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Elizabeth “Liz” Chrysler-Stacy (B.A. ‘87 Liberal Arts), who writes under the pen name of Liz Chrysler, had many historical articles to her credit before she began writing books. Chrysler believes her latest book Lost Legacy will open a window on a part of Louisiana history long overlooked, yet vital to the development of northwestern Louisiana. The book, which began as a history project under Dr. Alan Thompson (retired), chronicles actual historical events and the real life romance and tragedy surrounding the life of Marie des Neiges de St. Denis, youngest daughter of Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, a French Canadian who established the first permanent settlement in the Louisiana Province. Marie’s marriage to Spanish cavalry officer Manuel DeSoto was fraught with challenges arising from rivalries between the French and Spanish settlements, yet they raised seven children, several of which were the first settlers in DeSoto Parish. Lost Legacy and Chrysler’s other book Song of the Pines are available through bookstores and on the Web.

Royal Alexander (B.A. ‘90 Political Science) has been on the road back to Washington, D.C. ever since he attended Dr. Bill Pederson’s Washington Semester in the late 80s. After graduating from LSUS, he worked as a legislative assistant for U.S. Congressman Clyde C. Holloway (R-LA) in Washington from 1990-93. He received his J.D. from Oklahoma City University School of Law (OCU) in 1996. He was a member of Law Review; represented OCU law school in the Benton National Moot Court Competition in Chicago, and also served on the Moot Court Board. He then clerked for U.S. District Judge Rebecca F. Doherty in Lafayette and later served as an associate attorney in the Shreveport office of the statewide law firm of Jeansonne & Remondet. In 2003 he became an administrative law judge for Louisiana and maintained a private law practice with the Shreveport firm of Smith & John. In August 2004 it was back to Washington to serve as chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-LA). Alexander said, “I think often and fondly of my years at LSUS and feel I greatly benefited from the liberal arts education and experiences I received. I was a conscientious student and my professors were committed to my education and demanding in their expectations of me. I am deeply grateful to Drs. Bill Pederson, Milton Finley and Sura Rath for the individual time and attention they gave me. I am also proud of the direction Chancellor Vince Marsala has provided LSUS.”