giving back - LA Tech Alumni

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summer 2011

giving back

The heart of Tech’s mission

Louisiana Tech University www.latech.edu

contents

Alumni Association

Officers

Jeff Parker, President Jason Bullock, Vice President Caroline Wilkerson Reaves, Treasurer Dawn Young McDaniel, Member-at-Large Marsha Theis Jabour, Past President Daniel D. Reneau, Ex-Officio

2 From the 16th Floor Glad you asked …

3 Tribute

F. Jay Taylor

Board of directors Doyle Adams, Joanie Burton Andrew, Tim Brandon, Sean Cangelosi, David Caston, Lisa Porter Clark, Leigh Laird Cordill, Cathi Cox-Boniol, Wendell Delaney, Gil Dowies, James Ginn, Bobby Jefcoat, Rex Jones, Rusty Mabry, Dave Matthiesen, Philip McCrary, Jeff Pace, Stacee Miller Priddy, Terry Snook, Michael Stephens, Wade Stephens, Dustin Sumrall, Julie Strong Talbot, Bradley Walker, Brandon Walpole

Alumni association staff Corre Anding Stegall – Vice President for University Advancement [email protected] Ryan W. Richard – Director of Alumni Relations [email protected] Jackie Stevens Kitchingham – Coordinator of Advancement Programs [email protected] Barbara Britt Swart – Administrative Coordinator [email protected]

4 Hall of Distinguished Alumni Jim Mize

A Word from the

Alumni Director

As July begins, I hope you’ve already enjoyed a great vacation or have plans for one soon because it’s time to begin focusing on plans for Louisiana Tech’s football season! The Alumni Association’s Argent Pavilion has become the gathering place for football tailgates prior to home games, and we’ll also be hosting events prior to our games at Southern Mississippi, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. We hope to see you in Ruston – and on the road, too! You can bring that tailgate cuisine into your home with recipes from Bill Cox, Tech’s 1959 alumnus and expert tailgate chef – see page 17. Homecoming Weekend is October 28-30, and many events are being planned. The Bulldogs will take on the San Jose State Spartans on Saturday at 3 p.m. See a preliminary schedule of events on page 16; be sure to book your hotel accommodations early. Even with many new hotels in Ruston, early reservations are a must. On campus this summer, things are buzzing with freshman orientation and a huge amount of building. By fall, the entire landscape of the entry to the campus on Tech Drive will be transformed by the new Lambright Center buildings and pools. It’s an exciting time at Tech; come see and be proud all over again that you’re a BULLDOG!

Dave Guerin – Director Teddy Allen – Writer/Editor Mark Coleman – Designer Donny Crowe – Photographer Don Barone, Cody Bryant, David Hunter Jones, B.A.S.S. – Contributing Photographers Louisiana Tech Magazine is published semiannually by the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association. We welcome your comments or suggestions.

Class of ’11 ‘medals’

14 Young Alums

Bulldogs in the big city, the great outdoors, even outer space

16 Homecoming 2011

October 28-29 is not just another weekend

20 Athletics

» Hall of Fame Nominations » Spring Sports Roundup

22 News Around Campus 26 Foundation Spotlight 28 News About You

See you in the fall!

Lisa Graves Smith – Communications Coordinator/Editor [email protected]

marketing and public relations

9 The Circle of Tech Life

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All in This Together A trio of energy, unity and talent

Culture of Caring Volunteerism, civic engagement at the heart of Tech’s mission

Ryan W. Richard (’98/’02)

Connect with Tech Marbury Alumni Center Louisiana Tech University P.O. Box 3183 Ruston, LA 71272 1.800.738.7950 318.255.7950 318.251.8324 (FAX)

latechalumni.org Alumni Association, University Foundation and LTAC. latech.edu News for today’s and tomorrow’s students. latechsports.com All Tech athletics, from tickets to game times. facebook.com/latech facebook.com/latechalumni facebook.com/latechathletics All your Tech “friends” are right here! twitter.com/latech Get hooked up for quick answers to your Tweets. youtube.com/louisianatech Tech videos created by staff, faculty and students. flickr.com/photos/louisiana_tech/collections Collection of recent Tech photos, updated regularly.

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10 Must Be Something in the Water

Four Tech ‘Elite’ grads have hooked into B.A.S.S.

and revenues from operations such as rent or private donations represent the funding sources for various types of capital projects. Construction with public funds takes a significant amount of time. The process to receive appropriations to design, bid and construct a building takes several years. Funding for these buildings is typically derived through debt service that bridges up to 40 years. During this time, the economy will take several ups and downs. Construction you see on campus right now is the culmination of many years of hard work that began prior to the current economic crisis. We are being careful to ensure that these capital investments benefit the University and build on the future of our state and region. I truly believe that these investments in higher education are necessary to help us build out of the “economic crisis” into a stronger society and economy.

from the 16th floor

Glad You Asked … Our Tech Family lost one of its greatest on May 15 with the passing of President Emeritus F. Jay Taylor. Dr. Taylor served 25 years as Tech’s 12th president, and I had the honor of serving as his vice president for seven of those years. He began the transformation of what was then Louisiana Polytechnic Institute into Louisiana Tech University, the dynamic doctoral research university of today. He was a remarkable leader and a wonderful mentor; we shall all miss him. Our prayers remain with his wife Lou and son Terry and his family. Technology allows us to stay in touch and up to date now more than ever. Your University’s news is always just a click or call away. Some questions are asked more than others. This forum allows me to respond to some of those questions. University life is a liquid situation, as is most news. Sometimes, the answers to questions evolve. As they do, we’ll keep you informed through the University’s News Bureau and many websites. Several new buildings are going up on campus, and under way is the Quest For Excellence Campaign to build a multi-purpose athletics complex. When the state is in an “economic crisis,” how can we afford to build? The construction projects on our campus are funded separately from the University’s operating budget. Appropriations from the state of Louisiana, the federal government and student fees

2 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

When will the Visual Arts Building open, and why did we “rebuild” it instead of tearing the old building down and starting over? The former Visual Arts Building – now renamed University Hall and scheduled to open this fall – was in structurally sound condition and did not require structural modifications. Many buildings built in the 1920’s and in the Works Progress Administration/New Deal era are so substantial in their construction that we would not improve upon the structural skeleton with a new building. Further, the building has historical significance that needed to be preserved on the campus. The former VAB was constructed in 1927 as the campus library and is the second oldest structure on campus; only the Ropp Center is older. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is appropriate if not incumbent upon institutions such as Tech to preserve historical treasures like this building. Media reports are constantly filled with talk of higher education and health care being on the block. What effect will the “economic crisis” have on Tech? The cuts and talk of cuts have a huge impact on all of higher education. The financial cuts are disheartening at best. We have devoted our careers to building the Louisiana Tech family. The Tech administration has worked diligently to support the core missions of the University for the benefit of our students, faculty, staff and community. By some measures, we are in tough times. But by other measures, we are meeting and exceeding the mission and goals established by and for us. What we have to do is make sure that the University community of students, faculty and staff maintains focus and does not let the talk of cuts overwhelm us. Attitude is important. Hope is important. If we maintain our focus, all of the cuts and continuous talk of cuts will not defeat us. If we can keep good students, faculty and staff and maintain our facilities, our campus will continue to succeed. Our future is bright, and I firmly believe that we will prevail by building on our proud heritage, by calling on the Tech family to stand together and by continuing to overcome adversity with a clear and determined path to our future.

Daniel D. Reneau

He made the difference that made the difference for Louisiana Tech. “…a great leader and a great president. A senior statesman and point guard in the Tech family…We will miss him greatly.” – Tech President Dan Reneau “…a bold competitor whose loyalty was unquestionable. He entrusted us, backed us, and left a model of administrative grace and skill. No facade, just intrepid leadership.” – Pat Garrett, Sachs Professor of English “He epitomized the grace, humility, vision and intellectual depth that only a great university deserves. He made us all believe in that greatness, and the gift of his tireless work lives on in all of us who were served by him and blessed that he was ours.” – Sid Moreland, SGA President, 1982-’83, in his May 18 eulogy

F. Jay Taylor 1923-2011

Louisiana Tech University’s 12th President, 1962-1987

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Degree: B.A., liberal arts, ’38 Family: Married since 1948 to the former Minnie Ratliff; children Sallie Delle McKann and James Alexander “Alec” Mize. Resides in: Ruston From Tech Vice President for University Advancement Corre Stegall: “Not only has Coach Mize been a consistent thread of excellence in the tapestry of Louisiana Tech, but his wife Minnie, herself a former Tech professor, is always by his side cheering on everything Tech does. They are amazing people, and Tech and the community continue to benefit greatly from their loyalty, influence and unfailing positive support.”

Jim

Gentleman

Hall of Distinguished Alumni What has become a Louisiana Tech tradition is personified in Jim Mize, inducted into the University’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni during spring commencement exercises Saturday, May 21, in the Thomas Assembly Center.

He still runs with you, his former student-athletes say. “Keep those white socks moving, boys.” “Do what’s right.” “Handle your business.” The voice of Jimmy Mize. Mize coached track at Tech for 31 years, has been retired for 34, and still, they hear him. “The older you get,” said John Allen, who threw the javelin for Mize and the 1973 Southland Conference champions, “the more you know what he was talking about. Tend to your own business; make sure you handle your responsibilities. “‘Keep those white socks moving’ meant more than just running. It meant don’t quit,” Allen said. “Never give up. You keep on.” Mize has. The 2011 inductee into Louisiana Tech’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni came to Louisiana Tech as a student-athlete in 1934. His steady and positive influence both in the Ruston community and in the Tech family is in its seventh decade. “It’s great to be counted among the number of Tech grads who

Coach Mize produced three conference champions – 1961, ’73 and ’74 – earned “Coach of the Year” honors in District 6 in ’73 and won numerous coaching honors on the conference level. Yet it wasn’t so much that he won as how he won. “Coach Mize coached character and integrity as much as he coached track,” Allen said. “What you do, you do it right. You take responsibility as an athlete competing to win or as a graduate trying to make a living. He’s still a presence for us.” “Most great universities can point to a few iconic figures who are beloved and highly respected by generations of students and alumni; Coach Mize is just such a man,” said Tech vice president for university advancement Corre Stegall. “The very mention of his name brings smiles to the faces of his former athletes, and each can tell how he was made a better man by his coach.” “Coach Mize is a quiet patriot who leads through character,” said Pat Garrett, a tri-captain with Bob Hayes and Bob Goree on the 1961 team, Tech’s first Gulf States Conference champ. “Coach saw to it that I competed against Olympic sprinters…In the 1960

“Coach Mize coached character and integrity as much as he coached track. What you do, you do it right. You take responsibility as an athlete competing to win or as a graduate trying to make a living. He’s still a presence for us.” - John Allen, four-year letterman in the javelin under Mize

The Tower Medallion Award signifies membership in the Hall and is awarded to Tech alumni who have distinguished themselves by exceptional achievement, community service and humanitarian activities.

4 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

KEEPING TRACK: Already a war veteran when he became Tech’s head coach, Mize kept daily typed practice schedules and, in pencil, a notebook of detailed workout results.

have been so honored,” said Tower Medallion honoree Mize, 94. “I really can’t express myself about this…I love Louisiana Tech. I always have.” He came to Tech from Shreveport’s Fair Park High and succeeded as an excellent student and a star member of both the football and basketball teams. Immediately after graduation, he helped coach football at Ruston High for two years. Then on semiorders from Bearcats coach L.J. “Hoss” Garrett, he became a sort of “emergency” coach for Arcadia High’s football team just four days before the 1940 season started. Arcadia won the Class B state championship. Mize entered the military before the next football season could start. In five years of World War II active duty and 25 months in the Southwest Pacific, he logged more than 3,800 hours and 300 missions on C-47s and C-46s transporting food, troops and American POWs returning from Japanese concentration camps. He actually retired from the Air Force long before he retired from coaching: Mize was commanding officer of the reserve unit in Ruston for nearly 18 years after the war. It was during this time that he made his biggest contribution to Tech athletics. Hired by Joe Aillet in 1946 as both track coach and an assistant in football, Mize coached his way into the Tech Athletic Hall of Fame and became one of the most respected track authorities in the country.

Olympic year, segregation laws in the South ruled out some matches, but Coach Mize found a way for us to run until we were eliminated by competition, not the laws.” That team will reunite the weekend of Tech’s football game against the University of Houston in Aillet Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 17. “They were good competitors, exceptional competitors,” Mize said. “I can say they enjoyed every meet. Great chaps. Great club.” Mize coached football until 1970, then track through ’77. Nearly 30 years later, updated to state-of-the-art specifications, the Jim Mize Track and Field Complex was completed in 2008 and dedicated in November of that year. “It’s a funny feeling, to walk into a place that has your name on it, it’s a funny feeling,” Mize said. “And a very pleasant one. I enjoy attending as many Tech events and activities as I can.” With him almost always is Minnie, his wife of 60-plus years and a professional dancer in New York City for a bit before she came to teach at Tech. “Oh, those two can still cut a rug,” Allen said. “Not long ago at a Peach Festival dance, it was midnight and they were still on the floor. You should have seen them jitterbug when they were in their 60s.” Got to keep those white socks moving... www.latech.edu | 5

Although volunteerism continues year-round, Tech’s most visible community effort is The Big Event, designed specifically to give back to the community through student volunteer services. At 9 a.m. on April 9, a Saturday morning, more than 1,200 Tech students – and some faculty and staff – gathered in Joe Aillet Stadium for their marching orders for the 18th annual Student Government Association-sponsored Event. The SGA handed out assignments and students covered the area, working in more than 80 different locations, helping organizations or individuals that had signed up for assistance. “It’s a unique opportunity for students, all Tech students on the same day in one concentrated effort, to give back to the Ruston community,” said SGA outgoing president Emily LaFleur. “I think it says that Tech students have a big heart when they show up with smiles on at 9 on a Saturday morning, ready to go paint or rake leaves and sweat to do some good.” “We get tons of thank you cards every year after The Big Event from citizens filled with gratitude,” she said. “The positive impacts that our faculty and students are having throughout the region, as a result of these outstanding servicelearning projects, are central to the mission of our University,” said Tech President Dan Reneau. “Their commitment to community service and engagement is matched only by their passion for helping create a better world for the people around them.” Community non-profits count on both the sweat and time given and the money donated by the Tech community.

DIRT POUR: Grounded in the basics of good neighboring, the Tech community finds all sorts of creative ways to “give back.”

A culture of

Caring There is a side of Louisiana Tech’s student body the masses seldom see, but it’s a side that makes a big difference for north Louisiana and for the students themselves.

