Congratulations on Dr. Marwa Hassan’s recognition as LSU Baseball’s Worley Professor of Excellence!

In a heartwarming moment that united the realms of academics and athletics, Louisiana State University (LSU) recently honored Dr. Marwa Hassan, a renowned civil and environmental engineering professor, as the 2025 LSU Baseball Worley Professor of Excellence. This unique recognition, steeped in tradition and significance, shines a well-deserved spotlight on Dr. Hassan’s extraordinary contributions to research, education, and innovation—reaffirming the university’s enduring commitment to excellence across all disciplines.

Though it may seem unusual for a baseball program to celebrate an engineering professor, LSU has a proud tradition of connecting its elite academic leaders with student-athletes and the broader community through the Worley Professor of Excellence program. Named in honor of Dr. Charles “Charlie” Worley, a beloved LSU chemistry professor and Tigers baseball fan, the award is given annually during the spring baseball season to a faculty member whose career exemplifies scholarly achievement and student impact.

This year, the honor fittingly went to Dr. Marwa Hassan—a trailblazer in sustainable infrastructure and a transformative force at LSU for over a decade.

Dr. Marwa Hassan’s academic journey began in Egypt, where her interest in civil engineering was first sparked. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Cairo University, she pursued advanced degrees in the United States, eventually earning her Ph.D. from Oregon State University. Her research into sustainable construction materials, life-cycle analysis, and smart infrastructure technologies quickly established her as a rising star in the field.

She joined LSU in 2006 and currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Engineering for Diversity and Inclusion and as the Director of the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT). But beyond titles, Dr. Hassan is an innovator, a mentor, and a powerful advocate for bridging the gap between engineering research and real-world application.

Over the years, her projects—ranging from eco-friendly pavement technologies to sensor-enabled infrastructure systems—have received millions in funding from national agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration.

At a home game at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field, Dr. Hassan was recognized during an on-field ceremony where she threw out the ceremonial first pitch and was introduced to fans as the 2025 Worley Professor of Excellence. It was a moment that delighted the crowd and underscored the university’s effort to unify its academic and athletic cultures.

“Recognizing someone like Dr. Hassan through this award is a reminder that excellence at LSU takes many forms,” said LSU Baseball Head Coach Jay Johnson. “She might not swing a bat or throw a fastball, but her contributions to LSU and to the state of Louisiana are every bit as impactful. We’re proud to celebrate her accomplishments alongside our team’s success.”

The Professor of Excellence program is intended not only to honor distinguished faculty but also to help student-athletes connect with academic leaders. It fosters a culture of mutual respect, encouraging young athletes to see academic achievement as equally valuable to success on the field.

For Dr. Hassan, the honor was as humbling as it was meaningful.

“Receiving this recognition from LSU Baseball is incredibly special,” Dr. Hassan said during the ceremony. “To be acknowledged by a program that represents teamwork, resilience, and excellence is truly an honor. It reaffirms the spirit of unity that makes LSU such a remarkable place.”

Dr. Hassan’s research portfolio is among the most impressive at LSU, with more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and dozens of invited presentations around the globe. She is internationally known for her work in advanced pavement systems, particularly in developing sustainable, durable materials that reduce environmental impact while increasing efficiency.

One of her most influential projects involves the use of phase-change materials and nanotechnology to create self-healing pavement. This breakthrough research has the potential to drastically extend the lifespan of roads and highways, saving billions in taxpayer dollars and significantly reducing carbon emissions.

In 2021, she was elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)—one of the highest honors in the profession—further cementing her place among the leading minds in engineering. Her impact, however, goes far beyond publications and accolades.

Through her work with NCAT and other interdisciplinary research centers, she collaborates with industry leaders and policymakers to translate laboratory findings into policies and practices that shape infrastructure across the United States.

In addition to her prolific research, Dr. Hassan is deeply committed to education and mentorship. She has supervised over 60 graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in academia, government, and private industry.

Her mentorship is particularly vital for women and underrepresented minorities in STEM, a field where diversity remains a challenge. As the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the LSU College of Engineering, Dr. Hassan has championed efforts to recruit, retain, and empower students from all backgrounds.

“She’s not just a brilliant researcher—she’s a compassionate mentor who truly cares about her students,” said Dr. Judy Wornat, Dean of the College of Engineering. “Her leadership has transformed the culture in our college, making it more inclusive, more dynamic, and more forward-thinking.”

Students echo that sentiment. “Dr. Hassan helped me believe I belonged in engineering,” said Jasmine Monroe, a recent LSU graduate now working in infrastructure policy. “She made me feel seen, and her belief in my potential changed the course of my life.”

While the Worley Professor of Excellence recognition is symbolic, its value lies in its message: that LSU is a place where intellectual achievement is celebrated alongside athletic glory.

In recent years, LSU has doubled down on efforts to promote cross-campus collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking. That includes encouraging student-athletes to explore research and academic opportunities beyond their sports and inviting faculty members to engage with LSU’s athletic programs.

“This award highlights that we are one LSU,” said Executive Vice President & Provost Roy Haggerty. “Whether it’s in the classroom, the lab, or on the field, we are driven by the same values: excellence, integrity, and community. Honoring Dr. Hassan through the Worley Award reflects our belief that every form of achievement deserves a moment in the spotlight.”

That spotlight shone brightly at Alex Box Stadium, as LSU fans gave Dr. Hassan a standing ovation—proof that her impact resonates far beyond the pages of academic journals.

Though she has already achieved more than most scholars aspire to in a lifetime, Dr. Hassan shows no signs of slowing down. Her current work continues to push the boundaries of materials science, with upcoming research on autonomous infrastructure systems that could reshape the way cities manage roads, energy, and transportation.

She is also leading a statewide initiative aimed at improving coastal infrastructure resilience—work that is vital to the future of Louisiana, especially in the face of rising sea levels and increasingly severe hurricanes.

For Dr. Hassan, these projects are more than professional endeavors. They are a reflection of her belief in using knowledge to solve humanity’s most pressing challenges.

“Engineering is about service,” she said. “It’s about using science and creativity to improve people’s lives. That’s what drives me every day.”

By honoring Dr. Marwa Hassan as the 2025 LSU Baseball Worley Professor of Excellence, LSU has done more than celebrate an outstanding scholar. It has reminded students, fans, and the broader public that excellence comes in many forms—and that the pursuit of knowledge is as heroic, in its own way, as hitting a walk-off home run.

Dr. Hassan’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose. From Cairo to Baton Rouge, she has blazed a trail defined by intellectual rigor and heartfelt mentorship. And now, as a celebrated member of LSU’s extended athletic family, she stands as a testament to the power of crossing boundaries—forging a future where academia and athletics not only coexist, but elevate one another.

In the grand tradition of LSU champions, Dr. Marwa Hassan has earned her place among the Tiger legends—not with a bat, but with a blueprint for a better world.