Thomas O. Ryder was a junior at Bolton High School when LSU Alexandria opened its doors in 1960. This month he’ll be commencement speaker at university’s graduation ceremony. 

Ryder, a journalism graduate of LSU, is a member of its Alumni Hall of Fame and of the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication Hall of Fame. 

The Spring Commencement will be held May 15 at LaBorde Earles Coliseum. According to the university website no tickets are required to attend. The school awarded degrees to more than 1,100 over the course of 2024. 

Ryder, one of the initial inductees last year into Bolton’s Hall of Fame, had a distinguished career in magazine and book publishing, including serving as chairman and CEO of Reader’s Digest Association. 

He was president of three different America Express divisions over 15 years and on the board of several corporations, including almost 20 years as an Amazon director. 

Ryder is a recognized contributor to food and wine publications.

 His wine collection, which he began while at LSU (no Thunderbird included), became one of the nation’s best. Portions were sold by Sotheby’s early this century with proceeds going to a family foundation and subsequently benefiting many Louisiana organizations helping in the post-Katrina recovery. 

RYDER’s, a family-owned and operated, gourmet market in Vero Beach, FL,  is among his retirement ventures.