The true measure of a university’s greatness can be found in the achievements of its alumni, and the accomplishments of Southeastern’s graduates are innumerable. To honor and celebrate some of these most outstanding members of our community each year, the Alumni Association established its awards program in 1969.
Honored at Alumni Awards Evening on Oct. 13, 2023, as part of Homecoming week and one of Southeastern’s most esteemed traditions, this year we celebrated all of our outstanding alumni along with our top Alumni of the Year recipients: Robby Miller and Jason Latiolais.
ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Robby Miller
Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller, a 1984 Southeastern graduate, was selected as the Alumni Association’s 2023 Alumnus of the Year.
“An alumnus of the year is someone who demonstrates Lion pride, excellence, caring, and service. This year’s recipient does just that,” said Vice President of University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale. “Robby Miller loves his community and shares core values with his alma mater.”
As a lifelong entrepreneur and community activist, Robby applied his business skills to parish government. His
#TeamTangi approach has focused on streamlining parish services, increasing communication between parish agencies, and delivering better, faster service to citizens.
Robby has served on the Alumni Complex Building Committee and chaired the Operations Subcommittee. He has also served on the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, the President’s Community Advisory Committee, and the Lions Athletic Association. He is active in the SLU Former Football Players Association, and he received the Distinguished Service Award in 1998 for his service to the University.
During his tenure as Tangipahoa Parish President, Robby has served as the 2019 vice chairman of the Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry; secretary for the Regional Planning Commission, which he chaired in 2018; and multiple terms as president of the Parish Presidents of Louisiana. He is a member of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana’s Executive Board, and he remains an active voice on the state’s Connect LA Broadband initiative.
YOUNG ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Jason Latiolais
Barriere Construction President/CEO Jason Latiolais is Southeastern’s 2023 Young Alumnus of the Year. Jason graduated from Southeastern in 2017 with a master’s degree in business administration.
“This year’s young alumnus of the year, Jason Latiolais, is a shining example of giving back to his community,” said Vice President for University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale. “He credits Southeastern for allowing him to advance his career.”
Jason attended Southeastern as an undergraduate from 2001 until 2003. While he was a student, he was active as a member of the Student Government Association and was selected as a member of the Homecoming Court in 2002. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from LSU in 2006.
In 2008, Jason began working for Barriere Construction, the largest asphalt producer in Louisiana and one of the oldest highway construction businesses in the state. He worked his way up through the family-owned business, serving in many different roles. He decided to return to school at Southeastern in 2016, joining the EMBA program.
Barriere Construction was sold in 2021 to CRH, a Fortune 500 company that is the leading provider of building materials solutions in the world. In 2022, Jason became Barriere’s President/CEO, representing a new era of leadership for the previously family-owned business.
