No.15 | wi n t e r 2 0 0 5 - 0 6

diary of a disaster Alum recounts evacuation of Tulane University Hospital homecoming in pictures Alumna of the Year Virginia Lomax Marbury Searchkatrina.org Tech team creates search engine to aid victims refuge from the storm Family’s bond with Tech strengthened

Louisiana Tech University www.latech.edu Alumni Association Officers Tim King Kenny Guillot contents – President – Vice President Russ Nolan Steve Bates – Treasurer – Past President 2 Daniel D. Reneau | From the 16th Floor – Ex-Officio A Vote of Confidence

Board of directors 4 | Alumna of the Year: Virginia Lomax Marbury Bobby Aillet, Ron Ainsworth, Protecting and Building a Legacy John Allen, Dr. John Areno, Lyn Bankston, Paige Baughman, A Word from the Ayres Bradford, Allison Bushnell, Alumni Director Audis Byrd, Carrol Cochran, 5 | Distinguished Service Award Mark Colwick, John Denny, Mr. Robert Snyder: Class Favorite Wayne Fleming, Dr. Grant Glover, Chris Hammons, Jeff Hawley, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times …” At the annual fall meeting of Justin Hinckley, Marsha Jabour, faculty and staff, Louisiana Tech President Dan Reneau opened his speech with this 11 | Young Alumna of the Year Chris Jordan, Dr. John Maxwell, quote from Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities.” Kristy Tillman: Tech Groomed Her Harvard Hopes Mac McBride, Dawn McDaniel, Cliff Merritt, Lomax Napper, Dr. Reneau described how Tech had completed another exemplary year, but that it Stephanie Sisemore, Kristy Smith, was overshadowed by the devastation of hurricanes. In the following pages of the 12 | Homecoming 2005 Markus Snowden, Barry Stevens, Louisiana Tech Magazine, you will see both sides of this story. Harbor Lights Eddie Tinsley, Bennie Thornell The best of times show the accomplishments of some of our distinguished alumni Alumni association staff and our talented faculty and students. Mrs. Virginia Lomax Marbury was honored 14 | Diary of a Disaster Corre Stegall at Homecoming as the Alumna of the Year, having spent a lifetime honoring and Alum Recounts Evacuation of – Vice President for University Advancement giving back to her alma mater. Kristy Tillman just graduated in 1996, but has Tulane University Hospital Kyle Edmiston already achieved significant success in her law career and made contributions to – Director of Alumni Relations society through charitable giving of her time and expertise. She was honored as the Ryan Richard 2005 Young Alumna of the Year. 18 | Refuge From the Storm – Coordinator of Alumni Programs Family’s Bond With Tech Strengthened Barbara Swart The destruction of lives and property caused by Hurricane Katrina has deeply – Administrative Assistant touched so many people connected to Tech. Alumnus Jim Montgomery’s story as CEO of Tulane University Hospital and Clinic and his diary of the events during 20 | Searchkatrina.org the storm will bring the reality of the situation home to you. The stories on the Tech Team Creates Search Engine to Help Locate marketing and assistance provided by Tech are inspiring. The faculty, staff and students of your Displaced People public relations university stepped forward and were an asset to those in need. I hope that you will 14 Kate Archer be inspired by these stories of help and hope. – Director, Marketing and Public Relations 22 As I close this column, I do so for the last time as Tech’s director of Alumni | He Delivered Darlene Bush Tucker Dr. Guthrie Jarrell: The Doctor Bleeds Red and Blue – Senior Writer Relations. It has been an honor and a pleasure for me to serve for the past 10 years Mark Coleman in this position, and I look forward to continuing to assist Tech in the future. Ryan – Designer Richard, who has worked in the Division of University Advancement for more than 24 three years, will fill this position. I am confident that he will do a tremendous job. | News Around Campus Donny Crowe 12 18 20 Giving Back, Raising the Bar – Photographer Thank you for the opportunity to work with such a wonderful group of people – the alumni and friends of Louisiana Tech University. Nick Deriso – Contributing Writer 28 | News About You Elena Parker We Share Your Milestones – Creative Services Manager

Louisiana Tech Magazine is published 32 | What Matters to Alumni semiannually by the Louisiana Tech Alumni Honoring Lives of Learning Association. We welcome your letters: About the Cover Louisiana Tech Magazine P.O. Box 3183 | Ruston LA 71272 Tech alum Jim Montgomery, CEO of Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, is shown revisiting the New Orleans hospital’s rooftop parking lot that became an www.latechalumni.org evacuee helipad during the harrowing Hurricane Katrina crisis. the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Tech’s new Enterprise Center, a business incubator housed in Colleges and Schools. the old Lincoln Parish Library, welcomed its first tenants in November. Network Foundation Technologies, its featured The 10-year, self-study SACS accreditation drives fear into product low-cost, digital online streaming technology, has the hearts of presidents everywhere, but we made every status moved in eight employees. As NFT co-founders, Tech alumnus criteria with no recommendations in any core category. If you Marcus Morton and Tech faculty member Dr. Mike O’Neal thought that was unheard of, you’re right, and we commend hope to create a “Silicon Bayou” in Louisiana. the network of excellence here at Tech that made such a conclusion possible. Also linked to economic development, Tech is one of an initial eight higher-education institutions partnering in an effort So many other programs have passed their reviews with flying to translate the growing culture of innovation and creativity colors recently, but along with the great programs, we need into quantifiable economic development. In September, great facilities. Louisiana celebrated connection to the National LambdaRail, a unique, high-speed network that uses laser light to increase Two building projects that will long have an impact at Tech are transmission speeds by more than 1,000 times what is currently from the on track. available, a boon to research and collaboration everywhere. The steel skeleton of the Biomedical Engineering building is You will find more markers of our success inside this magazine, 16th floor rising, and you can see the daily progress on the Webcam that including mention of our new U.S. News & World Report is positioned in Davison Hall. Go to: http://mycenit.latech. ranking and what a national education group says about how edu/biomed/ Tech does what it does.

“On every front, even in the wake of Also, if you visit the campus and notice Wyly Tower entrances As we celebrate these achievements, we also keep in mind draped with yellow “caution” tape, and inside, a small walkway the uncertainty of the future, particularly the effect that the crises like the hurricanes and subsequent to the elevators, you are witnessing construction of the Student hurricanes will continue to have on the state budget. Achievement Center. The center, set to be finished in May, will provide students a central place to receive learning assistance budget cuts, Louisiana Tech University has Tech is utilizing resources as efficiently as possible and and a host of other types of academic support. evaluating all options for reducing costs. The resources of the Tech Foundation proved to be more important than ever as we maintained its remarkable momentum.” Related to student success is University Park, the new strive to maintain our standards. apartment-style student housing just formally dedicated and - Daniel D. Reneau, president already home to nearly 500 students. The $22 million project For those of you who are able to help, please accept my marked the first time in 40 years that we had new housing. heartfelt gratitude. For those of you who have been directly affected by Katrina and Rita, please know that you continue in On another front, one that impacts not only students but our thoughts and prayers. You just have to love this unflappable university – and been responsible – academically – for two Division 1A football everyone in the region, Tech is not just talking about economic the entire Tech community. teams at the same time. development, we’re doing something about it.

Just as we have never let good times throw us into an attitude Foremost we have continued to build on the idea of student of complacency and stagnation, neither do we let challenges success. distract us from our mission to deliver a quality education and improve the world around us. On every front, even in We have both long-term committed faculty and newer young the wake of crises like the hurricanes and subsequent budget faculty. Tech is solid, even after the budget cuts. We have cuts, Louisiana Tech University has maintained its remarkable always shielded the classroom in such cases. The academic core momentum. of our institution remains sound. In fact, admission standards at Tech were again raised in 2005, a third increase in just more And then some. than five years.

From every corner of this campus, and from all the outposts And we continue to raise the bar. beyond where our alumni and friends live, came pouring forth 1 2 3 4 reserves of caring and comfort that few could have imagined Based on the number of doctorates awarded, our university possible before the hurricanes took their heavy toll on our state has won Doctoral II status (or Four-Year 2 ranking) from the 1 | After Hurricane Katrina temporarily shut Tulane University for the 2005 season, Louisiana Tech invited the Green Wave’s football team to and region. Southern Regional Education Board. That adds greatly to our enroll in classes, live on campus, and use the athletic facilities. Team coaches and staff were welcomed to Tech as well. national reputation as a research university. In keeping with our 2 | The $10.5 million, 52,000-square-foot Biomedical Engineering building, set to revolutionize the state of research at Louisiana Tech when the The Tech Family and the campus itself took in evacuees and commitment in this area, we initiated the Doctor of Audiology facility opens in 2006, will feature architecture that combines historic elements with present-day technology. helped to ease their transition into life after the storm. program, the ninth doctoral program begun here. 3 | Along with plans to build a Student Achievement Center to promote student success comes a major renovation of the 16-story Wyly Tower of Learning, originally constructed in 1972. The new center, which will occupy Wyly’s second and third floors, is set to open in the fall. Tech also hosted the Tulane football team, and we received a Furthermore, making this past year the best academically in wealth of positive feedback from around the nation and the our university’s history, we have received more than a dozen 4 | The speed with which researchers can transmit data is almost as important as the data itself. When our state connected to the National LambdaRail not long ago, Louisiana Tech was already leading a push to capitalize on the super-high-speed network. world. I guess I’m the only college president in history who has superior accreditation reports including the big one from

2 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 3 ALUMNA OF THE YEAR Snyder attended Tech football games for years, until health problems slowed him and his wife down.

