LSU Shreveport Celebrates the Opening of the Davis Business Engagement Center: A New Era for Student Learning and Community Connection

LSU Shreveport Unveils New Business Engagement Center, Honoring Legacy of Don Davis

SHREVEPORT, La. – A new chapter in the history of LSU Shreveport (LSUS) was written this week as the university celebrated the grand opening of the Davis Business Engagement Center. The center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to foster collaboration between students, faculty, and business leaders, stands as a testament to the vision and philanthropy of the late Don Davis and his wife, Sallie.

Parker Davis, a proud alumnus and brother of Don, returned to the campus he once knew for its modest beginnings—two buildings, an auditorium, and expansive cotton fields—to honor his brother’s legacy. “My brother passed away two months ago, but he would be just ecstatic about this beautiful facility,” Parker reflected during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “He valued business so much, and he’d be proud of what’s happening in this center.”

The $500,000 gift from the Davis family has transformed a section of the College of Business and Education into a vibrant learning hub, complete with a lounge, a rolling stock ticker, and a modern classroom. Laura Perdue, executive director of the LSUS Foundation, emphasized the center’s significance: “This is more than just four walls; it’s a symbol of the significant trajectory of this university.”

Don Davis, a graduate of Byrd High School in Shreveport, rose to prominence as the president and CEO of Allen Bradley and Rockwell International. His commitment to his hometown inspired the creation of the center, which aims to strengthen the ties between LSUS and the local business community.

Chancellor Dr. Larry Clark, who shared the vision for the center with Parker Davis, noted the importance of such facilities in today’s educational landscape. “It’s an important space for students to come between classes and for business engagement opportunities,” said Dr. Mary Lois White, Dean of the College of Business. “Students immediately found it, and they’ve been using this area since the furniture arrived.”

As the ribbon was cut, students and faculty were already making use of the center, with one student seen studying in a corner during the ceremony. The center also features a stunning mural of the Shreveport-Bossier skyline, designed by LSUS graduate Jacqueline Bacud, adding a local touch to the facility.

The opening of the Davis Business Engagement Center is part of a broader trend of growth at LSUS. Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith highlighted the university’s success, stating, “At a time when a lot of universities are struggling, LSUS is growing really fast. Our business programs lead in that regard by the way they are meeting the critical workforce needs of the community.”

With over 1,500 graduates this summer—the highest number of any Louisiana university—LSUS is poised to continue its upward trajectory, providing students with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in the business world.

As the community celebrates this new addition, the legacy of Don Davis lives on, inspiring future generations of students to strive for excellence in their academic and professional endeavors.