Alumni Relations Development

Private support of Louisiana State University is led by a consortium of three independent foundations, each with its own governing board, staff, and unique mission. In addition, many academic units of the university have volunteer development councils and “friends” groups who focus on the special interests of the units.

LSU Alumni Association

CHARLIE W. ROBERTS, JR., President & CEO
CLIFF VANNOY, Executive Vice President & COO

Since its establishment in 1905, the mission of the LSU Alumni Association (LSUAA) has been to protect, promote, and foster the welfare of LSU and to create and nurture mutually beneficial relationships between the university and its alumni and friends. The association, using the talents and resources of alumni and friends of LSU, supports the university in pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, and public service to future and current alumni.

The LSU Alumni Association is a nonprofit organization whose members are graduates, former students, and friends of LSU. Active membership may be obtained through an annual contribution of $50 or more to the Alumni Fund. Membership benefits include a subscription to LSU Alumni Magazine and discounts at the Shelton Gift Shop and the University Golf Course, The Cook Hotel, and car and moving van rentals. Members may participate in group travel, various insurance offerings, join the Campus Federal Credit Union, and apply for an LSUAA Gold or Platinum Plus MasterCard with no annual fee. In addition, members are entitled to limited use of several university facilities.

Alumni gifts generated through the Alumni Fund support the operation of its programs of academic excellence, including the Alumni Scholars Program and other academic scholarships; alumni professorships; various other faculty awards; and seminars, workshops, and meetings.

The association, headquartered in the Lod Cook Alumni Center, hosts alumni homecoming celebrations, reunions, campus visitations, and chapter programs throughout Louisiana, the U.S., and abroad each year. Awards for outstanding individual achievement and service sponsored by the LSUAA include the LSU Alumnus of the Year, the university’s highest alumni honor; the LSU Hall of Distinction; Young Alumnus of the Year; and Chapter Service Awards. Extraordinary philanthropy is recognized and acknowledged with the prestigious Purple and Gold Awards.

The LSU Alumni Association manages and operates The Cook Hotel on the campus of LSU. Opened in October 2001, the hotel is located directly behind the Lod Cook Alumni Center. The hotel is open to the public and offers 128 first-class rooms and suites. In addition to the meeting rooms in The Cook Hotel, the Lod Cook Alumni Center offers 12,000 square feet of meeting space for conferences, seminars, workshops, receptions, lectures, and banquets. Catering is provided by Unique Cuisine Catering, the official caterer of the LSUAA. For conference or event bookings, call 225-578-3829. Individual or group hotel room reservations may be placed by calling toll-free 866-610-2665 or by logging on to www.thecookhotel.com.

The John and Rose Ann Shelton Gift Shop offers the very best in LSU attire, gifts, and accessories. Conveniently located in The Cook Hotel, shoppers are invited to visit the store Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Items can also be viewed and purchased via the website at www.shop.lsualumni.org. For more information, contact the gift shop at 225-383-0241.

The newest addition to the LSU Alumni Association Complex is the Jack and Priscilla Andonie Museum. Dedicated on May 25, 2004, the museum houses a spectacular display of historical LSU sports memorabilia donated by the Andonie family. The current exhibit is titled “LSU, Home of Champions.” For more information, consult the LSUAA website or call 225-578-3828.

The LSU Alumni Association, organized on both academic and geographic lines, offers membership in alumni chapters and academic affiliate chapters nationwide. The organization is governed by its Board of Directors, which formulates and administers policy for the association. Additional information concerning membership in the LSU Alumni Association, its subsidiaries, or programs may be obtained by contacting the LSU Alumni Association at 888-RINGLSU or 225-578-3838 or www.lsualumni.org.

LSU Foundation

WILLIAM G. BOWDON, Major General, USMC (Ret.), President & CEO

Chartered in 1960, the LSU Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, private foundation composed of business, professional, and civic leaders concerned with the advancement of LSU. Inquiries concerning LSU Foundation membership, current contribution priorities, assistance with estate planning, or other information are encouraged and welcomed.

The LSU Foundation fosters philanthropic support of the colleges and schools of the university, including capital gifts for endowments, facilities, special programs of educational excellence, and unrestricted funds for the highest priority needs of the university. The Foundation serves four units of the LSU System: LSU, the LSU Agricultural Center, LSU Law Center, and the Office of the President of the LSU System.

The LSU Foundation also manages most of the endowed funds and other assets donated by private individuals, corporations, and organizations for the benefit of the university. The Foundation invests the funds for the benefit of specific purposes in the various colleges, schools, and departments of the university.

Gifts made through the LSU Foundation have provided many enhancements that would not have been available otherwise, including endowed chairs and professorships, distinguished lecture series, endowed scholarships, endowed fellowships, library resources, and awards programs for faculty, staff, and student achievement. The Foundation is the authorized agency for management of the 40 percent matching grants for chair and professorship endowments provided by the Louisiana Board of Regents Support Fund. Always, 100% of the donor principle donations, whether endowed or non-endowed, are used for its donor designated purpose.

Gifts made to LSU through the LSU Foundation may be designated by the donor for the highest priority needs of the university or a department, or may be restricted to specific uses. Endowments may be named by the donor. Gifts may also be included in the estate plans of individuals, using wills, trusts, insurance policies, and other planning methods. Gifts to the LSU Foundation are tax-deductible charitable contributions as allowed by law.

Further information may be obtained at www.lsufoundation.org. Confidential consultation is available upon request.

Tiger Athletic Foundation

RONALD G. RICHARD, Major General, USMC (Ret), President and CEO

 Tiger Athletic Foundation (TAF) is a private, nonprofit corporation dedicated to supporting LSU and its Athletic Program. Louisiana State University has a proud athletic tradition, highlighted by scores of Southeastern Conference and NCAA championships in more than 20 men’s and women’s varsity sports. Thanks to the generosity of its members, TAF continues to play an integral role in sustaining that outstanding tradition. As the primary source of private funding for LSU athletics, TAF’s mission is clear: to lead the university in building a comprehensively superior athletic
program.

Among the many accomplishments of the TAF are the $110 million improvements to college football’s greatest venue, Tiger Stadium. These improvements included the construction of the east side Tiger Den Suites and upper deck, the renovation of the west side Stadium Club, and a press box. Most recently, there has been construction of new entry gates and the addition of the Champion’s Plaza on the west side of Tiger Stadium. In addition, TAF raised over $18 million to construct the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes, $3 million to construct a state-of-the-art habitat for Mike the Tiger, $19 million for the new LSU Football Operations Center, $4 million for the construction of suites in the new Alex Box Stadium and the construction of Tiger Park, and $4 million for the renovation of the University Club Golf Course. 

TAF continues to raise funds for projects including the preservation of Tiger Stadium, a new tennis facility, a gymnastic practice facility, and the Foundation of Champions Scholarship Endowment Program.