VIRGINIA LOMAX MARBURY: A LIFE OF LOYALTY Snyder retired from Tech in 1989 with a well-earned reputation as a scholar in 18th-century, comparative and Victorian literature. “He told me: ‘I think I’ve gotten more enjoyment out of this Snyder taught freshman English for 10 years at Tech before award for Virginia than anything I ever received,’” Stegall says. moving deeper into what he calls “literacy courses.” For a time, he served as chair for what was then the English and foreign The Marburys’ business acumen helped create and nurture languages department. several cornerstone local companies, but also helped gird Tech’s own dramatic growth. That included their support for the In 1977, a Board of Regents professorship in English was campaign to build the Biomedical Engineering building and established in his honor. Snyder was named Tech’s first their enthusiasm for all areas of intellectual endeavors at Tech. Distinguished Professor in 1982. Mrs. Marbury credits her husband’s vision. “He was one of the most outstanding professors and teachers “He believed in looking down the road,” she says. that we have had,” says Corre Stegall, vice president of university advancement and a former student of Snyder’s. “He William Marbury has long been recognized by the university as loved his students, and we loved him.” one of its most important benefactors, receiving an honorary doctor of laws degree in 1987, the prestigious Tower Medallion Snyder’s abiding passion for books played out not just in his Award in 1991 and the Tech Award of Merit in 1995. long tenure at Tech, but also in his deep involvement in the library system of Louisiana. But his wife stood as an equal in garnering recognition. Tech also granted her an honorary doctor of laws degree in 1987. In Snyder served the Lincoln Parish Public Library Board of 1991, she too was presented the Tower Medallion, and in 1995 Control for 39 years and the State Library Board from 1968 the Award of Merit. Both Marburys were named to Tech’s list Arlis Scogin Distinguished through last summer. He was state board chair in 1998. of 100 most distinguished graduates in 1994. Service Award “I was instrumental in getting the first public library in Lincoln She was also honored, along with her husband, with the city of ROBERT C. SNYDER SR.: Parish in the early 1960s,” Snyder says. “There was a great Ruston’s certificate of appreciation for leadership and service to need, because even though folks generally used the Tech library, the community. He never left Tech a public library could better serve everybody.”

Among the Marburys’ gifts to Louisiana Tech is a statue of Virginia “Louisiana Tech and Ruston are almost one and the same,” Even in retirement, former Louisiana Tech Professor That long history of service was also recognized when Snyder Marbury’s grandfather, George Madden Lomax, portrait at right, Mrs. Marbury says. “It’s a wonderful alliance between a Robert C. Snyder Sr. remains a man of letters – sprinkling received the Modisette Award for Outstanding Trustee from the who wrote the legislation that led to the founding of the university. community and a university, and we love both parts of that conversations with references to Thomas Hardy, Walt Whitman Louisiana Library Association in 1971. alliance.” and legendary Victorian scribes. Their names are inextricably bound together, in He was a member of Louisiana’s Commission on Governmental Born in Ruston to Della Southern and Dallas Daniel Lomax, marriage and in Ruston. With Snyder having served more than 40 years behind the lectern, Ethics for more than 20 years. she graduated from Tech with a bachelor’s in music in 1936, generations of Tech students remember his recitations. So, when Virginia Lomax Marbury’s husband, William Jr., died then received her master’s from Louisiana State University in Snyder said he never stopped reading, delving into European in October, Virginia lost her soul mate – but not her affection 1938. She taught music, including a stint at Ruston High in “I taught hundreds and hundreds of them,” Snyder says – not authors translated from French, German and “especially the for Louisiana Tech. the early 1940s, before marrying in 1943. The Marburys have least of which are Tech President Dan Reneau and journalism Russians,” like Dostoevsky. two daughters and three grandchildren. department head Wiley Hilburn. “I think I did all right with “We both graduated from Tech,” she says. “In fact, William my students. They have certainly been kind to me over the years.” “I’ve been a voracious reader all my life,” Snyder says – and went all through grade school and high school at A.E. Phillips, A year into their marriage, the couple established the well- that fed into his second love. “I feel as though the library is a or the ‘model school’ as it was called then. So, his entire young regarded Marbury and Co., and then Bankers Life of Louisiana Those years of service at Tech have earned Snyder the Arlis sister to university training. I think it’s one of the things that life was spent on the Tech campus, and he loved it so much in 1959. Scogin Distinguished Service Award – named last year for a we take for granted. It’s the backbone of the university – and – and I love it, too.” petroleum engineering graduate and longtime Tech supporter the community.” “She is truly the much-talked about steel magnolia,” Stegall who passed away after a bout with cancer. Their contributions would become legendary, most notably says. “She’s brilliant, a fantastic mind. She has a passion about Libraries, like universities, know no age. History comes alive in financial support that helped build the Alumni Center. the things that she believes deeply in – and Louisiana Tech is Snyder is still absorbing the honor. “Louisiana Tech,” he says, with the turn of a page, Snyder says. In recognition of the Marburys’ considerable support of the one of those things, thank goodness.” “is an integral part of my life. I have three children, and all of university, the Tech Alumni Association annually awards 12 them graduated from Louisiana Tech, as did their spouses.” In the end, words – and his former students – have kept him scholarships in their names to children of Tech alumni. A lifetime of support doesn’t culminate with an award like this, young. Mrs. Marbury says. He pauses to further frame his Tech experience. The couple received word that Mrs. Marbury had earned “Libraries contain everything,” he says. “I love books. I loved recognition as Tech’s Alumna of the Year just before her “We have always deeply believed that the Lord put us on this “Louisiana Tech means everything to me; it’s a part of me,” teaching and my students. Never would I have retired, if they husband’s unexpected passing last fall. He had already helped earth to do all we can for others,” she says. “I’m intent on Snyder says. “I had a chance over the years to go elsewhere, but hadn’t made me.” with his wife’s acceptance speech, says Corre Stegall, vice trying to continue the things we have always believed in, as I wouldn’t have. I think Tech is superior to the rest. There was president for university advancement. long as I can.” no way to entice me to leave. I haven’t left it, even now.”

4 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 5 distinguished college alumni of the year distinguished college alumni of the year

c o llege o f a d m i n i strat i o n a n d bus i n ess c o llege o f a p p l i e d a n d n atural sc i e n ces ROBERT M. HOLT JR.: OTHA “DUSTY” TAYLOR: Never stop asking ‘why?’ Enterprising businessman with homespun heritage

For Robert M. Holt Jr., attending Louisiana Tech Management – one of the largest independent investment Call Dusty Taylor a country-boy entrepreneur and He still remembers how he became “Taylor Made.” He was a family tradition. counseling firms in the Southwest. he will accept the compliment. Taylor’s father, who lived credits Tech for preparing him to make it in the real world. through the Great Depression, taught him that farm-labor “Both of my parents went to school at Tech, and to some “That was probably the best career move I had made, discipline and a college degree could set him on a successful “Tech was a pretty challenging deal for a gentleman who extent I grew up in the Tech family,” says Holt, founder joining Luther King,” he says. “I wanted to be part of an course close to his roots. Sold! probably wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed when he was of Fort Worth, Texas-based Holt Capital Partners, LP. “I organization that was solely devoted to the investment in high school,” he says with a chuckle. “Thank goodness continued that tradition with my own education.” process.” Louisiana Tech’s College of Applied and Natural Sciences with the help and patience of good teachers, by the time Alumnus of the Year slips into auctioneer’s mode when he I got out of college, it seemed like I got a little brighter That shared history provided an emotional underpinning Still, the multifaceted nature of his position resulted recites his career highlights. After graduating in 1969 with academically.” when Holt learned that he was to be named College of in splitting his time researching companies, managing a bachelor’s in animal science, he ventured to Arizona’s Administration and Business portfolios, meeting with clients remote Sonoran Desert to take a In the mid-’80s Taylor got an Alumnus of the Year. and marketing the firm. Holt job at a feed lot. After working a unexpected opportunity to longed for the opportunity to year in a cattle-stocking program, capitalize on his own special “I asked the dean (Dr. Shirley immerse himself in creating he longed to return to the piney brand of “bright.” When a friend P. Reagan) if she was sure she and implementing investment hills and “mainstream life,” he thrust a microphone into Taylor’s had the right person,” says Holt, strategies. says. hand at an auction, it was meant laughing. “She said she did, but I to be a joke. But Taylor, who was still surprised.” “The impetus for starting my Shuttling rapidly through his life found himself doing fast math in own firm was to return to my events, he links together his job his head and even faster talking, The recognition comes as Holt, roots,” Holt says, “and spend time history: cattle worker, animal- brought down the house. In a member of the CAB Advisory in a purely investment role.” health supplies salesman, high- 2001, he was named Louisiana’s Board, feels an ever more risk insurance salesman, metal- champion auctioneer. powerful tug to give back to his Nearly three decades into his shed builder, rodeo competitor, alma mater. career, Holt remains enthusiastic business owner and auctioneer. Despite his success, he counsels about the constantly changing others to go through auctioneer “I’ve always felt a closeness to nature of financial markets. Taylor is not one to hang up his school rather than take his route the university, following the ten-gallon hat. When he wrecked through the school of hard sports and so on,” he says. “But “It’s always an exciting time in his knee in a steer-wrestling knocks. it has become more of a two-way the investment business,” he accident, he went through street since I became involved in says, “because the industry is rehabilitation and jumped right “I just started selling,” he says. the advisory board. I have gone so dynamic. Your feedback on back into rodeo life. In 1999, he “The learning curve is very fast from just being an alumnus to investment decisions is really was inducted into the Louisiana that way.” being an involved alumnus. Tech instantaneous.” Rodeo Cowboys Hall of Fame. formed the foundation and core For the past four years, Taylor has of my higher education, and An inquisitive sort, Holt But in 1974 he had a more been calling one auction that is from there I continued to move discovered the stock market at age sobering professional experience. especially close to his heart, Tech’s forward.” 11 when he bought two shares of stock in a regional grocery The cattle market “went completely to pot,” he says bluntly, Commitment to Education Cattle Sale. More than 50 chain – and made a 75 percent return on the investment. and that was his primary source of income at the time. percent of the agricultural sciences scholarships are derived Although establishing his own firm in 2001 is a career from this one event each October. capstone, Holt already had a distinguished list of “I was hooked,” Holt admits. His curiosity and devotion to “I basically caught myself with all my eggs in one basket,” accomplishments from nearly 30 years as an investment finance continue to serve him today. he says. “I swore then if I ever survived that I would never Minutes before starting off this year’s sale at Hays Brothers manager. again be caught with only one way to make a living.” Angus Ranch near Arcadia, he summed up what the “I love getting up and coming to work every morning,” he college’s Alumnus of the Year award means to him. Holt, who was a Wyly Scholar at Tech, received his says. “A lot of people say my favorite question is: ‘Why?’ He kept that pact when in 1978 he started Taylor Made bachelor’s degree in finance in just three years. He went on That fits in well with what I’m doing. We have to ask Enterprises, an umbrella company for all his business “I always thought these distinctions went to CEOs and to earn an MBA from the University of Texas in 1978. He the questions: Why are a company’s earnings better or ventures. Today, Taylor Made has two primary divisions: corporate execs,” he said, sitting in the bleachers and gazing worked for five years as an assistant vice president for the worse than expected? Why are the stocks up? We ask these commercial and industrial construction and auction- up at the auctioneer’s box in anticipation of his next task. American Founders Life Insurance Co., and then spent two questions all day long.” management services. The hands-on owner says he crams “I wish I had brilliant, intellectual answers. But I’m just a decades as a partner with Fort Worth’s Luther King Capital eight days of work into six-and-a-half. (Sunday mornings country boy close to home.” are reserved for church.)

