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On Par with the President

On Par with the President

By LSU

Inspired by his favorite sport and the idea of individuals at LSU being "on par" in their areas of interest, On Par with the President is a podcast hosted by Louisiana State University President William F. Tate IV. During each episode, he will chat with students, alumni, faculty, and staff from the LSU community who are at the very top of their game about their journey to success, setting and fulfilling goals, creating a legacy, and more.
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Aspiring Physician-Scientist Kenedi Lynch on Balancing Her Multiple Scholarly Pursuits

On Par with the PresidentJan 31, 2024

00:00
19:10
Aspiring Physician-Scientist Kenedi Lynch on Balancing Her Multiple Scholarly Pursuits
Jan 31, 202419:10
How Spray-on Skin Helps LSU's Dr. Jeffrey Carter Improve Trauma Outcomes

How Spray-on Skin Helps LSU's Dr. Jeffrey Carter Improve Trauma Outcomes

In this episode of “On Par,” hear from Dr. Jeffrey Carter, professor of surgery for LSU Health New Orleans and the Medical Director of the Burn Center for the University Medical Center New Orleans. He and his team developed a spray-on skin called ReCell, which has helped reduce the length of hospital stays and the mortality rate from burns by more than half. He’s a biomedical innovator and researcher who aggressively pursues healing and is passionate about teaching.

Dec 07, 202320:42
Inside the Brain: Neurosurgeon, Athlete, LSU Alum Dr. Jason Cormier

Inside the Brain: Neurosurgeon, Athlete, LSU Alum Dr. Jason Cormier

On this episode of "On Par," go inside the brain with two-time LSU graduate Dr. Jason Cormier. Cormier is a nationally renowned neurosurgeon who also played LSU basketball under head coach Dale Brown. A Lafayette native, Cormier chose to practice medicine in Louisiana, and as a physician, he is an international expert in brain injury and concussion who said he thrives on stress. He has worked with organizations like the NFL, NASCAR, NCAA football and motorcycle racing. He shared tips on how to maintain a healthy brain and what things our brains can do that computers can't do.

Jul 13, 202322:02
The Pursuit of Truth: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist and LSU Graduate Amy Brittain

The Pursuit of Truth: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist and LSU Graduate Amy Brittain

On this episode of “On Par with the President,” LSU alumna and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Amy Brittain joins President William F. Tate IV. Brittain, a Shreveport native, knew she was going to be a journalist since she was 11 years old. She started honing her craft in middle school then majored in mass communication while a student at LSU, where she wrote for the student newspaper, The Reveille. After receiving her Master’s degree in journalism from Columbia, she joined The Washington Post’s investigative team in 2013. In 2016, she was part of a team of Post reporters who were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for chronicling fatal shootings by police officers across the country. In this conversation with President Tate, Brittain shared her passion for journalism and advice for future journalists.


📸 See photos and transcript at: https://www.lsu.edu/president/on-par/2023/06-15-brittain.php/

Jun 15, 202330:55
Preventing the Plastic Pandemic with Madeline Fryer

Preventing the Plastic Pandemic with Madeline Fryer

In this episode of “On Par,” LSU graduating senior Madeline Fryer speaks with President William F. Tate IV about saving the environment from single-use plastics. Fryer, a Louisiana native, became interested in her home state’s environment with her family and spending time outdoors with them. Her interest grew into her passion while a student at LSU, studying coastal environmental science. Fryer is interested in aquatic pollution and is using drones to research and document litter and plastic in Bayou Fountain watershed, which covers the southern portion of East Baton Rouge parish and includes part of LSU’s campus. She hopes to become a pilot one day to aid her environmental research. After graduation, Madeline will continue her work in a PhD program focused on the “plastic pandemic.”

May 18, 202315:04
Fighting Coastal Land Loss with Professor Clint Willson

Fighting Coastal Land Loss with Professor Clint Willson

In this episode, President William F. Tate IV speaks with the Director of the LSU Center for River Studies and LSU Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Clint Willson. Willson shares the reason why the Mississippi River’s coastal land loss is not just a Louisiana issue, and how he educates LSU students to be coastal land loss fighters.

