College of Agriculture Celebrates Fall Graduates

On Dec. 18, the LSU College of Agriculture celebrated 108 graduates during its fall commencement ceremony. The graduating class included 81 bachelor’s degree recipients, 19 master’s degree earners and eight doctoral graduates.

Students in the class of 2025 represented 10 U.S. states and 11 countries, with 80% of the class coming from Louisiana. The youngest bachelor’s degree recipient was 20 years old, while the oldest was 39. The youngest graduate degree recipient was 23, and the oldest was 53. ■ Ava Arceneaux

Matt Lee, right, LSU senior vice chancellor and dean for agriculture, poses for a photo with a graduate and David Picha, head of the LSU School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences. Photo provided by LSU College of Agriculture

Pediatric Culinary Health Program Trains Residents in Time-Saving, Nutritious Meal Prep

At the LSU College of Agriculture Human Ecology Building in early January, future pediatricians learned about skills crucial to reducing childhood obesity.

The kitchen provided instructors and residents from the Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Weight and Nutrition Clinic with the perfect setting to collaborate on preparing spaghetti and meat sauce at various caloric levels to give those present an idea of how to substitute healthier ingredient options. Judy Myhand, senior instructor in the School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, said it’s important for parents to work on healthier choices for their family without spending too much time or money doing so.

“The goal here is to teach pediatric residents more about nutrition and healthy food preparation,” Myhand said. “They’re going to be working with families to reduce obesity risks.”

According to April Hamilton, a registered nurse with the clinic, the program began in partnership with the American College of Culinary Medicine and is one of the first of its kind to focus on pediatric residents.

“A lot of the other sites focus on medical students, dietitians and chefs,” she said. “We’re fortunate to have gotten the funding to purchase the curriculum.” ■ V. Todd Miller