6 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 7 distinguished college alumni of the year distinguished college alumni of the year

c o llege o f e d ucat i o n c o llege o f e n g i n eer i n g a n d sc i e n ce BILLY JACK TALTON: HARRY GASTON: the POWER behind the program LIVING AND GIVING LARGE

Billy Jack Talton, founder of Louisiana Tech’s His teaching career included high school stints at Ruston’s Harry Gaston, a 1952 graduate in petroleum “I’ve always been a supporter of scholarship, donating a powerlifting program, got into competition as a high Cedar Creek, Shreveport’s Captain Shreve, and Bastrop. engineering at Louisiana Tech, never saw himself as all that little bit here and there,” Gaston says. “It helps provide an schooler to stave off the boredom that physical conditioning distinguished when it came to alumni. opportunity for people who might not have gotten a chance always entails. Over the years, Talton has worked with 700 college athletes. to go to school otherwise, and then they can contribute He finds their success to be a point of pride – though he He describes a simple, hardworking past: He got his back. That’s something I wanted to get involved with, “That made it a little more interesting,” says Talton, a Tech admits surprise at the emotional heft their experiences with bachelor’s, then a master’s from the University of Texas, providing a chance for people to pursue some of their graduate who returned in 1973 to join Tech’s department of the program still hold. then met and married his wife, Rubye. He made his way dreams.” health and physical education as a coach and instructor. He through the corporate world and, only later, made a few later served as department chairman from 1985-2001. “I am always a little shocked at how many of them see that contributions to Tech. Gaston has also consistently embraced the new, from as a positive time,” he says. “I just looked at it as trying to 1960s punch-card technology to room-size computers that Before he retired and was named get the best out of them. But it Among Gaston’s more notable eventually eliminated his old slide professor emeritus, Talton had a positive impact. That has donations was a $100,000 rule. And he always remained collected 11 collegiate Coach been a really pleasant revelation gift in 2004 to the College of open to new endeavors. of the Year awards. Tech’s men after all this time.” Engineering and Science in won 11 national collegiate order to establish a memorial He was skiing at an age when powerlifting titles between 1978- Wider recognition followed. scholarship in honor of his others were rocking gently on 2001; the women won 10. In 1999, three years after his mother, Mattie Black Gaston. the porch; then he moved on to induction into the National snowboarding. He’s flown his Now Talton is being honored Strength and Conditioning Now he’s being honored, too own planes. He’s worked his own as the College of Education Coach’s Hall of Fame, Talton – as College of Engineering and ranch. His motorcycle, key to Alumnus of the Year. was named the United States Science Alumnus of the Year. another late-blooming pastime, of America’s Powerlifting finally brought him back to “I came back – and I’m glad Federation’s first Coach of the “In my own mind, I didn’t think Ruston. I did,” Talton says. “We have Year. He was named to the I was any more distinguished had good leadership and high Louisiana High School Powerlift than I had been in the past,” says “I guess I never traveled up that expectations. I always thought Hall of Fame in 1994. Gaston, laughing. “I found out way much,” Gaston admits. there was challenge for me.” about some of Tech’s needs, and “My business took me north Retirement, Talton says, hasn’t I decided I could donate to those and west and northeast, and Talton graduated from Tech slowed him down. He is still needs at that time.” mostly by plane. As I got closer with a bachelor’s in health and involved with the officiating to retirement, I began riding physical education in 1962, then at powerlifting competitions, A Shreveport native, Gaston motorcycles, and on a tour I went completed a master’s in 1964. including the upcoming winter briefly considered the family to the Blue Ridge Parkway (a He also holds a doctorate in prep regional and state meets. business of glass cutting. But he national park that stretches from education from Northwestern Talton, a former Tech football took a chance on his dream of North Carolina into Virginia) State University. star and dedicated Bulldogs fan, engineering at what was then in the fall. We went through also remains committed to fund- known as Louisiana Polytechnic Ruston. On a couple of occasions Much has changed since Talton attended Tech, not least raising for Tech – and he still works as a mentor with the Institute, now Louisiana Tech. I pulled through campus. All of the changes that had taken of which is how strength and conditioning emerged as powerlifting team. place, that was pretty amazing. I hadn’t been there in 30 or a critical component in modern sports. After founding After receiving his master’s, Gaston left Austin for a stint in 40 years.” Tech’s powerlifting team in 1974, he presided over a period If it’s not raining, though, Talton can usually be found in a the U.S. Army, serving as an engineer and chemist. Later, that saw this nascent sport become the backbone of every pasture. He and his wife, Carolyn, live on 50 acres north of he moved to Houston and built an impressive career that That’s when Gaston decided to make his own contribution athletic program. Ruston near Dubach, where they ride and show Tennessee culminated with a lengthy presidency at Ryder Scott Co., to the quickly evolving landscape of his alma mater. walking horses. where he supervised, coordinated and performed reservoir “I got interested in strength training to increase athletic evaluation studies. He remains the firm’s president emeritus. His contributions also include a $1 million gift to performance; that was a pretty new concept in the 1960s,” “When I can, I stay involved with Tech,” Talton says, “but help underwrite research facilities at Tech’s Biomedical Talton says. “Today, it’s an everyday thing.” life just keeps moving right along.” When retirement loomed, Gaston says he began to take Engineering building. The Gastons also plan an estate gift. stock of his life and how Tech fit into his own story. The scholarship donations, he says, fit in with his abiding “It was a long time before I got back involved,” Gaston love, not just for Tech, but for the fresh young minds that says. “But I always loved that part of the country, and I influenced his own company over the years. always loved Louisiana Tech.”

8 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 9 distinguished college alumni of the year young alumna of the year

c o llege o f l i beral arts YOUNG ALUMNA OF THE YEAR KATHRYN D. ROBINSON: KRISTY TILLMAN: REPRESENTING THE ART OF THE HEART Embracing her roots

Kathryn D. Robinson left Louisiana Tech in 1971, Among her accomplishments along the way are several When Kristy Tillman moved to Washington, D.C., soon speech degree in hand, as conflict raged in Vietnam. national awards, including three Kennedy Center after graduating in 1996, she didn’t realize that her college Medallions of Excellence – in 1985-86 and 1993 – and the experience had been remarkable. She talked to her East Coast She works today as director of the School of Humanities at center’s Career Achievement Award in 1996. friends about their undergraduate years and found that the Penn State’s Capital College while another war continues in accessibility she had to her Louisiana Tech professors was the Middle East. She has been active in professional organizations including uncommon. the Kennedy Center’s American College Theater Festival, Yet Robinson remains steadfast in her belief that the arts the American Theatre Association, the Association “I would spend hours in Dr. (Robert) Toburen’s office define our life, whatever the troubles of the time. for Theatre in Higher Education, and the Southwest agonizing about my future,” she says. “Never once did I think I Theatre Association. In 1996, with Jeff Koep, she co- was taking up the time of the department head.” “From a representative painting, founded the National Partners for instance, we can discover not of the American Theatre, an When Tillman returned to Tech to accept the Young Alumna only a particular moment in the organization that provides of the Year award, the nurturing relationships she had with her battle, but we can determine who scholarships and consultant professors was on her mind. This award honors graduates of was in charge, who was afraid, support. the past decade for their contributions of time and service to what people wore into battle, Tech and to their profession and community. how people reacted to the war Her connection to the Kennedy – and not just the weapons they Center theater festival, which All the conversations with Tech professors about her career used, but how they used them,” ultimately included a stint as destiny gave the Monroe native self-assurance enough to Robinson says. national chair, began in the become a New York City attorney. The 2003 Harvard Law organization’s inaugural year School graduate is a third-year associate with Paul, Weiss, “Just as important is the painting when she participated as a Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Tillman does general of the plowman, the song of student actor. commercial litigation for international corporate clients. the boatmen, the dances of She also has pro bono cases involving criminal appeals and courtship, the poems of love,” Similarly, she’s never forgotten immigration. she adds. “The United States’ Tech. greatest shame, the enslavement “Harvard is a very vibrant place, and I felt grateful to be there,” of Africans, will forever be After receiving her MFA, she says. “I hope Tech professors will encourage more students emblazoned on our national Robinson returned to the to look at Harvard and other top law schools.” “law school can be difficult and consciousness not by statistics, university to serve as director but by the songs of the Negro of theatre in 1975, becoming After graduating from Tech with her bachelor’s degree in overwhelming, and it is good to have your slaves and discourse of literature Tech’s first director of the School political science and history, she interned for the Wesley about their plight.” of Performing Arts. Tech was Foundation ministry at Tech. Then she moved to D.C. and eye on the goal while you are there. I want got a job with then-U.S. Sen. John Breaux on his Senate fortunate enough to have her to convey to students that, yes, you can Her three decades of devotion to through 1997. Special Committee on Aging staff. While living and working the arts and an abiding love of in Washington, she was involved with Building Bridges, a achieve your dreams! never settle or let Louisiana Tech have earned Robinson recognition at Tech As Robinson continues into a third decade as an educator, nonprofit organization that helps break down racial divisions in as the College of Liberal Arts Alumna of the Year. she remains true to a grounded aesthetic: Home is where communities. After working for Breaux three years, she decided others tell you otherwise.” the heart – and the art – is. to go to law school. Hers is a life that’s gone far and wide, but always found a – Kristy Tillman touchstone at Tech. Even today, Robinson teaches a humanities class at Penn “I knew a law degree would increase my opportunities on State that she developed while working in Oklahoma. Capitol Hill and beyond,” she says. “I also realized that while I After leaving Ruston, Robinson earned a master’s of fine art loved working in government on policy issues, I was interested from Southern Illinois, then a doctorate in fine arts from “We live in unsettled times,” Robinson says. “How can we in working with individuals, specifically in helping people Texas Tech. Before accepting her current position at Penn react? How can we move bravely into the century before us? navigate our complex government and legal systems.” When she came to campus to accept the Young Alumna of the State, Robinson also served as dean of arts and letters at This arena of the arts gives even the most disenfranchised Year award, she was surrounded by family and felt humbled to both Southern Oregon University and Northeastern State individual empowerment to change the world.” Reflecting on her Harvard law education, she says “the be recognized among the other accomplished alumni. University in Tahlequah, Okla. opportunities for learning from and interacting with world- class legal scholars were phenomenal.” She met her husband “It was so much fun to bring my husband who is from (New) while doing a musical theater production that poked fun at Jersey,” she says. “Sitting with my family at the banquet in the law school life. After graduating, she clerked for a year for U.S. Student Center felt like old times. It reminded me of parents’ District Judge Norma Shapiro in Philadelphia. weekend.”

