Alexis’ Scholarship Story

Bringing Veterinary Education Back to Family Farm

For Alexis Rabalais, a sophomore animal science and technology major, attending LSU was more than just an opportunity to join her mother’s alma mater and earn a college degree.

Her time learning the intricacies and advancements in animal care and technologies will be a foundational stepping stone when it comes time to take over her family’s farm.

“I’m from a small town called Mansura in central Louisiana,” Rabalais, the K.C. Toups Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship recipient, explained. “I grew up outside of the city limits on a cattle farm with lots of animals. I had chickens and rabbits, ducks, pretty much all you can think of, and that’s how my love for animals began.

“My grandfather was the one that got it all started, and he’s 80 years old now ... My goal in life is to become a veterinarian. We have a big shortage of large animal vets in rural areas. Instead of having to haul everything to the vet clinic, I can help others out in our local community.”

Community support and growth are top priorities for Rabalais, and she considered LSU the right place to begin pursuing those goals. “I just felt that LSU had the broadest spectrum of agriculture, and they’re expanding their technology within other universities.”

“After receiving the K. C. Toups Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship, I believe that this has helped me grow not only as a person, but also from my educational standpoint,” Rabalais said. “It’s helped me to get more hands on, and it’s gotten me one step closer to vet school.”

Louisiana is home to about 30,000 farms, and the agriculture industry contributes billions of dollars to the state’s economy each year.

LSU ranks 15th in agricultural sciences research among more than 320 colleges and universities nationwide. The university focuses on merging traditional practices in agriculture with advancing technology and modern tools to improve outcomes for Louisiana farmers that will ensure food security for every person in our state.

“The College of Agriculture and the LSU AgCenter come together to provide academic degree programs, so we have the talent pipeline being built up,” explained Matt Lee, vice president for agriculture and dean of the College of Agriculture. “We are a significant innovation and research platform that develops new technologies, new ideas, new plant varieties to help grow and expand the agricultural industry within the state. We are one of the very best in the world at agricultural sciences research, and we’re punching way above our weight. We do it in service to Louisiana and the people of Louisiana.”

With the help of young minds like Rabalais, the agriculture industry will continue to grow and evolve, supporting the next generation of agriculture leaders.