Contact Jordan LaPier Director (202) 495-3320 jlapier@ourpublicservice.org LSU Graduate, Forensic Palynologist In Running for Coveted Sammies Award July 10, 2020 LSU alumna and noted palynologist Shannon Ferguson is a finalist for the 2020 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals People’s Choice, otherwise known as the Sammies. The Sammies, created in 2002 to highlight excellence in the federal workforce and inspire other talented and dedicated individuals to go into public service, are considered the Oscars of government service.