Tech students study and sleep and eat and play, but they also read to school children, bake cakes for raffles, rake leaves for community renewals, deliver food and toys to the needy. They paint and run and collect and cook. They do it to extend the influence of a caring campus to places that might not be seen but are nonetheless served. As evidence, Tech is on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for involvement in volunteerism, service-learning and civic engagement. Some students even care enough to seesaw. For 72 hours. Consecutively. 6 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

All 33 members of Kappa Alpha participated in the Tech fraternity’s Seesaw-a-Thon one stormy April weekend – and raised $2,500 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The old reclining Jeep seats on the end of the extra-long seesaw helped, but fundraising still has its ups and downs. A hail storm in the middle of the night sent the guys running for their cars. “Once the weather cleared,” said former chapter president Patrick Coudrain, “we started right back up.” “We like to show that community service and volunteer work can be fun,” Coudrain said. “It’s a testament to our brotherhood that we can make events like this enjoyable for us, for those we help, and for those who support what we do.” Two blood drives, a “Lock-Up” event and a spaghetti-plate sale helped KA raise more money for MDA. It’s a common theme shared by Tech’s Greeks, religious organizations, honors and pre-professional societies, campus clubs, and student-athletes. “I am constantly amazed at the commitment to service by our students,” said vice president for student affairs Jim King. “This is a testament to the many positive attributes of this generation and specifically to the type of student attending Louisiana Tech.”

of community events in early May – including a Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, an Empathy Dinner and a 36-hour Scaffold Sit – to raise money and awareness for Push America to benefit people with mental and/or physical disabilities. Anything to support the cause. “Having community involvement brings a lot more people to the event, and you‘ll be able to raise more money from the Ruston residents than you can from the average student,” said Ryan Grumble, a Pike and the sports promotion director for the Student Government Association. “Also it shows the Ruston community that a student organization does care and is willing to be selfless to raise money for a good cause.” “Whenever a local not-for-profit organization needs help with a project,” Wibker said, “they immediately turn to the Greek system at Tech because they know these young men and women will turn out to support these causes.” While the Greeks are often visible in their community volunteerism, Tech’s community of volunteers runs deep and stretches across untold man hours. • 4PAWS, a non-profit dedicated to the wellbeing of Lincoln Parish’s stray, abandoned and neglected dogs and cats, benefited from a car wash by The Society of Honors Scholars and also by a raffle sponsored by the LA Tech Shooting Sports Club, an event which also served as a community awareness event for shooting sports safety; • A Super Smash Brothers tournament at BCM raised money for

“The positive impacts that our faculty and students are having throughout the region, as a result of these outstanding service-learning projects, are central to the mission of our University. Their commitment to community service and engagement is matched only by their passion for helping create a better world for the people around them.” - Dan Reneau, Tech president “I have no idea what the money raised by Tech students might be, but I would guess that it is many tens of thousands of dollars,” said Libby Wibker, former national president of Kappa Delta sorority and retired associate dean of Tech’s College of Business. “The KDs have raised more than $15,000 themselves.” Besides their annual Shamrock KD/1-Mile Run this year, the KDs strengthened their association with the area’s Girl Scouts and also grew the local base of their KiDs Need to be KiDs national campaign. Sigma Kappa sorority supported Alzheimer’s Research through its “Kickin’ Grass to Cure Alzheimer’s” Kickball Tournament and participated in numerous other philanthropies, including the Maine Seacoast Mission, north Louisiana’s Diabetes Walk and a walk in Shreveport to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. Phi Mu sorority won the first annual Greek Chapter of the Year award during this spring’s Greek Week, hosted its 10th annual golf tournament to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network, sponsored the local “March for Babies” March of Dimes walk, and teamed with the Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) fraternity on an Easter play day for Boys & Girls Club of North Central Louisiana. The Pikes held a week

support of students going on summer missions; • The School of Architecture partnered with the community to improve the impoverished neighborhood south of California Avenue (SOCA) by hosting the third annual SOCA Spring 5K; • The National Society of Black Engineers hosted A Walk For Education, going door-to-door in minority neighborhoods and distributing information about college admission, vocational schools and other educational options; • SGA hosted ECO Week – which included a cleanup of Hideaway Park and a “One Day Without Shoes TOMS Event in the Plaza” – to promote healthier living, environmental actions and community service. (continued)

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“We benefit from Louisiana Tech student volunteers in lifechanging ways,” said Eldonta’ Osborne, chief professional officer of the local Boys & Girls Clubs. “Students and student-athletes serve as volunteers to help with service projects, special programs and hosting events to benefit our youth. Probably one of the most influential roles these students play is that of mentors, role models and sources of encouragement to our youth, showing them that they should set goals and work hard to attain them.” The Student Nurse Association (SNA) works with numerous organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the March of Dimes and Relay for Life. Nursing students are involved in disaster training, the American Heart Walk and the Red Cross Health Fair. “Part of nursing is caring for people,” said nursing associate professor Beth Fife, “and in order for faculty to help students learn and establish this tenet of Tech, the curriculum includes community service. Showing care and concern for the community is part of the mission of nursing.” Student-athletes strengthen and nurture the connection between the community and the University on the field and off. • The Lady Techster basketball team participated in two donor programs, one in Ruston and another in Franklin, to support the

Taylor Fritz, an engineering major from Spring, Texas. “A lot of us come from very privileged situations; we hadn’t been exposed to other kids who are really struggling. To see the less fortunate, the other end of the spectrum, I feel it makes us as athletes realize how lucky we are to have been given these opportunities to play.” Lady Techster soccer has made an especially deep impact in the community. Since March of 2010, the team has offered free soccer coaching clinics three times a week to young players in the community. If the team’s in town, the clinic is on as soon as Techster practice is over. The team has supported DART and Habitat for Humanity locally. During and around a Dallas-area tournament, the Lady Techsters helped with separate events involving the homeless, Special Olympics and an amputee soccer team. During December, players bought toys for needy children and wrapped and delivered them. On Saturday, May 7, more than 250 fans participated in the inaugural Fun Fair Soccer Fest, a free event of games and instruction – even sumo wrestling – at the Lady Techster Soccer Complex. “Giving of yourself is part of the formula for success, especially in a sport as team-oriented as soccer,” said Lady Techster coach Kevin Sherry. “’Giving of yourself for the betterment of others is what we keep saying. That helps create the kind of player you need on the field to give your team its best chance of winning. “But only half our goal is development as soccer players; the other half is development as people,” said Sherry, whose ’10 team won the most games in program history. “In 10 or 15 years when

“I am constantly amazed at the commitment to service by our students. This is a testament to the many positive attributes of this generation and specifically to the type of student attending Louisiana Tech.” - Jim King, vice president for student affairs

National Marrow Donor Program; • The Lady Techster softball team raised more than $6,000 for DART (Domestic Abuse Resistance Team) through its charity softball game against Fresno State; • The Bulldog golf team read to youngsters at the Boys & Girls Club; • Tech football players volunteered with United Way of Northeast Louisiana during the Thanksgiving holidays and spent a day mentoring and playing football with students at the Louisiana United Methodist Children’s Home. Some members of the team visited the Lincoln Council on Aging for bingo with the senior adults. “It’s very humbling as a student-athlete to really get involved in something like the St. Jude Radiothon,” said volleyball standout 8 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

we see each other, we might not remember how many games we won, but we’ll see what kinds of people we’ve helped produce. It’s important for our players to understand that selfless playing and selfless giving is something you don’t do for recognition, but something you do for the ‘team,’ and that’s important no matter what. It’s part of our philosophy in the Tech soccer program, something we tell recruits, something that will continue to be a part of our program.” Tech’s giving community expands far beyond its student body. Throughout May, to help with tornado relief in Tuscaloosa, home of the University of Alabama, after the tragic tornadoes there in late April, the Bulldog Achievement Resource Center (BARC) collected clothing and other items, just one example of many self-started service-oriented projects that often pop up around campus. A more tangible example: the University faculty and staff donated nearly $19,000 to United Way this year, money that serves local individuals and families directly through the organization’s partner agencies. “Faculty and administrative staff, employees, deans and professors, coaches’ wives and more – many have and are still currently volunteering in leadership roles for our United Way and representing Tech in our community and local businesses,” said Michelle Tolar, area development director for United Way of Northeast Louisiana. “As we continue to share our message and purpose of ‘Helping People and Improving Community,’ we highly value the continued partnership and friendship of Louisiana Tech in pursuing our work to ‘Live United.’”

The Circle of

Tech Life

An experience in achievement and tradition Spring graduates completed the first circle of an original Louisiana Tech tradition that began in the quadrangle four years earlier. Responding both to national initiatives and to an ever-evolving student body, Louisiana Tech developed programs to better help freshmen transition into college life and to more efficiently ingrain in them not only their study of choice, but also the guiding principles of their University. The theory, the hope and goal was this: while the student would eventually leave the University, the University should never leave the student. Because of the Medallion Project, that theory is today a tangible reality. While services such as orientation, Residence Hall Rush and University Seminar were designed to assist with first-year student transition, Tech expanded these initiatives by establishing the First-Year Experience, housed in the Bulldog Achievement Resource Center (BARC). The result is a more seamless transition for the student through both academic affairs inside the classroom and student affairs outside the classroom. The Medallion Project, launched Sept. 5, 2007, as part of the Academic Convocation, has tied it all together in a way a student can literally touch and even carry. A direct result of the University’s efforts to initiate freshmen not only as students but also as family, the Convocation is a combination of welcome, challenge and promise held annually on the evening before fall quarter classes begin. Faculty, staff, administrators and alumni enthusiastically encourage the first-year students as they circle the Lady of the Mist and “deposit” special medallions, symbolically investing in their future. Imagine making a deposit into a symbolic piggy bank. The medallion ceremony reflects a call to persist, to honor The Tenets of Tech, to work toward a connection and an education that will last a lifetime. The initial payoff came on Saturday, May 21, when the Class of 2011 became the first to receive with their diplomas those same medallions, inscribed with their graduation year. “I hope it symbolizes for them the hard work they invested to become alumni,” said Stacy Gilbert, director of co-curricular

HEAVY MEDAL: K’Lanie Rae Almond of Minden was one of more than 800 Class of ’11 graduates to receive the new Tenet medallions.

programs and disability services. “By way of the medallion, a little piece of Louisiana Tech is always with them.” “I feel humbled and honored to have participated in the conception of this traditional event,” said dean of student development Linda Griffin. “It has grown in significance and is much greater than a 1.65-inch disc. The medallion symbolizes the best that is Louisiana Tech, and the graduate will, for years to come, have a visible reminder of the University’s role in his or her development and life.” BARC director Norm Pumphrey, Gilbert and Griffin have for more than four years been the main overseers, problem solvers, jump starters and fine tuners of this collaborative effort. As it continues and as the medallion tradition grows, its purpose will stay the same: • Promote unity and inclusivity • Contribute to student persistence • Instill student ownership in the Tenets of Tech • Foster lifelong relationships with the University So Tech graduates now get two things at commencement: a Tech diploma to signify completion of study in a certain area, and a Tech medallion to signify a non-ending commitment between the University and the newest graduating member of its family.

THE TENETS OF TECH Integrity / Respect / Leadership / Loyalty / Enthusiasm / Caring / Hope / Pride / Confidence / Excellence / Community / Knowledge

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must be something in the water The Bassmaster Elite Series Professional Tour is to bass fishing what the NFL is to football. There is no higher level at which to compete. Of the 99 anglers on this year’s Tour, four are graduates of Louisiana Tech. Tech’s pros include a 63-year-old rookie and a full-time engineer, a graphics design major, and a third generation rice, soybean and crawfish farmer. So what brings them to the water? Why the risk of losing money, and how do those sponsorships work? Did they skip class at Tech to fish? Do people tell them to get a real job and work for a living? We listened to them talk about that, and more. And we’ve listed their current home base and their career winnings and career events fished, which includes all B.A.S.S. events, all those “opens” and “shootouts” and qualifiers of fishing’s minor leagues. But now, they’re in lunker league. Big-boy angling. The Elite Series. Just listen to them and you’ll see: something fishy’s going on.

DENNIS TIETJE (’87) Ag Business Roanoke 2nd year in Elite Series 23 entries, 1 Top 10, $38,405

HURRYING TO GET TO SCHOOL: After chasing his dream for years, “TJ” is making up for lost time – and enjoying the ride. 10 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

“Four Tech grads on tour? That’s pretty awesome and strange. Maybe we played hooky from class too much!... “We always looked up to the sports greats of football, baseball, basketball and others. Now that fishing has taken a major spot in the sports industry, it’s neat to be a part of that group. I went to school with Karl Malone; it’s cool now that we as fishermen are bringing new attention to college athletics… “I did very little bass fishing before I went to Louisiana Tech. I ended up with a few roommates, David Ogletree and Ben Bledsoe, who bought me my first casting rod and reel. They took me to Moose Lodge in Ruston and we bank fished with plastic worms. I was hooked… “The major fish spawn and the best fishing time was during finals week. Not a real good combination. That’s when the problems started!... “Now that fishing has brought me national attention, it is amazing how many old college friends have stopped by the shows, tournaments, and have contacted me through Facebook. It is really an awesome deal, a dream that has come true… “I was a rice and crawfish farmer for a long time. My schooling helped me greatly with management skills, accounting skills, and yes, fishing skills. Even though I am not a farmer any longer, I own a restaurant (a Mr. Gatti’s franchise) and still own a farm… “After college I joined the local bass club. I really enjoyed the competition so I then joined a club that was affiliated with B.A.S.S. Federation, designed for the angler that did have a full-time job. I couldn’t fish much more than a few tournaments (continued) www.latech.edu | 11

away from home since I was a farmer and had crops to tend to. For the next 11 years I qualified to represent Louisiana at the Federation Central Divisional; I advanced twice to the Federation Nationals. At that point I really began to realize that maybe I did have what it takes to take it to the next level. I then moved to fish the B.A.S.S. Central Opens where I qualified to fish the Elites.”

JEFF CONNELLA (’93) Civil Engineering Bentley Elite Series since ’06 75 entries, 4 Top 10s, $273,551 “Me and Bo (Connella’s 4-year-old son) are watching River Monsters on TV right now. He likes to bass fish with me and duck hunt, deer hunt. He hasn’t started shooting yet, but he goes. He did cast and reel in his first bass at two-and-a-half. When you start that young, those memories are for dad… “My dad was Bo too, and he took me fishing everywhere. I fished bass tournaments since I was 12; me and daddy fished a lot of tournaments together, or I’d call him when I was at Tech and they were biting and he’d come up and meet me or I’d meet him. The last time he ever fished was on Toledo Bend. Last fish he ever hooked, my son reeled him in. That was pretty special for me, sitting there watching. That was in September JEFF CONNELLA of ’09, he passed away in February of ’10… “I might be the only one on tour with another job. Some of these guys don’t have to work. I’m a project engineer for the state’s Department of Transportation and Development. I think I’d be a lot more competitive if I didn’t have to work. The Elite Series is eight events a year; that’s our regular season schedule… “I was probably the black sheep of the civil engineering school at Tech. I got brought into the dean’s office and talked to about how I had the potential to make straight A’s but seemed satisfied with B’s. I explained that Tech is a very tough engineering school. I could study for six hours and make B’s or for 12 hours and make A’s. Well, the difference between a B and an A was six hours I could do something else with. And I averaged three to four days a week fishing during the spring, and deer hunted next to Driscoll Mountain in deer season… “We had a P.E. fishing class I took because it guaranteed one day a week of fishing. I ended up helping teach it a couple of quarters, just for fun… 12 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

“I share fishing information with Lee (Sisson), but that’s about it. These guys are so good, they don’t need much information. And some will send you the wrong information. The info you get needs to be from a very, very reliable and trustworthy source… “A guidance counselor at Tioga High tested us and said I looked like I should be OK in any field, as long as it was non-mathrelated. That actually drove me. I was going to be an engineer no matter what. And if you say anywhere in the country that you graduated in engineering from Louisiana Tech, they know you know what you’re talking about; it’s known as one of the best engineering schools in the country.”