10 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 11 HomecomingHomecoming 2005

Louisiana Tech’s 2005 take the field. Homecoming queen and top escort a senior speechR eigningcommunication were major, and Blair Bahlinger of Tom, Okla., a senior in professional aviation. Baton Rouge, Klark Kent of

Band of Pride The drum line of LouisianaH Tech’somecoming’s Marching football contest. helps drive the drama of

Sonni Vincent, a sophomore nutrition and dieteticsHomecoming. major Louisiana Tech from Sulphur, helps pump up the volume at President Dan Reneau and the university’s first lady, Linda Reneau, add their own accents of red and blue to the President’s Benefactor Dinner.

Patrick McCown,

Griffin McCown, is also Buccaneers quarterbackKaty Luke Bay Tampa accompanied by son Jonah Thomas, checks back in at his old playing field. Jonah’s mom, a Tech alum.

Enterprise Center is dedicated as part President Louisiana Tech’s new Parish Dan Housed in the old Lincoln president for studentReneau, affairs; front; and from left, Jim of Homecoming festivities. student life; and Library, the center provides office space and technology Lindsay MencacciS overseetudent theD dedicationickie Crawford, of new dean Kstudenting, of vice support to small businesses. Government housing at Association University Park. President

Spirit of Reneau. President and Mrs. A harvest of Louisiana Tech regalia welcomes the Homecoming to the home of

The ties that bind bring Tech football greats Leo Bobby Kubrick, 13, blends all the Aillet back to Homecoming year after year. Louisiana Tech quarterback Matt Sanford and best moves – focus, grip, form and stance – as he zeroes in 12 | Louisiana Tech Magazine on his receiver. www.latech.edu | 13 Katrina – sunday/monday, aug. 28/29 I tried to stay out of the way and let our physicians and God’s natural world has an awesome power. From the small nurses triage patients; others determined what vital supplies Diary of a Disaster observation windows on our highest floors, we observed needed replenishing; HCA worked frantically to coordinate Surviving Katrina at Tulane University Hospital awnings being blown off and a blinding rain. Our first building a transportation plan to pick up patients and eventually, our inspection revealed little damage. The hospital had held up staff. How many people? At least 1,200, which included 160 well. In fact, if you were in the inner core of the hospital, you patients and then a host of employees, physicians and their could barely hear the hurricane. Late Monday afternoon, we families – and 76 dogs and cats that I didn’t know about at the time. Louisiana Tech alumnus Jim even walked around outside since there was little flooding. Overconfident, we even stated we had absorbed the best punch Montgomery is president and Mother Nature could throw and that we seemed intact. The looting begins CEO of Tulane University We witnessed dozens of people wading in front of the hospital Hospital and Clinic. He recounts Tuesday, Aug. 30 with bag after bag of goods from different stores in the vicinity. At 1:30 a.m., the biggest Bandits or gangs took over what occurred at the hospital crisis and challenge of my two adjacent hotels and from the beginning of the life began. I was awakened “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” forced out many of our hurricane to the day the last by my chief operating employees’ families who Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son? person was rescued from the officer who told me the had been staying there. The water in the boiler room Oh, where have you been, my darling young one? families came to the hospital, hospital’s parking deck turned had been rising a foot an I’ve stumbled on the side of 12 misty mountains, which created further helipad. On Dec. 1, hour since midnight. If I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways, complications. That night, Montgomery was photographed it continued at that rate, our staff on the roof heard I’ve stepped in the middle of seven sad forests, at the site where patients, at best we had only two gunshots, but they continued to three hours before we I’ve been out in front of a dozen dead oceans, to evacuate patients. The employees and their families would lose all power. We I’ve been 10,000 miles in the mouth of a graveyard, lawlessness and insurrection alike had waited for rescue were already operating on And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, was a distraction, but our helicopters. emergency power since early Tulane police force was And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall. Monday. We had seven excellent and capable. Late ventilator patients whose - From the 1963 album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” in the day we ran out of fuel lives would be in jeopardy which caused our generators and we had to move fast to to shut down. The hospital get them out. We had no began to heat up. The last of boat or helicopter pad. the ventilator patients had to be transported on pickup trucks to the top of the six-story parking ramp since the elevators I know Acadian Ambulance Service well, so even though they shut down and our ambulance was too tall to clear the ramp. I had no business connection to our hospital, I called and asked had a conversation with a patient’s father who told me that the for their immediate help. We have a parking deck connected parking deck would hold big helicopters. How did he know? to the hospital that we had assessed to be sturdy enough to He was a Black Hawk pilot. support helicopters. The problem was it had four light poles in the middle of the lot. What happened in the next four hours Then a man named John Holland appeared out of nowhere, was nothing short of a miracle. Our maintenance group got sent by HCA to be our flight coordinator. He would the light poles down, Acadian agreed to pick up our patients, communicate with “the birds in the air,” and boy, is that and we made arrangements with other Hospital Corporation of important, because our patients had begun to fly away. America (HCA) hospitals to take them. Wednesday, Aug. 31 Our staff and physicians got their patients ready. Most Did we sleep? Try heating up your bedroom to 95 degrees. importantly, the rising water slowed to an inch per hour. Soon First, you’re hot. Then, you sweat and get cold. The cycle after sunup, small helicopters landed on the parking deck and repeats. At daybreak, patients started lining up to be taken jim montgomery speaks Friday, Aug. 26 patients began to be transported. to the top of the parking deck. I watched our staff, residents In Bob Dylan’s song, “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” the singer This storm didn’t seem like it would be much of an event but and faculty move sick patients with a grace and dignity that is asked questions: Where have you been? What did you see? by 5 p.m. things began to look different. The storm stalled, We had an early morning meeting with our key managers was most impressive. This was our third day and the stress on What did you hear? Who did you meet? And, what will you picked up power, and headed for Louisiana. who were at the hospital. We prayed for support, comfort and our people began to show. Everyone was asking when, where do now, my blue-eyed son? He replies with a collage of images guidance. We talked about what we knew – and what we didn’t and how were we going to get out? The city sewer system was about his experience that attempts to answer each question. In Saturday, Aug. 27 know, which was considerable because we had no contact from backing up and creating an acrid smell that made it almost the Hurricane Katrina crisis, the images were moving so fast Our Tulane University Hospital staff met to begin routine Federal Emergency Management Agency or the mayor’s office. impossible to breathe. With no water pressure, you couldn’t that it will take me awhile to put it together, but here is my hurricane preparations. Afterward, I went home to get things We had no idea why the water was rising. We had to assume bathe. When everyone smells the same, you really don’t notice. attempt. together. I thought: What do I absolutely not want to lose that it would keep rising and we would lose power. This would You just feel unclean. if our house is swept away? I left home with pictures of my mean no lights, no air conditioning, no suction, no oxygen, no Foremost, I felt your prayers and heard your concerns that were family and some clothes. elevators, no phones – everything that is precious to good care. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries showed registered with my wife, Donna, and others. That comforted We had to get out. We hatched a plan. up to help move patients we had inherited from the Louisiana me and kept me calm, which was essential in this time. Superdome on Sunday night. We had more than 60 additional Ñ

