoff at Start Elementary School in Start, La.
The 2024 Bus Tour kickoff at Start Elementary School in Start, La.
The 2024 Bus Tour kickoff at Start Elementary School in Start, La.
The 2024 Bus Tour kickoff at Start Elementary School in Start, La.
The 2024 Bus Tour kickoff at Start Elementary School in Start, La.
The 2024 Bus Tour kickoff at Start Elementary School in Start, La.
A stop at the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, La., on Day 1.
A stop at the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, La., on Day 1.
A stop at the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, La., on Day 1.
A stop at the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, La., on Day 1.
A stop at the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, La., on Day 1.
A stop at the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, La., on Day 1.
A stop at the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, La., on Day 1.
A stop at the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, La., on Day 1.
The Bus Tour visits the Guardian Health Clinic in Rayville, La., for a tour of the facility on Day 1.
The Bus Tour visits the Guardian Health Clinic in Rayville, La., for a tour of the facility on Day 1.
The Bus Tour visits the Guardian Health Clinic in Rayville, La., for a tour of the facility on Day 1.
The Bus Tour visits the Guardian Health Clinic in Rayville, La., for a tour of the facility on Day 1.
President Tate took part in a healthcare discussion at the Richland Parish Library in Rayville, La., on Day 1 of the Bus Tour.
President Tate took part in a healthcare discussion at the Richland Parish Library in Rayville, La., on Day 1 of the Bus Tour.
President Tate took part in a healthcare discussion at the Richland Parish Library in Rayville, La., on Day 1 of the Bus Tour.
President Tate took part in a healthcare discussion at the Richland Parish Library in Rayville, La., on Day 1 of the Bus Tour.
President Tate took part in a healthcare discussion at the Richland Parish Library in Rayville, La., on Day 1 of the Bus Tour.
On Day 1 of the bus tour, President Tate went fishing with the LSUS team.
On Day 1 of the bus tour, President Tate went fishing with the LSUS team.
On Day 1 of the bus tour, President Tate went fishing with the LSUS team.
On Day 1 of the bus tour, President Tate went fishing with the LSUS team.
On Day 1 of the bus tour, President Tate went fishing with the LSUS team.
On Day 1 of the bus tour, President Tate went fishing with the LSUS team.
On Day 1 of the bus tour, President Tate went fishing with the LSUS team.
On Day 1 of the bus tour, President Tate went fishing with the LSUS team.
On Day 1 of the bus tour, President Tate went fishing with the LSUS team.
Day 1 of the bus tour wrapped up with an alumni fish fry in Monroe.
Day 1 of the bus tour wrapped up with an alumni fish fry in Monroe.
Day 1 of the bus tour wrapped up with an alumni fish fry in Monroe.
Day 1 of the bus tour wrapped up with an alumni fish fry in Monroe.
Day 1 of the bus tour wrapped up with an alumni fish fry in Monroe.
DAY 2 - The day began with a tour of a logging facility in Winnfield with Rep. Jack McFarland.
Day 2 of the bus tour began with a tour of a logging facility in Winnfield with Rep. Jack McFarland.
Day 2 of the bus tour began with a tour of a logging facility in Winnfield with Rep. Jack McFarland.
Day 2 of the bus tour began with a tour of a logging facility in Winnfield with Rep. Jack McFarland.
Day 2 of the bus tour began with a tour of a logging facility in Winnfield with Rep. Jack McFarland.
Day 2 of the bus tour began with a tour of a logging facility in Winnfield with Rep. Jack McFarland.
Day 2 of the bus tour began with a tour of a logging facility in Winnfield with Rep. Jack McFarland.
The tour bus stopped for lunch and a look at the state's political legacy at the Louisiana Political Museum in Winnfield.
The tour bus stopped for lunch and a look at the state's political legacy at the Louisiana Political Museum in Winnfield.
The tour bus stopped for lunch and a look at the state's political legacy at the Louisiana Political Museum in Winnfield.