CLARK RHEEM (’01) Graphic Design Lufkin, Texas Elite Series since ’08 63 entries, 7 Top 10s (1 second, 1 third), $252,160 “Old River Lure Company in Farmerville is one of my sponsors. I’ve got eight or 10 sponsors. The difference is a big guy on tour might have the same number of sponsors, but their deals are more lucrative. They might get $10,000 and I’d get $3,000. Or I get free rods and they get $10,000 and all the rods they can stick in a pickup truck… “A big part of this level of fishing is the promo side of it. The other part of it is fishing. It’s harder to land a sponsor than it is to land a fish… “Lately, the question people ask me most often is about my push poles. Those are my crutches. Broke my ankle in March when my leg got wrapped on the trolling motor cable. Long story! But I’m OK. I haven’t stopped fishing… “I’ll start guiding some this summer, so just hit me up on Facebook. That’s how everybody reaches everybody these days… “This is the top tier in fishing. I mean, you can’t go anywhere from here. This is it. I take a lot of pride in the number of Tech folks we have in the Series. I don’t know of another college that’s got even two. Most of these guys didn’t go to college… “If I win the Bassmaster Classic, Tech’s got to put me in its Hall of Fame! I’ve been to the Classic twice in the past four years. That’s the Super Bowl of bass fishing… “I worked in graphic design at Fort Polk for about four years, contracted by the military, the whole time fishing events and spending every dime I’ve got to CLARK RHEEM try to work up to this level… “At this point, most of my friends have to do with fishing, to some degree. It’s a lifestyle is what it is… “A lot of tournaments, the opens

and minors, are year-round. But the Bassmaster Classic is in February; spring is the Elite Series. March through June is pretty much our regular season… “It’s not just about ‘going fishing.’ We do, but we don’t. There’s so much stress involved. There might be lightning hitting trees, and we have to go out; it’s a job. You pay money to compete and then don’t catch anything, you lose money and you just want to throw up. If any Tech grad wants to sponsor an up-and-coming pro fisherman!, well... “None of us four are at the superstar status yet. Realistically, there’s only a handful at that level right now… “I didn’t have a boat in college; that made things difficult for me. I had to fish ponds and jump fences. I remember being late for class once, catching crappie every cast. At the Tech Golf Course, I can tell you the bigger bass are in that front pond, the numbers are in the back one... “If you had a pond in Lincoln Parish, I probably fished it.”

LEE SISSON (’72) General Studies Winter Haven, Fla. Elite Series rookie (Check out Sisson’s rookie diary on ESPN’s bassmaster.com) 18 entries, 3 Top 10s, $30,209

an offensive tackle… “Did fishing ever cause me to miss class or not study for a math test or not read ‘The Great Gatsby’ or something like that? I’d say all of the above. I was on the water or in the woods every chance I got… “There was no Tech Bass Club then. I wish there had been. I think it is great that there is fishing on the college level. My advice is to get your degree! No matter how good you are, it is important to have that. If you want to try for the top, remember it is a business and you need to approach it as such… “I’ve talked to Jeff Connella about Tech, but I had no idea that some of the other guys had graduated from Tech. Since I found out, Clark and I have talked about trying to do something for the Tech fishing club… “I had a major in recreation and a minor in business. It was perfect, although I never thought I would be in the fishing business. I worked at Bagley Baits for 12 years after graduation and then had my own lure company, Lee Sisson Lures, for 23 years. I sold it in 2008 to compete full-time.”

“There are 15 rookies on the Bassmaster Elite Series this year. The youngest is 22 and the oldest turned 63 in March; that’s me. How many guys at 63 get to start a professional career? I think it’s pretty cool… “I really learned to fish at Tech. I played football there (and lettered in’69) with Terry Bradshaw. He took me out on D’Arbonne one day and we got into a school of bass. I knew I wanted to do more after that. We helped each other in our professional careers. He taught me how to fish, and I taught him how to scramble. I was

About B.A.S.S.

For more than 40 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The Bassmaster Tournament Trail, covered on ESPN’s Bassmaster.com and ESPN 2 television programming, includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Federation Nation events and the Bassmaster Classic. B.A.S.S. has more than 500,000 members and is headquartered in Florida.

LEE SISSON

Tech Bass Club

Louisiana Tech’s Bass Club, five years old and now with 10 members, fishes in regional tournaments for the chance to compete in one of three non-NCAA-affiliated college club national championships. (Check out collegiatebasschampionship.com, collegebass. com or collegefishing.com for more information.) Tech’s placed fifth, eighth and 17th in three different national championships in the past two years. “In my three years in the club, I’ve met guys from Wisconsin, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida…,” said Colton Carpenter (M.A., business administration, ’11), the club’s outgoing president. “Some of these tournaments pay really good money. “To have Tech grads on the tour, that gives us a greater sense of awareness that it could happen to us,” he said. “We take a lot of pride in what they’ve accomplished to reach that level because it isn’t easy. You have to make a lot of sacrifices and have a lot, lot, lot of support. For us to have four guys out there, that says a lot about their talent and their ability and toughness. I’m proud of them; you’ve got to love it.” Know someone who wants to join? Tech’s Emily Essex in recreation activities (318-257-4634, [email protected]) will have information about the club’s annual fall interest meeting.

www.latech.edu | 13

Not the same Old thing Whether in the great outdoors or in the great big city – even in outer space – these

young alums

are making big impressions.

Erin Blank (’04) Merchandising and Consumer Studies Product development and production for Jessica Howard in New York City; web shop owner, maker and seller of clothing

Looking good in the Garment District “When I was in college, I never realized all the different directions my career could take,” said Erin Blank. “But Tech prepared me for all of them.” Currently, Erin’s up to her hemline and then some in the world of retail/fashion. After working as a production assistant on a pair of movies in the New Orleans area right after graduation, she joined Coldwater Creek and worked first as a visual merchandiser, then as a web merchant, and finally as a wardrobe assistant and stylist. After working as a stylist for about a year, she decided it was “time for a life change and to take a chance at working in New York City.” After interviewing in the city for three weeks, she landed her current job with Jessica Howard, a division of G-III Apparel (g-iii.com) that designs, manufactures and markets ladies’ apparel. Blank coordinates dress development from sketch form through factory production, communicating with factories all over the world. “Some days it feels like a 24-hour job,” she said, “but I love the energy of working on 7th Avenue; so many things are always happening here and it’s fun to be around it all. 14 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

“My best advice to current students is to have confidence in your abilities and don’t be afraid of opportunities. If I’d walked away every time I was scared or intimidated, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Never let anyone make you feel like you’re not good enough or capable of something more.” Erin lives in Brooklyn with a cat named Dewey and vintage/ recycled materials she uses to make one-of-a-kind clothing. She’s sold pieces in a local market and in a handful of select boutiques throughout the country, as well as through her web shop at bondergirl.etsy.com. “I’m still trying to work on my own clothes and web shop when I have time; I’d like to move forward with those opportunities,” she said. “We’ll see what’s next.”

Pirogues float his boat The noise you hear coming from Stonewall just south of Shreveport-Bossier is the birth of something as Louisiana as crawfish and swamp cypress. Cutting. Bending. Welding. Painting. Before you can have big fun on the bayou, you’ve got to have a pirogue. And somebody’s got to build it.

That’s where Brent Gibson comes in. The Sky’s Not The Limit “We purchased this pirogue business in 2007 and are working “I come from a family of space fanatics,” said Ted Duchesne. “I hard at being small business owners,” said Gibson, whose Bandit love the space program.” Aluminum Pirogues (banditmarine.com) has been featured on Easy to tell. Even before graduation, Duchesne was aiming high. KTBS TV-3 Shreveport’s “ArkLaTex MADE” series. Today, his job entails budgeting, managing personnel, overseeing The sections of the boat are cut from large sheets of flight surgeons that support aluminum by a water jet, then bent to the proper angles, crew training in Russia, and welded and painted the same flat green as Barksdale preparing for and supporting Air Force Base in Bossier Parish paints its B-52s. The Ted Duchesne (’02) any contingencies that might boats’ advantage over wood or fiberglass pirogues is Biomedical Engineering occur at Johnson Space Center their durability and light weight; each boat weighs just and in orbit. Supports astronauts as manager 52 pounds, making it an easy transport for the solo “Now that I’ve had the of the Medical and Contingency fisherman or duck hunter. opportunity to move up Group Section in Houston at “It’ll be the last pirogue you’ll ever need to buy,” within my company, I’m Wyle, which specializes in high Gibson said. “These things are built like a tank.” tech services for aerospace, life The old joke is that “pirogue” is a French word for sciences and information systems. “get wet quick.” But Gibson has found the boat’s “tunnel” construction gives it remarkable stability. “Brent, our two boys and the dog get out in the pirogues – not all at the same time but a combination of them – and no one has fallen out or been tipped over yet!,” said Brent’s wife Addie, also a Tech graduate in Ag Business (’98). Mom to the couple’s four children, Addie is currently working toward her teacher certification while helping manage the new business. “Brent does all the grunt work,” she said, “and I answer the phone and manage the books. It can be a lot, but it’s the life we’ve chosen and we wouldn’t change a thing. Everyone’s healthy and happy!” Brett’s time in Reese Hall as both a student worker and an Ag Business major was well spent: he continues his “real job” of selling cleaning chemicals to food processing plants in north and southwest Louisiana and northwest Mississippi. “I got a great education from the best University in Louisiana,” he said. seeing a different side of things; moving from a more operational Bandit Aluminum Pirogues sells about 50 boats a year now. environment to a management one has been interesting,” he said. Most sales are in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. An internship at Wyle in Houston while Duchesne was a But the Gibsons have shipped dozens of boats to northern states; student at Tech cemented his passion for space and its challenges; they’ve sold pirogues to outdoorsmen in Washington, Wisconsin his first job after college was for the company as an International and Illinois; their pirogues have been used in ponds and streams in Space Station biomedical engineering flight controller. He Canada. scheduled the crew members’ exercise and medical activities. There But each voyage started in the Gibsons’ back yard. is a bicycle and treadmill on board, as well as a weight system of vacuum canisters (imagine pushing a bicycle pump). In 2007, Duchesne became the lead of the space station’s biomed group, overseeing 18 fellow engineers to ensure console and project Brent Gibson (’96) coverage. He moved into his current position in 2010. Ag Business He’s done everything from write flight rules to update crew procedures to monitor the station’s multilevel hardware. Owner of Bandit Aluminum “Tech’s biomedical engineering program is unique in that it Pirogues; account manager gives you the opportunity to ‘specialize’ in different aspects of for Ecolab BME,” he said. “Adding the mechanical engineering courses to my BME courses, as well as gaining experience through internships in the summer and research at the IfM, I was able to get a very wellrounded education. I think this wide range of information helped my ability to troubleshoot technical issues in Mission Control; Tech gave me experience to apply those lessons to the real world.” Even if the real world is not actually on the planet. “There’s such a small group of people in the world who do what we do, and every day something new and exciting is going on,” he said. “It may be small or large, but it keeps you on your toes.”

www.latech.edu | 15

Homecoming 2011 Schedule of Events Friday, October 28

• Alumni Awards Luncheon • Class of 1961 Reunion • Pep Rally and Presentation of the Court

Saturday, October 29

Alumni and Friends Open House • Marbury Alumni Center Admissions Office Open House • Hale Hall Bookstore Open House

15th Annual Golden Society Brunch • Louisiana Tech Student Center • Honoring the Class of 1961 and prior years Alumni and Friends Barbecue Tailgate • Argent Pavilion Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. San Jose State Spartans • Joe Aillet Stadium - 3 p.m. • To purchase tickets visit www.latechsports.com or call the Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631 Check the Homecoming website – latechalumni.org/homecoming2011 – for up-to-the-minute information on Homecoming ’11!

16 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

Road Trip!

Come early to a special weekend in late October. Louisiana Tech vs. San Jose State. 3 p.m. Joe Aillet Stadium. Homecoming 2011. That’s the main event. A Western Athletic Conference battle on a mid-afternoon Saturday. But there’s more. Haven’t been to Ruston in a while? We’ve changed! Bigger and better. We’re the same! Still friendly and fun. The same can be said for the Louisiana Tech campus. Homecoming Weekend is a great time to reconnect, to show a high school student the University, to enjoy the new and the old, to bring up a conversation or two that begins with, “Remember that time…” On campus this Homecoming ’11 weekend, you’ll want to be a part of Friday’s Alumni Awards Luncheon and pep rally, of Saturday’s reunions and tailgating. • If you are a graduate of this year’s 50-year class, the Class of 1961, you don’t want to miss the special reunion planned for you for Friday evening at the Ropp Center (the former president’s home) on the Tech campus. • If you graduated prior ’61, you’re invited to the Golden Society Brunch Saturday morning at the Student Center. All alumni of 50 years or more are members of the Golden Society, and the Class of 1961 will be inducted into the group this Homecoming. • The Marbury Alumni Center will be open to serve as an information center and rest stop. Stop by for a cup of coffee or bottle of water, and look through some old Lagniappes. Or visit Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Louisiana Tech, sorority coffees and other on-campus happenings. • Then head over to tailgate alley for the annual Alumni and Friends Barbecue Tailgate at Argent Pavilion (next to Joe Aillet Stadium) where hundreds of Tech alumni and friends will gather for food, reminiscing and pregame strategy! Make time to stroll through Tailgate Alley and sample the foods prepared by University colleges and organizations, local banks such as Community Trust and First National, and various businesses and spirit groups. • Bulldogs vs. Spartans at 3 p.m. Champ vs. Sammy Spartan. You’ll want to be inside Aillet Stadium in time to enjoy plenty of pregame activity and the Jumbotron. For tickets call (318) 257-3631. Off campus, well, let’s see … • Eat at Dowling’s Smokehouse, Ponchatoula’s or Dawg House Sports Grill. If it’s Saturday and early afternoon, find some tailgate BBQ. • Cruise out to the peach orchard, to Lincoln Parish Park, or to Ruston’s historic 18-block downtown district with more than two dozen retailers. • Stay at Sleep Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Fairfield Inn & Suites or Hampton Inn, all serving complimentary breakfast. For a unique experience, stay at The Cottage of Ruston (Google it!), owned and operated by Tech alums Harrel and Janie Lamkin.

All-Go

ne Dawggone Chili (Serves 10-12) 2 to 3 lbs. ground chuck 1 big onion, 2 bell peppers Clove garlic or garlic salt, “whatever’s handy” 2 cans Rotel with chilis Cumin, oregano, chili powder (Beans, cheese and rice optional) Brow n meat, drain (but leave a little oil); sautee onions and peppers and garlic, then dump in Rotel; simmer and season to taste with chili powder, cumin, oregano. Add 2 cans or so of beans (kidney, red, pinto, ranc h) and serve over rice or corn chips with shredded cheese.

FRYDADDY: A one-man show and a five-tool player, Cox can fry, broil, boil, grill – and bake cookies by the dozens.

“I use five big pots, pots that come up to about your mid-thigh. Me and you could get in one easy, is what I mean by big.”

Bill Cox: A Tale of Tailgating A Tech coach once said that Bill Cox was the most effective recruiter the athletics program ever had. He’s certainly one of the most effective and dependable chefs. Bill Cox is a graduate of Smackover (Ark.) High, a member of Tech’s Class of ’59, husband of 54 years to Minette and a handy man to have around, which is right where he always seems to be. After oilfield work and then decades in Ruston at service stations – Cox’s Shell on California Ave. was legendary – he wore many hats for the University from 1984-’96, including promotions, fundraising, athletics travel secretary and director of facilities. He was retired from Tech for five whole days before joining Cedar Creek and working 10 more years. All that time, he cooked. Big cooking. For Tech ball teams, Tech service organizations, Tech alums. “I don’t do anything small,” he said. And he won’t bake cakes. “I can,” he said. “I just won’t.” Nobody’s perfect. His days now are fish fries for the Rotary, hamburgers for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, grilled chicken for Kiwanis. He

cooks for weddings, youth groups, the Tech Band of Pride. And once a year, he cooks for the Tech Alumni Association before an autumn home football game. This year Cox and “friends” – 150 pounds of ground meat, 40 pounds of diced onions, 75 pounds of rice, 12 quarts of pinto beans, etc. – will be at Argent Pavilion for the Bulldogs’ Nov. 26 game against New Mexico State; he’ll cook enough of his famous chili for about 500 or 600 fans. “How many people we’ll feed depends on how big your bowls are,” he said. “But remember, at tailgates the plan is to eventually run out of food.” Simple. In case you feel sorry for him because he’s a one-man band, don’t. In May he got a request for 850 ribeyes. He was asked how many people he needed to help him and when they needed to be there. “Please,” he said, “don’t send me anybody. By myself, I can do it in two hours. If I have help, it’ll take me three-and-a-half.” The best time to show up? Right when it’s time to eat. www.latech.edu | 17

All in this

Together

Tech is confident that fan support and young leaders can bring back the old magic – winning championships.