Apr 04, 202321:46
Tay Moore: Advocating Through Music and Politics

Tay Moore: Advocating Through Music and Politics

In this episode of the “On Par” podcast, President Tate sits down with LSU star student, Antavion “Tay” Moore. Tay is Louisiana’s first John Robert Lewis Scholar. The LSU Ogden Honors College student and Louisiana Service and Leadership Scholar is studying political science, classical and jazz piano in Dr. Willis Delony's studio. Moore also plays in Dr. Molly Redfield's ensemble. In 2020, he was named the Louisiana Department of Education’s High School Student of the Year. While not everyone in his family had the opportunity to attend college, Tay said he plans to use his degrees and love of political science and music to advocate for social change and community development, especially in rural areas.

See photos and transcript at: https://www.lsu.edu/president/on-par/2023/02-28-tay-moore.php

Watch this episode on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxUN6JUnpM


Feb 28, 202327:07
LSU Student Researcher Unlocking Secrets of Breast Cancer

LSU Student Researcher Unlocking Secrets of Breast Cancer

In this episode of the "On Par with the President" podcast, President William F. Tate IV speaks with Alejandra Ham, an LSU graduate student who is focused on learning more about breast cancer. The daughter of a physician and computer engineer, Alejandra said she has always been fascinated by the human body. While an undergraduate student at LSU, the COVID pandemic forced her to pivot on her research, but it led to the data being published. In this episode, Alejandra highlights that research experience, the “STEM girl boss” who inspires her, and empowering future scientists.


See photos and transcript at: https://www.lsu.edu/president/on-par/2023/1-20-alejandra-ham.php

Jan 20, 202317:15
Overcoming Adversity with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Overcoming Adversity with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield

In this episode, President William F. Tate IV speaks to LSU alumna Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who has dedicated more than three decades of her life to public and foreign service. Currently the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, she discusses her journey from Baker, Louisiana to a global stage and how she manages the heavy stress that’s part of her job.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield graduated from LSU in 1974. She returned to public service after retiring from a 35-year career with the U.S. Foreign Service in 2017. Most recently in 2021 she was nominated by President Joseph Biden to be the Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations. From 2013 to 2017 she served as the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, where she led the bureau focused on the development and management of U.S. policy toward sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to this appointment, she served as Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources, leading a team in charge of the State Department’s workforce. Read more about her career: https://usun.usmission.gov/our-leaders/our-ambassador/

Dec 15, 202218:40
The Future of Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture and Farming

The Future of Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture and Farming

In this episode, President William F. Tate IV speaks to LSU assistant professor in experimental statistics, Thanos Gentimis. He discusses his field of expertise, which is data analytics with a special interest in machine learning and neural networks. Thanos created the first digital agriculture class at LSU and discusses how AI will soon shape the world of agriculture and farming. Thanos is married to Maria Bampasidou, Ph.D., who is also a professor in the LSU Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness.

Dec 06, 202222:03
Julie Lively Takes a Deep Dive into Louisiana Fisheries and the Coastline

Julie Lively Takes a Deep Dive into Louisiana Fisheries and the Coastline

On this episode of the "On Par with the President" podcast, President William F. Tate IV sits down with the executive director of the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, Julie Lively. Her research has centered around commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico with a focus on blue crab including soft shell crab production, which generates about $293 million in Louisiana each year. Her work also includes shrimp and the shrimping industry, which generates a $1.3 billion economic impact per year. Louisiana is the largest producer of seafood in the contiguous U.S. Lively has led a wide range of Sea Grant-related research projects supported by more than $23 million in funding for which she has been the principal or co-principal investigator. Lively, an associate professor in LSU’s School of Renewable Natural Resources and Louisiana Sea Grant’s fisheries specialist, began her career at LSU in 2010.

Louisiana Sea Grant strives to promote stewardship of the state’s coastal resources through a combination of research, education and outreach programs critical to the cultural, economic and environmental health of Louisiana’s coastal zone. Louisiana Sea Grant is part of the National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 34 university-based programs in each of the U.S. coastal and Great Lakes states, Puerto Rico and Guam.

