LSU Honors Roy O. Martin III with Honorary Doctorate for Decades of Leadership, Philanthropy and Service

BATON ROUGE, La. — On Saturday evening, LSU recognized alumnus, longtime supporter, and business leader Roy O. Martin III with an honorary doctorate for his decades of transformative leadership, philanthropy, and service to the LSU System and the state of Louisiana.

Martin was hooded by LSU Executive Vice President & Chancellor James Dalton, LSU College of Engineering Dean Vicki Colvin, LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Lee Mallett, and LSU Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair Dimitris Nikitopoulos.

For generations, Martin has played a significant role in advancing LSU’s academic, research, and workforce development mission through strategic investments across multiple campuses and programs.

Most recently, Martin supported LSU’s new Construction & Advanced Manufacturing Building through a leadership contribution to the College of Engineering. The investment also served as a successful matching initiative that inspired several first-time academic donors to contribute to LSU.

In 2021, Roy and wife Kathy Martin committed $3.5 million to support major priorities at three LSU campuses, including the Martin Family Student Success Center at LSU of Alexandria, the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building, and the Center for Medical Education at LSU Health Shreveport.

“Roy Martin’s impact on LSU cannot be overstated,” Colvin said. “His commitment to education, workforce development, and innovation has strengthened communities across Louisiana and helped generations of students succeed.”

Martin was the CEO of RoyOMartin, a privately held wood products and forest-resources company founded in 1923 by his grandfather, Roy O. Martin Sr. Headquartered in Alexandria, the company manages timberland, real estate, minerals, hunting leases, and wood manufacturing operations throughout the region.

Martin joined the family business in 1985 and assumed the role of CEO in 1996. He retired as CEO on Jan. 1, 2026, but continues to serve as chairman of the board and took on the role of chief investment officer.

Throughout his relationship with LSU, Martin has served as both a philanthropic leader and dedicated volunteer. He helped secure private and state support for projects including the Business Education Complex, Patrick F. Taylor Hall, and multiple athletic initiatives. The Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building, to which he and Kathy Martin contributed a $1 million gift, recently celebrated its ribbon cutting.

He currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Councils for LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business and College of Engineering and serves on the boards of directors of the LSU Foundation and the Tiger Athletic Foundation, where he recently completed his term as chairman. He is also a former chairman of Louisiana Board of Regents.

Martin’s support has extended across the LSU System, particularly in central and north Louisiana. At LSU of Alexandria, he helped launch the Central Louisiana Nurses for the Future initiative aimed at expanding nursing enrollment, hiring additional faculty, and increasing the number of registered nurses entering the regional workforce. He and Kathy Martin also made a leadership gift supporting completion of the Martin Family Student Success Center, including a $2 million commitment approved by the Martin Sustainable Resources Board of Directors, and later contributed $750,000 to the planned Health Education Campus in downtown Alexandria.

Their commitment to healthcare education also includes the Roy O. Martin Lumber Company Endowed Professorship in Nursing.

In Shreveport, the Martins supported LSU Health Shreveport’s Center for Medical Education, including initiatives connected to the Center of Excellence for Viral Threats, with a $500,000 gift to sponsor the virology laboratory.

Additionally, RoyOMartin supports dozens of LSU system scholarships awarded to the children of company team members.

Martin’s contributions have earned widespread recognition throughout the LSU community. He has been inducted into the LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction, the E. J. Ourso College of Business Hall of Distinction, and the Tiger Athletic Foundation Hall of Distinction. In 2023, LSUA awarded Martin its Distinguished Service Award, the institution’s highest honor.

Together, Roy and Kathy Martin have supported the E. J. Ourso College of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, LSU of Alexandria, and LSU Shreveport at a leadership giving level while continuing to invest in projects that strengthen Louisiana’s future workforce and economy.