T-EED UP: Though thin in head coaching

experience, the combination of Dykes, Weatherspoon and white brings energy, credentials and a sense of hopeful unity to Tech’s Big Three sports. 18 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

One of the most familiar names in Louisiana Tech’s athletic history, Teresa Weatherspoon has been head coach of the Lady Techsters basketball team for slightly more than two seasons. That college coaching resume makes the ever-youthful Weatherspoon the old pro of Tech’s Big Three athletic programs these days. Sonny Dykes will coach his second season of Bulldog football beginning September 3 at Southern Miss. Michael White, named head coach of Bulldog basketball March 30, spent the past seven seasons as an Ole Miss assistant. He’s a rookie. “Nobody will mistake us for senior citizens, that’s for sure,” said Dykes, 42 in November. Every successful head coach started with no head coaching experience. A fact of coaching life. What these three bring to the party are energy, optimism, thick skins, highly regarded resumes and a healthy fear of failure. Neither is afraid of work or a challenge. “I wouldn’t be here,” Dykes said, “if I didn’t know we can win.” Once cut from his high school team, White ended up starring for Jesuit High in New Orleans and starting for four years at point guard for Ole Miss, helping the Rebels to consecutive SEC West Division titles and three straight NCAA Tournament berths. “We’re already hard at work,” said White, 34. “I’m anxious to see what we can do.” By “we,” he’s not talking about his team alone. “We” could be the best thing the three have going for them: each other. “No team is an island,” White said. “The better Teresa and Sonny do, the better we all look. I can promise you that we’ll do our part. We need support, but we’ll earn it. I’d like to think that football and women’s basketball will have no bigger fans than our team. I hope they’ll feel the same about us.” Never discount a competitive zeal to both root for and outdo the guy next door. Weatherspoon, for instance, is “loving every minute of it,” both the pressure and the profile of being the veteran of the three. No one has ever questioned her loyalty to Tech or her passion to win. To players and coaches alike, her testimony is the same: “You’d better bleed red and blue,” said the two-time AllAmerican, “from the day you step on campus to the day you die.” She’s off to a good coaching start, having led the Lady Techsters to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. “But football, we’ve got to have football,” she said. “They’ve got to win. They win and it helps us all.” And if Dykes asks her to deliver a pregame speech? Inspire the

team before a practice? “I’d run up in there!” she said. “Just tell me when you need me.” Quarterback, maybe? Colby Cameron emerged during the spring and will be pushed by Nick Isham, Taylor Burch and Zach Griffith to play the key position, though one of the most unsettled last year as Tech went 5-7 overall and 4-4 in the WAC. Dykes’ rookie record was a win better than Derek Dooley’s 4-8, 3-5 swan song in 2009. “A big part of the first year was putting the pieces in the right place to make our offense as effective as it could be,” Dykes said. “We’ve been able to identify some key playmakers we can count on, but we still need to improve in the little things to be successful.” White is looking for big things – like centers and forwards – to go with a trio of young guards. The program was 57-73 overall and 20-44 in the WAC during the past four seasons, and did not qualify for the conference postseason tournament in 2011. He’s got no control over the past, plenty of control over what happens now with a young staff that he says won’t be outworked. “I feel overall we are going to get as many man hours in as anyone in the country,” White said. “On paper, our weakness would be experience and age, but again, that’s just on paper; I think we can turn that into a positive.” White’s best job of coaching this season might well be off the

(continued)

www.latech.edu | 19

Sports Hall of Fame Seeks Nominations Nominations are now being accepted for the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame. The deadline for submission of nominations is Aug. 1, 2011. Nomination forms are available from the Athletics Department by emailing [email protected], calling 318-257-3145 or logging onto latechsports.com and clicking on the Tech Hall of Fame Nominations graphic. The purpose of the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame is to honor those who have contributed to the athletic program of the University. Individuals may be recognized for their contributions on the playing fields or for other unique contributions made to the program.

Soccer gets more wins, more fan support than ever A school-best 15-6 record and a tie for the most wins by any college soccer program in the state. That, and the support of more fans than ever before, is what Lady Techster soccer accomplished last season. Rising in popularity because of its work ethic and its infusion of the “Tech spirit” into the area’s youth programs, the Lady Techsters hope for a breakthrough season this fall. The season starts Aug. 19 at 4 p.m. against Sun Belt Conference opponent South Alabama at the Lady Techster Soccer Field. “Putting this schedule together has been difficult but we are pleased with the end result,” head coach Kevin Sherry said. “We are constantly trying to get new teams onto the schedule to provide our players with a different challenge. We hope to provide an opportunity for our incoming freshmen to play in games and also prepare the upperclassmen for the challenges ahead.” The biggest change in the 2011 schedule, which also poses the greatest challenge, is that there are only seven home games, down from 11 in 2010. Tech was 7-2 on the road last year and will play 13 road games this fall. Fresno State, the 2010 WAC Tournament Champion, will host the WAC Tournament Nov. 4-6 in Fresno, Calif. “We hope this season can be as successful as the last, and we hope the large number of fans who came out to see us play last fall once again turn out and show their great support for the

20 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

team,” Sherry said. Tech lost just one senior off last season’s team, which finished tied for third in the WAC.

It’s hard to track down Tech

Seven spring championships. Nothing in the WAC has been as certain or steady the past few years as the Louisiana Tech women’s track and field team. In Honolulu in May, the Lady Techsters rallied from fourth to overtake the lead in the second-to-last event of the meet and won their seventh straight title at the WAC outdoor track and field championships. The Tech men finished a solid third. The Lady Techsters scored 118 points on the field day to post 152 points overall. Four seniors scored a combined 27 points in the triple jump to give Tech its first lead of the meet. Chelsea Hayes won three gold medals and was named the WAC Female Track Athlete of the Year and the WAC Female High Point scorer. Gary Stanley earned women’s Coach of the Year honors, making seven times Tech’s longtime coach has been outdoor track and field Coach of the Year since Tech joined the WAC a decade ago. Ruston native and senior Larry Jones was Field Athlete of the Year, and Ruston native and freshman Trey Hadnot was WAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Year and WAC Men’s Freshman of the Year.

BASEBALL: Ewing engineers diamond of a career

Four-year letterman and Bulldog backstop Clint Ewing earned Capital One All-District VI honors for the second straight year. A star at Captain Sheve High in Shreveport, Ewing collected seven multi-hit games this spring and struck out only 14 times in 166 at-bats. He threw out 15 of 50 base runners, second best in the WAC, and over his career compiled a .297 career batting average with 23 home runs and 105 RBI. A 2010 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American with a perfect 4.0 grade point average in civil engineering, Ewing was one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.

Golf: Bulldogs’ best WAC finish ever

In May in Nevada, Tech golfers earned the best finish at the WAC Championships in the program’s history. Sam Forgan and Jonathan Bale shot red numbers in the third and final round as Tech finished in a tie for fourth. We have four guys returning who have experienced the WAC championships this year,” said coach Jeff Parks. “I’m excited about what we did this year, and even more excited about our future.” One of the returning golfers will be Jack Lempke, named WAC Freshman of the Year, the only Tech golfer ever to win the honor. The star Tech loses is Clinton Shepard, named second team allWAC and only the third Bulldog ever named all-WAC. Lempke recorded a scoring average of 74.24 through 21 rounds, registered three Top 20 finishes and led all freshmen at the WAC Championships with a 22nd place finish. Shepard, the lone senior Bulldog, led the Bulldogs with a 73.13 scoring average this year. The West Monroe native recorded six Top 20 finishes during the season, including four Top 10 finishes.

spring sports

court, both in making sure his players remain eligible and in recruiting “guys to help us implement a new style of play…We have some guys in the program that I feel good about. They’re excited about a new opportunity, a new style and a clean slate.” Across the hall from men’s basketball, Weatherspoon has players returning who know what it takes to win conference titles, who’ve been to a pair of NCAA Tournaments. Her five newcomers led their respective high schools to the playoffs; four of those advanced to their state championship games and three of those four won state championships. “That tells me they’re winners,” said Weatherspoon, who’s been around plenty of those. She likes what she sees in her team of assistants and players. And she likes what she sees in the bigger picture, in her bigger “Team,” the one of ’Spoon and Dykes and White and a fan base eager for postseasons and a fun ride. “We’re go-getters,” she said. “We’ve got confidence in ourselves and in each other, a strong belief in our philosophy and our vision, a will to win and win the right way. “Together,” she said, “we can do this.”

Softball: Lady Techsters make a late run

The Lady Techsters toyed with the miraculous during the final days of their softball season. First, they didn’t qualify for the WAC postseason tournament until the final day of the regular season. Once in the tourney, the Techsters battled toe-to-toe with the WAC’s top teams. The sixth seed in the tournament, Tech defeated home-standing Fresno State 2-0 in the tournament opener, lost their next game, to second-seed Boise State, in 13 innings, and then split the next two to end their season. Senior pitcher Meghan Krieg threw every pitch (523 in 33.2 innings) of the postseason, recording a 0.83 earned run average. She ended her Tech career ranked second in Tech history and third in WAC history with 859 strikeouts. Tech’s young team won’t be so young next spring; Krieg was one of only three seniors.

Tennis: Tech nets most wins since ’96

The bad news: No. 7 seed Tech lost to No. 2 seed Fresno State, 4-0, in Boise, Idaho, and saw their season end in the quarterfinals of the WAC tennis tournament. The good news: The Lady Techsters finished the season 11-9 overall, the program’s most wins in a season in 15 years. Head coach Quintin Yray said the Techsters’ loss was “the best showing we’ve had against a team of this quality in a very long time. “I’m very happy with our season,” said Yray. “We have improved again this year. We were the seventh seed in the tournament and have moved up in our ITA rankings as well. The winning season has been a confidence booster for sure. Anyone could tell by the way the girls performed on the court, but having said that, we are still not content. We want to get to the top of the WAC standings and so we have a lot of work ahead of us to get there. At least we know by our performance today, we are moving in the right direction.” www.latech.edu | 21

news around campus

news around campus

Dean Jacobs translated into a huge plus for Tech’s liberal arts Steady as a stream and dependable as sun in August, Ed Jacobs, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, will retire in August. “After 39 years,” Jacobs said with his characteristic grin, “I figured that was enough.” He was associate dean for eight years before being named dean in July 1997. Courses taught included Honors English, Shakespeare and British Lit. His special interest and research area is the 16th Century English translations of the Bible, especially the Bishops’ Bible and the King James translations. His retirement plans include remaining “active in academics; I have some research in Milton and 16th Century English Biblical translation that I want to pursue,” he said. “I also plan to teach the Milton course, 404, once a year.” He’ll do that gratis, for Tech. “Ed’s devotion to the students and to English is shown in his plans to continue to teach his Milton course after he retires,” said Ken Rea, vice president for academic affairs. “He has been equally devoted to supporting his faculty and could be found at most of his College’s faculty and student activities. Under his leadership, Liberal Arts added a number of academic programs and accreditations. Throughout his tenure, Dean Jacobs has been a strong leader for Liberal Arts, often reminding us that his

College was the heart of the University.” And Jacobs was at the heart of his College. Not only colleagues but also students speak of his easygoing nature. Even though he was a dean for 14 years, did he feel like one? “I guess so, but I’m not sure how else to feel,” he said. “I enjoy the job, though I feel pressed from time to time. But I’d feel pressed doing any other job. I enjoy the faculty and students. The music, art, drama, architecture – it all provides some great leisure activities.” One of his leisure activities is walking. He’s seen often on Ruston’s sidewalks alongside Karen, his wife since 1965 and a retired (’09) Tech professor, and their current dog, Percy, “a VHSD: very handsome street dog,” he said, “with plenty of border collie.” He’ll pursue more heavily now his other hobby, cooking. And traveling. And enjoying their grandchildren, John, 12, and Abigail, 5. The couple’s children are Beth, Charles, Andrew and Meg, “three lawyers and a nurse,” Jacobs said, “all grown and making a living and paying taxes.” Jacobs served two years of active military duty with the U.S. Army in military intelligence, including a tour in Tay Ninh, South Vietnam, in 1968-69. Capt. Jacobs earned his Ph.D. from Auburn in English in 1972 and joined Tech that same year, as Dr. Jacobs.

Tech senior designs a Peach A poster designed by Allison Smith, a senior communication design major from Bossier City, was chosen as the Squire Creek 2011 Louisiana Peach Festival poster. Smith’s creation features her acute Photoshop skills. She created the realistic image of a hand-painted, vintage advertisement on a weathered brick wall with photography by fellow art student Ashley Mathews. “I immediately knew I wanted to use my grandpa’s old fashioned bike, strap a basket on it and fill it with peaches,” Smith said. “But then I had to figure out how to incorporate the text. I did some researching of old peach labels and crates. Then I thought about some old wall advertisements I’d seen in Arkansas when I visited a friend. I’ve always loved the way they look and knew downtown Ruston was full of old brick walls. So, I drew up a design with that same old ad feel to it, found a wall and the rest is pretty much history.” Smith competed in the annual Peach Festival poster competition in one of her communication design classes. “I work in a building that has some of the old Peach Festival posters hanging in a few of the offices,” she said, “and I would walk past them all the time thinking, ‘Man, I wish my poster was the next one in line after all these designs,’ and now it is! I’m truly flattered and honored to be a part of this amazing tradition. Ruston has been a good home to me over the past six years, and it’s nice to be able to, in a way, give something back.” 22 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

Tech rises to the occasion as enrollment up in several areas Enrollment increased this spring by 488 students, or 5.5 percent, from 2010. This marks the third consecutive year that Tech’s spring enrollment has risen; spring 2011 saw an increase in both undergraduate and graduate student classifications. The spring enrollment numbers follow a 4.6 percent increase in Tech’s fall quarter headcount, the largest percentage increase in the University of Louisiana System. Tech’s Colleges of Applied and Natural Sciences, Business, and Engineering and Science all saw spring quarter increases, as did the University’s Basic and Career Studies programs. Tech’s Graduate School also experienced a rise in its spring student population; that follows a record fall enrollment. For the fourth consecutive year, both masters- and doctoral-level student counts increased. Graduate students now comprise more than 23 percent of Tech’s total student body. In addition to the enrollment increases, Tech posts the ULS’ highest graduation rate at 53.2 percent and the state’s fastest time-to-completion for first-time baccalaureates at 4.6 years. Incoming freshmen for fall 2010 had an average ACT score of 23.63 – the highest in school history.

From zero to first place in four years

A team of Tech engineering students set a new American fuel efficiency record on their way to a first-place finish in the Urban Concept class at the 2011 Shell Eco-marathon Americas. Louisiana Tech’s Urban Concept vehicle, “Roadster,” won the Urban Concept title with a record run of 646.7 miles per gallon. Tech also won one of three Shell Eco-marathon Safety Awards and the Design Award for the “Roadster” vehicle. Held in Houston in April, the two-day competition challenged students to design, build and test fuel-efficient vehicles in an attempt to travel the farthest distance possible using the least amount of energy. High school and university teams from throughout Canada and the United States took part in the event. In total, Louisiana Tech took home $8,000 in prizes – more than any other U.S. university in the competition. Tech bested traditional powerhouses such as Purdue, Penn State, UCLA and the University of California at Berkeley. The students, who come from many different academic degree programs, participate in the project as volunteers and do not receive any class credit. They design, build, paint and test the cars on their own time, usually in the evenings, after class and on weekends. They also assist with fundraising and publicity. While employing skills they learn in the classroom, these students are also developing leadership and project management skills that will serve them throughout their careers. This year’s prize money will be used to develop new and more dynamic vehicle concepts in anticipation of next year’s competition. Team members have already begun looking for ways to improve upon this year’s success.

