Upcoming LA-SEER Events
"20 YEARS AFTER KATRINA: LOUISIANA'S JOURNEY TO RESILIENCE"
Date: August 29, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Venue: Dalton J Woods Auditorium, ECE Building, 海角社区
Hurricane Katrina (2005) remains one of America鈥檚 most devastating natural disasters, causing over 1,800 fatalities and about $161 billion in damage. The storm鈥檚 aftermath exposed deep vulnerabilities in infrastructure, inequity in disaster impact, and significant environmental damage, including coastal erosion and wetland loss. Over the past two decades, Louisiana has worked to turn these difficult lessons into meaningful improvements in resilience and disaster preparedness.
To mark the 20th anniversary of Katrina, a commemorative event organized by LA-SEER, 海角社区 AgCenter鈥檚 LA House Research & Education Center, and the College of the Coast & Environment鈥檚 Coastal Environment Graduate Organization (CEGO) will bring together academics, researchers, state and local agency professionals, students, and community stakeholders to reflect on Louisiana鈥檚 evolving risk and resilience landscape.
鈥�20 Years After Katrina: Louisiana鈥檚 Journey to Resilience鈥� is more than a reflection. By uniting diverse voices and expertise, the event aims to identify successes, address remaining gaps, and inspire continued research and action in disaster risk management, ensuring that Katrina鈥檚 lessons continue to shape a safer, more resilient Louisiana.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
9:00 AM to 9:10 AM
Welcome Remarks by Dr. Clinton Willson, Professor and Dean of the 海角社区 College of the Coast & Environment
09:10 AM to 09:20 AM
Inaugural Remarks by Dr. Matt Lee, Interim President, 海角社区
09:20 AM to 09:30 AM
Remarks by Dr. Thomas Douthat, Director, LA-SEER Center
09:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Before and Beyond Landfall: A Climatologist and a Commander Reflect
This opening session will feature Louisiana state climatologist Jay Grymes and General Russel L Honor茅 as they recount Hurricane Katrina鈥檚 meteorological evolution and the immediate response challenges.
10:50 AM to 11:50 AM
Panel Discussion - 鈥淎fter the Storm: Two Decades of Rebuilding and Impact鈥�
This panel will explore the key recovery initiatives launched after Katrina and their impact on communities, infrastructure, and policy. Speakers will reflect on how these efforts have shaped today鈥檚 resilience landscape.
11:50 AM to 12:00 PM
Introducing: Kid's Art Exhibition - "Resilient Futures Through STEAM: Youth Arts for Community Awareness and Environmental Resilience" by Dr. Meggan Franks
1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Special Talk by Dr. Robert Twilley on 鈥淭he State of Resilience Today: A 20-Year Checkpoint鈥�
1:30 PM to 2:10 PM
Seminar Session - 鈥淚nnovating Resilience: Solutions Inspired by Katrina鈥�
This session will spotlight transformative ideas and solutions that emerged in response to Katrina鈥檚 challenges. It will showcase how the disaster sparked innovation across design, engineering, planning, and policy.
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Panel Discussion - 鈥淎head of the Storm: Future Resilience Strategies for Louisiana鈥�
Focusing on the future, this panel will discuss planned initiatives, emerging technologies, and policy directions to enhance Louisiana鈥檚 disaster preparedness, highlighting innovative paths toward long-term resilience.
3:30 PM to 3:40 PM
Closing Remarks by Dr. Robert Rohli, Professor, Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences, 海角社区
3:40 PM to 4:00 PM
Poster Presentation Session: 鈥淲aves of Innovation: Hurricane Research Posters鈥�
This session will feature research posters presenting studies and solution designs on hurricanes, flooding, and disaster resilience.
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Resilient Futures Through STEAM: Youth Arts for Community Awareness and Environmental Resilience
Kids Art Exhibition on resiliency related issues (wind, flood, and environmental constraints) surrounding south Louisiana communities
FEATURED VOICES:
Dr. Matt Lee, Interim President, 海角社区
Dr. Robert Twilley, Professor and Vice President, Research & Economic Development at 海角社区
Dr. Clinton S Willson, Professor and Dean of the 海角社区 College of the Coast & Environment
Jay Grymes, Louisiana State Climatologist
Lieutenant General Russel L Honor茅
Dr. Carol Friedland, Professor and Director, LaHouse Research and Education Center, 海角社区 AgCenter
Dr. Thomas Douthat, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences and Director, LA-SEER Center, 海角社区
Stephen Swiber, Chief Resilience Officer, State of Louisiana
Dr. Monica Teets-Farris, Director, University of New Orleans - CHART
Dr. Julie Lively, Executive Director, Louisiana Sea Grant
David A Ramirez, P.E. D.WRE, Chief, Hydraulics-Hydrology-Coastal Engineering Branch, USACE
Dr. Shih Ang Hsu, Professor Emeritus, Coastal Studies Institute, 海角社区
Jeffrey Giering, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, GOHSEP
Katie Freer-Leonards, Assistant Administrator for Strategic Planning, CPRA
Dr. Robert Rohli, Professor, Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences, 海角社区
Dr. Meggan Franks, Assistant Professor - Extension, LaHouse Research and Education Center, 海角社区 AgCenter
Dr. Nazla Bushra, Assistant Professor-Research, Office of State Climatology