(05/04/2026) BATON ROUGE, La. — The LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture hosted the third annual LSU AgExcellence Awards Ceremony, presented by A. Wilbert’s Sons, on May 1, at the South Stadium Club in Tiger Stadium. The event was led by Senior Vice Chancellor and Dean Matt Lee and emceed by State Rep. Dixon McMakin, the Voice of Tiger Stadium, and celebrated individuals whose leadership and service advanced agriculture, research, education and communities across Louisiana.

AgExcellence brought together honors from across the LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture, including alumni recognition, faculty and student awards and innovation through patents.

Over the past year, the LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture gained momentum, rising to No. 12 nationally in agricultural sciences research expenditures and recording a 26% increase in applications to the College of Agriculture.

“Everything we do comes back to people,” Lee said. “From research to outreach, it’s the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters that makes real impact possible. Tonight was a chance to celebrate that teamwork and the progress it’s bringing to Louisiana agriculture.”

The AgExcellence Awards recognized outstanding leadership, advocacy, partnership and commitment to Louisiana agriculture. The 2026 recipients are:

• Public Policy Leader Award: Troy Romero
  
• Public Policy Leader Award: Commissioner Mike Strain
  
• Industry Leader Award: American Sugar Cane League
  
• Community Partner Award: Jeannette Guillory Thomason and the H. Allen and Jeannette Guillory Thomason Foundation
  
• Champion Award: Angela Mayeux‑Hebert and RoyLee Hebert
  

The LSU College of Agriculture Alumni Association’s Outstanding Alumni Awards recognized graduates and supporters who demonstrated exemplary leadership and made significant contributions through their careers and service to the College of Agriculture. The 2026 recipients were:

• Friend of the College of Agriculture Award: C.A. “Buck” Vandersteen
  
• Early Career Outstanding Alumni Award: Matthew Landry
  
• Outstanding Alumni Award: Steve Linscombe
  
• Outstanding Alumni Award: James “Jim” R. Monroe
  

The ceremony also highlighted academic excellence and leadership within the College of Agriculture:

• Legacy Educator Award: Jong Hyun Ham
  
• Emerging Faculty Leader Award: Jonathan Richards
  
• Outstanding Graduate Student: Dablieny Garcia Souza
  
• Outstanding Graduate Students: Bhupesh Dhaka
  
• Outstanding Undergraduate Student: Corinne Bosch
  
• Outstanding Student Leader: Madelyn Phillips
  
• K.C. Toups Memorial Les Voyageurs Award: Shaohannah Martin
  
• Funding Catalyst Award: LaHouse Research and Education Center
  
• High‑Impact Publication Award: Ezgi Özcan
  

Patents often take years to develop and showcased faculty members’ dedication and perseverance. Facilitated by the LSU AgCenter Office of Sponsored Programs and Intellectual Property, patents protected and helped commercialize groundbreaking discoveries. Several of the innovations recognized during the program were featured for attendees to experience firsthand, highlighting the connection from research to consumer impact. Patents Recipients in the LSU AgCenter:

• Don La Bonte, Arthur Villordon, Tara Smith, Jeffrey Gregorie and Imana Power; Sweet Potato Cultivar: LA 18-100, called ‘Avoyelles’
  
• Jacob Bursavich, Logan Daigle and Benjamin Seago; Central Venous Cannulation Device and Method
• Daniel Swale and Lane Foil (posthumous); Method for Controlling Hematophagous or Sap-Feeding Arthropods
  
• Steve Linscombe; Rice Cultivar: DG245L
  
• Adam Famoso and Steve Linscombe; Rice Cultivar: CLL17
  
• Adam Famoso and Steve Linscombe; Rice Cultivar: CLL19
  
• Adam Famoso; Rice Cultivar: Addi Jo
  

“As a company rooted in agriculture, we understand the critical role education and research play in shaping the future of our industry” A. Wilbert’s Sons CEO Klein Kirby said. “AgExcellence is one of our favorite events because it honors the students, faculty, researchers and partners whose work matters today and prepares the next generation of leaders to make a lasting impact.”

Lee extended deep gratitude to the sponsors, including presenting sponsor A. Wilbert’s Sons LLC; Louisiana Pest Management Association; Elizabeth and David Means III; Zen‑Noh Grain Corporation; Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation; CGB Enterprises; First South Farm Credit; LSU College of Agriculture Alumni Association; Campus Federal; American Sugar Cane League; Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association; Erica and Ken West; and Greta and Lee Foster.

LSU AgExcellence honored and recognized faculty, students, alumni and stakeholders of the LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture on May 1. From left, front row, Meggan Franks, Mike Strain, Jeannette Guillory Thomason, Shaohannah Martin, Dablieny Garcia Souza and Ezgi Ӧzcan. Middle row, Jim Monroe, Rubayet Bin Mostafiz, Jim Simon, Atticus Finger, Carol Friedland, Jong Hyun Ham, Troy Romero. Back row, Jonathan Richards, Buck Vandersteen, Madelyn Phillips, William Thomason, Bhupesh Dhaka, Don La Bonte, Marcelo Vedovatto, Matthew Landry and Dorin Boldor. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU

U.S. Department of Agriculture state director Troy Romero, Senior Vice Chancellor and Dean Matt Lee and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Mike Strain attend the AgExcellence Awards ceremony on May 1, at the South Stadium Club in Tiger Stadium. Romero and Strain received the Public Policy Leader Award. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter.

The 2026 AgExcellence Awards were presented by A. Wilbert’s Sons. Pictured from left: Arron Pierre, Dayna LeGrange, Klein Kirby, Margaret Patton, Louis Lirette, Matt Lee. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter.