Debra Coltharp
The symbol of Louisiana State University is Mike the Tiger, the live campus mascot. Debra Coltharp, LSU’s Horticulturalist, spearheads the new additions to Mike’s habitat.
Mike’s home is getting a bamboo forest enclosure, where he can go to be in solitude and away from visitors’ eyes.
Coltharp said, during a press conference in the Journalism Building, that there are studies that show that tigers need to have some privacy in a habitat like the one Mike is living in.
Mike’s home is also receiving new, more natural grass. The grass will feel and look more real, said Coltharp.
The first tiger lived on campus was in 1936. Mike VI is the current tiger representing LSU. All others died.
Mike VI has been diagnosed with a tumor on his face. LSU officials do not know how long he will live. Most doctors’ say at maximum, even if he does well with his cancer treatment, he won’t live more than two years.
Coltharp prays that Mike VI survives to see the renovations.
LSU spends $150,000 annually on horticultural renovations around campus. This year and maybe even next year the biggest portion of the funds will go to Mike’s habitat.
“Have passion for your work” said Coltharp. She lives by these words.
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Kenneth Miles
Education needs to be a bigger priority for collegiate athletes, according to Kenneth Miles. Miles also believes that LSU as an institution needs to be more than just a gateway for athletes to get to the pros.
Although its great that LSU is able to put a large amount of their athletes into the professional leagues, LSU has to show their student-athletes the importance of finishing college and getting a degree.
“Looking at education has to change”. Kenneth miles said while reflecting on his work, even though since he has arrived at LSU he has raised the graduation rate of student-athletes from 54 percent in 2008 to 77 percent in 2012. LSU currently has 70 percent of their athletes graduate with a degree.
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Hillar Moore
The East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney is working to eradicate homicides in Baton Rouge. Hillar Moore III, along with a team of East Baton Rouge Parish officials and Louisiana State University employees, implemented the Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination program. This showed his dedication to lowering the murder rate in Louisiana’s capital.
In the first year of BRAVE’s installation, the murder rate in Baton Rouge decreased by 25 percent. Though the percentage fluctuates, it never returned to the 85 homicides committed in 2012 when the program began
“Word got out of what we were doing,” said Moore on the subject.
With four more years before reelections, Moore has time to continue his improvements.