TOP DAWG dishes $14,500 to crafty student entrepreneurs A total of $14,500 in cash and prizes was awarded during the spring’s TOP DAWG New Venture Championship on campus. Bulldog Entrepreneurs, promoters on campus of innovation and entrepreneurship, hosted the annual event which encourages students to build innovative, creative products and services that create value in the marketplace. During the competition, each team is mentored by business experts from commercial and academic fields. • “03 Solutions” (Alan Katzenmoyer, biology major, and Casey Roper, recent finance graduate) won first place and $3,000 with an herbicide treatment for giant salvinia that leaves behind no trace or legacy chemicals. This year, the Innovation Enterprise Fund awarded $1,000, which was added to the $3,000 first-place award. • The “03 Solutions” team also won the $2,000 Ruston-Lincoln Parish Business Awards Best Presentation Award. Proceeds generated by the Ruston-Lincoln Parish Business Awards Breakfast, a collaborative event of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and the Louisiana Tech College of Business, fund the award. • One of the largest law firms in the Gulf South, Jones Walker recognized the team with the most entrepreneurial spirit through sponsorship of the $2,000 Jones Walker Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. The award went to “PowerFetch” (Aaron Chenevert, Brandon Lawrence and Jason Reich, mechanical engineering majors, and Brandon Cloud, biomedical engineering major), a venture that developed an automated fetch machine, a product that improves and extends a dog’s life through regular exercise. Supporting sponsors for the TOP DAWG include the Louisiana Tech College of Business, Louisiana Tech College of Engineering and Science, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology (CEnIT), the Louisiana Tech Enterprise Center, and the Technology check please!: Thanks to sponsor support and their own ingenuity, Business Development Center (TBDC). Roper and Katzenmoyer (in bow tie) racked up $6,000.

www.latech.edu | 23

news around campus

Celebrating 20 years of ‘duel’ enrollment “Stage Combat Workshop@Louisiana Tech,” one of the most respected and attended workshops in theatre movement arts in the United States, celebrated its 20th anniversary in April at its birthplace: Louisiana Tech. This year’s workshop featured 23 master teachers who shared their knowledge and stage combat expertise in single sword, broadsword, rapier and dagger, sword and shield, small sword, knife, quarterstaff, unarmed, bullwhips, and falls and rolls. These, along with many other workshop sessions, are designed and available for beginning, intermediate and advanced students. Mark Guinn (pictured), on the Tech faculty since 1991 and professor of lighting design, scene design and stage combat in the University’s School of Performing Arts, has been developing a stage combat program, along with his other production and design responsibilities. As a longtime member of the Society of American Fight Directors, he held a couple of executive positions within the organization including that of representative for the southern region. “As a regional rep, it was my responsibility to generate interest and provide training opportunities for members, students and professionals,” Guinn said. “That’s how it all began. A small regional workshop held in Louisiana Tech’s Howard Auditorium over a weekend, 20 years ago. I had small but enthusiastic classes filled with students hungry to be swashbucklers.” The workshop has trained more than 1,000 students from across the U.S., Canada, England, Germany and France, and has provided a venue for more than 250 teachers.

news around campus

English student scholars have their (impressive) say Tech members of Sigma Tau Delta English honor society proved impressive in competition against more than 1,200 other young scholars from around the globe this spring at the 2011 Sigma Tau Delta International Convention held in Pittsburgh, Pa. Tech graduate student Jonathon Richard, of Fort Worth, received third place for his original research in the category of British Literature. “There were 130 presentations in the category of Critical British Literature at the convention, so a third place award, like Jonathon’s, in this category is exceptional,” said Dr. Dorothy Robbins, associate professor of English and adviser to Tech’s Rho Gamma chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. Richard presented “Doubted Masculinity, Dehumanization and Homophobic Language in ‘The Pardoner’s Tale.’” Lydia Andreu, a senior from Ruston, presented her original paper, “More than Misogyny: Improper Perspectives and Affectations in Swift’s ‘The Lady’s Dressing Room’”; senior Andrew Massie of Ruston presented “Blake’s Contraries”; and senior Nick Berkeley, of Pryor, Okla., presented his short story, “The Big Brother.” Tech students have served as representatives for the region, others have received first place awards, and student work has been published in the honor society’s creative writing journal, “The Rectangle.” Rho Gamma received the Best Chapter Award in 2009.

New partnerships enrich campus life

Partnerships expand campus options, help fund scholarships and student services. Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC and McAlister’s Select Deli held their grand opening celebrations on campus in March, providing new retail and food services for visitors and members of the campus community. “It’s affirming to have such high-caliber companies as Barnes & Noble and McAlister’s invest in the University,” said Dr. Jim King, vice president for student affairs. “It provides exciting opportunities for the people of Ruston and offers our students outstanding new services.” King said it was important to find corporate partners, like Barnes & Noble and McAlister’s, which also share the same organizational philosophies and commitment to excellence as the University. The partnerships not only expand campus options, but also help fund scholarships and benefit the Ruston community. “We want everyone to know they are welcome to shop and eat on our campus,” said Dickie Crawford, dean of student life and auxiliary services. Community patronage on campus helps fund future scholarships and increase student employment and campus amenities. These partnerships are a product of Tech 2020, Louisiana Tech’s long-range strategic plan and foundation for the future direction of the institution. The University recently revised elements of Tech 2020 in an effort to direct campuswide attention and energy toward student recruitment, retention and success. These new relationships will create a variety of opportunities for the University and the students it serves. 24 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

2010-2011 Retirees Mr. Larry Antley (19 years) Telephone Systems Equipment Technician, Telecommunications Mr. Lenard Austin (36 years) Maintenance Repairer 2, Physical Plant Mr. George Bancks (30.5) Manager, Systems Programming, Computing Center Ms. Mary May Brown (22.5 years) Production Specialist, Lagniappe Dr. Jan Colvin (9 years) Associate Professor, Human Ecology Mr. Ronald Edwards (33 years) Maintenance Repairer 2, Physical Plant Ms. Barnell Foster (27 years) Custodian, Residential Life Ms. Helen P. Gantt (14 years) Administrative Assistant 4, Enrollment Management Dr. Mary Ann Goodwyn (5 years) Associate Professor, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences

Ms. Josie Harris (34 years) Helper, Physical Plant

Mr. James P. Marion (29 years) Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Dr. Janis Hill (6 years) Assistant Professor, Curriculum, Instruction & Leadership

Ms. Moneta Norman (13 years) Accounting Technician, Tech Express

Dr. Alice Elaine Hunt (21.5 years) Professor, Human Ecology

Ms. Linda Faye Roane (27 years) Custodian 1, Physical Plant

Dr. Howard E. Hunt (22 years) Associate Professor, Biological Sciences

Dr. Lloyd Dale Snow (32 years) Professor, Chemistry

Ms. Norlyn B. Hyde (27 years) Professor, Nursing

Mr. Samuel L. Stringfellow (10 years) Carpenter, Physical Plant

Dr. Edward C. Jacobs (39 years) Professor and Dean, College of Liberal Arts

Ms. Bonnye Ruth Voss (23 years) Custodian 1, Residential Life

Ms. Freddie James (32 years) Custodian Supervisor 2, Residential Life

Dr. Harrell Lynn Walker (23 years) Professor, Biological Sciences

Mr. Peter R. Jones (31 years) Professor, School of Art

Ms. Dianne L. White (29 years) Helper, Physical Plant

Dr. Robert E. Jungman (39 years) Professor, English

Mr. Gary W. Willis (28 years) Operating Engineer Cogeneration, Power Plant

Dr. Connie C. Laborde (12 years) Associate Professor, Kinesiology

Ms. Rene L. Womack (31 years) Accounting Technician, Comptroller

Honors Program director releases fourth book

Elementary Education: tradition of excellence continues

Beach lovers know that few things mix as well as sand, sun and song. Rick Simmons, the George K. Anding Endowed Professor of English, Director of the Honors Program and Director of the Center for Academic and Professional Development at Tech, captures a piece of the phenomenon in his fourth book, “Carolina Beach Music: The Classic Years,” published by The History Press. The book chronicles the classic hits of the East Coast experience known as “beach music” and features interviews Simmons conducted with national and international recording artists such as Sonny Turner of the Platters, G.C. Cameron of The Spinners, Clem Curtis of the Foundations, Norm Burnett of The Tymes, Bob Kuban of Bob Kuban and the In-Men, Ammon Tharp of Bill Deal & the Rhondels, Pat Upton of the Spiral Starecase and many others. The book also tells the stories behind hits by Louisiana artists such as Benny Spellman, Ernie K. Doe, Brenton Wood, Jewell and the Rubies, and Willie Tee.

Full accreditation from the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE) with no recommendation for improvement, national recognition from the Association of Childhood Education International (ACEI), and an alumna recently named the 2010 Louisiana Elementary Teacher of the Year. Quite a track record for one of Louisiana Tech’s strongest and most accomplished education programs. “The program’s reputation continues to grow through outstanding alumni teaching throughout the state, thus sustaining and increasing our elementary school partnerships,” said Dr. Amy Vessel, associate professor and chair of the Elementary 1-5 program. “We must recognize the clinical faculty beyond the walls of our University campus that supervise and mentor our teacher candidates throughout the school year.” As many higher education programs around the state have been designated for consolidation or termination, the Elementary Grades 1-5 program in Tech’s College of Education continues to thrive, focusing on the future of elementary education and producing some of Louisiana’s most respected and influential educational leaders. The College of Education recently received full continuing accreditation from NCATE, recognizing Tech’s stellar teacher preparation programs. Tech’s College of Education is among the nation’s longest continuously accredited teacher education programs. www.latech.edu | 25

foundation

Donors of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation offer private gifts for a pure and public cause: to support the educational mission of the University. For information on how to be a part of the Foundation’s distinguished history, call 1-800-738-7950.

igh l t o sp

t and aspirations of the nearly 12,000 Tech students, sending them into the world with the knowledge, ability and self-confidence to fulfill their ambitions and their highest callings.

How You Can Help Consider making gifts to the Louisiana Tech University Foundation in the form of: • Cash • Securities • Distributions from retirement plans • Life insurance policies – either by naming Louisiana Tech University Foundation the owner of your policy or by designating Louisiana Tech University Foundation as the beneficiary of your policy • Tangible gifts such as real estate, jewelry, artwork, antiques, automobiles or collectibles • Intangible gifts such as mineral interests or intellectual property rights

Support Louisiana Tech Annually

Each year, alumni and friends have many opportunities to support Louisiana Tech. Among those are: • The University Fund • LTAC – Louisiana Tech Athletic Club • College and departmental appeals • Professorships and Chairs – A donation of $60,000 is matched with $40,000 of state funds to create a $100,000 professorship. A donation of $600,000 is matched with $400,000 of state funds to create a $1,000,000 chair. • Special projects such as building campaigns, Quest for Quality, Quest for Excellence Campaign, Lagniappe Ladies, etc.

Gifts of Cash versus Gifts of Securities

Why Private Giving Matters… Now More Than Ever

Louisiana Tech remains a state-assisted institution, but the percentage of its annual budget provided by the taxes of Louisiana’s citizens decreases every year. Simply put, in order to carry out its chartered mission of teaching, research, creative activity, public service and economic development, Louisiana Tech must realize over half of its budget from tuition and other sources. We strive to keep that figure as low as possible in our commitment to keep tuition affordable and of tremendous value for the student’s investment. Private giving grows in importance as the most dependable source of the funding needed to keep Louisiana Tech among the best public universities in the country. Louisiana Tech looks to its alumni and friends to provide 26 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

critical support so its successes and positive influence can be shared with the citizens of Louisiana and beyond. Private gifts allow Louisiana Tech to provide a margin of excellence in faculty support, technology, library resources, research opportunities and infrastructure construction enhancements. All who have tread upon the Louisiana Tech campus have been welcomed by the Lady of the Mist with her open arms and accepting gaze. The Lady symbolizes “alma mater,” which in Latin is translated as “nourishing mother.” Just like the Lady of the Mist, you, too, can be a nourisher. You can support Louisiana Tech in its growth as an institution of high-achieving and sustained excellence. But most importantly, you can help foster the dreams

If you have non-cash property, such as stocks and mutual funds, which is worth more than you paid for it, and it has been owned for more than a year, you can generally enjoy greater tax savings from giving such property than from giving an equivalent amount of cash. That’s because a gift of such property lets you bypass capital gains tax that could be due if you sold the asset. You are also entitled to a charitable deduction based on the property’s current value, including any “paper profit.”

Gifts from Retirement Plans: The Special Tax-Free Gift Option for 2011

Congress has renewed a special tax provision for those over the age of 70½. It is once again possible to make completely taxfree gifts from traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts. You may direct that any amount up to a total of $100,000 from a traditional or Roth IRA be given directly to a charitable organization on a tax-free basis without worry about normal deduction limitations, additional taxes on Social Security benefits, state income taxes in most cases or other adverse tax consequences that might otherwise apply. To qualify for the benefits of making gifts in this manner, it is important that tax-free gifts from your IRA not be withdrawn by you, but instead be distributed directly to one or more qualified

charities from your IRA. Check with your IRA administrator or other advisors for more information.

Make Louisiana Tech a Part of Your Estate Plans

There are a number of ways to combine charitable gifts to the Louisiana Tech University Foundation with your estate plans. Gifts can take the following forms: • A specific amount: You designate that a particular dollar amount be transferred to one or more charities. • Specific property: You can designate that a particular asset, such as real estate, artwork or other valuables, be used to fund a charitable gift. • A percentage: A percentage of your estate can be designated to the Louisiana Tech University Foundation, thus ensuring that your gifts remain in proportion to other bequests. • All or a portion of the residue: You can provide that charitable gifts be made from what is left after all other gifts to loved ones have been fulfilled. Additionally, you may include provisions for charities through beneficiary designations of life insurance proceeds or retirement plan assets that may remain at death. There is no limit on amounts deductible from federal gift and estate taxes for charitable gifts made by will or trust, so no tax will be due on assets given in this way. To plan a charitable bequest, inform your attorney of your wishes and ask for advice regarding the best form for your gift.

Contact Us The staff of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation takes great pride in being good stewards of your donations and your wishes. Your gifts are always used in accordance with your instructions, and those gifts, truly, are making a positive difference in the lives of our students. Our staff is always available to assist you or your financial advisors with your charitable giving desires. We hope that you will give us the opportunity to help you. Louisiana Tech University Foundation P.O. Box 3183 Ruston, La. 71272 (800)738-7950 or (318)255-7950 Corre Stegall Vice President for University Advancement [email protected] Jennifer Riley Executive Director of Development and Legal Counsel [email protected]

www.latech.edu | 27

n e w s a b o u t yo u

n e w s a b o u t yo u

What’s new with you?

Do you have news to share in the News About You section? We want to share the stories of your accomplishments and milestones. Photos are always welcome, too. Submit your information for News About You online at www.latechalumni.org where you can then click on “News About You.”

