News

The front door of the new LNG Center for Excellence at McNeese State University.

LNG Center of Excellence Opens at McNeese 

April 29, 2026

The LNG Center of Excellence at McNeese State University is now open, reinforcing Southwest Louisiana’s position as the global leader in natural gas exports. The new Center was created to serve as a hub for training, research and engagement focused on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, bringing together students, industry leaders, government partners and educators to…

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Omari Francis and Lianne Montelibano stand with their crowns and sashes for being named Mr. and Ms. McNeese.

McNeese Announces the 2026 Spring Court 

April 28, 2026

McNeese State University announces Lianne Montelibano, a biological science major from Moss Bluff, as Ms. McNeese, and Omari Francis, a finance major from Lafayette, as Mr. McNeese for Spring Court 2026.   Montelibano is the president of the Student Government Association (SGA), the student advisory council chair of the University of Louisiana System, the president of Pre-Pharmacy Society, the vice president of Health Occupations Students of America, the past president of the Speech and Debate team, chairperson for…

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Allison Donnelly stands next to the poster that displays her research.

McNeese Junior Participates in Research Symposium 

April 27, 2026

McNeese State University junior, Allison Donnelly, conducted research in the Department of Chemistry and Physics on using green solvents for advanced biomedical applications. The naturally derived materials hold significant promise in the development of biocompatible and environmentally friendly systems.   “I was attracted to this research because of its multidisciplinary nature. It combines the natural, synthetic and medical science fields while offering…

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McNeese faculty and students with Woodside Energy employee volunteers stand together in front of the Cajun Prairie sign.

McNeese Hosts Cajun Prairie Planting with Woodside Energy 

April 23, 2026

McNeese State University’s Biology Department, in partnership with Woodside Energy, hosted a Cajun Prairie planting event recently on the McNeese campus, bringing together students, faculty, corporate volunteers, and community members to help restore one of Louisiana’s most endangered ecosystems.  The event is part of an ongoing initiative to expand the McNeese Cajun Prairie, a living prairie on…

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Dr. Jessica Bergen headshot photograh

Dr. Jessica DeJohn Bergen Receives Two Research Awards 

April 16, 2026

McNeese State University assistant professor of history, Dr. Jessica DeJohn Bergen, has received two awards to further her research for her upcoming book, Unbecoming Acadian. They are the Frank Hideo Kono Fellowship from The Huntington Library, one of the world’s great independent research libraries located in California; and the J.Y. Sanders Research Scholar Award from Southeastern Louisiana…

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McNeese State University student, Kinsey Vidrine, stands next to her research poster.

McNeese Senior Presents Research on Essential Oils  

April 14, 2026

McNeese State University senior, Kinsey Vidrine, presented at the recent undergraduate research symposium on the effectiveness of essential oils in respect to activity against certain bacteria. Her interest was initially sparked by taking microbiology as a course and further developed due to a personal interest in natural remedies.   “I found this research opportunity by directly approaching my microbiology professor, Dr. Chris Struchtemeyer,…

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McNeese alumna Kalyn Partin and McNeese faculty member Ted Thompson stand with smiles and their awards.

Louisiana Engineering Society Honors a McNeese Faculty Member and an Alumna 

April 13, 2026

The Louisiana Engineering Society recognized a McNeese State University faculty member and an alumna at its recent awards program.   Retired Lt. Col. Theodore “Ted” Thompson, a McNeese faculty member, received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award, and Kalyn Partin received the Waldemar S. Nelson President’s Award.  Thompson graduated from McNeese with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and a Master of Science in engineering. He began his engineering career in…

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McNeese State University Small Business Development Center director, Dean Day.

Dean Day Named Director for Louisiana SBDC at McNeese

April 1, 2026

Dean Day has been named director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) at McNeese State University, effective Feb. 1, 2026. Previously, Day was a business consultant with the center and specializes in helping small business owners with startups, sales plans, financial projections and insurance compliance. Earlier this month, Day attended the LSBDC Professional…

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McNeese State University employee headshots of Heath Schroyer and Bridget Martin.

Schroyer Accepts Job at LSU, Martin Steps in as Interim AD

March 26, 2026

Heath Schroyer, McNeese’s Director of Athletics since 2020, has accepted a job at Louisiana State University (LSU) as Senior Deputy AD/Executive Director of External Relations for the LSU System. Schroyer, who arrived on campus in 2018 as the Cowboys’ head basketball coach, was named Director of Athletics in June of 2020, guiding the department through…

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Richard Student Union at McNeese State University

New Richard Student Union at McNeese

March 17, 2026

McNeese State University recently opened the new Elizabeth and Leslie Richard Student Union offering students a modernized cafeteria, more collaboration spaces, a large event space and offices.  “The Richard Student Union stands on the footprint of two historic campus facilities, Farrar Hall, built in 1968 and named after the first dean of McNeese Junior College, and Memorial Gymnasium, built in 1949, named to honor the students and…

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