Alexandria, La. (1/21/2026) – Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA), flanked by over 200 friends and supporters, proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Martin Family Student Success Center on January 21, 2026, marking the completion of the university’s newest facility and the first new building on campus since Mulder Hall opened in 2012.
More than just a ribbon cutting, the opening represents the culmination of a multi-year vision to redefine the LSUA campus experience, beginning with a bold philanthropic commitment in 2019 and ending with a modern, welcoming front door that reflects the university LSUA has become.
The story of the Martin Center began with the launch of the Fierce for LSUA capital campaign in 2019, a local extension of the systemwide Fierce for the Future initiative that sought to elevate LSU campuses across the state.
Championed by the LSUA Foundation
Championed by the LSUA Foundation and its board, the campaign was rooted in a clear need: LSUA was growing rapidly, academic offerings were expanding, and student services, which were spread across multiple buildings, needed to be unified in a modern, student-centered space. Nearly 100 donors answered that call, including community supporters, faculty, and staff who contributed more than $5 million in private support to serve as a required match for state capital outlay funding.
From the outset, the vision extended beyond a single building. University leaders recognized that first impressions matter, and that the “front door” of campus should reflect the quality, momentum, and ambition of the institution itself. That vision set in motion a series of transformational projects that would fundamentally reshape how students and visitors enter and experience LSUA.
The first step was foundational. In 2022, LSUA completed a $6.5 million major infrastructure and drainage project that addressed longstanding issues with standing water and accessibility across campus. Beneath the surface, a new in-ground drainage system redirected water efficiently away from the heart of campus. Above ground, roads were resurfaced, lighting was modernized, and traffic patterns were reimagined. A former campus roadway was removed and replaced with a pedestrian-first corridor now known as the LSUA Plaza, creating a safer, more inviting environment for students to move through campus.
That work paved the way for the next visible transformation: a new main entrance. In August 2025, LSUA unveiled its grand entrance roundabout and the LSUA Tower, a defining landmark that now welcomes all who arrive on campus. Inscribed with the values ofResilience, Integrity, Service, and Excellence, the Tower stands as both a gateway and a symbol. New students walk through it as they begin their college journey; graduates pass through it again as they step into the next chapter of their lives.
Infrastructure Complete
With the infrastructure complete and the entrance established, the Martin Center emerged as the capstone of this comprehensive transformation. Construction began in early 2024 and concluded in December 2025. Offices began relocating just before Christmas, and the building officially opened to students at the start of the Spring 2026 semester.
Designed as a central hub for student support, the Martin Center brings together key services that guide students from recruitment to graduation and beyond. Housed within the facility are Admissions and Recruiting, Financial Aid and Student Accounting, First-Year Experience, Advising, Career Development, and centralized student support services, all intentionally co-located to ensure that students receive timely, personalized assistance in one welcoming space.
The center bears the Martin family name in recognition of their extraordinary leadership and generosity. Through Martin Sustainable Resources LLC and Martco LLC, Roy O. Martin III and Kathy Kilpatrick Martin committed a foundational gift to LSUA as part of a systemwide investment in higher education. Their support completed the private match necessary to move the project forward and reflected a deep belief in LSUA’s role in strengthening central Louisiana’s workforce and economy.
Grand Opening Celebration
The grand opening celebration brought together donors, students, faculty and staff, elected officials, LSU System leaders, and community partners, many of whom had been part of the journey from its earliest planning stages. Together, they marked not only the opening of a building, but the realization of a long-term vision to align campus infrastructure with LSUA’s mission and momentum.
Today, the Martin Center stands as a tangible expression of LSUA’s evolution. It anchors a reimagined campus entrance, supports a rapidly growing student body, and reflects the university’s commitment to meeting students where they are and guiding them toward meaningful degrees and careers. As the newest chapter in LSUA’s physical and institutional transformation, the center welcomes students and visitors alike into a modern higher education environment: one built on intention, investment, and a fierce belief in student success.
Written by Adam Lord
Photo credit – Nathan Parish
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