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.
DAY 2 - The day began with a tour of a logging facility in Winnfield with Rep. Jack McFarland.
DAY 3 - The day opened with a tour of the Conrad Rice Mill in New Iberia.
DAY 4 - The tour began in Morgan City with news of a new $107 million Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building.
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
Janice Pearson, a Natural Resource Management grad from Baton Rouge, is joining LSU’s waterfowl lab as a Wildlife Research Technician, turning her student work into a career protecting Louisiana’s ecosystems.
LSU Online and Continuing Education has been selected by OnlineU as one of the best military-friendly online colleges for 2025, demonstrating that LSU Online understands what military students need, especially those studying online.
When the Air Force Global Strike Command needed a better way to predict weather for mission planning, a team of LSU-Shreveport computer science students got to work and delivered an advanced weather visualization tool that met the challenge.
LSU Volleyball captain Madison Martin balances pre-med studies, caregiving for her cancer-survivor mom, and community service—turning hardship into purpose as she prepares for a future in medicine.
Rooted in the Boot spotlights students who are planting roots, launching careers, and powering the state’s future—right here in Louisiana.
LSU runner Gwyneth Hughes balances cross-country competition with coastal science studies, driven by a passion to protect the environment and the determination to give her all—on the track and beyond.
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)