14 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 15 emergency ventilator support only lasts 30 minutes. They used According to my account, Gov. Blanco was about 400 people funny part of the story! Like that’s all it was going to take? up 28 minutes and a few seconds before they got the patient short in her analysis. We had a new problem. They think we’re hooked up again. That’s how close it was to the device failing. not here. At 4 a.m., we heard a massive explosion at a warehouse on the The result would have been terminal. river several miles away. I happened to be looking directly at it I called the Louisiana National Guard. Guess who answered? at the time. It must have reached 1,000 feet in the air. The coordination from the patient’s room to the staging area Brad Smith, the patient’s father I spoke of earlier. He had to the makeshift helipad into the helicopter was a work of art gotten a ride back with some Wildlife and Fisheries guys and Friday, Sept. 2 composed by many painters. It was a thing of beauty, and it was now flying sorties into New Orleans. He quickly got a hold The end is rather anticlimactic. At 8 a.m., unexpected touched everyone who was there. of the Office of Emergency Preparedness and let them know Chinooks began showing up and taking 60 people at a time. I we still needed help. Maybe we’d get out Friday? People were wondered if our pilot friend in the Guard had anything to do By the end of the day, HCA had devised an extraction plan remarkably calm. When we told them they’d be there another with this. In a matter of two-and-a-half hours, everyone was for our remaining staff. It would involve taking a helicopter to day, they just sat down and began to prepare to go to bed. gone but our police and the last remnants of our management. the airport and then a bus to Lafayette. But communication All of the pets were rescued, too. After attempts to coordinate breakdowns brought questions such as: Who knew if the HCA We left the hospital and remained in the parking deck for with Charity to use our makeshift helipad, we left for home, plan would mesh with what government officials might decide three reasons: It was cooler, there would be less confusion in sweet home. to do? the morning, and it was safer since there was less territory for our Tulane police to patrol. I know the media focused on the Reflections Thursday, Sept. 1 anarchy, and no doubt there was some concern, but I always Obviously, this is only phase one of a complicated recovery Line up and get ready. Have breakfast. We were living on thought we were safe. for New Orleans. So many people have lost so much, and it strawberry Pop-Tarts, honey oat bars, and for dinner, a little reaches far beyond New Orleans. Our staff performed like protein: canned tuna. Fortunately, I liked all the survival food, Imagine trying to fall asleep on your concrete driveway without clockwork, and it was beautiful to observe. Our success is but I’m sure I lost 10 pounds. A line formed and I counted a pad or pillow. Then, throw in an unexpected helicopter simply measured by the fact that we didn’t lose a patient during 700 people: our staff, physicians, their children and spouses, landing at 1 a.m. The wind is a little dicey. The bird dropped this crisis. Katrina falls just below a nuclear catastrophe in its and to top it off, 76 dogs and cats. We relegated the animals off half the U.S. Marines who had been dispatched to New degree of magnitude. If we don’t do better next time, “a really to second-class citizenship and put them in a separate line. Orleans. I asked the Marine, “How many of you are in New hard rain’s a-gonna fall.” We prayed we wouldn’t have to put the pets to sleep if no one Orleans, son?” He said, “There are two of us here, sir.” That’s a would transport them.

At first, there were just a few small helicopters and we had some patients to move so it was slow. As I moved through the line, people were calm with a few exceptions. Overall, they profile: jim montgomery managed their plight well. Hometown: Zachary

Then a situation developed. A frantic critical-care medical Now resides in: New Orleans (west bank of Mississippi River – not damaged by flooding) director showed up by boat from New Orleans Charity Graduation from Tech: 1973, B.S., Zoology Hospital. He had 21critical-care patients, many of whom had Current state of Tulane Hospital been hand-ventilated for two days, and he couldn’t get any help Further education: M.S., Hospital Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham The first floor of the hospital, (about 100,000 square feet), had 2 to 3 feet of water. The emergency room and the rest of from the state. You may have heard this story on CNN. He How I got to Tech: Born in Crossett, Ark., I felt a pull to North Louisiana. the first floor are being stripped to the metal studs and rebuilt. asked: “Can you help me?” The tough question had only one Montgomery estimates repairs will run more than $10 million. answer: We would give Charity access to the small helicopters. Memories of Tech: They were very good college years. I still have a number of friends I stay in contact with. I met my wife at By this time, our patients had been evacuated and we were Tech, Donna Kendrick Montgomery. She graduated in 1973 with degrees in elementary education and library science. My daughter, in need of large helicopters to move many staff at once. So Megan Strain, is a 1999 alumna. My son, John, is a senior at Tech. medically needy people with chronic conditions. We sent away the process began of moving Charity’s patients, much to the Career path: In the mid-1970s, I did my residency in hospital administration at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. After the residency, the patients and their loved ones on boats. I met a woman chagrin of our nonprofessional staff and family. They didn’t I worked for Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria for 21 years. I became CEO there in 1989. In 1997, I became CEO of whose most valuable possession was her pillow and her radio understand. Our nurses and doctors understood, but this Willis-Knighton Health System in Shreveport. Three years later, I moved back to the city where my career started and became CEO of that I personally promised to protect. It’s in my office today. development increased the crowd’s intensity. It was midday and Tulane University Hospital and Clinic. the line was moving slow. It didn’t look good. Then, from 3 to On life lessons: The thing that matters most is the relationships you have with your family and friends. They sustain you in good Big birds begin to fly 5 p.m., things happened. times and in bad, and that’s what is important. Instead of just one or two patients like the first small helicopters, the Black Hawks could move up to four with some additional A Chinook helicopter is big – two rotors. It carries about 50 Uncertainties after Katrina: We have financial hurdles and work force issues. It will be difficult to draw patients into the staff. It was a beautiful sight, but there more patients in line. to 60 people and moves with a slow, deliberate confidence city. How do you come back and maintain an academic medical center that will achieve the mission of the two owners: Hospital By the end of the day, we had moved all but about 20 patients that is hard to describe. One showed up. We had questioned Corporation of America and Tulane University? How do you maintain the integrity of the medical faculty? We had 2,600 employees, and we will have less than 1,000 after we reopen. How do you predict what the workload will be? What types of patients will we including two who weighed more than 400 pounds each and whether it could land so we asked the flight coordinator and have when we reopen and will they have insurance? one on an artificial heart-assist device. This was the challenge he said, “yes,” but nothing else could be on the deck due to of the week. This device pumps blood for a person awaiting turbulence. As it approached, cheers broke out from below and On tackling the setback: It means going back to kindergarten and starting at the basic building blocks of your organization. You a heart transplant and it weighs almost a quarter-ton. Within people thought they had a chance. For a few hours we made evolve into a huge organization and progress happens over a period of years. (Tulane Hospital and Clinic has been here 30 years.) 30 minutes, they had to move the patient and device down progress, and then it came to a halt. No more big birds. What I’ve been CEO for five years, and even in that short time span things change. You have to go from point Z all the way back to point A two floors in a dark, 90-plus-degree stairwell and across to the happened? I called my daughter, Megan, and she said, elated: to think through how you do certain things you’ve never done before. parking deck. Then they put the patient and device in the back “You’re back!” “What?” I asked. She told me Gov. Blanco had of a pickup truck to get up to the helicopter pad. The device’s just announced that Tulane had been completely evacuated.

16 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 17 the storm. As in past hurricanes, she saw her husband and two go back to work?’ He said, ‘Sure, take your time.’ I am glad that daughters off (this time they went to Ruston to stay with son I got a job right away because it didn’t give me time to sit back Freddie) and then she went on to work. and think about things that happened back home,” she says.

She gazes off to a distant world and recounts what happened The new Tech resident monitored Caruthers Hall until it the last few days of August. closed at the end of fall quarter as, one by one, families housed there found more permanent residences around Ruston. “It was me and my co-workers and 442 inmates in that Franklin now works as a Tech police dispatcher, and the family building,” she says. “It was just a combination of things going lives in a Ruston apartment. through my mind, and all I could say was, ‘Lord, where are you?’” By living in Caruthers, she feels she gained a better She says the first day after the hurricane was “smooth sailing.” understanding of community. She found the true meaning in The sky was blue, and she estimates there was only 2 feet of the phrase “Tech Family.” water outside the prison. But the next day, a guard suddenly came running followed by a swell of water. Franklin and the “I told my son, ‘Tech is providing you with an education. And deputies worked frantically to get inmates off the first floor. All on the other hand, Tech is providing you with family. They are the food and drinking water was left behind. The generators showing you what family and unity are. They have stepped in cut off. and brought us into their community, and that is a blessing.’”

“It was so dark and we couldn’t see each other or in front of us,” Franklin helps her family find humor amid devastation – she says. “All you could hear was this whistling noise. I thought “What is the sense in crying? You are just going to make it was going to drive me crazy. I was worrying about my kids, yourself sick” – even though she says her daughters still cry and I know they were worrying about me. But there was no themselves to sleep at night. They miss their friends and their way to get in touch with them and let them know I was OK.” home. She laughs at the memory of finding her family’s refrigerator and TV at the end of their street. She says that the inmates and guards screamed and pounded on walls to attract rescue workers floating by in boats. When With a wave of her hand, she shows how she has let go of the rescuers came, they “cut us out of the building,” she recalls, and material things. She is thankful that her family is safe and they took the inmates first. When Franklin and the rest of the staff have a roof over their heads. Though she admits there was one were evacuated, they were dropped off under a bridge and left thing missing from the Caruthers dorm – a bathtub. with male prisoners. “I guess you never realize how much you take that stuff for The trauma was too much for one of the wardens who broke granted.” down in tears. Franklin says a warden from Louisiana State Penitentiary heard the crying and took them to St. Gabriel Women’s Prison. There they received food, medicine and baths.

“My legs were so swollen. I had slept maybe one hour during REFUGE FROM THE STORM those four days,” she says, looking down at her warm-up pants. Family’s bond with Tech strengthened “I plugged in my phone, and there were all these messages. Oh, Lord, let me call my family.”

As mother to Bulldogs running back Freddie Franklin, Joanette Franklin was already sold on Louisiana Tech. But when Franklin called her son. “He screamed into the phone, ‘Mama, Katrina pushed the Franklins out of New Orleans, they found a dorm home at Tech, Mom found a job with the university where are you? Coach, Coach, this is my mama!’” Coach Bicknell got on the phone. “He asked me where I was and I police, and they all found out in a big way what it really means to be part of the Tech Family. told him. He told me he was sending Freddie for me. I just told him thank you so much.”

