McNeese Hosts Groundbreaking for LNG Center of Excellence

McNeese State University hosted a groundbreaking for the LNG Center of Excellence at the site on Sale Road in Lake Charles. Leadership from McNeese State University, elected officials, industry representatives and project contractors participated in the event.  

“The LNG Center of Excellence at McNeese will serve as a hub for research, workforce development and safety, and as a depository for best practices for the industry,” says Jason French, the Center’s executive director. “This Center will be a point of pride for all of Louisiana, and it will establish McNeese and its partners as thought leaders in the LNG space.” 

The Center began with a $2.8 million grant from the United States Department of Commerce in 2021 and has evolved into a transformative project with support from public and private partners that will serve as the premier national Center for training, research and collaboration on LNG issues.  

In 2022, McNeese began offering an Undergraduate Certificate in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Business, the first of its kind program in the nation, and the first educational program of the new Center.  

“We developed this program to address the growing expansion of the LNG industry in Southwest Louisiana,” says Dr. Daryl Burckel, President of McNeese. “This certificate will prepare students who wish to increase their business knowledge about the industry.”  

The Center will include classrooms and industrial grade training facilities where both McNeese students and LNG employees can learn while operating process equipment in a safe, controlled environment. Additionally, it will feature facilities to host industry-related conferences, seminars and media events.  

The 23,000 square-foot facility was designed by Kudla Architecture and the contractor for the project is Keiland Construction. Anticipated completion is the third quarter of 2025.