Elise Baughman High (’94)

This entertainer’s ‘on a role’

Pursuing her passion has turned this Tech graduate into a quadruple threat: actress, host, model and spokesperson Hometown: Monroe Now resides in: Dallas Degree: M.B.A. (’95), B.S., accounting Family: Husband, Christopher K. High Website: www.elisebaughman.com Career highlights: Role on NBC series, “Chase” Role on USA Network series, “Monk” Catalog cover model and corporate spokesperson for Pier 1 Role on Lexus national TV commercial Host of online web series, “RV Buddies” Voice of Pan on “Dragon Ball GT” (Animé series on Cartoon Network) Voice of Mom Baxter on “Boz the Bear” (cartoon videos) What brought you to Tech? I considered multiple schools, but Tech was my top choice because my mom and aunt went to Tech, and my aunt taught at Tech. The minute I walked onto the Tech campus, I felt at home. Did you always want to be an actor? Well, I majored in accounting, so this was definitely not the direction I planned on (and being an accountant, I was a planner!). My first job after grad school was working as a financial analyst at a defense company. During that time, I started taking acting classes and fell in love. Eventually, I made the “natural progression” into the wonderful world of entertainment. Changing careers was the hardest decision I ever made…and the best decision I ever made. You do so many different things. Which is your favorite, and what is it that makes your job interesting? I love all aspects of my job. The variety keeps life very interesting. One day I may be on the set of a TV show, the next day I may be doing a corporate training video for a bank, and the next day I may be doing voiceover work for a radio commercial. I’ve loved learning about a variety of industries and companies. It’s so much fun that I still can’t believe I get paid to do this work! Your advice to tech freshmen today: Pursue your passion! I highly recommend finding what you’re passionate about and doing it – whether you do that through your job or through volunteer or extracurricular activities. Never think that you are “stuck.” When Chris and I got married, our minister said something that has stayed with me: “Live life intentionally. Be intentional in everything you do.” We try to follow that advice.

1951 Claude E. Cook, physics, has retired from energy law firm Burleson Cooke, LLP. From 1954 to 1986, except for one year of postdoctoral research at Columbia University, he worked as a scientist for Exxon Production Research, now ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company. He holds patents on 28 inventions. From 1989 to present, he practiced intellectual property law. 28 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

In 2006, he was named a “Legend of Hydraulic Fracturing” by the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

1956 John “Tom” Naff, physics, received a 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and Science. These awards recognize individuals from each program or discipline of the college for their professional accomplishments in engineering and science and for their service as outstanding ambassadors for Tech. He is a scientist at L3Communications, Pleasanton, Calif.

1957 Ron Harrell, petroleum engineering, was presented the President’s Medallion by the University of Houston at its spring commencement. The medallion is the highest honor bestowed on friends who have enhanced the university community. Life Director of Tech’s Engineering and Science Foundation and its president during 2008-09, Harrell has received numerous industry and academic awards and continues to be an industry leader. Charles E. Spruell, petroleum engineering (master’s petroleum engineering 1964), received a 2011

Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and Science. These awards recognize individuals from each program or discipline of the college for their professional accomplishments in engineering and science and for their service as outstanding ambassadors for Tech. He is a retired president of Mobil Exploration & Production, Dallas.

1960 Thomas Loyd Dubell, mechanical engineering, received a 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and Science. These awards recognize individuals from each program or discipline of the college for their professional accomplishments in engineering and science and for their service as outstanding ambassadors for Tech. He is retired director of engineering at Pratt & Whitney, West Palm Beach, Fla.

1962 John Derald Morgan, electrical engineering, received a 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and Science. These awards recognize individuals from each program or discipline of the college for their professional accomplishments in engineering and science and for their service as outstanding ambassadors for Tech. He is a retired vice president of Advancement at the University of Alabama, Huntsville.

1964 Richard I. Durrett, civil engineering, has received the Louisiana Engineering Society (LES) Award for Service to the Profession. He is currently employed by Waggoner Engineering of Ruston but has previously worked with the Lincoln Parish Police Jury and as Vice President and General Manager of Mesker Steel in Evansville, Ind. He is a member of LES, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Louisiana Parish Engineers and Supervisors Association.

years in the business, he has routinely exhibited the passion, vision and dedication necessary to be considered among the best.

Amy Rogers Talley (‘94)

She “hearts” superromances

1970

She’s super. She’s romantic. And she’s ours!

Benjamin L. Denny, business administration (master’s finance 1980), was the recipient of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce’s highest honor, the 2011 Robert E. Russ Award. He is Bank of Ruston’s Chief Executive Officer.

Pen Name: Liz Talley Title: Harlequin Superromance author (The “superromance” is defined as being “realistic, passionate, contemporary novels that are longer and more involved than most other romance novels.”)

1971

Resides in: Shreveport

Gary E. Patterson, forestry, was presented with the Distinguished Service to North Louisiana Agriculture Award. He owns Patterson Forestry Consultants, LLC, and manages more than 100,000 acres of timberland owned by more than 650 landowners.

Degree: B.A., English education

1973 John L. Moore, general studies, has been named the national collegiate ministry leader at LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville. In his new position he will work with Baptist collegiate ministers throughout the United States to determine strategic priorities for ministering to college and university students. Rebecca Fortinberry Upchurch, mathematics and statistics, received a 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and Science. These awards recognize individuals from each program or discipline of the college for their professional accomplishments in engineering and science and for their service as outstanding ambassadors for Tech. She is a retired chemical manufacturing manager at ExxonMobil, Houston.

1974

1967

Rick Fontenot, chemical engineering, received a 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and Science. These awards recognize individuals from each program or discipline of the college for their professional accomplishments in engineering and science and for their service as outstanding ambassadors for Tech. He is a retired vice president of LyondellBasell Industries, Houston.

Travis L. Taylor, forestry, has been accepted among the prestigious ranks of Stanford Who’s Who as a result of his outstanding professional career. As owner of Travis Taylor Logging and Chipping and throughout his 40

Henry “Glen” Runyon, computer science, received a 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and Science. These awards recognize individuals from

Hometown: Minden

What brought you to Tech? I knew Tech was well-respected and would give me the best of both worlds. I was close enough to home to have my mom do my laundry and far enough away to get in some trouble. Not really. I was a very good girl. Mostly. Why did you choose this career? I didn’t choose it. It kinda chose me. I love to read all types of books, but romance is my mac and cheese...always makes me feel good. One day after reading a particularly good book, a light bulb went off and I thought, “Hmm...maybe I could write a book.” So I started that afternoon. Your favorite writers: Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Kristin Higgins, Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and I could go on and on. I also really enjoy reading my friends’ books. Your best memories of Tech: Loved my sorority – AOT, Kappa Deltas! Loved the Quad and the beautiful fountain. I worked in engineering and loved the ladies there who took such good care of me. I had wonderful professors who taught me so well. Notice I said “well” because it is an adverb modifying “taught.” See? Tech rocks. Tell us about your family: I married my childhood sweetheart (I told you I was lucky in love) who also attended Louisiana Tech. He went on to LSU Dental School and the U.S. Navy. I taught for eight years and then had two gorgeous boys. We now live in Shreveport where my husband juggles a busy dental practice with baseball practice. And, why “Liz”? … My middle name is Elizabeth and I really didn’t want to use my real name, especially with children still in the house. There are some crazy people, you know? You probably know some of them so please don’t give them my real name. LOL. What’s the best way for readers and writers to reach you? Here’s my website and some sites that I currently blog on: www.liztalleybooks.com www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com www.everybodyneedsalittleromance.com www.superauthors.com each program or discipline of the college for their professional accomplishments in engineering and science and for their service as outstanding ambassadors for Tech. He is owner of Pyramid Consulting Company, New Orleans.

1977 Stanley Nelson, journalism, received the 2011 Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism for his investigation into the murder of Frank Morris, a black Ferriday businessman, in 1964. The murder had been ignored by law enforcement for more than 40 years. The Concordia Sentinel investigated the murder as well as another cold case—both allegedly the work of the Ku Klux Klan—for three years, publishing nearly 200 stories. He is editor of the Concordia Sentinel in Ferriday. The Payne Award for

Ethics in Journalism acknowledges journalists “who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to ethical conduct, even when faced with economic, personal or political pressure.” Nelson was also nominated as a finalist for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting. E. Andrew Rike, petroleum engineering, has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations for Buccaneer Resources and Buccaneer Alaska. He will be responsible for all of Buccaneer’s field operations in the lower 48 as well as Buccaneer Alaska operations for both onshore and offshore activities in Alaska.

1978 Pius Egbelu, industrial engineering, received a 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and Science. These awards recognize individuals from each program or discipline of the college for their professional accomplishments in engineering and science and for their service as outstanding ambassadors for Tech. He is a professor of industrial engineering at LSU Baton Rouge. Michael N. McGaugh, civil engineering, received a 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and Science. These awards recognize individuals from each program or discipline of the college for their professional accomplishments in engineering and science and for their www.latech.edu | 29

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C. Michael Neely (‘88)

The special effects of determination The owner and creative director of Blind Squirrel Digital, Inc. makes a difference on screens large and small – and has as much fun as he creates. Hometown: Shreveport Now Resides: near Newton, N.C. Degree: B.F.A., graphic design; M.F.A., computer art / 3D animation, (’01) Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, Ga. Where do you see yourself in five years: Five years is a lot of time in the digital media industry. It is my goal to have over 25 employees at Blind Squirrel Digital, Inc. producing interactive media and games for augmented reality, mobile applications, large multitouch surface installations and who knows what else. Can you recall your favorite ‘special effects’ movie/program as a child, and how do you compare those effects with what you are able to do now? My favorite effects films as a child were “Planet of The Apes,” “West World” and “Close Encounters of The Third Kind.” These films still hold up for the most part, and the story or concept is the main reason. If the story is good, the effects can help sell it. If the story is awful, the effects cannot save the film. What advice can you give a Tech freshman? Be determined, stay focused, set your goals, and plan how to get all of the parts in place to achieve them. Which project that most of us would recognize have you been most pleased with? I have been fortunate and very happy to have been part of some of the most recent visual fx films such as “Spider Man 3,” “Pirates of The Caribbean 3” and “Hulk,” but each project has its own rewards, and certainly being able to make a living doing what you love is its own reward. What are some EA games you worked on and how do you rate yourself as a video game player? Strengths and weaknesses? I was an intern at EA Sports’ Tiburon Studios in Orlando in 2001 working on the environments team developing stadiums for NCAA Football 2003 for PS2. It was a great experience, and it’s where I met my business partner, Jeremy Cooper. I love gaming of all kinds from Unreal Tournament to ZORK to driving games. I wouldn’t rank myself in the top of any of the games I’ve played, but I enjoy the 3D environments and the artistry that game development has yielded in recent years. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s …”: to persevere and try not to compare your work with the work of others. Be the best at what YOU do.

service as outstanding ambassadors for Tech. He is managing principal of ABMB Engineers in Baton Rouge.

1980 Paul S. Ponder, accounting (master’s accounting 1981), has been appointed to the Board of Directors of TechRadium, Inc., one of the world’s leading providers of mass notification and emergency alerting systems. He is Senior Advisor to the President and CEO of Interstate Batteries.

1981 James J. Jones, music education, has been promoted to Major General (2-Star). He is Deputy 30 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

Commander, Air Forces Central Command; Deputy, Combined Force Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command; and Vice Commander, 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force, Air Combat Command, Southwest Asia. Elizabeth “Dianne” LeJeune, animal science (medical technology 1988), has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who’s Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes her commitment to excellence in Clinical Laboratory Science. She is Implementation Consultant for QuadraMed Corporation.

1982 Jay A. Fernandez (pictured on right), history (master’s history 1985), has been named the Director of the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety

Department. The department includes police and fire/rescue personnel. He is cross-trained in police and fire skills and has more than 25 years of leadership service.

1983 Michael W. Benjamin, petroleum engineering, has joined T.D. Williamson, Inc. as Vice President, Offshore Pipeline Solutions, located in Houston. In this capacity, he will

focus on fully implementing the full array of TDW products and services – including hot tapping and plugging, pigging, SmartPlug® isolation technology, and inline inspection – within the offshore arena.

1984 John A. White, biomedical engineering, received a 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and Science. These awards recognize individuals from each program or discipline of the college for their professional accomplishments in engineering and science and for their service as outstanding ambassadors for Tech. He is executive director of The Brain Institute at the University of Utah.

1985 James Michael Coffin, chemistry, received a 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Engineering and Science. These awards recognize individuals from each program or discipline of the college for their professional accomplishments in engineering and science and for their service as outstanding ambassadors for Tech. He is worldwide director of life sciences at IBM in Austin, Texas.

1987 Paul S. Hurysz Jr., forestry and wildlife management, has joined Powel, Inc. as product manager for its Vegetation Management System (VMS), a component of the Powel WorkStudio® suite of mobile work management tools for planning, prioritizing and documenting vegetation maintenance. Powel is a leading developer of software that helps utilities work smarter. Lee W. Lindsey, finance, was appointed Vice President of Administrative Services at College of the Redwoods, Eureka, Calif. He was Humboldt State University’s budget director for the past three years. Katharine Malley Samson, English, has become Mississippi’s first female United States Bankruptcy judge.

1988 Daniel L. Childress, history (master’s history 1990, master’s

secondary social studies 1993), has been inducted into the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. He was a three-sport participant while with the Ruston Bearcats’ athletics program from 1980-83. In his post-playing career, he has earned honors as both a football and soccer coach. He serves as the head girls’ soccer coach at Gentry High in Arkansas.

Bonalyn Nelson Boyd (‘91)

An “All-Star” Bulldog

“Have faith and be who you were meant to be…” Profession/Title: Director of Marketing, ista North America; in February 2011, was one of only four EXHIBITOR Magazine 13th Annual All-Star Award Recipients, honoring the individual accomplishments of exhibit and event managers worldwide.

Steven L. Courtney, English, has joined Williams Financial Advisors as a wealth advisor. He has been in the financial services industry for 15 years.

1990 Derek L. Fitzhenry, health and physical education, has been named the new athletic director/head football coach at Pine Tree Athletic Department, Pine Tree, Texas. Marcus L. Morton, business management and entrepreneurship (master’s business management and entrepreneurship 1990), has received a Tibbetts Award from the Small Business Administration in recognition of groundbreaking technology developments and economic impact in northern Louisiana. He is president and co-founder of Network Foundation Technologies, LLC (NiFTy). NiFTy owns a portfolio of 14 patents – eight awarded and six pending.

1991 Glen E. Andrew, business administration, was recently promoted to Vice President-Sales for Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. He and his team work closely with electrical and telecommunication companies throughout the Southeast U.S. He also oversees the organization’s international development throughout the Caribbean and Central/South America. He will celebrate his 20-year work anniversary with Osmose this July and was hired through the Louisiana Tech job placement program.

1992 Paul S. Bryan, architecture, was presented the 2011 Trustees Award by the Architects League of Northern New Jersey, a section of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The award

Hometown: West Monroe Now resides in: Fleming Island, Fla. Degree: B.G.S.; M.S., corporate communications, Southern Miss. Family: Married to “the wonderful Jeff Boyd,” son Connor (13), daughter Lauren Elizabeth (11); parents Linda and Bill Nelson, West Monroe. Why did you choose Louisiana Tech? I love to tell this story! The Nelson children were Bulldogs from birth! I love to exaggerate and say that instead of the infant bracelets in the hospital, we wore dog collars!! I don’t ever remember not being a Bulldog. My parents have always been strong Tech supporters. In 15 seconds or less, how do you explain your job? I create opportunities for sales through creative marketing efforts in all mediums. (That’s 4.2 seconds by my stopwatch!) How did Tech help prepare you? I had amazing professors who believed in me! I still have a note from Dr. John Price, who taught me political science, saying “I want you to figure out what YOU want to do and do it with all that YOU’VE got!” Kay Prince brought English to life and made me a better, more creative writer and is still a dear champion for me today. The way Dr. Reneau made us feel special, and I learned from him that you should never be impressed with your own title. You have an opportunity to touch lives by sharing a smile, a complimentary word, and recognizing people regardless of where the elevator stops for you. Unfortunately, in this economy, not everyone can give up their day jobs to pursue their primary joy. What would you say to them? I love to sing and perform, but it was apparent that I was never going to support myself as a recording artist or a Broadway star. Today, I have the pleasure of being the featured soloist with a 70-piece band. We perform for fundraisers, opening ceremonies on Memorial Day in the city park, and kick off the city Christmas Spectacular to thousands in a sold-out performing arts center. I don’t get paid and neither do any of the band members, but we all have a passion for sharing our musical gifts and it brings us such joy. Using your gift may not earn your income, but it can still bring you great wealth. is in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the profession in the past year. He was also installed as Secretary for the Architects League for 2011-12. He is a registered architect and associate with LAN Associates of Midland Park.

