The late Kurt Pickett was a prominent gay rights activist in Shreveport during his high school and college years. He was instrumental in the development of the Philadelphia Center, an HIV service organization in Shreveport. He graduated from LSU Shreveport and went on to earn a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. He was a brilliant teacher and researcher in the study of wasps, having served as a postdoctoral fellow at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and as a tenured faculty member at the University of Vermont. Kurt died of cancer this year at the young age of 38. His obituary can be found here:
So well-known was Kurt’s activism in Shreveport that Mayor Cedric Glover proclaimed last Saturday, April 2, the day of Kurt’s memorial service here as “Dr. Kurt M. Pickett Memorial Day.” He is survived by his devoted partner of 11 years, Greg Tolman, who provided extraordinary care for Kurt throughout his illness.
A scholarship at LSUS has been established in Kurt’s name for students who are interested in the sciences and share Kurt's commitment to social issues including gay rights. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please send a check to:
LSUS Foundation
Kurt M. Pickett Scholarship
One Universtiy Place
Shreveport, LA 71115
The check should be made out to "LSUS Foundation". Please note on the check that the donation is for the "Kurt M. Pickett Scholarship".
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