I was born in a less affluent country and grew up on what some may consider the "wrong side of the tracks." In many ways, I felt like an "ugly duckling" facing various challenges. For instance, attending five different elementary schools in six years was not an easy experience. (This is why I began collecting miniature ducks during my travels abroad—a symbolic reminder of my journey and the resilience I have developed along the way.) 

Recognizing that life is not always fair, I made the decision to leave home at a young age and enrolled in a military boarding school on a full scholarship. This choice led me to serve in the Army for five years, and looking back, I have no regrets. As the saying goes, "Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of a strong man." I persevered along the long and winding road, consistently striving to achieve my goals. Believing that luck favors the prepared, I embraced every opportunity that came my way. Now, here I am, a contented individual in a small town in Louisiana, grateful for the journey that has shaped me into the person I am today.

Against all odds, I have achieved the American dream and entered the second half of my life with a profound sense of fullfillment and gratitude. Now, I can confidently proclaim, "La vita è bella" or "Life is beautiful!" I am blessed with a flourishing career, a loving and beautiful wife, and two incredible children. What more could I ask for in life? (In my ever-growing miniature duck collection, I have recently added a few swans, symbolizing the graceful transformation and growth I have experienced.)

I am Professor of Decision Science and I also hold the Cherie H. Flores Endowed Chair of MBA Studies at Louisiana State University (LSU). Founded in 1860, LSU is the flagship institution of Louisiana. LSU's total enrollment is more than 30,000 students, including more than 1,700 international students and 5,000 graduate students.

LSU is located on more than 2,000 acres in the southern part of Baton Rouge, and is bordered on the west by the Mississippi River. Although LSU is a large campus, it is designed as a "walking campus," and most students find it easy to navigate by foot or by bike. The campus is noted for its architecture, which is based on the Renaissance domestic style of northern Italy. LSU's landscaping was called "a botanical joy" by Thomas Gaines, who listed LSU as one of the 20 most beautiful campuses in America in his book The Campus as a Work of Art. LSU’s extraordinary southern live oaks, magnolias, crepe myrtles, azaleas, and camellias are as much a part of the University tradition as academics and athletics.

LSU has a proud tradition of college athletics and has fielded nationally competitive teams in most of its sports as a charter member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). LSU fans take great pride in their Fighting Tigers. In an informal poll by CBS-TV, LSU's Tiger Stadium, popularly known as "Death Valley," was voted by opposing teams as the nation's most difficult stadium in which to play because of fan enthusiasm. LSU teams draw some of the largest crowds in all of college athletics.

Baton Rouge, the capitol city of Louisiana, has a metropolitan population of more than 500,000. The city is at the center of south Louisiana's cultural attractions, with New Orleans 70 miles to the southeast, the antebellum country of the Feliciana parishes to the north, and the Acadian French Louisiana country of rivers, bayous, marshes, and lakes to the west. Baton Rouge is eclectic in nature with influences drawn from native American, Spanish, English, French, African, Cajun, and Creole cultures. This rich diversity is evident in our people, our architecture, our food, our music, and our celebrations.

Louisiana is famous for its food and its chefs, and the capitol city is no exception. Baton Rouge offers innumerable ways to excite your taste buds, with everything from old-fashioned southern cooking to spicy Cajun dishes. My adopted home state has a rich musical heritage as well. It is the birthplace of Jazz and is alive with the sounds of the blues, rhythm & blues, Cajun, zydeco, gospel, country, bluegrass, and rock.

Louisiana’s official nickname is the "sportsman's paradise" and the Baton Rouge area offers plenty to satisfy your thirst for recreation and adventure. There are dozens of rivers, bayous, marshes, and lakes that provide opportunities for fishing, hunting, canoeing, camping, nature hikes, and other recreation. Baton Rouge also has a number of biking and hiking trails, 36 recreation centers, 132 softball and baseball fields, two stadiums, six golf courses, and 123 parks.

With average yearly temperatures of 76 degrees and an average of 218 sunny days per year, Baton Rouge is the place to be to enjoy everything from crawfish boils to the ballet theater. We invite you to visit us, and as we like to say, "laissez le bon temps roulez!" (Let the good times roll!)

I have been happily married to my wife, Kay, for what feels like a lifetime, and together we have been blessed with two incredible children, Raymond and Angela. Raymond, who currently attends Baton Rouge Magnet High School, is a shining example of excellence. He is not only a dedicated and outstanding student but also a well-mannered and athletic individual. Raymond's musical talents shine through his participation in the Louisiana Youth Orchestra and Baton Rouge Chamber Music Players, where he has received numerous accolades from piano and violin competitions, including the esteemed Outstanding Musician award in the Louisiana Music Teachers Association district rally. Additionally, he has demonstrated his strategic thinking skills by achieving second place in a local chess tournament. During his time at Mayfair Elementary School, Raymond was recognized for his exceptional courtesy and received the most courteous student award.