1999 Benjamin Rauschenbach, civil engineering, has received the Louisiana Engineering Society’s (LES) F. Hugh Coughlin Young Engineer Award. He is currently employed as Project Manager for BALAR Associates in Shreveport and specializes in water and wastewater design. He was President of the Shreveport Chapter of LES for 200405 and was the President of the Bossier Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission for 2008-09.

2000 Jeffrey Pace, general studies, the owner of The Pace Agency in Shreveport, has been recognized by Allstate Insurance Company for high standards in customer satisfaction, customer retention and profitability.

The Pace Agency is now one of the top Allstate agencies in the nation in auto, property, commercial insurance and financial services sales. Because of this, The Pace Agency earned an invitation to attend Allstate’s Chairman’s Inner Circle Conference, where the top officers of the company recognized the agency owner and staff. The invitation symbolizes the dedication The Pace Agency demonstrates in assisting customers. Only two percent of agencies and financial specialists for Allstate nationwide reach this level.

2002 Jeremy W. Gantt, accounting, was elected to serve as a director to the Deep South Equipment Dealers Association. The association is made up of agricultural, industrial and outdoor power equipment dealers in Louisiana and South Mississippi. He is manager of Ruston Tractor, Inc. Michelle Johnson Howard, business technology (computer information systems 2003), has joined Certified Payment Processing as Marketing Center Trainer. In her new role,

she will be working with new Appointment Planners in the call center, covering the company’s telephone protocol and how to use the predictive dialer to set quality appointments for the field sales team. CPP is a full-service provider of electronic payment equipment for processing purchases made by debit and credit cards, checks, gift cards and online purchases. Brent Tippen, speech, has been promoted to corporate media advisor/ global spokesman for Chevron’s corporate headquarters in San Ramon, Calif.

2005 Stacy Haineault Martin, electrical engineering (master’s business administration 2007), was selected by the Society of Automotive Engineers to receive the Young Industry Leadership Award for 2011. It is awarded to men and women, ages 35 and under, who have significant accomplishments and who show potential for significant leadership in growth in industry. She works at General Motors in Shreveport. www.latech.edu | 31

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2006

Shreveport

Arthur D. Davidson IV (pictured right), aviation management, received the Wing-level Company Grade Officer of the Month Award for February 2011 during his tour of duty in the Middle East. He is a Captain in the United States Air Force, and his primary duty is running backshop aircraft maintenance as the

2004 Jennifer Lynn Estep, marketing, and James Allen Barnette, Jan. 22, 2011, Bastrop Hillary Elizabeth Hanna, preprofessional speech language pathology (master’s speech pathology 2006), and Carl Benjamin Brink, Jan. 12, 2011, Monroe

2005 Steven Charles Burgess, biology, and Katy Thomas, April 2, 2011, Madisonville Lindsey Suzanne Burkhalter, biology, and Chad Denison Swanberg, Jan. 29, 2011, West Monroe Maintenance Operations Officer of the 386 Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron.

2009 Jamie Lee McCann, photography, has been named CASA of Northeast Louisiana’s 2011 Photographer of the Year. CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, trains community volunteers to be a voice in court for abused and neglected children.

2010 Joseph Frank Uddo III, history, has been hired as staff assistant to Congressman Steve Scalise (R-La.). Prior to joining the team, he worked as a staffer and volunteer on several campaigns throughout Louisiana.

wedded bliss 1993 Brian King, history, and Emily Vigour, Jan. 15, 2011, New Orleans

1999 Howard W. “Jay” Jackson, marketing, and Erin Jackson, Jan. 15, 2011, Florien

2000 Linda Ann Frasier, merchandising and consumer affairs, and Perry Williams, Feb. 26, 2011, Ruston Luke Gilkison Lambard, biology, and Kelly Leigh Wright, Jan. 1, 2011, Shreveport Russell Blake Ogilvie, forestry, and Kelle Michelle Head, March 26, 2011, Shreveport

2003 Jeanne Marie Politz, preprofessional speech language pathology, and Brett Joseph Williams, March 26, 2011, 32 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

Jon Stephen Cox, biology, and Anna Danielle Mothershead, March 26, 2011, Shreveport Sarah Elizabeth Goubert, studio, and Charles Davis Bradford, political science, Feb. 5, 2011, Houston

2007 Jennifer Renee Dollins, interior design, and William Gomila, March 12, 2011, Baton Rouge Matthew Ryan Hankins, communication design, and Sarah Nicole Shelton, March 26, 2011, Ruston Haley Elizabeth Hawkins, merchandising and consumer affairs, and Chester Wayne Carpenter, business management and entrepreneurship, April 23, 2011, Shreveport Steven Edgar Myers, finance, and Amy Diane Salsbury, Feb. 5, 2011, West Monroe Mandy Donae’ Waldron, general studies, and Joseph Samuel Ori, April 2, 2011, Elm Grove

2008 Nathan Abram Hamaker, business administration, and Elizabeth Lenie Staton, Dec. 31, 2010, Shreveport Megan Leigh McDowell, communication design, and Andrew Scott Carrigee, construction engineering technology 2009, March 26, 2011, Benton William Andrew McIntyre, business management and entrepreneurship, and Michelle Elizabeth Herold, April 2, 2011, Ruston Adam Cole Permenter, speech, and Rikki H. Hudson, Feb. 26, 2011, Arcadia Melanie Lois Stone, speech, and Zachary Preston Binns, accounting

(master’s business administration 2010), Jan. 29, 2011, Dallas

son, Morgan Britt, Feb. 24, 2011, Lewisville, Texas

2009

1997

Sarah Elizabeth Canfield, finance, and Charles Preston Lowder, Dec. 18, 2010, Shreveport

Melissa Tolar Bradford, accounting (master’s business administration 2001), and Jeffrey James Bradford, sociology 1996, daughter, Reese Katherine, Dec. 30, 2010, Ruston

Erin Leigh Dees, kinesiology and health promotion, and Clifford Lane Worthington, Jan. 22, 2011, Ball Laura Kathleen Giddens, interior design, and Cole Daniel Richardson, biology 2005, Jan. 29, 2011, Shreveport Joseph Andrew Hearington, social studies, and Laura Danielle Gardner, Dec. 18, 2010, Ruston Emily Michelle Johnson, agricultural education, and David Taylor Hamm, Dec. 11, 2010, Rayville

Daina Wyatt Parker, mechanical engineering, and Brent Christopher Parker, physics, son, Wyatt Christopher, Jan. 6, 2011, Baton Rouge

1998 Casey Reynolds Hysell, psychology, and Ralph Edward Hysell, music, daughter, Annabel Grace, April 13, 2011, Tyler, Texas

1999

Christopher Thomas Keagle, kinesiology and health promotion, and Crystal Briana Bump, April 16, 2011, Ruston

Sean Stacy Albin, professional aviation, and Nancy Adams Albin, son, Parker Adams, Aug. 30, 2010, Spring, Texas

2010

Kimberly Dunman Bates, business management and entrepreneurship, and Wes Bates, son, Brody Luke, Jan. 23, 2011, Shreveport

Kacy Michelle Hickey, nutrition and dietetics, and Bryce Josef Lyons, Jan. 1, 2011, Benton Heather Nicole Hopfinger, political science, and Robert Keith Harris, forestry 2009, Dec. 21, 2010, Calhoun Ian Philip Rohde, general studies, and Jennifer Shannon Bradley, Dec. 31, 2010, Bossier City Mallory Lynn Rozelle, economics, and John Seth Smith, sociology, April 16, 2011, Ruston

2011 Laura Anne Smith, elementary education, and Paul Christopher Bengel, accounting 2009 (master’s business administration 2011), March 19, 2011, Lafayette

stork report 1990 John Austin Bowie, business management and entrepreneurship (management information systems 1996), and Rebecca Ragsdale Bowie, son, Austin Charles, March 21, 2011, Alpharetta, Ga.

1994 Wendi Schexnayder Hinojosa, accounting, and Michael Valance Hinojosa, graphic design 1991, son, Caleb John, Dec. 29, 2010, Geismar

1996 Angela Melton Hunnicutt, music, and John Morgan Hunnicutt, mechanical engineering 1997,

Jennifer Melton Breeding, family infancy and early childhood education (master’s family and consumer sciences 2003), and Neal Scot Breeding, management information systems 1994, son, Caleb Gene, March 1, 2011, Ruston Mark Aaron Shoffner, pre-law, and Karin B. Shoffner, daughter, Wynne Elisabeth, March 3, 2011, Dallas, Texas

Karen Irvin Hanchey, graphic design, and Christopher Brian Hanchey, speech 2002, son, Owen Christopher, Dec. 15, 2010, Ruston Sheralyn Smith Long, history, and Richard G. Long, son, Jude Paul, Feb. 24, 2011, Baton Rouge Katy Rasmussen Madden, history, and Edward Luke Madden, marketing 2000, daughter, Betsy Grace, Feb. 26, 2011, Ruston Paige Volentine Smith, biology, and Thomas Ross Smith, daughter, Anna Gabrielle, March 29, 2011, Ruston Jennifer Sykes Thomas, psychology, and Mark Jonathan Thomas, electrical engineering, son, Daniel Andrew, Jan. 7, 2011, Little Rock, Ark. Rebecca Turner Wilson, speech, and Chris Wilson, daughter, Turner Ella, April 1, 2011, Minden

2002 Ryan Reeves Kilpatrick, history, and Sarah Grigsby Kilpatrick, son, Reeves Kenneth, Jan. 7, 2011, Ruston Marcie Deal Ramsey, health information administration (master’s business administration 2002) and Charles Brandon Ramsey, sociology (master’s counseling and guidance 2004), daughter, Kendall Madison, Oct. 7, 2010, Ruston Kasey Knight Smith, speech, and Jonathan Andrew Smith, biology 2001, son, Sutton Andrew, March 16, 2011, Benton

2003

Juliana Howard Windom, health and physical education fitness/wellness (master’s business administration 2001), and Jeremy Windom, son, Kaden, May 3, 2011, Madisonville

Leslie Pittman Allen, English, and John Lucas Allen, political science 2000 (master’s industrial/ organizational psychology 2002), son, John Carter, Dec. 20, 2010, Ruston

2000 John Lee Hoffoss, history (master’s industrial/organization psychology 2001), and Corlissa Nash Hoffoss, son, John McCallister, March 1, 2011, Lake Charles Laura Beasley Jones, human resources management, and Jason Neill Jones, human resources management, son, Jett Louis, March 1, 2011, Ruston Sarah Mathews Warren, marketing, and Brian D. Warren, son, Silas Asher, April 6, 2011, Choudrant

2001 Amanda Sanders Gibson, health and physical education fitness/ wellness, and John Thomas Gibson, mechanical engineering 2003, daughter, Ella Graves, Jan. 20, 2011, McKinney, Texas

2004

Feb. 18, 2011, Ruston

Erin Akin Carroll, speech, and Todd Carroll, son, Hayes Claxton, May 5, 2011, Columbia, S.C.

2011

Julie Doyle Ramsey, secondary education (master’s counseling and guidance 2009), and Jeffery Scott Ramsey, electrical technology 2000, son, Carson Doyle, March 25, 2011, Haughton Teri O’Bannon Watts, photography, and Michael Kyle Watts, studio 2006, son, Kellan Malachi, Aug. 3, 2010, Benton

2005 Holly Ready Lang, kinesiology and health promotion, and Jordan T. Lang, economics 2004, daughter, Kaelyn Rose, Sept. 28., 2010, Riverview, Fla. Sara Bass Zenter, industrial engineering, and Stephen David Zenter, industrial engineering 2006, son, Christopher Allen, March 8, 2011, Houston

2006 Laura Clark Adcock, political science, and Justin Glenn Adcock, marketing 2004 (master’s industrial/ organizational psychology 2006), daughter, Evelyn Rose, Feb. 7, 2011, Shreveport Erica Lynne Kordsmeier, music, and James Peter Kordsmeier, mechanical engineering 2009, daughter, Eden Grace, March 17, 2011, Ruston Tiphanie Warren Sumrall, elementary education, and Jerry Dustin Sumrall, computer information systems, daughter, Caroline Reese, Feb. 8, 2011, Pineville

2007

Kyle Michael Hogan, sociology, and Becca Burns Hogan, daughter, Leni Elaine, April 22, 2011, Choudrant Sean Patrick Welsh, history, and Dorothy Welsh, son, Casey William, April 13, 2011, Ruston

in memoriam 1934 Roy Don Hinton, 98, animal science, April 14, 2011, Minden Lois Smith Kitchings, 97, home economics, March 3, 2011, Coushatta

1936 James Dance Cawthon, 95, business administration, Feb. 21, 2011, Shreveport

1937 Dorothy Phillips Bradley, 98, arts and sciences, March 28, 2011, Delhi Sarah Robison Crozier, 94, education, Jan. 4, 2011, Miramar Beach, Fla. Orlando Waters Hogan Jr., 95, electrical engineering, Jan. 31, 2011, Atlanta, Ga.

1938 Martha Garrison Norwood, 93, business administration, Dec. 8, 2010, Shreveport

administration, March 5, 2011, Ruston

1944 Peggy Sims Faris, 88, home economics, Nov. 13, 2010, Ventura, Calif. Alton Johnston Jr., 86, health and physical education, Jan. 22, 2011, Extension

1945 Blanche Fetterolf Alexander, 86, accounting, April 14, 2011, Russellville, Ark. Eugenia Flournoy Stack, 86, business administration, April 3, 2011, Monroe

1946 Betty Taylor Jones, 85, English, Dec. 9, 2010, Monroe Betty Johnson Myers, 84, education, Dec. 15, 2010, Shreveport

1947 Jane Scroggin Bolton, 83, home economics (master’s education 1968), Jan. 21, 2011, Jonesboro Garland D. Gregory, 92, education (master’s health and physical education 1967), April 28, 2011, Ruston Doris Johnston Roy, 84, office administration, March 29, 2011, Shreveport

1948

1939

Odie Leroy Fitzgerald, 90, forestry, Feb. 5, 2011, Ruston

Mathilde Gatlin McLelland, 92, education, Dec. 22, 2010, Shreveport

Frank Gaensehals, 90, forestry, Dec. 28, 2010, Shreveport

1940

Albert Gibson Walton Jr., 88, mechanical engineering, Dec. 29, 2010, Shreveport

John Christopher Allison, industrial engineering, and Candice Lachowsky Allison, son, Reed Carder, March 5, 2011, Southlake, Texas

Matt Jarod McCullin, computer information systems (master’s accounting 2009), and Lacy McCullin, son, Nathan Connor, Jan. 21, 2011, Ruston

Iris Brasher Armstrong, 96, education, Dec. 13, 2010, Farmerville

Kathryn Davis Durrett, elementary education, and John Andrew Durrett, pre-law 1999, son, Davis Gray, Jan. 6, 2011, Shreveport

Emery Carlisle Pendergrass, math education, and Jeremy Ty Pendergrass, history, son, Luke Tyrus, March 1, 2011, Ruston

1941

Archie William Craig, 88, health and physical education, March 5, 2011, Ruston

Louise Jenkins Briggs, 90, music, Feb. 1, 2011, Natchitoches

James Everett Freeman, 85, forestry, Jan. 26, 2011, West Monroe

Curtis D. Flournoy, speech, and Karen Flournoy, son, Jackson McGehee, Jan. 11, 2011, Jackson, Miss.