The tour bus stopped for lunch and a look at the state's political legacy at the Louisiana Political Museum in Winnfield.
Day 2 brought the tour to the NUNU Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville.
Day 2 brought the tour to the NUNU Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville.
A Day 2 visit to Fort Johnson included a briefing on training provided at the Army installation.
A Day 2 visit to Fort Johnson included a briefing on training provided at the Army installation.
A Day 2 visit to Fort Johnson included a briefing on training provided at the Army installation.
A Day 2 visit to Fort Johnson included a briefing on training provided at the Army installation.
A Day 2 visit to Fort Johnson included a briefing on training provided at the Army installation.
A Day 2 visit to Fort Johnson included a briefing on training provided at the Army installation.
A Day 2 visit to Fort Johnson included a briefing on training provided at the Army installation.
Day 2 brought the tour to the NUNU Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville.
Day 2 brought the tour to the NUNU Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville.
Day 2 brought the tour to the NUNU Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville.
Day 2 wrapped up with an Acadiana reception at Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville.
Day 2 wrapped up with an Acadiana reception at Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville.
Day 2 wrapped up with an Acadiana reception at Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville.
Day 2 wrapped up with an Acadiana reception at Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville.
Day 2 wrapped up with an Acadiana reception at Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville.
DAY 3 - The day opened with a tour of the Conrad Rice Mill in New Iberia.
Day 3 opened with a tour of the Conrad Rice Mill in New Iberia.
Day 3 opened with a tour of the Conrad Rice Mill in New Iberia.
Day 3 opened with a tour of the Conrad Rice Mill in New Iberia.
Day 3 opened with a tour of the Conrad Rice Mill in New Iberia.
The Cane River Pecan Pie Bar in New Iberia was an ideal setting for a Day 3 alumni lunch.
The Cane River Pecan Pie Bar in New Iberia was an ideal setting for a Day 3 alumni lunch.
The Cane River Pecan Pie Bar in New Iberia was an ideal setting for a Day 3 alumni lunch.
The Cane River Pecan Pie Bar in New Iberia was an ideal setting for a Day 3 alumni lunch.
The Cane River Pecan Pie Bar in New Iberia was an ideal setting for a Day 3 alumni lunch.
President Tate got a full VIP tour of the McIlhenny Company's Tabasco sauce operations on Day 3.
President Tate got a full VIP tour of the McIlhenny Company's Tabasco sauce operations on Day 3.
President Tate got a full VIP tour of the McIlhenny Company's Tabasco sauce operations on Day 3.
President Tate got a full VIP tour of the McIlhenny Company's Tabasco sauce operations on Day 3.
President Tate got a full VIP tour of the McIlhenny Company's Tabasco sauce operations on Day 3.
President Tate got a full VIP tour of the McIlhenny Company's Tabasco sauce operations on Day 3.
Danos Corporate Headquarters in Houma hosted a Day 3 Bayou Region reception.
Danos Corporate Headquarters in Houma hosted a Day 3 Bayou Region reception.
Danos Corporate Headquarters in Houma hosted a Day 3 Bayou Region reception.
DAY 4 - The tour began in Morgan City with news of a new $107 million Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building.
Day 4 opened in Morgan City with news of a new $107 million Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building.
Day 4 opened in Morgan City with news of a new $107 million Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building.
Day 4 opened in Morgan City with news of a new $107 million Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building.
Day 4 opened in Morgan City with news of a new $107 million Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building.
Day 4 opened in Morgan City with news of a new $107 million Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building.
Day 4 opened in Morgan City with news of a new $107 million Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building.
A stop in Port Allen had President Tate doing some practice shooting with the 4-H national championship team.
A stop in Port Allen had President Tate doing some practice shooting with the 4-H national championship team.
A stop in Port Allen had President Tate doing some practice shooting with the 4-H national championship team.
A stop in Port Allen had President Tate doing some practice shooting with the 4-H national championship team.
