Shared Passion for Early Learning Sparks Friendship and Joint Gift

When LSU alumnae Diane Goyette and Judy Gibbs first connected, they were two strangers meeting over a shared philanthropic interest, and yet both had unknowingly been walking parallel paths toward the same mission. 

Within 20 minutes of sitting down together, in what both described as divine timing, they decided to combine their efforts and committed to jointly establishing a $1 million endowment for LSU’s Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool. Their gift strengthens support for the dedicated educators who guide young children at the school and enhances LSU’s ability to prepare the next generation of early childhood professionals across Louisiana.  

The Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool is a nationally accredited, research-based model for high-quality early childhood education. Located on LSU’s campus and led by the College of Human Sciences & Education, the preschool not only nurtures children during their most formative years but also provides hands-on training for LSU students preparing to become teachers, researchers, and child development professionals. Through partnerships with families, faculty, and the community, ECELP plays a critical role in advancing best practices that strengthen Louisiana’s early childhood system. 

“ECELP provides a high-quality education that supports this critical time during a child’s life,” said ECELP Director Kamille Watson. “During the 0–5 years, a child needs the proper support for their brain development, and at ECELP we make sure we are providing that support through research-based best practices and our Reggio Emilia philosophy that allows the learning to be child-centered. We understand that early education lays the foundation for all future learning, so every interaction, every experience, and every moment in our classrooms is designed to nurture curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love for learning.”  

“Diane and Judy exemplify our college’s ‘improving quality of life’ mantra in action,” said CHSE Dean Roland Mitchell. “Their tireless dedication and meaningful investment in the professional development of ECELP educators represent a direct commitment to strengthening the workforce that nurtures Louisiana’s most precious resource — our children.”

For Goyette, the call to support young learners and their educators has been present not only throughout her career and philanthropic journey but since her own childhood, when she would spend hours playing school with her younger brothers — always eager to be the teacher, always drawn to the joy of learning and helping others learn. Years ago, when she learned about ECELP, she knew immediately it was a place where she wanted to make an impact. 

“My lifelong goal has always been to work with young children and, later, with adults who work with young children,” Goyette said. “I never dreamed I’d be able to make a financial contribution to the field, but eventually I realized I could make a lasting impact that would outlive me. This is not the first time that I have given to early childhood at LSU, and it was just like with my first gift, which was serendipitously timed to where I was looking for an opportunity, right when the Early Childhood Education Institute had just launched. It just felt like it was meant to be.”

Goyette was drawn to that research-based approach and LSU’s commitment to the critical window of development between birth and age 5. “Once children are born, it’s those first five years that are most critical,” she explained. “They set the foundation for what happens later, not just for learning and behavior and school achievement and life achievement, but even health.” 

Gibbs, too, had been reflecting on how she could make a meaningful impact. The more she learned about LSU’s work in early childhood education, the more she felt compelled to act. “It’s fascinating that a university would say this is important enough that we need to make this a part of who we are — to make it a real quality educational facility that does it right in developing the lives of little children,” she said. 

Like Goyette, Gibbs has devoted much of her life to education. She began her career as a sixth-grade teacher before becoming active in the PTA and later serving on a school board. Her perspective deepened when she joined a board focused on early childhood education. She came to understand just how vital the first years of life are for brain development — and how essential it is to ensure families have access to high-quality early learning opportunities.  

Gibbs remembered, “I then read an article years ago about a young first-grade teacher who realized her students were coming to her unprepared. So, she started an early childhood school in her community. Her vision was so inspiring, and I think that story is what first led me to this path.” 

The connection between the two LSU alumnae began with a phone call from LSU Foundation staff. Director of Development Jeremy Brokaw, who had been working closely with Goyette, mentioned to her that another LSU graduate was considering a gift in the same area. 

“He told me, ‘I'm speaking with someone in Dallas who's interested in providing a gift for early childhood education, and I think perhaps she was inspired by yours,’” Goyette recalled. “I said, ‘Oh, that's great, and I'd love to meet her someday.’” 

When Goyette and Gibbs did meet, the bond was instantaneous. “I knew she had to be one of my people if she's an early childhood advocate,” Goyette said. “And sure enough, it was like meeting my sister or something. We just started talking about what we had in common — not just supporting early childhood education but supporting the adults who are making it happen. We both felt very strongly that’s where we wanted a gift to go.” 

Gibbs agreed. “Being at LSU was a big impact on me in my life, and so it just seemed natural that that’s where we should be at least doing some focus on philanthropy. I would encourage anybody to jump on board with us and be part of this train because I think it will serve the school and the community in the long run.” 

“This gift highlights the important work that our educators have dedicated their lives to,” Watson said. “A donor’s gift signifies that they value the work that you do, and in our case, it means that early childhood matters. Their generosity reaffirms the impact of our mission — that a high-quality early childhood education is vital to a child's foundation of learning.” 

 

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Inspired by Diane Goyette and Judy Gibbs’ generosity? Visit givelsu.org to contribute.