Former Governors John Bel Edwards and Charlie Baker Visit McNeese State University as Part of McLeod Lecture Series

On April 29, 2025, Fishman Haygood special counsel John Bel Edwards visited McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La., with current National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) President and former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. The pair were on campus to participate in a discussion moderated by the Advocate’s Stephanie Grace titled “Two Governors: Getting Results Against the Odds.” The event was included in McNeese’s 2025 Banners Cultural Season and open to the public as part of the McLeod Lecture Series, named for the late Bill McLeod, a retired district judge and former state legislator. Read more about the event here.

When they were in their states’ highest elected office, both John Bel and Mr. Baker worked with majority legislative bodies of the opposing parties. During the discussion, the former governors reflected on their experiences addressing major budget issues, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and responding to natural disasters, as well as the day-to-day challenges they faced as executive leaders. Read post-discussion coverage in the American Press.

While on campus, the two also had the opportunity to speak with McNeese student athletes, learning about the challenges they have faced both individually and as a campus community, particularly in the aftermath of hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020. More coverage from the American Press can be found here.

The visit held special significance for John Bel. In an interview with  KPLC-TV, he said, “It’s just great to be back on the campus at McNeese, […] I was here so many times as governor, but particularly after the two hurricanes in 2020, which really decimated the community and this campus, and to see all the work that is happening […] it really is encouraging…” Click here for the full interview.

During his two terms as the 56th Governor of Louisiana, John Bel worked to position the state as a leader in energy transition, and he now works with both the firm’s business and litigation teams with a focus on renewable energy matters. Click here to read more about John Bel.