She will speak at the events scheduled for 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the University Center, where the university will confer nearly 1,100 degrees on students who are graduating with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
“An alumna of Southeastern, Randi Rousseau’s journalism experience, professional demeanor, and love of Southeastern are commendable. We strive to expose our new graduates to exemplary role models through our commencement speakers,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright. “Her words of wisdom will be invaluable to the class of 2024.”
A 2005 Southeastern graduate, Rousseau has been a fixture on WDSU-TV, the NBC affiliate in New Orleans, for more than 17 years. The versatile journalist was born and raised in Ponchatoula and currently resides in the Crescent City.
“It is very humbling to be asked to give the commencement address at the alma mater where I found my own footing,” she said.
Rousseau began her career at WDSU as an intern in 2006 and quickly worked her way up the ranks. She served as the morning traffic reporter and then general assignment reporter before taking on the role of anchor with the launch of WDSU’s 4 p.m. newscast in 2009.
She has covered multiple hurricanes, the BP Oil Spill, the Covid Pandemic and countless other events that have impacted the lives of viewers across Southeast Louisiana. Her storytelling is “deeply rooted in portraying the passion and culture of the people of her home state, bringing their stories of inspiration and resiliency to viewers across the region and the nation.”
