Tiger Stadium had no shortage of star power Saturday night. ESPN’s College GameDay crew brought Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit, and former LSU head coach Nick Saban to Baton Rouge, while former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, comedian Theo Von, and country music star Lainey Wilson were among the familiar faces surrounding LSU’s highly anticipated season opener against Clemson.
But for LSU of Alexandria, one of the night’s biggest moments came during the first quarter, when LSU President Wade Rousse, Ph.D., honored retired LSUA Chancellor Paul Coreil, Ph.D., with the honorary title of Chancellor Emeritus before more than 100,000 fans in Tiger Stadium.
The recognition provided an LSU System-wide stage to celebrate more than four decades of Coreil’s service to the university and the people of Louisiana, while giving the LSUA community a special moment of its own amid the spectacle of college football’s opening weekend.
Coreil retired July 1 after eight years as Chancellor of LSUA. His 43-year career with LSU also included extensive service with the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service.
The honorary designation of Chancellor Emeritus recognizes distinguished service by a former university leader and maintains an enduring association with the institution after retirement. LSUA’s administration, faculty, staff, and students formally endorsed the honor in recognition of Coreil’s leadership, service, and role in transforming the university.
Coreil’s tenure coincided with one of the most consequential periods of growth in LSUA history. Enrollment increased from approximately 3,285 students in 2019 to nearly 8,000 by Spring 2026, making LSUA Louisiana’s fastest-growing university for four consecutive years.
That growth was accompanied by an expansion of academic programs, student services, campus facilities, and partnerships throughout the LSU System. Coreil championed workforce-aligned programs and pathways in professional aviation, healthcare, pre-medicine, technology, and other high-demand fields while expanding opportunities for LSUA students to pursue professional and advanced degrees across the LSU System.
Coreil’s career has been recognized through induction into the LSU AgCenter Hall of Fame, Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame, National 4-H Hall of Fame, Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction, and LSUA Athletics Hall of Fame, as well as recognition from the Louisiana Legislature and numerous civic and professional organizations.
Coreil leaves LSUA substantially larger, more visible, and more closely connected to central Louisiana than when he returned as Chancellor in 2019. The Chancellor Emeritus designation recognizes his place in LSUA’s history and cements his association with the university and LSU System he served for more than four decades.
Written by Adam Lord | LSUA Division of Strategic Communications
Photo credit: LSU Athletics