BATON ROUGE – Louisiana State University alumnus Rep. Steve Scalise, U.S. House majority whip, gave the keynote address at LSU’s 295th commencement and the main address at the LSU Law Center’s commencement on June 1. Scalise graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a minor in political science.
“We are excited to welcome Rep. Steve Scalise back to campus to these commencement ceremonies,” F. King Alexander, LSU president, told KALB-TV News Channel 10. “Rep. Scalise is a proud LSU alumnus and great supporter of the university. As he always cheers on his Tigers, the LSU community cheered him on during his recovery from last year’s tragic event, and our welcoming him back for commencement is just a small way we can recognize him for his support in helping spread the word on the great things happening at LSU.”
In Washington, D.C. for a decade, Scalise is the third-ranking House Republican leader and senior member of the House of Energy and Commerce Committee. He previously worked in the Louisiana State Legislature from 1996-2008. Scalise represents the First Congressional District of Louisiana, including the majority of southeast Louisiana, such as Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain and the suburbs of New Orleans.
Scalise survived after being shot during a Congressional baseball game last June.
“The LSU Law Center is honored to have Rep. Steve Scalise, United States House of Representatives Majority Whip and representative for Louisiana's 1st congressional district, as our 2018 Commencement speaker,” Tom Galligan, LSU Law dean, told KALB-TV News Channel 10. “We know, based on his experience at both the state and federal levels, that he will provide important perspectives and seasoned advice for our graduates as they begin their journey in the legal profession.”