LSU Alumni Association
news
Accolades Banquet Purple & Gold, Chapter Service Winners Recognized
Photos by Johnny Gordon
Liberty Mutual representatives, from left, Todd Edzell, De’Ette Ross, and Rebecca Mikell with President Charlie Roberts.
The LSU Alumni Association paid tribute to its Purple & Gold and Chapter Service award winners at the 2013 Accolades Banquet on March 6 at the Lod Cook Alumni Center. The Purple & Gold Award recognizes philanthropists who support programs and activities of the Association. Receiving awards from Association National Board of Directors Chair Dr. Jack Andonie this year were Ron and Dr. Mary Neal, of Baton Rouge; David M. Thornton, of Zachary, La.; and the Greater Atlanta Alumni Chapter. Winners Richard and Susan Dugas, of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and Alan and Patricia Fiorenza, of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., were unable to attend the banquet. Chapter Service awards, given to those who have played major roles in the success and progress of their alumni chapters, were awarded to Clay Duarte, National Capital Chapter, Washington, D.C.; Paula Root Dupuy, Greater Baton Rouge Chapter; Larry Scheetz, Panhandle Bayou Bengals, Pensacola, Fla.; and Mary Scott, A.P. Tureaud, Sr., Black Alumni Chapter, Baton Rouge. During the event, De’Ette Ross, a sales representative with Association affinity partner Liberty Mutual Insurance, presented President Charlie Roberts with an award recognizing the Association for having more than 10,000 insurance policies in force with the company.
Purple & Gold Awards Ron and Mary Neal
Mary and Ron Neal
David Thornton
Ronald and Dr. Mary Neal, both LSU graduates, credit the University for success in many areas of their lives – especially for finding each other – and over the years they have given back to their alma mater in numerous ways. The Neals have been members of the LSU Foundation since 2000 and the LSU College of Science’s Dean’s Circle since its inception in 2007. Both were named to the College of Science Hall of Distinction in 2012. Ron Neal serves on the Campanile Charities Board, and the couple has funded the Ronald E. and Dr. Mary E. Neal Distinguished Professorship in Biological Sciences. Ron and Mary Neal are major donors to the Alumni Fund and have a room named for them in The Cook Hotel.
David Thornton
Chris Tilley, Greater Atlanta Chapter
David Thornton graduated from LSU in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. While at LSU, he was a member of Acacia Fraternity. A generous supporter of the LSU Alumni Association, Thornton established the David M. Thornton Endowed Flagship Scholarship.
The Greater Atlanta Chapter Chapter President Chris Tilley accepted the award for the Greater Atlanta Chapter, which provides service to and hosts a variety of community events for alumni, fans, and supporters who bleed purple and gold. Through the volunteer efforts of board members and the contributions from chapter supporters, the Greater Atlanta Chapter is committed to its largest initiative – scholarships. A variety of local events held throughout the year raise money to fund four scholarship endowments. A recent chapter endeavor is the LSU license plate campaign, which offers a purple-and-gold presence in both metro Atlanta and across the state of Georgia.
6 LSU Alumni Magazine | Summer 2013