ALEXANDRIA - Louisiana State University of Alexandria welcomes Thomas O. Ryder to deliver the commencement address at the spring 2025 graduation. Ryder is an accomplished publishing executive and entrepreneur with deep roots in Louisiana. Born in Varnville, South Carolina, and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, Ryder graduated from Bolton High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from LSU in 1966. This year, graduates can look forward to expert insights and guidance from his extensive and successful career in media and publishing.
Beginning his distinguished career as a publishing trainee at Time Inc., Ryder quickly advanced, joining Xerox Education Publications as an executive in 1968. In 1972, he co-founded Education Today Co. Inc. in Palo Alto, California, serving as president and board member. The company specialized in publishing resources for educators and parents.
From 1980 to 1984, Ryder served as senior vice president at CBS Magazines, where he demonstrated his keen business acumen by acquiring Cuisine Magazine. In May 1984, Ryder transitioned to American Express as president of American Express Publishing World Wide. He subsequently held key leadership positions, including president of American Express Merchant-Related Services World Wide and president of American Express Travel Related Services International (1995–1998). While at American Express, he revitalized Food & Wine Magazine and established the influential Aspen Food & Wine Classic, setting a new standard for culinary festivals globally. Additionally, he oversaw the successful launch of Departures magazine, enhancing American Express’s luxury brand profile.
In 1998, Ryder became chairman and chief executive officer of The Reader's Digest Association, a role he held until 2005 and continued as chairman until 2007. At Reader’s Digest, Ryder strategically expanded the company’s footprint in food media by acquiring Allrecipes.com and Taste of Home and launching Every Day With Rachael Ray, one of the publishing industry's most successful magazine debuts.
Ryder has also written extensively about food and wine in publications such as Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, Reader's Digest, Barron's, Huffington Post, and The Daily Meal.
Compiled by Adam Lord
Image - LSUA Strategic Communications, adapted from Frayruss @ Creative Commons