A stop in Port Allen had President Tate doing some practice shooting with the 4-H national championship team.
A stop in Port Allen had President Tate doing some practice shooting with the 4-H national championship team.
A stop in Port Allen had President Tate doing some practice shooting with the 4-H national championship team.
In Plaquemine, President Tate saw for a precision agriculture demonstration at the A. Wilbert's Sons lab and test facility.
In Plaquemine, President Tate saw for a precision agriculture demonstration at the A. Wilbert's Sons lab and test facility.
In Plaquemine, President Tate saw for a precision agriculture demonstration at the A. Wilbert's Sons lab and test facility.
In Plaquemine, President Tate saw for a precision agriculture demonstration at the A. Wilbert's Sons lab and test facility.
The 2024 Scholarship First tour wrapped up with a closing reception at the A. Wilbert's Sons facility.
The 2024 Scholarship First tour wrapped up with a closing reception at the A. Wilbert's Sons facility.
The 2024 Scholarship First tour wrapped up with a closing reception at the A. Wilbert's Sons facility.
The 2024 Scholarship First tour wrapped up with a closing reception at the A. Wilbert's Sons facility.
quick links
Tour Dispatches
DAY 1: Tuesday, Oct. 15
Day One Dispatch from the Road
Start Elementary School (Start); Guardian Health Clinic and Richland Parish Library (Rayville); LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station (Chase); Fishing with LSUS Bass Fishing Team and Alumni Fish Fry (Monroe).
DAY 2: Wednesday, Oct. 16
DAY Two DISPATCH FROM THE ROAD
Logging with Rep. Jack McFarland and lunch at the Louisiana Political Museum (Winnfield); Fort Johnson; NUNU Arts & Culture Collective and reception at Bayou Teche Brewing (Arnaudville).
DAY 3: Thursday, Oct. 17
DAY THREE DISPATCH FROM THE ROAD
Tour of the Conrad Rice Mill Tour and an alumni lunch at the Cane River Pecan Pie Bar in New Iberia; tour of the McIlhenny Company's Tabasco sauce operations in Avery Island; Bayou Region reception at Danos Corporate Headquarters in Houma.
DAY 4: Friday, Oct. 18
DAY Four DISPATCH FROM THE ROAD
The final day began with a tour of a manufacturing facility at Performance Contractors. Participants then visited the Bridgeview Gun Club alongside the 4-H Championship Team.
Scholarship First in Action
LSU alum Madison Menou turned her business degree into a thriving career as a scheduling analyst at Venture Global LNG, proving creativity and adaptability can unlock opportunities in the energy sector.
LSU punter Peyton Todd knows about performing under pressure. A West Monroe native and lifelong Tiger fan, Todd has balanced the demands of LSU football with a rigorous animal sciences curriculum fueled by discipline and a passion for animals.
In 2024, four LSU faculty members were recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS, for their significant contributions to science and humankind.
Texting while driving raises crash risk by 23 times. LSU forensic psychology major Hannah Hauck is researching innovative solutions, combining psychology, engineering, and technology to tackle this issue.
Federal Grant Bolsters LSU’s Charge to Improve Dementia Care for Louisiana’s Underserved Communities
LSU’s Healthy Aging Research Center, with the help of a five-year, $5 million Health Resources & Services Administration grant, is working to improve the quality of dementia care for underserved communities in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Media coverage
- The Reveille: LSU President Tate embarking on another statewide ‘Scholarship First’ bus tour (Oct. 14, 2024)
- KNOE: LSU presents scholarship to NELA student during 2nd annual Scholarship First Bus Tour (Oct. 15, 2024)
- Myarklamiss.com: LSU Scholarship First Bus Tour visits Richland Parish for Rural Health Roundtable (Oct. 15, 2024)
- The Advocate: LSU plans $107 million construction management building, announces $36.3 million in gifts (Oct. 18, 2024)