Joanette Franklin doesn’t want much for herself. Like came for the “living room visit,” she proclaimed to her son: When Freddie arrived, his mom was still in “work mode,” she any parent, she just wants more for her three children (ages 16, “We are going to Tech!” recalls. She wanted to ensure all the deputies could get in touch 17 and 20) than she had. Most of all, she wants them to get a with their families. Freddie wanted to take all the deputies college degree – something she doesn’t have. As she recalled this story, she sat in the lounge at Caruthers to Ruston but his mom knew they needed to find their own Hall, the dorm where the Franklin family found refuge after families, wherever they might be scattered. She cried as she Raising them in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward with her Hurricane Katrina. Caruthers had been slated for demolition hugged co-workers and said goodbye. husband, the Rev. Freddie Franklin, she made sure her son, but was reopened within 24 hours after Katrina struck. In Freddie, “didn’t get caught up in the foolishness of the city,” as the aftermath of Katrina and Rita, Tech took in nearly 600 She then headed off to reunite with her family at Caruthers. At she puts it. evacuees – mostly families of current Tech students. Tech she was offered a job with Tech police by Jim King, Tech’s vice president for student affairs. Former Lower Ninth Ward resident Joanette Franklin works as a Two years ago, Freddie was recruited by Louisiana Tech as a Before Franklin could make it to Caruthers, however, she had Tech police dispatcher. Her family lives in an apartment in Ruston. They are uncertain whether they will ever return to New Orleans. running back. Mom approved because she felt that Coach Jack obligations to fulfill. As a field officer for the women’s division “I said, ‘Thank you. But can I just have one day of rest before I Bicknell had her son’s best interests at heart. After Bicknell of the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office, she didn’t flee 18 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 19 From left, computer science graduate students Anand Tikotekar, Kiriti Munganuru, Sunil Sudhakar and Arpan Darivemula talk about building Search Katrina. Dr. Box Leangsuksun discusses site hits with project participants Chris Washer, a junior architecture major, and Chris Womack, information technology coordinator for Tech’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology.

register their information with the site. In some cases, the site provides locations of where the victims evacuated to and an update on their safety.

“Our job was to simplify the search process so the user didn’t have to navigate through so much data,” he says.

Though the team put in long hours and worked nonstop through the weekend, Leangsuksun said they felt good about being proactive.

“If we helped one or two people find their loved ones, it was worth the hard work,” he says.

Noting the site’s user friendliness, Leangsuksun says, “Simple is beautiful.” He wanted the search to be straightforward, and he took a no-frills approach on the visual aspect of the site. As Dr. Box Leangsuksun watched the TV images from His contribution came from his area of expertise: computer search katrina Hurricane Katrina, he couldn’t help but recall another disaster technology. Along with five computer science graduate “We go to different sites and some of them have really rich in which he was on the outskirts and couldn’t lend a helping students, he created a Web site aimed at locating people content,” he says. “But that can backfire. They can be hard to Tech team creates search engine to hand. displaced by Hurricane Katrina. navigate.” help locate displaced people The Louisiana Tech associate professor of computer science “I went to a few of my students and told them to drop In the first few days after the site was launched, Leangsuksun went on a trip to his native Thailand during the 2004 winter everything,” he says. “If we were going to do something, I says it had close to 1,000 hits. To date, the site has had 10,771 holiday break. He and his family vacationed inland and were wanted us to do something to help people.” visitors. spared from the tsunami that devastated coastal areas from Indonesia to eastern Africa. After the tsunami, Leangsuksun Leangsuksun and the Extreme Computing Research Group “We just want to continue to spread the word,” he says, “and had to return to Tech to resume teaching and he felt remorseful began working on www.searchkatrina.org Sept. 2, and it was hopefully the work we’ve done will be useful.” about leaving his homeland unable to help in the relief effort. up and running five days later. Their work started with a data- mining operation – setting up programs to acquire names from The Extreme Computing Research Group members assisting “After the hurricane hit, I kept watching TV and feeling existing online databases. Leangsuksun were Anand Tikotekar, Kshitij Limaye, depressed,” he says. “I thought I should do something here to Kiriti Munganuru, Sunil Sudhakar, Yudan Liu and Arpan help the hurricane victims in some way. I felt like this was my The end result is a Search Katrina site that combs numerous Darivemula. All are originally from India except Liu, who is second chance to help people.” databases of sites containing lists of evacuees. Users can also from China.

20 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 21 foundation spotlight foundation spotlight

“The Jarrells were folks others could turn to in times of need,” “I just enjoyed tremendously dealing with people,” he says. “I Donohoe says. “I look at what that family meant to their liked to be available 24/7, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays. They he delivered community, and then what Dr. Jarrell meant to Tech – it’s just depended on me.” Carrying on a family legacy of service, Dr. Robert a great story of people doing for others.” When he began practicing medicine in Epps in 1955, he Guthrie Jarrell brought thousands of babies into the Jarrell was born in Oak Grove where his pharmacist dad earned charged $3 for either a house call or an office visit, the level world and countless opportunities to Louisiana Tech $18 a week during the Depression. The family moved to Epps pricing by way of apology for a “not nice” office. Later, when students, all while becoming the most dependable Tech when Jarrell was 8. he practiced in Monroe in 1962, he charged $125 for a sports fan ever. complete care and delivery package. “I still feel an allegiance to West Carroll Parish and Epps, and I’ve maintained those roots. I feel real close to those people,” In retirement, he has more time for the athletic events he loves Jarrell says. so well and for the Miss Louisiana Pageant which he has helped In 1999, with just 2 seconds left, Louisiana Tech edged support through scholarships since 1950. Additionally, he has Alabama 29-28 after Brian Stallworth threw a touchdown pass When Jarrell began attending Tech in 1945 at age 16, he made hosted 17 pageant kickoffs at his Monroe home. “A lot of Tech to Sean Cangelosi, and Kevin Pond made the kick. the basketball squad but gave up playing the next year in favor girls have won Miss Louisiana,” he notes with pride. of his studies. He wasn’t all work, however, and loved big It was the most electrifying Tech win Dr. Robert Guthrie Jarrell bands, especially Tech’s orchestra, the Debonnaires. Also in retirement, he misses hospital life where he once had ever seen. Even the most half-hearted fan would have interacted with patients, personnel and friends. But reminders thought so. And Jarrell is no half-hearted fan. “We had these ‘practice dances’ in the women’s gym that of the lives he touched are abundant. were kind of preparation for the bigger functions,” Jarrell “There can be a storm and only five or six people sitting in the remembers. “I liked meeting all the girls.” “It’s almost unbelievable how many patients I run into,” he stands – but there’s Dr. Jarrell,” says Jim Oakes, Tech’s athletic says. “And of course, everywhere I go, I see children I delivered.” director. “I can’t imagine where this athletic program would be He still dances and still enjoys the old music, whether without him. He has been there every step with his financial performed by singers from back then or by later ones such as Sam Rubin, a retired retail jeweler, knows Jarrell as so many support, passion and dedication.” Carly Simon, who croons “Moonlight Serenade” from Jarrell’s do, both for his Tech allegiances and for his doctor role. “He home stereo. steered me into the Louisiana Tech loop,” Rubin says, “and he The obstetrician-gynecologist made time for Tech even before delivered my grandson.” retiring last year after a 50-year career in which he delivered Jarrell croons, too, at the mention of westward travel, all the 15,000 babies, including a set of triplets born to Oakes and his map spots from the old “Route 66” song: “From St. Louie, Calling Jarrell a “superlative” physician, Rubin says he has wife, Tammy. Joplin, Missouri; Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty; you’ll see never heard an unkind word about him. Dr. Robert Guthrie Jarrell’s study is filled with Tech awards and Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico; Flagstaff, Arizona, don’t Jarrell is what you look for in a doctor, Oakes says: “He’s memorabilia, underscoring the close bond he shares with his alma forget Winona; Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino.” Fellow Tech alum Landon Miles, a retired engineering compassionate and thorough. We knew we had one of the top mater. His weathered doctor’s bag, kept from the early days of his executive, says Tech needs 10 more just like Jarrell, whom he 50-year practice, bears witness to his other passion: medicine. obstetricians in the country.” Girls, dancing, music – all well and good. But Jarrell really calls “the perfect Southern gentleman.” enjoyed bringing babies into the world and performing surgery Jarrell’s devotion to Tech athletics provided one of the lighter in life,” she says. that helped address obstetrical, gynecological and infertility “But you ain’t got any others like him,” Miles says. “Ol’ Doc moments of Tammy Oakes’ difficult pregnancy. problems. The path to his specialty began with his ob/gyn bleeds red and blue.” Few know that side of Jarrell better than Tech alumna stints in the Navy. “He told me I better not go to this one ballgame,” says Oakes, Sue Donohoe. dad to John, Ty and Matt, now 10. “He knew she wouldn’t deliver, but I stayed behind and he made the trip. We still Donohoe, whose mother grew up with Jarrell in Epps, says laugh about it.” Jarrell helped put her where she is today: sitting behind Dr. Robert Guthrie Jarrell (’49) – story of a humanitarian a nameplate that says NCAA vice president for Division I His Tech years: Claybrook Cottingham and R.L. Ropp were presidents of the era. Stacy Gilbert, Tech’s assistant athletic director for academics, women’s basketball. also got a Jarrell delivery: son Mason, now 3. “He’s delivered Degree: 1949, B.S. in biology (minor in chemistry pre-med) so many babies, it’s not textbook to him,” she says. “That was She says her career evolved from Jarrell backing her for a grad Further education: 1954, LSU School of Medicine (New Orleans); 1955, internship, Confederate Memorial Medical Center (Shreveport); comforting to me.” assistantship with the Lady Techsters. (Predictably, Jarrell only 1956-58, U.S. Navy physician (Bainbridge Naval Base, Md., and Washington, D.C.); 1958, Conway Memorial Hospital (Monroe); 1959-62, points to Donohoe’s work ethic.) ob/gyn training, Ochsner Foundation Clinic and Hospital (New Orleans). Given that Jarrell pretty much delivered all his patients’ babies himself, Gilbert marvels that he gave Tech so much attention. “He wants good things to happen to people,” Donohoe says, Tech awards: 1975 Louisiana Tech Alumnus of the Year; 1982 Tower Medallion recipient; named in 100 Distinguished Alumni at Tech; “and he just quietly goes about making that happen.” former president, Alumni Association; board member, University Foundation; member, Athletics Council; Athletics Hall of Fame inductee. “It’s rare to look around at any game – baseball, softball, Made it “happen”: Helped initiate and promote “The Happening” in Monroe, Tech’s largest annual alumni event, and has attended all 24 volleyball, basketball, football – and not see him there. And it That quality of caring is rooted in the kind of family and place he events; still has a $3 ticket to the first event (May 1973) which was attended by then-TechP resident F. Jay Taylor and NFL great Terry Bradshaw. doesn’t have to be a ‘big’ game,” she says. came from, she says. His father (Jarrell Sr.) was Epps’ pharmacist; his mother (born Lucille Lipp) was a “ray of sunshine.” Among the professional awards: 2003 Mother Gertrude Hennessy Humanitarian Award, given to him during St. Francis Medical Still, it was always clear in her chats with Jarrell that games Center’s 90-year celebration. weren’t all he cared about. Jarrell’s paternal grandfather was a family doctor who charged $25 for a home delivery. The family also boasted another pharmacist, Crowning interest: Has helped support the Miss Louisiana Pageant since 1950 when it was still in Lake Providence; instrumental in pageant’s move to Monroe. “He couldn’t learn enough about the students – not just what a surgeon and a dentist. The whole crowd loved sports. they did for Tech as athletes, but how they could be successful

