Oak becomes ‘Apple’white Tree

Left to right: Dr. Terry Bricker, department chair and Moreland Family Professor, Dean Kevin R. Carman, Dr. Mary Lou Applewhite, Dr. John Lynn, George C. Kent Professor, Dr. John Caprio, George C. Kent Professor, Dr. Mark Batzer, Pereboom Family Alumni Professor and previous Mary Lou Applewhite Professor, Dr. John Battista, current Mary Lou Applewhite Professor, and Dr. Jacqueline Stephens, George C. Kent Professor.

February 2007 — It has become almost passé to have one’s name attached to a building or even an annex. Any old “Joe” can have a library named after him, and even the most princely of paupers can find his name on a bench somewhere. But to have something living, growing, and evolving dedicated to you, what could be more impressive?

Dr. Mary Lou Applewhite achieved such an honor on February 2 when LSU’s College of Basic Sciences dedicated one of the campus’ live oak trees to her. The Metairie dermatologist was recognized by Dean Kevin Carman for her “years of service and commitment to the College and the Department of Biological Sciences.”

“The beautiful tree…will serve as a permanent tribute to you Mary Lou for everything you have done and continue to do for the College,” Carman said.

Applewhite’s tree is located at the entrance of the Life Sciences Annex on the LSU campus, a location dear to Applewhite as the Department of Biological Sciences has been one of the main beneficiaries of her philanthropy. She previously established the Mary Lou Applewhite Endowed Professorship and the George C. Kent Multiple Professorships in zoology, and is also a charter member and former chair of the College of Basic Sciences Development Council.

Fred Fellner, assistant director of LSU’s Landscape Services department – which is responsible for maintaining the oak – added his appreciation for Applewhite and her support of the University. Fellner also thanked the College of Basic Sciences for making the donation in her honor.

More than $250,000 has been given for oak endowments, which provide for Fellner’s crews to perform maintenance and upkeep of the oak trees – one of LSU’s most valuable resources.

Getting to the Core of Applewhite

Applewhite graduated from LSU in 1951 and the LSU Medical School in 1955. There she completed internships and residencies in dermatology and pathology at Charity Hospital. After teaching at Emory University School of Medicine from 1962-65, she returned to Louisiana and joined the staff of the Ochsner Clinic and Ochsner Foundation Hospital.

In 1971, Applewhite established a private practice, which she has maintained to the present. A member of Phi Kappa Phi and Omicron Delta Kappa, Applewhite has published in many areas including infectious diseases, skin cancer, and skin diseases of the elderly.

She was made the first female president of the Louisiana Dermatology Association in 1979 and served as president of the Board of Directors of the LSU Alumni Association in 1992. In 1993, she was inducted into the LSU Alumni Association Hall of Distinction and received the College of Basic Sciences Service Award.

In 1999, Applewhite was named LSU Alumna of the Year, and in 2003, became a charter member of LSU’s 1860 Society. In 2004, she was the first member inducted into the College of Basic Sciences Hall of Distinction and in 2006, she created the Mary Lou Applewhite Distinguished Professorship in Biological Sciences.