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With the new Center for Medical Education and Emerging Viral Threats more than 75 percent complete and on track to open this fall, students and leaders at LSU Health Shreveport are starting to see the impact the new building will have on them, their careers and health in north Louisiana.

Advance work for the University Lakes Project has concluded, marking a major milestone toward full implementation of the restoration and revitalization project. Phase 1 work, estimated at $17,874,132 and spanning approximately one year, will begin upon receipt of the US Army Corps of Engineers permit for the work.

Rollin’ Yöggler’s Turkey Durkeys won first place in the 2023 J Terrell Brown Venture Challenge for their quick-service food concept featuring fried turkey fingers and stuffing fries to be served from a fleet of vibrant food trucks. Their first-place finish came with a $20,000 award.

LSU Manship School of Mass Communication broadcast journalism senior Aria Pons placed sixth in the Television Features News Competition of the 2022 — 2023 Hearst Journalism Awards Program. The competition received 77 entries from 47 schools. Pons’ win ties for the highest Manship School student’s placement in the competition since 2013.

The LSU Social Research & Evaluation Center (SREC) in the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education has been named a Louisiana Board of Regents Center of Research Excellence. SREC is the second Center of Research Excellence at 51Âþ»­ A&M and the only center focused on evaluating and researching social issues affecting our communities.

The Louisiana Association of Broadcasters (LAB) recognized LSU Manship School of Mass Communication senior Birdie O'Connell, a Tiger TV sports journalist and Manship Ambassador, with the LAB Broadcast Scholarship at the 2023 LAB Prestige Awards. O’Connell was one of two students in the state to earn the $4,000 scholarship.

LSU has named alumnus Eric Lau the Dean of the College of Music & Dramatic Arts, effective July 1, pending approval by the LSU Board of Supervisors. Lau currently serves as Dean of both the Honors College and the University College at the University of New Mexico.

Scientists Claire Berryman and Stephen Hennigar joined LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center to build on three decades as the leading academic provider of nutrition science for the Department of Defense.

Campus Sustainability will host its annual Spring Greening Day & Sustainability Expo on Thursday, April 20 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in front of the Student Union. Students, staff, and faculty are asked to volunteer to assist Landscape Services staff in planting and beautifying the area in front of the Student Union from Highland Road to Tower Drive. The planting and mulching that takes place on SGD creates landscapes that offer both an aesthetic benefit and ecological significance to the soil, wildlife, and water quality on campus.

Four University Laboratory School athletes will sign with colleges Tuesday, April 18, at 12:45 p.m. in the school's Pennington McKernan Gymnasium.