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Deacon Dan Borné inducted into Louisiana Political Hall of Fame
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April 10, 2024Deacon Dan Borné was among seven people, including former Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame during a ceremony and banquet at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center on April 7.
Over the past 50 years Deacon Borné has worked in media, government, higher education, business and industry, health care, insurance, athletics, and religion. For the last 13 years he has also held parochial and diocesan assignments.
He tells stories about his experiences to make points about faith, family, leadership, and human nature.
“Mama and Daddy were of the greatest generation,” Deacon Borné said to those present at the event. “They bequeathed to their boys two things: To be committed to our faith, and to be faithful to our commitments. For those times that I have lived according to their legacy, I thank God for his guiding hand. For those times that I have failed to do so, I thank God for his forgiveness.”
Deacon Borné uses his experiences to serve in diverse leadership roles.
In media he served as a news and sports anchor; in government he served as an assistant to a state senator, a congressman, three U.S. senators and a governor; in higher education he has taught at three universities; in business and industry he was vice president of a multinational corporation prior to becoming president of an association of over 60 petrochemical manufacturers; in health care he has served as chairman of the board of Baton Rouge General Hospital and General Health System; and in insurance chaired the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. He is currently chair of the board of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation and chair of the Louisiana Foundation for Excellence in Science, Technology, and Education.
A native of Thibodaux, Deacon Borné graduated first in his class at Nicholls State University in 1968 and has been named to the university’s Hall of Fame. He earned his master’s degree from the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University. In 2001 he was inducted into the university’s Alumni Hall of Distinction and in 2013 was named to the Manship School’s Hall of Fame during its centennial celebration.
Deacon Borné is the media spokesperson for Bishop Michael Duca, who was present at the awards banquet, and the diocese. He has taught in diaconate formation programs in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Dioceses of Baton Rouge and Houma-Thibodaux. He and his wife Lisette, who are members of St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge, have been married for 54 years and have four children and eight grandchildren. Lisette is a certified spiritual director and recently retired as associate director of vocations and seminarians for the diocese.
Borné has been the public address announcer at LSU Tiger Stadium for 38 years and at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for 36 years.
The Hall of Fame inductee expressed his appreciation for the service of those who serve in public office.
“I have never run for office, but I have nothing but profound admiration for those who have … and who have had to make tough decisions on important matters of public policy. Thank you,” said Borné.
He added, “For over 60 years, at every stage of my career, I have been blessed with mentors who were doing things that I had an interest in knowing more about. They generously helped me with their time, their counsel, their encouragement and, when necessary, their constructive correction. And I have been doubly graced to work with and for so many colleagues who have been so competent and so supportive. They all share in this recognition tonight.”
Inducted along with Deacon Borné and Edwards were Sen. Louis Lambert, former State Rep. Joe Delpit, former Chair of the Board of Regents Richard Lipsey, radio journalist and WAFB political analyst Jim Engster, and former newspaper reporter Ed Anderson.
