In 1974, LSU Shreveport hired a New York native with a Doctorate degree. Unbeknownst to the institution, they had hired the man who would become a part of their own history and represent their future at the same time. His name is Dr. David Gustavson.
Gustavson, 71, was born in Jamestown, NY, and was the oldest of four children. With a passion for education and athletics, he knew from a young age that being a part of an educational institution would be his path. After receiving a Ph.D. from Indiana University in education, he intended to teach at a high school in Jamestown.
After several applications to several nationally recognized colleges, Gustavson decided that LSUS was the best option. He recognized the challenge and opportunity involved. LSUS did not offer senior level courses, and thus became a priority for him to make a change.
Gustavson’s ambition led to a chairmanship and a directorial role on the Department of Student Teaching. This service to LSUS would later elevate Gustavson to the position of Dean of Education. He still felt as if there was something to be done, and lent his professionalism to two other academic fields: business and human development. During this time, the combination of academic fields was new to LSUS Deans. He held his position of Dean of Education, Business, and Human Development until his retirement in 2013.
The spring of 1980 would mark Gustavson’s landmark innovation to LSUS. He is responsible for building the same LSUS baseball field that is used today. Having built a baseball field on campus, Gustavson began building LSUS’ first sports program. He emphasized the necessity of team comradery among students and faculty members alike. Once the baseball program had been established, he set his sights on a basketball program.
The basketball program would later bring Gustavson to his wife, Ginger, and a young Chad McDowell, the current LSUS Athletic Director.
“Many, many, many times I recall knocking on his door when he served as Dean of the College of Education, picking his brain about ideas or asking him questions about how to handle certain situations,” McDowell said. “Dr. Gustavson has not only been one of my top supporters, he has been a true friend.”
Today, Dr. Gustavson serves as a volunteer Assistant Athletic Director. After 41 years of service to LSUS, nothing could pull him away from the program he constructed.
“It’s more than the love of sports. We haven’t scratched the surface of what we could be,” Gustavson said.
Gustavson also works at a local YMCA with people young and old in an effort to inspire them to do great things.
“That’s the reward of what I do, seeing athletes succeed not just on the field but in life,” Gustavson said.
Gustavson is currently seeking ways to establish a privately funded booster program for LSUS sports. This would make it possible to obtain necessary items despite the LSUS budget climate. Gustavson believes that with the expansion of sports programs, LSUS has the power to become better than ever. With this endeavor, he stresses a need for higher student engagement.
Gustavson hopes to fulfill his dream in making LSUS the greatest school in the state of Louisiana. “I hear people say ‘LSUS is the best kept academic secret’ in Louisiana,” Gustavson said. “I’m tired of it being a secret.”
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