LSU celebrates growth as it aims to become a top US research university
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — LSU celebrates a new milestone as it makes robust moves forward to reach its goal of becoming a part of the Top 50 research universities in the nation.
LSU's campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport had a record $543 million in research activity for 2023-24, an 11.5% increase from the previous year.
'Reaching $543 million in research demonstrates the unified efforts of our faculty and research staff across the LSU enterprise and underscores our commitment to affecting Louisianans where it really matters – improving agricultural yields, biomedical research for better cancer prevention and treatment, saving our coast and fisheries, enhancing defense and national security, and protecting our energy industry,' LSU President William F. Tate IV said.
According to the university, LSU research is making a large direct economic impact on Louisiana, estimated at $1.5 billion. LSU Vice President of Research & Economic Development Robert Twilley said research addresses 'critical issues' in the state's agriculture, health and energy industries and coast.
'Our teams have no confusion on their mission, and they are winning for the people of Louisiana,' Tate said.
A letter sent by Tate on March 28 outlined several initiatives to increase retention and graduation rates, grow research and funding realignment as LSU faces uncertainty in federal funding, like other universities in the U.S.
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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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