Search
(05/01/23) BATON ROUGE, La. — Three outstanding students from LSU's College of Agriculture have been chosen to represent the LSU Tiger Twelve Class of 2023: Avery Hebert, Jackson Martingayle and Zachary Mayfield.
The Tiger Twelve is an esteemed program that celebrates a group of exceptional undergraduate seniors who have made significant contributions to campus life at LSU and have had a positive impact on the Baton Rouge community.
Being selected for the Tiger Twelve is a great honor, and it reflects the hard work, dedication and achievements of these students. These students have shown exceptional leadership, service and commitment throughout their time at LSU, and these students embody the core values of the university.
Major: Agricultural Business
Minor: Political Science
Hometown: Erath, Louisiana
Avery Hebert, of Erath, La., is an agribusiness major with a minor in political science. During her four years at LSU, Hebert was involved in numerous extracurricular activities on campus, including serving as an LSU Student Government executive staff member and College of Agriculture Les Voyager.
The recognition in LSU Tiger Twelve has been an aspiration for Hebert since her first year at LSU and has fueled her drive to become deeply involved on campus and in the community.
"It's hard to put into words what receiving this recognition means to me. I have aspired to be in Tiger Twelve since I was a freshman. It is such an incredible feeling to be affirmed in this manner for my accomplishments, dedication and service to LSU and the surrounding community, my community back home and the entire state of Louisiana," Hebert said.
In addition to her involvement on campus, Hebert served as the 2021 Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen and Louisiana Queen Sugar LXXIX. She also worked as a student worker for the LSU AgCenter Office of Development LSU, College of Agriculture and LSU Vet School.
There have been many influences for Hebert who have helped pave her way to success. She credits her faculty members, student organization advisors, the Dean and his staff and her employers for providing her with advice, guidance and skills that have positioned her for success as she prepares to graduate from LSU.
"I have created personal relationships with these individuals who push me to continue to strive for greatness from the top administrators down to support staff," she said.
After graduation, Hebert plans to attend law school to become an agricultural attorney specializing in labor law.
"I aspire to one day open my own firm, establish a name for myself, continue to be an advocate for our farmers, ranchers, and their families, and build a lasting legacy," she said.
Major: Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Concentration: Wetland Science
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Jackson Martingayle of Virginia Beach, Va., is an LSU Ogden Honors College student who will graduate with a degree in natural resource ecology and management and a minor in Spanish. While at LSU, Martingayle balanced being a student-athlete and involved student, experiencing growth and self-discovery.
Martingayle was a highly decorated athlete, achieving honors such as Southeastern Conference (SEC) Runner of the Week three times, H. Boyd McWhorter SEC Postgraduate Education Scholarship LSU Nominee, 2023 LSU Battle on the Bayou Invitational 3000m Champion, 2022 LSU XC Invitational Champion, and 2021 LSU Purple Tiger 3000m Champion.
Additionally, Martingayle was involved in various extracurriculars, including Louisiana Service and Leadership (LASAL), Society of Wetland Scientists, LSU Student-Athlete Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and LSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where he served as Vice President.
"My time at LSU has been a crazy, fun adventure that I have thoroughly enjoyed," Martingayle said. "I have spent my time working towards being a better person and taking advantage of every opportunity I could to learn about how I can better make a difference."
Martingayle completed an internship with the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's Chesapeake Bay Office during the summer of 2022. He also participated in undergraduate research under the mentorship of Andy Nyman, conducting research funded in part by LSU Discover.
"Dr. Andy Nyman and his Ph.D. student, Ashley Booth, made a huge impact on my LSU experience. If it were not for their encouragement and support, I might not have been able to be involved in research in the way I was, and they helped me balance being a three-season athlete with being a student worker. Their assistance with my research project was critical to its success," Martingayle said.
After graduation, Martingayle will attend the University of Virginia School of Law.
"Receiving this recognition means a lot to me because it acknowledges all of the hard work I have done while at LSU," Martingayle said. "It recognizes the balance that I have strived so hard to maintain for four years of academics, athletics, service and fun."
Major: Agricultural and Extension Education
Concentration: Leadership
Hometown: Slidell, Louisiana
Zachary Mayfield, originally from Slidell, La., is set to graduate with a degree in agricultural and extension education from Louisiana State University. During his time on campus, Mayfield actively participated in various extracurricular activities to enhance his personal and professional growth.
He held leadership positions for Louisiana FFA, College of Agriculture Les Voyageurs, Block and Bridle Club, Collegiate FFA and Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. Additionally, he was an Agriculture Residential College mentor and member of the LSU senior homecoming court.
He credited his personal and professional growth to his relationship with the Dean's Office of Recruitment and Retention, where he has served as a student worker since his first year at LSU. He expressed with gratitude to former assistant dean Amanda Martin and assistant director of recruitment Henry Herbert for their guidance and mentorship.
Mayfield was also appreciative of LSU College of Agriculture faculty and staff members Kristin Stair, Monica Guient and Ashley Grant for their open-door policy and guidance throughout his time at LSU.
"Being selected as part of the Tiger Twelve Class of 2023 lets me know that all of the hard work, long hours, involvement and working to leave campus a better place than I found has finally been rewarded," he said. "It is so surreal that everything I have done has been appreciated but more so recognized through this achievement."
From left, Jackson Martingayle, Vice President for Agriculture and Dean Matt Lee, Avery Hebert and Zachary Mayfield. Photo by Annabelle Lang/LSU College of Agriculture.
Avery Hebert Photo by Alison Paz/LSU Campus Life
Jackson Martingayle Photo by Alison Paz/LSU Campus Life
Zachary Mayfield Photo by Alison Paz/LSU Campus Life
