LSU Alexandria inducts retired Major General to Wall of Honor

ALEXANDRIA, La. (WNTZ) — Louisiana State University of Alexandria has officially unveiled its new Wall of Distinction, honoring individuals whose service and leadership have significantly influenced both the university and the Central Louisiana community. The inaugural inductee for 2025 is Retired Major General Bennett C. Landreneau.

Created as the next evolution of LSUA’s Distinguished Service Award, the Wall of Distinction stands as one of the university’s highest honors, recognizing extraordinary dedication, professional achievement, and community service. The Office of the Chancellor hosted a special ceremony to commemorate the occasion, highlighting Landreneau’s enduring impact and unveiling the names of past Distinguished Service Award recipients, now also enshrined on the wall.

“General Landreneau’s life is a model of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to community,” said Chancellor Paul Coreil. “His legacy will continue to inspire our students and generations to come.”

Landreneau served as the 48th Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard from 1997 until his retirement in 2015, overseeing more than 11,000 service members through pivotal moments such as Hurricane Katrina and the Guard’s transformation during the Global War on Terror. His military honors include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and his 2017 induction into the Louisiana National Guard Hall of Fame.

Beyond his military service, Landreneau dedicated over 30 years to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and played a key role in fostering collaboration between LSUA and the Louisiana National Guard. His leadership helped secure projects that enhanced campus infrastructure, including the construction of athletic fields, Guard Lake, and a $12 million drainage initiative. He also helped acquire a decommissioned tank, now displayed near the LSUA Fort.

The ceremony also retroactively recognized past Distinguished Service Award recipients, now featured on the Wall of Distinction. Those honorees include Roy O. Martin Jr. (1994), Virginia Martin Howard (1995), Vinita Johnson Martin (1997), Frances Davis Bolton (1998), Scott O. Brame (1998), Howard & Eloise Mulder (2000), John W. “Jock” Scott (2003), Charlie DeWitt (2003), Joe McPherson (2003), H. Rouse Caffey (2008), R. Blake Chatelain (2010), Michael L. Jenkins (2010), Charles S. “Charlie” Weems III (2013), Robert Cavanaugh (2019), Glenda Stock Smith (2021), Roy O. Martin III (2023), and Mary Boone Treuting (2024).

Provost Liz Beard joined Chancellor Coreil in honoring Landreneau and reaffirming the university’s commitment to recognizing those whose contributions have shaped its legacy.