Nov 03, 202218:55
Basketball Coach McMahon on Recruiting, Career Goals, and Joy

Basketball Coach McMahon on Recruiting, Career Goals, and Joy

Is student-athlete recruitment an art or a science? How do you find the next Ja Morant? What are three things LSU Men’s Basketball Matt McMahon asks his players to control? McMahon answers these questions and more on this episode of “On Par.”    

Matt McMahon is the head coach of the LSU men’s basketball team. He was the 2021-22 Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year, and a Naismith National Coach of the Year Semifinalist who led Murray State to the first 18-0 season in that conference’s history. His teams won four conference championships in the last five seasons, three conference tournaments, and two NCAA tournament games.

Learn more about the "On Par with the President" podcast, see photos and transcript at: www.lsu.edu/president/on-par

Aug 31, 202230:57
Dr. Dismukes Discusses Gas Prices, Energy, and Louisiana’s Global Impact

Dr. Dismukes Discusses Gas Prices, Energy, and Louisiana’s Global Impact

For more than 30 years, David Dismukes has worked in consulting, academia, and government service. He’s currently the executive director, director of policy analysis, and professor of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies. He is also a professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the LSU College of the Coast & Environment. In this episode of the "On Par with the President" podcast, the energy sector expert discusses gas prices, energy supply, and Louisiana’s global impact.


To learn more about Dr. Dismukes and see a transcript of this episode visit www.lsu.edu/president/on-par

Jun 30, 202220:40
Record-Breaking Golfer Ingrid Lindblad Solves Puzzles On and Off the Course

Record-Breaking Golfer Ingrid Lindblad Solves Puzzles On and Off the Course

In this episode, President William F. Tate IV speaks to LSU golfer and junior Ingrid Lindblad, who is the winner of a school record eight collegiate titles. Ingrid recently won LSU’s first individual SEC golf championship in 31 years. Currently, she is the World Amateur Golf Rankings No. 2 golfer, and she just finished tied for third place at the NCAA Championships. Ingrid talks about how school is still her main focus, despite her many athletic achievements and ambitions in the world of golf.

Learn more and see photos: https://www.lsu.edu/president/on-par/2022/05-23-lindblad.php

May 24, 202215:33
Chemist Fatima Rivas Discovers Cancer-Fighting Potential in Mushrooms
Apr 22, 202216:55
From Hacker to Cyber Defender with LSU’s Dr. Golden Richard III
Mar 29, 202218:59
“Beam Me Up!” Talking Quantum Communication with Michelle Lollie
Feb 25, 202219:10
Former LSU Football Player and Current PhD Student James Stampley Tackles Aging and Metabolism
Jan 28, 202222:30
Ichthyologist Prosanta Chakrabarty reveals, “We are all fish.”
Dec 21, 202120:54
Louisiana Homecoming with Coach Kim Mulkey
Nov 18, 202120:33
Space is Next for LSU Senior Bri Robertson
Oct 28, 202121:13
From First-Generation College Student to Vice President with Jose Aviles
Sep 30, 202118:01
Oceanographer Nancy Rabalais Confronts the Dead Zone
Aug 26, 202117:32
JuVaughn Harrison’s Road to the Tokyo Olympics
Jul 29, 202118:18
Teaser - JuVaughn Harrison’s Road to the Tokyo Olympics

Teaser - JuVaughn Harrison’s Road to the Tokyo Olympics

Listen to the first three minutes of President William F. Tate IV's conversation with LSU track and field star and Olympian JuVaughn Harrison. 

Tune in on Thursday, July 29th for the full episode as we launch the "On Par with the President" podcast.

Inspired by his favorite sport and the idea of individuals at LSU being "on par" in their areas of interest, On Par with the President is a podcast hosted by Louisiana State University President William F. Tate IV. During each episode, he will chat with students, alumni, faculty, and staff from the LSU community who are at the very top of their game about their journey to success, setting and fulfilling goals, creating a legacy, and more.


Jul 28, 202102:53