In celebration of Louisiana State University's sesquicentennial, Treasures of LSU trumpets the numerous and diverse riches found throughout the Baron Rouge Campus and beyond. The 101
distinguished artworks, architectural gems, research collections, and scientific and cultural artifacts highlighted here represent only a small fraction of the material resources that surround
and engage LSU faculty, staff, and students on a daily basis. As LSU chancellor emeritus Paul W. Murrill declares in his foreword, "All reflect expressions of superb quality. All encourage, in
one way or another, the human spirit to soar."
Some of these treasures act as artistic backdrops to everyday campus life. In Unity Ascending, the striking Frank Hayden sculpture, greets all who enter the LSU Student Union. Vibrant
Depression-era murals decorate the corridors of Allen Hall. Other treaures reside in out-of-the-way places. The Department of Geology and Geophysics houses the Henry V. Howe Type Collection of
shelled microorganisms---tiny, beautifully varied fossils that frequently aid geologists in determining the ages of rocks and features of ancient environments. The LSU Museum of Natural
Science, in Foster Hall, holds one of the largest and most prestigious research collections of bird specimens in the world.
An LSU cader uniform and a hand-spun Acadian quilt from the LSU Textile & Costume Muscum: an enchanting silky-camellia specimen from the collections of the LSU Herbarium, founded in 1869;
pottery by Walter Anderson and portraints by William HoGARCH and Joshua Reynolds from the LSU Museum of Art---all showcase the immense variety of LSU's assets. Other featured treasutes include
a historic dogtrot house at the LSU Rural Life Muscum, John James Audubon's double elephant folio Birds of America from the E.A. Mcllhenny Natural History Collection at Hill Memorial Library,
and cherished coamus landmarks like the Indian Mounds, the French House, and Mike the Tiger's habitat.
Full-page color photographs set off the treasures to stunning effect. Interpretive essays by LSU faculty, staff, and students explain the origins, history, and sometimes myths surrounding each
item. Published by LSU Press during its scventy-fifty year of operations, Treasures of LUS is itself a treasure that inspires pleasure and amazement in discovering the wealth and diversity of
LSU's resources adn affirms the university's numerous cultural contributions to the world community.
