Tigers We're Grateful For in 2025 Who Reflect the Best of LSU's Community and Mission

Research Contributors, Breaking Records

Pam Blanchard — Educating for a Stronger Coast 

A steward of Louisiana’s coast, Pam Blanchard serves as the co-director for the LSU Coastal Roots program, a project where students in second grade through high school grow native plant seedlings and grass plugs that they then plant in a coastal habitat in south Louisiana. During her 20+ years with Coastal Roots, Blanchard has worked with 46 schools, 17 parishes, and more than 31,000 participants. She was recently honored with a recently honored with a national award for her contributions to coastal resiliency, education, awareness, and stewardship.

Dr. Seth Fruge — Serving Louisiana 

Christian Aucoin — Opening Industry Pathways 

Maram Khalaf — Teacher and Chocolatier

Originally from Baton Rouge, biology grad Maram Khalaf took her LSU education into two very different but equally meaningful arenas: the classroom and a boutique chocolate business. 

As a high school biology teacher, trained through LSU’s GeauxTeach STEM program, she inspires the next generation of scientists. And with her Chocolate Bijoux brand, she pours creativity and Louisiana heart into handcrafted sweets. Her dual careers — teaching and chocolatiering — are a testament to the power of passion, versatility, and giving back.  

Dr. Hollis “Bud” O’Neal — Turning Innovation Into Lifesaving Care

Medicine, research, and service — Dr. Bud O’Neal brings all three to bear as Medical Director of Research at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. 

Motivated in part by personal experiences growing up in rural Louisiana, he’s focused on a critical but often overlooked problem: sepsis detection and treatment. By developing new diagnostic tools and leading clinical trials, Dr. O’Neal is working to change outcomes for patients in working to change outcomes for patients in Louisiana communities. 

Dr. Katie O’Neal — Championing Public Health 

As a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine specializing in infectious diseases, Dr. Katie O’Neal has played a central role in patient care, medical education, and health-system leadership over the years. 

Currently serving as the Chief Academic Officer for FMOL Health, she focuses on helping develop the next generation of medical providers. She's a key part of the Championship Health Partnership between Our Lady of the Lake and LSU, which is transforming health, sports, education, and research - for Louisiana and beyond.

Noah Deshotel — Building the Future in Louisiana

LSU-trained engineer and MBA Noah Deshotel witnessed Louisiana’s talent being educated here, only to leave for opportunities elsewhere. He chose a different path, to stay, build, and lead, founding Subterra, an AI company headquartered in Louisiana, proving LSU-grown innovation and world-class technology thrives at home. His story reflects LSU’s mission to prepare students not just to succeed anywhere, but to make a difference right here in Louisiana.

Dr. Brad Giglia — Compassion in Action 

Dr. Brad Giglia’s story is an example of how an LSU education can lead to powerful service to communities during critical times. His work during Hurricane Katrina while an undergraduate student at LSU reflects LSU’s enduring mission: using knowledge and compassion to help Louisiana communities recover, rebuild, and thrive, inspired by the experience to devote his life to medicine. 

Marucci — Crafting Excellence 

The story of Marucci — the Baton Rouge–born baseball bat and equipment maker founded by LSU alumni — stands as a reminder that Tiger pride doesn’t end at graduation.  

As LSU Baseball continues winning championships, Marucci remains at the core of that legacy, supplying bats, gloves, gear — and embodying the craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and enduring Louisiana spirit that runs through our alumni community.

Super Bowl Alumni National Impact 

A team of LSU graduates at the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation was at the heart of making Super Bowl LIX a success for New Orleans and the state. Managing everything from logistics and fundraising to communications and marketing, the LSU alumni played prominent roles that elevated the game and showcases how the spirit of winning teams follows alumni wherever they go.

The Class of 2029 — The Biggest, Brightest, Boldest Yet 

One of the most exciting developments of 2025 is the arrival of the largest, most academically accomplished first-year class in LSU most academically accomplished first-year class in LSU history.  

• Louisiana residents make up 61.4% of class   

• 8,153 first-time freshmen — a 3.8% increase over fall 2024  

• 3.85 average GPA and 27.3 average ACT equivalent, both increases over last year.  

• 458 valedictorians — a 23.5% jump from the previous class.  

We’re thankful for every new Tiger who stepped onto campus this fall. Their energy, ambition, and promise are already shaping the next chapter of our story.