2008

Albert Luther Crowson, 89, music education, Feb. 2, 2011, Manassas, Va.

Merrill S. Nicklas, 88, arts and sciences, April 11, 2011, Monroe

William Kelly Fearing, 92, art, March 13, 2011, West Lake Hills, Texas

Dunning R. Terrell, 87, education, Feb. 24, 2011, Wauchula, Fla.

Mary Jones Woods, 92, education, April 30, 2011, Arcadia

1950

Ashley Gnemi James, business administration, and Robert Andrew James, wildlife conservation 2000, daughter, Julia Lillian, Jan. 10, 2011, Ruston Krystal West Malone, interior design, and Massimiliano Thoma Malone, biology 2001, daughter, Stella Orelia, Dec. 20, 2010, Baton Rouge

Kristan Nielsen Belcher, nursing, and Jason David Belcher, music 2004, son, John DeVelling, March 16, 2011, Shreveport Samantha Sheehan Lantrip, merchandise and consumer studies (master’s early childhood education 2010), and Bradley Eugene Lantrip, sociology 2005, daughter, Ava Caroline, Feb. 17, 2011, Ruston Nikki Jones DeOlivier, English, and Bryan DeOlivier, son, Porter Scott,

Leonard Hodge Jenkins, 92, chemistry, Dec. 18, 2010, Bastrop

1942 John Thomas Hearne, 89, chemical engineering, Feb. 22, 2011, Pineville

1943 Wallace S. Harrison, 88, business

1949

Edward Benoit Anders, 80, education, Dec. 26, 2010, Natchitoches Thomas C. Brown, 85, civil engineering, Jan. 27, 2011, Victoria, Texas

www.latech.edu | 33

n e w s a b o u t yo u Robert E. Crowe Jr., 95, education, Jan. 23, 2011, Ruston Ivan Lionel Gibbons, 84, electrical engineering, March 22, 2011, Little Rock, Ark. Curtis Buel Long, 84, business administration, Feb. 1, 2011, Marshall, Texas Douglas King Murphy, 83, English, Feb. 16, 2011, Palatine, Ill. Harrell J. Tippit, 84, business administration, Dec. 1, 2010, Richardson, Texas

n e w s a b o u t yo u administration (business education 1960, master’s business education 1961, master’s English 1966), Dec. 14, 2010, Shreveport Burt Brock Farrar, 80, mechanical engineering, March 15, 2011, Shreveport Dorothy Berry Kimble, 75, business education, Feb. 8, 2011, Bossier City Howell McGee Miller, 79, agricultural engineering, Feb. 19, 2011, Kentwood

1951

Donna Meredith Moore, 76, home economics (master’s home economics 1967), Feb. 14, 2011, McKinney, Texas

Luther M. Byrd Jr., 87, education, April 4, 2011, Tullos

1957

Glynn Dwight Corry, 83, education, Dec. 8, 2010, Tallulah

Edwin Alexander Peden, 75, chemical engineering, Jan. 27, 2011, El Dorado, Ark.

Jerelyn Garrett Edwards, 80, business administration, Feb. 12, 2011, Broken Arrow, Okla.

Charles Allen Robinson, 78, petroleum engineering, Dec. 9, 2010, Evansville, Ind.

Charles William Gregory, 81, business administration, Dec. 10, 2010, Camden, Ark.

Edwin Andrew Watts, 84, civil engineering, March 7, 2011, Arlington, Texas

Jack H. Olive, 79, business administration, March 11, 2011, San Rafael, Calif.

1958

David Lawrence Stewart, 82, journalism, 2011, Houston

1952 Charles Woodruff Colvin, 89, business administration, Feb. 1, 2011, Ruston Margaret McGee Durboraw, 79, elementary education (master’s elementary education 1970), March 29, 2011, Monroe Sara Langford Goodman, 81, general studies, Feb. 16, 2011, Lafayette

1953 William C. Ellis III, 79, plant science, Dec. 5, 2010, Ruston George Benoist Marshall Jr., 81, business administration, Jan. 13, 2011, Alexandria

1954

Helen Worsham Jones, 85, education, Jan. 9, 2011, Hot Springs, Ark.

Edward A. Ipser Sr., 76, electrical engineering, March 21, 2011, Fort Worth, Texas

James Campbell Stewart, 86, mechanical engineering, March 14, 2011, Bartlesville, Okla.

Jerald Nicholas Lotspeich, 74, business administration, Dec. 17, 2010, Shreveport

1970

Sim McDonald Jr., 78, mathematics, Feb. 21, 2011, Shongaloo Elton Clark Pody, 72, geology, March 27, 2011, Alexandria

1962 Bess Adams Coleman, 70, home economics, Feb. 2, 2011, Shreveport Kenneth Lee Gordon, 71, business administration, Dec. 13, 2010, Shreveport Elizabeth Palmer Green, 69, business administration, April 1, 2011, Baton Rouge Allane Smith Thompson, 92, education, Jan. 16, 2011, Junction City, Ark.

1963 John R. Koch, 69, microbiology, Feb. 14, 2011, San Antonio

1964

Linda Mims Martin, 73, education, Jan. 23, 2011, Seabrook, Texas

Halaine Kees Davis, 68, speech language hearing therapy, Oct. 14, 2010, Athens, Ga.

Winston T. Smith, 74, forestry, April 23, 2011, Loganville, Ga.

Alfred Garland Kyle, 70, accounting, April 7, 2011, Bossier City

1959

1966

Richard Earl Crawford, 74, civil engineering, Jan. 29, 2011, Calhoun James Murrel Lemoine, 77, health and physical education, Jan. 19, 2011, Montgomery Shirley Bridwell White, 76, education, Jan. 11, 2011, Homer

1960 Alan J. Devilbliss, 72, electrical engineering, April 16, 2011, Colorado Springs, Colo. Charles Larry Ford, 73, math education, April 5, 2011, Pineville

Thomas Wayne Auttonberry, 67, business administration, Feb. 14, 2011, Lead Hill, Ark. Roger E. Manson, 67, business administration, Feb. 22, 2011, Baton Rouge Dorothy Rostron Welch, 68, home economics, April 2, 2011, Gonzales

1967 Bennie Pat Baston, 65, chemical engineering, March 9, 2011, El Dorado, Ark.

1968

Rodney Scott Harbuck, 71, forestry, Dec. 10, 2010, Haughton

Robert E. Henneberg, 86, education, March 29, 2011, Atlanta, Ga.

James Hudson Rainwater Jr., 81, education, Jan. 29, 2011, Sterlington

Samuel Jay Talley, 74, civil engineering, April 8, 2011, Wake Village, Texas.

1969

1955

1961

Thomas Eugene Dennis, 77, agricultural engineering, Dec. 27, 2010, Little Rock, Ark.

Basil Neal Eldridge, 73, chemical engineering, Jan. 22, 2011, Vicksburg, Miss.

1956

Betty Hines Henson, 71, education, Feb. 27, 2011, Sugar Grove, N.C.

Lovenia Holder Clements, 78, elementary education, April 2, 2011, Eastland, Texas

Glen Stuart Bollman, 79, business 34 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

John T. Garrett, 64, wildlife conservation (master’s botany 1971), March 27, 2011, Clarks Velda LaBorde Lee, 75, accounting, March 4, 2011, Flatwoods Michael Spohrer, 64, business administration (petroleum engineering 1978), Dec. 28, 2010, Baton Rouge

Charles Marshall Anderson, 66, geography (marketing 1986), Feb. 27, 2011, Dodson Roy Morgan Lagenaur, 64, business administration, Feb. 11, 2011, Calabash, N.C.

studies (general studies 1984), March 1, 2011, Mineral Wells, Texas

1983 Susan Hamm Bozeman, 50, nursing, March 25, 2011, Shreveport

1984 John Stafford Brewer, 50, marketing, March 1, 2011, Benton

1990

2001

Verner Toby Watson, 53, general studies, Dec. 18, 2010, Lindale, Texas

Steven Patrick Bates, 31, forestry, Feb. 27, 2011, El Dorado, Ark.

1992

2007

Gregory Kirby, 53, general studies, Dec. 9, 2010, Bossier City

Autumn Wyatt Henderson, 28, family and consumer science education, Dec. 19, 2010, Jonesboro

1993

Donald David Scott, 78, education, Feb. 6, 2011, Frierson

Brett Wayne McNabb, 49, mechanical engineering, March 18, 2011, Portage, Mich.

Eric John Verret, 40, electrical engineering (master’s electrical engineering 1996), March 9, 2011, Austin, Texas

1971

1988

1994

Kathryn Lamb Lee, 46, early childhood education, Feb. 24, 2011, Shongaloo

Hugh Eric Musgrove, 38, speech, Feb. 11, 2011, Sulphur

Vera Lene Jones, 70, education, Dec. 11, 2010, Spearsville Frances Wood Kilpatrick, 61, home economics, April 9, 2011, Shreveport Robert H. Rawle, 63, business administration, April 27, 2011, Katy, Texas James Vernon Tarver, 74, electrical engineering, Dec. 20, 2010, Laurel Hill, Fla.

1973

Cynthia Sexton Wilson, 52, counseling and guidance, March 13, 2011, Hot Springs, Ark.

2010 Ross S. Aufrichtig, 25, computer information systems, Dec. 18, 2010, Shreveport

in memoriam

(Friends or retired faculty/staff) Nena B. Barnwell, 99, March 11, 2011, Ruston

Donald Crume, 77, Feb. 22, 2011, Ruston Gregory Ellis Garland, 55, April 9, 2011, Palm Bay, Fla. Thomas G. Gaston, 92, Feb. 11, 2011, Shreveport Kenneth Wayne Henry, 70, April 5, 2011, Ruston Lavaga Haggblad James, 85, March 20, 2011, Ruston James G. Johnston, 71, April 7, 2011, Ruston Bobby Joe Lee, 81, March 29, 2011, Tallulah Helen Davis Owen, 86, Jan. 15, 2011, Farmerville

A legacy of excellence, service and smiles Within two days in late April, the Louisiana Tech family lost two of its most beloved supporters, servants and ambassadors.

Alfred S. Herring, 79, education, Jan. 31,2011, Farmerville

Garland Gregory passed away at his Ruston home April 28 at age 92. Bobby Rawle died the day before in Houston, Texas. Only 63, Rawle was diagnosed with ALS seven years ago.

1974

“Louisiana Tech had no better representatives than these two gentlemen,” said school president Dr. Dan Reneau. “Each was a dear friend to me; each was a dear friend to Tech.”

Steve R. Coleman, 61, health and physical education, Jan. 23, 2011, Shreveport

1975 Opal Sweeney Buckner, 62, education, March 1, 2011, Bossier City

1976 Jean Decena Clark, 57, health information adminstration, Dec. 18, 2010, Byhalia, Miss.

1977 Danny Allen Monceret, 62, counseling and guidance, Jan. 30, 2011, Louisburg, Kan.

1978 Cora Robison Lewis, 59, home economics, March 18, 2011, West Monroe Michael Normand, 58, forestry, Dec. 7, 2010, Alexandria

1980 Gwendolyn M Buckingham, 58, English education, Feb. 16, 2011, Shreveport Nancy Hiller Shank, 52, computer science, Dec. 8, 2010, Houston

1981

Gregory was Tech’s first All-American. He wore the title well. As an offensive guard for coach Joe Aillet, Gregory helped Tech to the Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference Championship in 1941. Two weeks later, on Dec. 8, he left school to join the Fourth Air Force. He served as a First Lieutenant, played football for the Fourth Air Force Flyers and the Hollywood Bears, and after the war joined the San Francisco 49ers and was named All-Pro twice. Following his playing career, he was a coach at Bastrop High, Virginia Military Institute and El Dorado High before joining Tech’s health and physical education faculty in 1966. A 1947 Tech graduate in education (master’s health and physical education, ’67), “Coach Gregory” was the College of Education’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2004. He was the University’s longtime director of recreational facilities. His former players and Tech students privileged to know him will always remember him for his desire for excellence, his calm demeanor, and his high standards of character. Rawle was a ’71 graduate in industrial management, a student who never let books get in the way of college, a ride-loosely-in-the-saddle alum described by Reneau as “the person who had the most fun at Tech and still graduated.” Rawle parlayed his diploma, desire and love for life into a most successful career with J. Ray McDermott, first as a field engineer and later as president. He served on several boards at Tech and was a dedicated member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. After retirement from McDermott in 2000, Rawle returned to Tech, this time to work with the University in matters involving intellectual property, business development and entrepreneurship. He was instrumental in developing and opening Tech’s Enterprise Center, aimed at fostering start-up businesses. Rawle served as the Center’s first director and, not surprisingly, referred to the Center and to the campus as his “Happy Place.” The University was lucky and equally happy to have been touched by Rawle’s intellect, vision and joy. Tech’s School of Business named him its Alumnus of the Year in 2000. The University named him its Alumnus of the Year in 2004. Then in 2008, Rawle was named to the University’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni and received the “Tower Medallion,” the University’s highest award.

Vernon E. Kisinger, 63, general www.latech.edu | 35

Building Tradition |

A look back at Louisiana Tech’s history through its buildings and their namesakes.

In the Beginning The first portion of MAIN HALL, Tech’s first administration building, was completed on Sept. 23, 1895, a twostory structure of eight classrooms, a large auditorium, a chemical lab and two offices. “Old Main” was renovated in 1916; it burned in 1936. A marker made of brick from the original building stands on the original site today at the northeast corner of the Quad, approximately 50 yards west of Keeny Hall’s north wall. November 30 will mark the 75th anniversary of an on-campus ceremony associated with laying the cornerstone for Tech’s “new administration building” in 1936. Completed in 1937, Keeny Hall was originally named Leche Hall after Louisiana governor Richard Leche. Leche resigned the governorship in 1939 and was in 1940 sentenced to federal prison after being indicted and convicted of mail fraud for taking kickbacks on purchases of state trucks. Fittingly, in 1946 the name of Leche Hall was changed to Keeny Hall after University president John E. Keeny (1907-1926, pictured). The building served as Tech’s new administration building and, until 1950, housed the post office and bookstore on its bottom floor. Today, Keeny Hall houses all offices (except admissions) needed by students to become students. All of the University’s financial business matters flow through Keeny Hall, which also houses journalism, the news bureau, The Tech Talk and Lagniappe. Special thanks to Archives and Special Collections, Prescott Memorial Library, and to Joshua Williams and Thomas Soto, authors, “Louisiana Tech University Building History.”

36 | Louisiana Tech Magazine

Time Out For Tech Saturday, Oct. 1

Don’t miss your chance to see what Louisiana Tech is all about. Experience all the components of college life: Academics Activities - Athletics. This program is designed to give you and your family a chance to visit the campus and academic departments and even take in a football game during the evening.

For more information, call or visit us online: 318.257.3036 or 1.800.LATECH1 www.latech.edu/admissions/toft

Louisiana Tech Alumni Association 900 Tech Drive P.O. Box 3183 Ruston, LA 71272-0001

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