Raymond's achievements continue to impress as he progresses through his academic journey. His 8th-grade research project secured first place at the regional fair and third place at the Louisiana State Social Studies Fair. In the realm of science, his project claimed first place at the district fair and achieved a fourth place in the Louisiana State Science and Engineering Fair. Raymond's dedication and mathematical prowess have also earned him a spot on the Louisiana Mathcounts team, granting him the opportunity to compete in the prestigious Mathcounts National Competition held annually in Washington, D.C. Outside of his academic pursuits, Raymond has cultivated diverse interests. He engages in the captivating hobbies of coin, stamp, and rock collecting. Additionally, he actively participates in local youth league teams, demonstrating his sporting talents through tennis, baseball, and soccer. Sharing a passion with his father, Raymond is an avid supporter of LSU baseball, basketball, and football, showcasing his die-hard fandom for these sports.

Angela, who is currently enrolled in the Gifted and Talented Program at Glasgow Middle School in Baton Rouge, stands out with her unique bond with her brother. Despite their age difference, their sibling relationship thrives. Angela's love for reading makes her an avid bookworm, and she demonstrates her musical talents through her mastery of both the piano and violin. Her affection for puppies and kittens showcases her fondness for animals, and her skill in fine art highlights her artistic abilities. Angela's diverse range of interests contributes to her vibrant and well-rounded personality.

Angela's musical talents continue to shine as she garners recognition for her exceptional skills. Her remarkable achievements include being named the Outstanding Musician for Level Prep A in the Louisiana Music Teachers Association district rally, and securing second place in the Louisiana Music Teachers Association state rally. Presently, Angela contributes her violin skills to the Louisiana Junior Youth Orchestra, further honing her musical abilities.

In addition to her musical pursuits, Angela has demonstrated her intellectual curiosity through her research project on parking spaces and automobile sizes. The research project earned her a second place at the regional Social Studies Fair, propelling her to the State competition. It's worth mentioning that Angela holds a special admiration for her Mom, considering her the best cook in the world — a sentiment that resonates with all of us.

P.S.: I haven't provided an update on this aspect for the past eight years. It's a reflection of my busy schedule or perhaps a lack of diligence on my part. Nevertheless, let me provide a concise summary of the significant events and milestones that have occurred within my family during this period.

Four years ago, Raymond graduated from Baton Rouge Magnet High School with an outstanding 4.0 GPA, accompanied by numerous accolades such as being named a National Merit scholar, Beta scholar, and Siemens Westinghouse scholar, among others. My wife and I were filled with pride and emotion as he expressed his gratitude to us during his valedictorian speech. Raymond left a significant legacy for his younger sister, Angela, to uphold.  Initially, Angela felt apprehensive about attending the same high school as her accomplished brother. The constant remarks of, "Oh! You must be Raymond's little sister," from the principal and teachers were not initially perceived as cool. However, Angela embraced the challenge and successfully completed high school with an equally remarkable 4.0 GPA, thereby setting a record of maintaining a perfect GPA from kindergarten through twelfth grade. After a campus visit to MIT and a few days of careful calculations four years ago, Raymond chose to attend Rice University in Houston on a full scholarship. Since then, Raymond has found immense joy and contentment as a member of Jones College, one of the nine residential colleges at Rice University. This May, he proudly obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Bioengineering.  In recognition of his academic excellence, Raymond was awarded an out-of-state tuition scholarship from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). He has exciting prospects ahead as he prepares to embark on a four-year journey in medical school in Texas. This milestone marks the next chapter in Raymond's educational journey as he pursues his passion for medicine. During the first semester of her senior year, Angela received the exciting news of her early acceptance to Yale University, a testament to her exceptional academic achievements. However, her journey took an unexpected turn when she was later selected as one of the 14 Rice-Baylor medical scholars. This prestigious opportunity presented Angela with a challenging decision. After a week filled with sleepless nights and careful consideration, Angela ultimately made the choice to attend Rice University on a full scholarship, accompanied by a guaranteed acceptance to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. This decision represents a remarkable opportunity for Angela to pursue her passion for medicine within a renowned academic setting. Our children, who are four years apart in age, received the incredible news of their acceptance into medical schools almost simultaneously. This joyous occasion has undoubtedly made my wife and me the happiest parents in the world this year. We eagerly anticipate the bright futures that await them as they pursue their dreams in the field of medicine. Following his summer adventures in Italy and France,  Raymond has taken on a part-time job to save money, even setting up his own IRA for future financial security.  Meanwhile, Angela is relishing her time in Ankara, Turkey, where she is immersed in a cultural and linguistic experience as a recipient of the National Security Language Initiative scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.  With our children pursuing their own endeavors, my wife and I have entered a new phase of life, affectionately referred to as the "empty nest." This newfound freedom has allowed us to embark on our own second honeymoon, enjoying quality time together without the usual distractions of grumpy and annoying kids. We are savoring this chapter of our lives and relishing in the rejuvenation it brings!

Our son was born in Baton Rouge during my time as a graduate student at LSU, but the first three years of his life were spent in West Lafayette, Indiana. It was during this time that I completed my Ph.D. at Purdue University and subsequently secured a faculty position at Northeastern University in Boston. It was in Boston that our daughter was born.

After two years in Boston, we made the decision to move back to the wonderful state of Louisiana. Since then, Baton Rouge has been our home, and we have lived here happily ever after. As we reflect on the years gone by, we marvel at how quickly our children have grown, while my wife and I continue to maintain our youthful appearance. (Some old photos, preserved through scanning from film, serve as a nostalgic reminder of our family's journey through the years.)