22 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 23 news around campus news around campus

‘Atomic Field’ brings hurricane 20 Tech students expand language Trenchless Technology to relief to the table learning in Costa Rica shore up coast with historic Louisiana Tech’s theatre department and School of the Performing Arts revived Over the summer, Louisiana Tech Spanish instructor Anne grant the play “Atomic Field” this fall after a successful summer run, and the first night’s Reynolds-Case accompanied 20 Tech students to San José, Costa performance was designated as a benefit for local hurricane relief efforts. Rica, for a four-week study-abroad program.

Dr. Kenneth Robbins, director of Tech’s School of the Performing Arts, wrote the play The experience has become an invaluable part of the students’ in 1995 – based on his family’s experiences – as part of a project to commemorate the foreign language education, Reynolds-Case says. 50th year since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the end of World War II, and creation of the United Nations. The Tech group studied at the Forester Language Institute which offered class sizes of no more than six students and featured native “Atomic Field” explores the lingering effects of war on one family where the father Costa Rican faculty members trained to teach Spanish to foreigners. is a dying WWII veteran. In 1996, the play received the Charles Getchell New Play Award, presented by the Southeastern Theatre Conference, and in 2000 it was selected “After testing for placement in one of four levels of instruction, the for production in Tokyo. students were introduced to their host families,” Reynolds-Case says. “Many students formed lasting friendships and bonds with Tech climbs in U.S Robbins says the benefit performance made it possible to send $340 cash and several their families and plan to keep in touch.” News & World Report bags of canned goods to the food bank at Temple Baptist Church. ranking Students attended afternoon classes where they received instruction in grammar, vocabulary and local culture. Three mornings a Louisiana Tech moved into a new, week students were able to attend organized excursions to sites Dr. Henry E. Cardenas higher ranking in the latest U.S. News such as national volcanoes, rain forests, botanical gardens, coffee & World Report’s “America’s Best plantations, cathedrals and nearby towns. Weekends offered more Colleges” listing, joining Louisiana extended travel and learning opportunities. State University in the third tier for top Thanks to a four-year $3 million grant awarded to national universities. Louisiana Tech’s Trenchless Technology Center – the largest industry-funded research project ever for the “It’s recognition of the university in university – researchers may soon be able to provide a national magazine in a national technical help for coastal states, especially where recent ranking,” Tech President Dan Reneau “Atomic Field,” shown here during rehearsal, hurricane destruction is concerned. says. “It’s a compliment to the faculty took on a second run and staff who have worked so hard for at Louisiana Tech this Dr. Henry E. Cardenas, an assistant professor of quality education.” fall and helped benefit mechanical engineering at Tech, along with 13 other hurricane relief efforts. researchers, is working on technologies that can support Colleges and universities throughout the recovery of safe habitation in the Gulf Coast disaster the nation are ranked according to zones by conducting electrical treatments applied to several factors, including graduation and Enrollment falls 99 students concrete structures. retention rates, percentage of students who were in the top 10 percent of their In less of a drop than was expected, Louisiana Tech’s fall 2005 enrollment of 11,611 “Decontamination is done by using electricity to pull high school classes, public recognition, showed 99 fewer students than were enrolled in fall 2004. unwanted chemicals out of concrete,” he says. and percentage of alumni donations. Pamela Ford, dean of enrollment management, Louisiana Tech students Cardenas says the concrete can also be sealed and says the class of incoming freshmen stood at learned inside and outside U.S. News & World Report reviews the classroom during a strengthened by using electricity to move tiny particles 1,400 institutions and narrows them 1,829, also a decrease from last year’s total four-week study-abroad (nanoparticles as small as one/10 millionth of an inch) down to 248 which are then recognized of 1,914. But given that first-time freshman program in Costa Rica into pores. as national colleges. Of those 248 enrollment increased 56 percent from 1996 that partnered language to 2003 and that the third stage of selective learning with excursions to Dr. Les Guice, vice president for research and colleges, only 162 are public universities. natural sights in the area. admissions went into effect this fall, “we’re development, says the project demonstrates an innovative Dr. Terry McConathy, executive vice down much fewer than we had anticipated,” application of nanotechnology that has demonstrated president and dean of the graduate she says. commercial potential. school, says Tech can take a great deal of pride in having achieved its new Meanwhile, Tech President Dan Reneau “We hope that this project is successful in leading to new position on the list. said Katrina has perhaps skewed enrollment business activity which can have a significant impact on numbers. For example, Tech lost some economic development in this region,” Guice says. “This “It’s very significant that a school moves students in the National Guard who project is particularly important for Louisiana and is from one tier to the next because it takes postponed re-enrollment for deployment- coming at a time when we hope to see this technology a significant change in the institution related reasons. However, the university gained provide some benefit to the rehabilitation of structures in to move up from one rank to the next,” other students who transferred from South the state.” she says. Louisiana institutions affected by the disaster.

24 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 25 news around campus news around campus

Student-athletes set the pace in Gates scholars choose Project to coordinate preservation of elite competition Tech for studies hurricane tales “One team. One goal.” Five students are currently attending Louisiana Dr. Susan Roach, a Louisiana Tech English professor and folklorist for the Tech as Gates Millennium Scholars. Louisiana Regional Folklife program, has helped organize a coalition of That was the slogan thumbtacked to the bulletin board in scholars and others committed to documenting the stories of hurricane Louisiana Tech’s women’s track team locker room last season. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation created survivors and responders. When the women won the Western Athletic Conference indoor the Gates Millennium Scholars program in track title last February by the largest margin in WAC history, 1999. The GMS awards are geared toward The cooperative effort, meant to offer a framework for comparing data the word “goal” was replaced with the word “dream.” supporting the college careers of academically collected from independently funded projects, involves faculty members from talented minorities. universities across the state and nation. But the indoor title wasn’t the end of the dream. Through sacrifice and determination, the women went on to clinch the Students selected for the award are given the The American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress has agreed to partner Members of the women’s indoor track and field team show off their WAC outdoor track title in May. The feat marked only the opportunity to attend a college or university with the coalition and be a secondary repository for materials collected. Among hardware after winning the Western Athletic Conference indoor title by the largest margin in WAC history. The championships were held at the third time in WAC history that a single team captured both of their choice where they can complete an the collection will be evacuation narratives, stories of relocation, memories of Idaho State Sports Center in Nampa, Idaho. titles in one season. undergraduate degree program in any academic communities and neighborhoods that flooded, and the relationship between discipline. Continuing scholars may request strong cultural identity and decision making in a crisis. It was a remarkable year on many fronts. Head coach Gary funding for a graduate degree program in any Stanley was named WAC coach of the year, Doria Appleberry one of the following discipline areas: education, Coalition members plan to conduct interviews and train evacuees and other was named outstanding performer of the year, and Ayanna engineering, library science, mathematics, community scholars as interviewers. Among the documents Roach has Alexander swept the WAC indoor and outdoor triple jump titles public health, and science. helped develop are basic data collection forms providing information to be and took home all-American honors at the NCAA Outdoor entered into a central database; recommended research topics and questions; Championships. Current program scholars at Louisiana Tech are: a collecting kit with permission forms, releases, and instructions to allow for public deposit; K-12 lessons to teach students to collect data; and interviewing Carmen Moore, sophomore, communication protocols to ensure that interviewers do not re-traumatize hurricane survivors. design, Kildare, Texas; Daytheon Sturges, Building on the idea of student senior, biology major, Haynesville; Kiandra These documents are available on the Louisiana Folklife Web site. Interested success Tate, sophomore, nutrition and dietetics, persons can also join a Yahoo discussion group set up by anthropologist and Jennings; Romesa Vernon, master’s, education, Tech alumna Dr. Shana Walton, formerly associate director for the Tulane A group of staff, faculty and administrators will soon work in Arcadia; and Bejide Williams, senior, political Deep South Humanities Center. Walton worked with Roach to develop the concert with technology to provide a state-of-the art enrichment science, Ruston. project while displaced by Hurricane Katrina. To join the discussion group, center for Louisiana Tech students. e-mail Roach at [email protected] “We needed a more centralized place where students could go to get a variety of services,” says Dr. Norm Pumphrey, director of retention and advising. Study delves into Tech’s rates success The center, set to be completed in May 2006 and housed A national study has discovered what’s behind the graduation-rate successes of schools like in Wyly Tower, will provide an array of services designed Louisiana Tech. to encourage student success, raise test scores, and improve academic progress. Some of those services, including math In spring 2005 the Education Trust partnered with the American Association of State assistance, are being provided as early as this year’s winter quarter. Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the National Association of System Heads to study graduation-rate successes. Tech was one of 12 campuses selected for an on-site visit geared Eventually, programming and referral services will go beyond toward gleaning best practices for other schools to emulate. helping students who struggle with coursework, and begin to include supplemental advising for undergraduates, information According to an AASCU release on the study, what sets institutions like Tech apart is the on student life, and help with career decision making. presence of a campus culture that reinforces the belief that the students can and should succeed. Such campuses also project a prevailing attitude that what is now being done can As construction goes forward, Pumphrey also envisions a space be done better and convey mutually high expectations for students and for faculty and staff. that works as a clearinghouse for information on studying abroad and student exchange programs. Plans also include a The study also found that successful student retention occurs because students are training program for academic advisers, an information site consistently involved in a close and mutually reinforcing network of campus ties that for disabled student services, an extensive referral system for include residence life, frequent student-faculty contact, and a rich range of extracurricular counseling, and writing assistance for undergraduate through activities. doctoral level students. Dr. Tamara Powell, an assistant professor of English, knows that students have lots The study identified the role of leadership at these institutions as having two qualities. As dreams for the center have grown, so has the required space. of questions about writing that they don’t First, “leadership” is a shared responsibility – occurring at all levels and deeply embedded always ask in class. That’s one reason in the way the institution works. Second, the leader builds and sustains the culture by The computerized architectural renderings of the Student Achievement Once set to be housed on Wyly’s second (or ground) floor, Powell and other English faculty members Center show an open, inviting space that is a hub for services that renovations for the center have now expanded to the third floor. developed an Online Writing Lab that listening more than talking and offering a consistent personal modeling of a particular help students succeed. offers writing support day or night. collective vision.

