Holy Cross Man of the Year

Each year, Holy Cross School honors one distinguished alumnus with the honor of the Holy Cross Man of the Year distinction. This honor is bestowed upon one man who embodies the mission and continues the legacy of Holy Cross School through his leadership, support, and devotion to the school.

This year, Holy Cross School is pleased to announce that this year’s Holy Cross Man of the Year is Mr. Steven A. Cossé. A member of the Class of 1965, Mr. Cossé was born in New Orleans and grew up in Chalmette, Louisiana. Before attending Holy Cross, he attended Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Chalmette.

Upon graduation, he matriculated at Southeastern Louisiana University and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1969. Mr. Cossé continued his education at Loyola University of New Orleans College of Law, earning his Juris Doctorate in 1974.

Now retired, Mr. Cossé has served Murphy Oil Corporation and its subsidiaries for more than 41 years.  He served as Murphy’s President and CEO after serving as Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, and Principal Financial Officer. He also served as General Counsel throughout most of his tenure at Murphy Oil Corporation. Before joining Murphy Oil Corporation, Mr. Cossé also served as General Counsel for Ocean Drilling & Exploration Company (ODECO) in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mr. Cossé’s exemplary service to the community is evident today through his positions as a member of the Board of Directors for Simmons First National Corporation and Simmons Bank, South Arkansas Regional Hospital (SARH), and the SHARE Foundation. He is a former board member for Murphy Oil Corporation (2011-2023), a former Board of Trustees member for Loyola University, New Orleans, and served as a past Chairman for the South Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross.

In 2012, Mr. Cossé received the distinguished honor of being named the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year at Southeastern Louisiana University. He maintains bar membership with the Louisiana Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association, and Union County Bar Association. Following retirement, Mr. Cossé returned to the Greater New Orleans area and currently resides in Mandeville, Louisiana, with his wife, Andrée Cossé. Together, they have established a number of scholarships at both Southeastern Louisiana University and Loyola University New Orleans, continuing the education for future generations of students at those institutions.

Throughout his career and community service, Mr. Cossé has carried with him the values established through the fundamental and educational foundation that he received at Holy Cross.

In speaking of this Holy Cross Man of the Year honor, Mr. Cossé said, “But probably the most poignant thing I learned at Holy Cross is that success in life is not just about money, it’s you doing something that you do well, that makes you happy and feel fulfilled.”

Mr. Cossé is a proud father of four children and grandfather of ten grandchildren. Holy Cross School is honored to have him as a prominent member of our alumni and will formally honor him at the Holy Cross Man of the Year ceremony and reception on Saturday, June 13. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Steven A. Cossé as the 2025-2026 Holy Cross Man of the Year.