2018 First Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 4
BY SENATOR PEACOCK
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS) upon the celebration of its
golden anniversary and to extend congratulations to its student body, faculty,
administration, and alumni for fifty years of academic excellence afforded to
northwest Louisiana and the state.
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the citizens of the Shreveport-Bossier
community commemorate the founding of LSU Shreveport from its humble origins as a
community college to its present status as a professional development institution of higher
learning; and
WHEREAS, the concept originated in 1936 when the Caddo Parish Police Jury
passed a resolution to request the establishment of a branch of the LSU system in
Shreveport; those progressive leaders addressed the necessity of postsecondary education
to maximize the growth potential and increase the economic opportunity of the region; and
WHEREAS, with the enactment of Act 41 of 1964, authored by Representative A.
D. Brown and co-authored by Senator Jackson B. Davis and others, the state legislature
proposed the creation of LSUS, and the LSU Board of Supervisors acted to establish the
Shreveport branch of the system in 1965 as a two-year associate degree program; and
WHEREAS, during the 1960s the Shreveport-Bossier economy began to expand
exponentially, and there was an imperative need for a well-trained workforce nurtured by
higher education resources; and
WHEREAS, during that time, William "Bill" Bronson, editor and publisher of The
Shreveport Times, led the fight to elevate LSUS to the status of an undergraduate
degree-granting institution, and in 1972, it became a four-year university; in May 1975, the
first undergraduate degrees were conferred at spring commencement ceremonies; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald E. Shipp was appointed as the first dean and later served as
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the first chancellor; also serving as chancellors were Dr. E. Grady Bogue, Dr. John Darling,
Dr. Vincent Marsala, and today, Chancellor Larry Clark; each leader has worked diligently
to expand the goals and objectives of the university and to improve academic departments,
student environment, and campus infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, when classes began in the fall of 1967, student enrollment was eight
hundred; presently with a student body of five thousand, LSUS has grown to encompass over
twenty undergraduate subject areas, twelve masters programs, and a doctorate degree in
education; and
WHEREAS, utilizing cooperative endeavors with industry and local government,
LSUS continues to leverage the synergy such partnerships provide to enhance progressive
economic growth for the state and the nation by the production of a well-trained workforce
of educators, health care professionals, and other specialties equipped for the challenges of
the ever-changing workplace; and
WHEREAS, LSUS possesses an impressive list of vital disciplines including
humanities, sciences, education, social work, and criminal justice, and in conjunction with
the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, also provides academic degrees in a myriad
of health sciences; in particular, public health, community health, health education
specialties, school psychology, and sports medicine; and
WHEREAS, LSUS has expanded into many new age curricula realms, such as
biological data research, information technology, and cyber innovation and has a nationally
recognized online MBA program; and
WHEREAS, housed in the Noel Memorial Library, the new LSUS Student Success
Center is a transformative learning space; it facilitates a technology and flexible learning
environment that embraces diverse collaborative learning venues; and
WHEREAS, extracurricular student opportunities include a nationally ranked debate
team and successful athletic teams that include men's and women's soccer, baseball,
basketball, track, and weightlifting; and
WHEREAS, LSUS has, as its primary focus, a "student-centric" approach to higher
learning, with keen attention paid to the attraction, retention, and graduation of its student
populace; and
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WHEREAS, throughout its fifty year history, LSUS has promoted a familial
atmosphere between the student body, faculty, and administration, and seeks to strike a
balance between academics, athletics, and community service to provide the best possible
opportunities in postsecondary education of its students; and
WHEREAS, in 2017-2018 as the university fetes a year-long golden anniversary
celebration, Louisiana State University Shreveport stands with the state of Louisiana at the
threshold of tremendous economic prosperity and provides the vital academic acumen
needed to address the challenges of the present as well as those social and economic
demands of the future.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend the student body, faculty, administration, and alumni of Louisiana State University
Shreveport (LSUS) for the fifty years of academic excellence it has provided to the citizens
of the state of Louisiana and does hereby recognize the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Larry Clark, Chancellor of Louisiana State University Shreveport.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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