CoE Alumnus and Honduras President Speaks to IE Students
September 26, 2008
Carlos R. Flores, LSU alumnus and former president of Honduras, spoke at LSU to the Industrial Engineering (IE) faculty and students, and LSU students from Honduras, on September 26, 2008. The students and friends were honored to meet with Flores and listen to his words of encouragement.
Flores received his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering (1971) and his masters in International Trade and Finance (1973). In 1995 Flores was awarded an honorary doctorate of human letters by LSU for his lifetime achievements.
Flores returned home to Honduras to work for the La Tribuna, the largest Honduran newspaper, which was founded by his father. After becoming president, CEO and publisher of the La Tribuna, Flores became actively engaged in political matters and later joined the Liberal Party. After holding several political offices, he was elected the President of Honduras in 1998 and served until 2002.
Flores helped his country through its greatest national disaster when Honduras was hit by the devastating Hurricane Mitch in October 1998. The hurricane caused catastrophic damage, resulting in thousands of deaths and drastically damaging the Honduran economy. Immediately after assessing the aftermath of the storm, Flores took action and began raising international aid in order to rebuild Honduras’ infrastructure, agricultural and industrial economic sectors, which included working with LSU and the LSU Ag Center.After discussing the tribulations he faced as president while recovering from Hurricane Mitch, Flores stressed, “We learned that every ending always shows you to the path to a new beginning. When the dark night ends, comes a new day and new dawn.” Flores then encouraged the Honduran students to “go back home” so that they could make a difference in their country.
Article by Mary Englehardt for the LSU College of Engineering, 225-578-5706, mlavall@lsu.edu-30-
