Go inside the grand opening of the LSU Health Center for Medical Education | Maggie Martin

It must have been a difficult secret to keep, but it was a surprise to most guests at the grand opening of LSU Health Center for Medical Education. So A-lister Clinton "Bubba" Rasberry  Jr. received sustained applause when he announced he was giving  $2.5 million for a lecture series at the new facility.

Only Foundation Chief Kevin Flood and his staff knew the news was coming, said LSU Health exec Lisa Babin, in a press release.

Rasberry announced the big news at the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the completion of the $79 million structure built over four years:  LSU Health Center for Medical Education.

The special event was scheduled on a coolish day with some 400 guests seated outside under the four-story glass-designed building. (It is truly a sight to see on the school's campus.)

As the program pointed out, the center "was created to enhance, expand and modernize medical education and research."

Rasberry's donation establishes the Rasberry Family Endowed Lecture Series which will be hosted in the building auditorium, said Babin. In recognition of the gift, Rasberry will have his name, well not inlights, but certainly, prominent places for the auditorium will be designated the W. Clinton Rasberry Jr. Auditorium.

"Wow" is what I thought when I saw the building that holds the auditorium. A press release describes it: "The dynamic design boasts shimmering glass and metal, utilizing energy, transparency and lightness to create a welcoming atmosphere."

Gov. John Bel Edwards was the top celebrity public official on the program.

But, by the end of the talks, not the man with the most attention on the podium

That would be Rasberry, a member of the foundation and the last person on the program. During his turn on the podium, he also appealed to other members of the community to continue supporting the school and the center.  "The care provided, the research that's done here is essential. Giving today by you and others and myself is for the future," Rasberry said.

According the the program others who did just that to get the building constructed included, but are certainly not limited to: Roy O. Martin III, $500,00; Dr. George and Sandra Bakowski, $250,000; and Bill and Frances Comegys, $200,000. Among those sending $1 million: John and Lindsay, James Davison, Dr. Linda Nall and the late Fred L. Phillips. Their names topped program pages crammed with names of private and public individuals and public and private agencies.

The program also pointed out public contributors, including the Louisiana State Legislature, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Ochsner Health, 117th U.S. Congress, City of Shreveport, Parish of Caddo.

Among those on the speaker's stand: State Sen. Greg Tarver who the governor praised for efforts procuring money from the Louisiana Legislature for the center. When we ran into contributors   Collin Phillips and Christopher Phillips, they marched us over to a classroom and pointed out a plaque with their names etched on it.

Among others in the powerful crowd: Speakers LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor Dr David Guzick, LSU Prez Dr. Will Tate, state Sen. Greg Tarver,  Ochsner Health official Dr. Leo Seoane, and Corwin Harper, CEO, Ochsner LSU Health System official. Others touring the facility or working the crowd:  Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux and wife Elizabeth; Dean of the School of Medicine Dr. David Lewis and wife Kathy; Board of Regents Member Wilbert Pryor.

Community Leaders: Clare Nelson, Dr. Mary Ann Edens, Susan Berry,  Tari Bradford, Dr. Steen and Ronda Trawick, Dr. Chuck Fox, Dr. Carranza Pryor, state Rep. Tammy Phelps,  Wayne Brown, state Sen.-Elect Sam Jenkins and state Rep.-Elect Steven Jackson.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Inside the LSU Health Center for Medical Education