The Forever LSU campaign and the LSU College of Engineering recently announced a pledge of $180,000 from CSRS, Inc., a Baton Rouge-based engineering, architectural, and program management firm, to establish and fund an endowed distinguished professorship in Coastal Engineering in the LSU Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE). 

The CSRS Distinguished Professorship in Coastal Engineering is the first gift established to support faculty for the new Coastal Engineering program at LSU.  Coastal engineering is an essential component of efforts to preserve and restore the coastal areas of Louisiana and beyond.

“This professorship marks a progressive step of paramount importance for the LSU Coastal Engineering program and our efforts to provide research and development of engineering systems and processes for estuarine-based coastlines,” said College of Engineering Dean Richard Koubek. “I commend CSRS for its gracious financial contribution to the enhancement of our university and the quality of education our students will experience.”

With an expected match of $120,000 from the Louisiana Board of Regents, this professorship will help LSU faculty address the continuous threat of coastal flooding, the erosion of Louisiana’s barrier islands and the loss of coastal wetlands.

“As first-hand observers to the very real challenge of protecting and restoring Louisiana’s coastline, CSRS is committed to helping LSU initiate this unique and promising program aimed at the development of engineering systems and processes for coastal restoration,” said CSRS principal Ronald Rodi, P.E. “While this gift is the first of its kind, it is our hope that our gift will encourage others in the community to similarly show their support for this program.”

The Coastal Engineering program at LSU was developed in response to the increased emphasis placed statewide on addressing the crisis of Louisiana’s deteriorating coastline. The program provides a unique opportunity for those choosing to pursue a career in coastal protection and restoration engineering.

“This gift will be a tremendous asset in helping us to retain top quality faculty for our new Coastal Engineering program,” stated George Z. Voyiadjis, Boyd Professor and CEE Department Chair. “We are very appreciative to the CSRS partners, including LSU Engineering alumni Michael Songy and Ron Rodi for their generous support of this vital effort. We also applaud Mr. Rodi for his continued leadership as Chairman of our Civil & Environmental Engineering External Advisory Board as well as our Forever LSU Campaign Steering Committee.”