Best of the best: Seven current LSU students or recent graduates have been recognized by the National Science Foundation as 2015 graduate fellows, and three received honorable mention. The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program annually recognizes and supports exemplary students in the NSF-supported STEM fields who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees. Fellows are awarded a three-year annual stipend of $32,000 along with a $12,000 cost-of-education allowance for tuition and fees, opportunities for international research and professional development, and the freedom to conduct their own research at any accredited U.S. institution they choose. See the list of LSU graduate fellows.
Top honors: Cameron Gordon, a seventh-grader at Southeast Middle School in Baton Rouge, is among just 16 students in grades 3 through 12 nationwide honored with a 2015 180 Student Award from the Scholastic publishing and media company. The awards are given each year to students who achieve big gains in math and reading skills. Gordon has been recognized for gains in math, and will receive $1,200 from Scholastic. Gordon is the lone award winner from Louisiana. Five teachers across the country, none in Louisiana, are also receiving awards through the program. Get more details on the award and see the full list of winners.
On two wheels: The League of American Bicyclists has ranked Louisiana No. 33 among all states when it comes to bike friendliness. Regionally, Louisiana is ranked No. 8 among all Southern states. The rankings are based on a comprehensive survey completed by state departments of transportation and state bicycling advocates, and includes analysis in five categories: legislation and enforcement; policies and programs; infrastructure and funding; education and encouragement; and evaluation and planning. Washington is ranked as the country’s most bike-friendly state, while Alabama is said to be the least friendly toward cyclists. See the complete rankings, as well as Louisiana’s report card from the group.
