Guided by Resilience and Service, First-Gen Student Landon Zeringue Blazes a Path at LSU
November 06, 2024
Landon Zeringue
For Landon Zeringue, a first-generation political communication senior from Kraemer, Louisiana, attending LSU has been more than just an academic pursuit—it’s been a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and community service.
Growing up in a small town near Thibodaux, Landon says he was inspired by his parents, Glenn and Kim Zeringue, who instilled in him the values of hard work and determination despite their own limited college experiences.
“My parents have inspired me to pursue higher education for as long as I can remember,” Zeringue says. “I saw firsthand the work they did to make my dreams possible, and I felt that higher education would give me the tools to help others in return.”
“My parents have inspired me to pursue higher education for as long as I can remember. I saw firsthand the work they did to make my dreams possible."
Landon Zeringue
Landon soon found that navigating the university's many resources was challenging. Ultimately, he had to learn by actively seeking out support and opportunities on his own.
“At first, I applied to and joined as many organizations as possible,” he says, “and I have found my community over the years through the organizations that I have stuck by and the friends that I have made along the way.”
Landon credits various resources for his success at LSU, from campus clubs to mentors. Student Government was a pivotal part of his development as a leader, giving him access to connections and opportunities that extended far beyond campus. He is also a part of the Louisiana Service and Leadership, or LASAL, program within the Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College. Through this program, he found mentors who helped him integrate his academic pursuits with community service. Dr. Granger Babcock and Cindy Seghers, two key figures in the program, helped him navigate things like internships and his resume.
“They provided a guiding voice and a constant source of growth and knowledge,” he says.
Landon takes immense pride in his accomplishments as a first-generation college student. One of his most notable achievements stems from his involvement in Student Government, where he learned to write legislation and successfully passed a bill to purchase 50 fruit trees—satsuma, fig, and kumquat—planted near residence halls for future students to enjoy.
In 2023, Landon was chosen for the Lamar Governor’s Fellowship with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries—an opportunity he credits to the Honors College. As Director of Campus Affairs and Sustainability in Student Government, he also organized a lake cleanup with nearly 250 volunteers, removing over 50 bags of debris. Additionally, as co-founder of Bengals in the Wild, an award-winning outdoor adventure group, he addressed student barriers to accessing nature, promoting both community and environmental stewardship.
Looking forward, Landon plans to continue serving others, with ambitions to work in public service roles such as the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, or the U.S. Forest Service. Landon’s advice for other first-generation students is simple yet powerful: “Pursue discomfort. It’s the only way to grow. Even if you don’t know what resonates with you yet, put yourself out there. You’ll make great memories and develop yourself along the way.” By actively seeking discomfort and pushing through uncertainties, he says, students can discover their strengths and make meaningful contributions along the way.
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