Feature Story
LSU Researcher Discovers Great Things

Responding to emergent concerns about pedestrian safety along Nicholson Drive, President Wade Rousse and Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Glenn Ledet announced they are jointly working on potential enhancements from Bob Petit to Lee Drive. LSU student, Leah Fonte and her fiancé died over the weekend walking home after being hit by a car on Nicholson Drive near Lee.

It is with deep sadness that LSU shares the loss of one of our students early this morning. Leah Fonte passed away after being hit by a car on Nicholson Drive near Lee.

A memorandum from the Secretary of War announced that LSU has been selected as one of the nation's Distinguished Military Colleges through America's Corps of Cadets, a federal initiative designed to expand the number of institutions preparing students for military and civic leadership and create a pathway toward Senior Military College status.

LSU has received a $20 million Mid-scale Research Infrastructure (MRI) award from the National Science Foundation to build LaNeXT, a laser-driven X-ray facility that will allow researchers to watch some of nature's fastest processes as they happen.

As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Louisiana State University has received $21.1 million from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for fiscal year 2026 to continue preparing first responders and public-safety leaders for terrorism, disasters and other complex threats.

Out of more than 300 teams worldwide, LSU's team became one of eight finalists in a four-year, $11 million global competition to end destructive wildfires. Today, the team received a $100,000 Special Recognition award at the XPRIZE Wildfire awards ceremony at the New York City Fire Museum.