St. Mary’s Catholic School inducted longtime educator Michael Landry into its Academic Hall of Fame on October 28, 2026, honoring 40 years of service and his contributions to the school’s academic and extracurricular programs. The recognition followed All-School Mass, with a reception held in the school gym.
The longest-serving teacher in St. Mary’s history, Landry has helped generations of students explore history, develop their talents and pursue academic excellence. His work in the classroom, including Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses, has been complemented by decades of leadership in academic competition, student organizations and theater.
Landry earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern State University in 1974 and a Master of Arts from the university in December 1976. He pursued doctoral studies at the University of Tennessee from 1977 to 1981, completing all requirements except the dissertation. He taught at Northwestern State University and Magnet High School before joining St. Mary’s in 1985.
Throughout his tenure, Landry expanded opportunities for students beyond the classroom. He founded St. Mary’s Quiz Bowl, National History Day and Academic Decathlon programs and reestablished its theater program. His Quiz Bowl teams and National History Day students earned multiple state wins.
Landry also founded St. Mary’s Beta Club in 1992, served as Louisiana State Beta Sponsor and sponsored three state Beta officers and two national Beta officers. He directed the St. Mary’s Invitational Quiz Bowl Tournament, sponsored the school’s Literary Rally team and served on the District Literary Rally Board of Directors.
His leadership extended to the broader educational community. A founding member of the Louisiana Association for Academic Competition in 1992, he served as both president and vice president. He also chaired St. Mary’s accreditation team.
Landry’s honors include the Diocese of Alexandria’s Catholic High School Teacher of the Year award for 1991–1992, the Em W. Knipmeyer Excellence in Teaching Award at St. Mary’s in October 2006 and Louisiana National History Day Teacher of the Year. He was also recognized in Who’s Who of American Educators in 1993. His academic honor society memberships include Phi Alpha Theta and Kappa Delta Pi.
With his induction, St. Mary’s honors Landry’s enduring dedication to Catholic education and the opportunities he has created for generations of Tigers. His framed recognition will join those of fellow Academic Hall of Fame members on the school’s Hall of Fame wall.