1983 Society Spotlight: Ben Marcel (‘00) Seizes Opportunities and Gives Back

3/9/2021

Ben Marcel (‘00) was born in Taiwan but laughs that he “grew up a Cajun” in Houma. Quick to attribute his unique life perspective to his parents’ decision to adopt him, the 1983 Society member is a firm believer in the importance of taking advantage of the opportunities he’s been given while helping others along the way.

When Ben was a teenager, his parents encouraged him to consider attending LSMSA. Although he enjoyed and excelled at sports, he decided the opportunities he’d have from attending LSMSA could overshadow even his dream of playing baseball at LSU.

“I believe in the importance of making decisions that lead to even more opportunities,” said Ben. “I’ve never regretted my decision to attend LSMSA, and I still value the knowledge and connections I gained from that decision.”

A lifelong entrepreneur, Ben started his first company in the mid-90s at age 13 to help teachers and business professionals learn how to use the then-new internet. Today, the Baton Rouge-area founder and CEO of Torapath Technologies provides businesses with IT solutions and digital marketing services. The husband and dad of 3 also opened the capital city’s Code Ninjas franchise in 2020, where kids learn to code by building video games.

A few years ago, the LSMSA Foundation trustee was able to tell a neighbor about his LSMSA experiences, resulting in Caleb Coleman (‘20)’s decision to attend the school. Ben shared this heartfelt message from his graduation card to Caleb:

Your time as an eagle flies by fast, but it is just the beginning of your journey. 20 years ago, I graduated from LSMSA. Over the years, I have realized how important our school family is. Some of my classmates stood in my wedding while others have done business with me. Use this network to continue to develop the strong, reciprocal relationships that we need throughout life. Visit the school often. Attend alumni events. Give to the foundation when you can.

“My parents gave me so many life-changing opportunities,” said Ben, “so if I can change just one life with anything I do -- even if it’s in some small way -- I am going to try.”

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NEWS ARCHIVE >

Ben experiences one of his first Mardi Gras parades in Houma.
Ben made lifelong friends at LSMSA who are still part of his life.
Ben Marcel ('00), Toropath Technologies founder and CEO, was named to the Baton Rouge Business Report's Top 40 Under 40 class in 2020.

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Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) is the preeminent state-supported residential high school with competitive admissions for Louisiana's high-achieving, highly-motivated sophomores, juniors, and seniors. As a public school, there is no tuition to attend, and assistance from the LSMSA Foundation ensures the program is available to all qualifying students regardless of family financial need.