The LSU Shreveport Alumni Association honored seven outstanding graduates during its 2026 Alumni Awards Brunch and Annual Meeting, recognizing alumni whose achievements have made a lasting impact on their professions, communities, and the university. The event, held in the Noel Memorial Library Atrium, celebrated individuals who exemplify the values of excellence, service, and lifelong achievement that define the LSUS alumni community.
The annual ceremony featured the presentation of the Circle of Excellence Awards, an honor established to recognize LSUS graduates who use their education in significant ways. The award reflects the university’s appreciation for alumni whose contributions bring distinction to LSUS and inspire future generations of Pilots.
Among this year’s honorees was Mark Randall Cantrell, director of operations at Riverpark Church and a familiar voice to local sports fans. Cantrell has spent more than two decades broadcasting high school football and baseball, calling more than 850 baseball games while also contributing to youth sports, LSUS athletics, and professional baseball coverage. A graduate of LSUS with a degree in mass communications, he was recognized for his commitment to both ministry and community engagement through sports broadcasting.
Olympian Kendrick Farris was also recognized with a Circle of Excellence Award. The Shreveport native and three-time U.S. Olympian earned his degree from LSUS after beginning his weightlifting career in the university’s renowned Weightlifting Center under the guidance of Dr. Kyle Pierce. Farris became the only American male weightlifter to set U.S. records in two weight classes. During the ceremony, speakers highlighted his commitment to using athletics, education, and discipline as tools for positive change.
Renisha J. Sanders, operations director at Cardinal Wealth Advisors, was honored for her accomplishments in finance, leadership, and community service. A 2010 LSUS biology graduate, Sanders oversees operations, financial management, compliance, and team development for a nationally recognized financial advisory practice. Her achievements have earned her several honors, including the ATHENA Leadership Award and YPI 40 Under Forty recognition. Sanders credits LSUS with helping develop the work ethic and leadership skills that have guided her career.
The Alumni Association also recognized Marty R. Young, director of the LSUS Pioneer Heritage Center. A two-time LSUS graduate, Young was celebrated for his leadership in preserving and expanding regional history education through the Pioneer Heritage Center. In remarks during the ceremony, Young expressed gratitude for the mentorship and opportunities he received at LSUS and emphasized his dedication to preserving local history for future generations.
Another Circle of Excellence recipient was Shelby Keith, a two-time LSUS graduate whose career at the university spans more than four decades. Since joining LSUS in 1980 as a programmer analyst, Keith has served in numerous leadership positions, including chief information officer, associate vice chancellor of technology, and vice chancellor for finance and administration. He was recognized for his decades of service, innovation, and stewardship that have helped shape the university’s growth and success.
Also honored was Dr. Toby J. Brooks, a graduate of LSUS and director of the Academy for Teaching and Learning at Baylor University. A first-generation college student, Brooks has built a distinguished career in higher education focused on faculty development, leadership, resilience, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence in education. He expressed gratitude for the impact LSUS has had on both his personal and professional journey.
The highest honor of the afternoon, the Distinguished Alumni Award, was presented to Dr. Matthew Hefner, a Shreveport native and neurosurgeon with Willis-Knighton Health. Hefner earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology from LSUS before completing medical school and a neurosurgery residency at LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport, where he later served as chief resident. He was selected for the award in recognition of his excellence in medicine, leadership, research, and service to the community.
Although unable to attend because of international travel, Hefner shared written remarks reflecting on the role LSUS played in his success.
“Throughout my journey at LSUS, I thrived as a student,” Hefner wrote. “The interactions in the classroom, on campus, and beyond helped me develop many of the attributes that are now necessary in my profession.”
As attendees gathered for photos and the association’s annual meeting, the ceremony concluded with a renewed sense of pride in the accomplishments of LSUS alumni. Together, the honorees reflected the university’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and service, qualities that continue to shape the legacy of LSU Shreveport and inspire future generations of Pilots.
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