(04/13/16) The LSU College of Agriculture recognized outstanding alumni, students and professors at an award ceremony on April 8 at LSU’s Club at Union Square.

The alumni honored were Jeff Hughes, of Bogalusa, and Jim Simon, of New Iberia, who both received the outstanding alumni award, and Colorado Robertson, of Baton Rouge, who received the early career outstanding alumni award.

Hughes, a 1949 graduate with a degree in forestry, worked as a forest professional for Gaylord Container and its successors for 51 years before retiring in 1986. Hughes’s involvement in forestry continued as he began his second career as a consultant to Weyerhaeuser.

“Mr. Hughes has been instrumental in helping develop forestry legislation, environmental and land use policies and strengthening working relationships between foresters and wildlife managers,” said Luke Laborde, president of the college alumni association.

Simon, a 1983 graduate with a degree in agricultural mechanizations, worked in the banking industry for 20 years. He became general manager of the American Sugar Cane League in 2004. He is one of four U.S. sugar industry representatives on a team that negotiates sugar trade with Mexico.

“His family has been involved in the sugar and rice production business for several generations, and he possesses a genuine interest in agriculture and its people,” Laborde said.

Robertson received a degree in agribusiness in 2009 and his master’s in public administration in 2011. While a student, Robertson served as president of the LSU Agricultural Students Association and the LSU Student Government.

Since graduation, he has been employed as the Enterprise Risk Officer at LSU, where he helped spearhead the successful drive to obtain autonomy for LSU from the State Office of Risk Management, resulting in savings of more than $6.5 million to the university. He is also a co-owner and manager of Robertson Farms Dairy in Amite, Louisiana.

Morgan Richard, a senior from Elton majoring in animal, dairy and poultry sciences, received the Gerald and Norma Dill College of Agriculture Alumni Association Outstanding Senior award. Richard has held leadership positions in many student organizations, including Dairy Science Club, Block & Bridle, Collegiate 4-H and LSU Student Government. She is a member of Les Voyageurs.

“Morgan is a responsible, hardworking student who always puts her best foot forward. I have known very few students with her focus and dedication to not only in her school work but to extracurricular activities,” said Cathy Williams, Richard’s faculty adviser.

Ariel Bergeron, a senior from Houma majoring in animal, dairy and poultry sciences, received the K.C. Toups Memorial Les Voyageur Award. Bergeron is an LSU Discover Scholar.

“Ariel is the single most impressive Les Voyageur that I have worked alongside,” said Mike Kaller, associate professor in the School of Renewable Natural Resources. “The college would benefit tremendously if we had more students like Ariel who take care of business in the classroom, conduct research, and still find time for service.”

Bradley Sartain, a graduate student in the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, received the Ray and Dorothy Young Endowed Assistantship in Louisiana Row Crop Integrated Pest Management. Sartain has a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries and a master’s degree in aquatic weed control. His thesis research and external projects have provided guidelines and protocols for difficult-to-control aquatic plants.

Georgianna Tuuri, an associate professor in School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, was awarded the Ann Armstrong Peltier Professorship in Dietetics.

Phil Elzer, associate vice president and interim director for the School of Animal Sciences, was awarded the Meraux Foundation Supreme Champion Livestock Professorship.