26 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 27 news about you

What’s new with you? 1985...... FRANK T. HOLLON Dr. Joseph Crews, architecture, was promoted Barristers and books Do you have news to share in the News About You section? We want to share the stories of your accomplishments and to lieutenant colonel by the adjutant general milestones. Photos are always welcome, too. You can submit your information for News About You online at of the state of Texas. He was also awarded the Hometown: I was born in Huntsville, Ala. I grew up in Slidell. www.latechalumni.org where you can click on “Send Announcements.” Texas Medal of Merit for meritorious support to the Texas Air National Guard. He and his Now resides in: Robertsdale, Ala. wife live in Arlington, Texas. Degree: 1985, B.A., Political Science (magna cum laude) 1964...... depicts the harsh life of French peasants in the 1981...... Mark Taylor, accounting, is vice president of Further education: 1988, J.D., Tulane University Law School finance at San Joaquin Bank in Bakersfield, Charles R. Embry, history, published a 19th century. Middleton is a distinguished Terri Richardson Hebert, library science About my law career: I passed the Alabama bar in 1989, and went Calif. book titled “Philosophy, Literature, and service professor of English and poet-in- (elementary education 1985), is education to work for the Baldwin County district attorney’s office. In residence at Nicholls State University in Politics: Essays Honoring Ellis Sandoz.” He renewal zone director in the College of ...... 1994, I entered private practice specializing in custody, divorce, is a political science professor at Texas A&M Thibodaux. Education at University of Arkansas at Little 1986 criminal and civil suits. I am the city prosecutor for the cities of University-Commerce. Rock. In May, she will receive her doctorate Keith Fuglaar, engineering, is vice president Foley and Gulf Shores, Ala. 1973...... of finance for HNTB Corp., an architectural in educational administration and leadership About my writing career: I wrote “The Pains of April” during law school, pecking at the typewriter engineering services company based in 1965...... Ayres Bradford, journalism, is director of from Stephen F. Austin State University. keys with one finger. When I finished the book, I put it under my bed and 12 years passed. A business development for Lincoln Builders of Milwaukee, Wis. He and his wife, Lisa Engster Dr. Roger Briley, Jo Kathryn Quinn, speech, is self-sufficiency small press in Fairhope, Ala., took interest in the book and found money to publish it. Seeing Ruston. He and his wife, Connie, elementary Fuglaar (journalism), live in Hartland, Wis., mechanical services director for Caritas of Austin, Texas. my book in print rekindled my passion for writing. My second novel, “The God File,” caught education (master’s curriculum and instruction with their daughters, Hannah and Lauren. engineering, is Caritas has operated a community kitchen the attention of MacAdam/Cage Publishing. They have since published “A Thin Difference,” a 1998), live in Ruston. a professor of and food pantry for more than 41 years. Each Brenda Lofton, legal mystery that’s fitting from someone in my profession; “Life Is a Strange Place,” a humorous computational master’s elementary book currently being turned into the movie “Barry Munday” starring Luke Wilson; and “The ...... year, it feeds more than 15,000 adults and engineering at 1977 children in Travis County. Quinn also serves as education, was Point of Fracture,” released last fall. I collaborated with my kids (ages 4, 11 and 14) on my first University of Larry Cooper, chemistry, is a health, safety president of the Texas Homeless Network. named 2005 children’s book titled “Glitter Girl and the Crazy Cheese.” It comes out in the spring. Tennessee at and environment supervisor with Shreveport- Louisiana Teacher On dual-career discipline: I have a full-time practice with two partners. I coach Little League Chattanooga. He is headquartered Brammer Engineering, an oil 1982...... of the Year. She is Baseball and Softball. I write during the extra moments of life. When an idea comes to mind, I affiliated with the and gas exploration and drilling firm. one of 56 teachers Grace Watkins Holloway, accounting, is vice jot it down on a napkin, legal pad, back of a business card – whatever is handy. When I collect UT SimCenter at in the national president of accounting at Forest Kraft Federal enough of these scraps, I close my office door and write my brains out longhand. Chattanooga, a multidisciplinary teaching and Michiel Crumpler, education, is athletic competition, which Credit Union in West Monroe. research facility for computational simulation director at St. Frederick Catholic High School will be decided in Triumph in my life: I’m most proud of my family and the things we do together. They come first. and design. in Monroe. This is his third season as head the spring. Lofton Practicing law comes second, and writing comes third. When these priorities change it means ...... coach of the Lady Warriors. He will continue 1984 is a middle school math and science teacher life is upside down. 1969...... coaching in his new athletic director post. Dr. Michael at A.E. Phillips Lab School on Tech’s campus. O.K. “Buddy” Davis, journalism, won several Hernandez, geology She has taught for 20 years. 1978...... the 5 p.m. news and is an education reporter awards and finished among the top columnists (master’s geology manager for a synthetic lube-based product. at WFAA-TV 8 in Dallas. She lives in Plano, of the year in his division in the 2004 Robin Hall Thomas, music, has two published 1990), is an 1987...... He lives in Cypress, Texas. assistant professor of Texas, with her husband and two daughters. Louisiana Sports Writers Association contest. piano books: “Our Hope for Years to Come” Deann Alford, history (journalism 1989), is geosciences at Weber Ruth DeFilippis, master’s special education, and “Under a Starry Christmas Sky.” She is senior news writer at Christianity Today. She Paul R. McCarver, State University in was selected to be in the eighth and ninth 1971...... the instrumental coordinator at First Baptist also writes for other evangelical and religion civil engineering, is Ogden, Utah. His editions of “Who’s Who Among American Church in West Monroe and the keyboard publications and news services including a lieutenant colonel Terry Bradshaw, research areas include Teachers.” specialist for the Monroe/West Monroe area Compass Direct and Religion News Service. in the U.S. Air general studies, representing the Louisiana Baptist Convention. natural hazards, She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband Dr. Nancy Engelhardt Furlow, business Force and currently was inducted into remote sensing and and son. administration and journalism, is an assistant assigned as military the Walk of Stars James Hogg, journalism, wrote and recorded Geographic Information Systems. He and his professor of marketing and management at program manager for by the Greater “Shadow of the Steeple,” a tribute song for the wife, Rebecca Ory Hernandez (graphic design Scott Boatright, journalism (master’s industrial Marymount University in Arlington, Va. She the Federal Aviation Shreveport Chamber victims of Hurricane Katrina. The song aired on 1991), live in Ogden. psychology 1991), won first place in the 2004 lives in Woodbridge, Va. Administration’s of Commerce. The radio stations nationwide. It can be downloaded Louisiana Sports Writers Association contest from Hogg’s Web site www.jimhogg.org. Wendell Manning, general studies (master’s Flight Procedure Walk recognizes for a story about the second consecutive Byron McCauley, journalism, is associate finance 1985), was honored with the 2005 Standards Branch. Northwest Louisiana national rebounding title for Tech men’s editorial page editor of The Cincinnati ...... James M. Shipp Jr. Memorial Young Business His office provides standards, criteria and natives who are 1979 basketball star Paul Millsap. He was also a part Enquirer and an adjunct assistant professor of renowned for their Leader of the Year Award in Monroe. He has policy for the implementation of instrument Dr. Todd Thoma, zoology/pre-medicine, of four other awards received by Tech’s sports journalism at the University of Cincinnati. He achievements and who bring national acclaim long served in community volunteer leadership flight operational concepts and navigation received the Students Against Destructive information department. and his wife, Jill, have two daughters. to the community. Previous inductees include roles including the American Red Cross, systems into the National Airspace System. He Decisions (SADD) National Outstanding Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Coach Eddie Monroe Chamber of Commerce, United Way Charles L. Bullock, electrical engineering Wes Searcy, and his wife, Judy, have three daughters and Contribution Award for Community Service. education (professional aviation Robinson, Tech alumnus Leon “Kix” Brooks, of Northeast Louisiana, and St. Matthew (master’s electrical engineering 1991), is a live in Norman, Okla. Thoma was recognized as a tireless advocate 1994), started NEXT Worldwide Student David Toms and Hal Sutton. Catholic Church. The award is named in product sales manager for a line of Exxon for traffic safety, especially pertaining to Missions focusing on international church honor of the late Jim Shipp, an IMC Fertilizer Mobil chemicals. Based at Exxon’s Houston planting and student leadership training. 1990...... David Middleton, English, is author of “The Louisiana’s young citizens. He is a practicing general manager who was killed in a 1991 headquarters, he has worked in a range of Michael Pate, human resources management, Habitual Peacefulness of Gruchy: Poems after emergency room physician and associate explosion at the Sterlington plant. jobs including technical support of chemical ...... wrote “When Big Boys Tri,” a book about how Pictures by Jean-Francois Millet,” published professor in the department of emergency 1988 operations, supply coordinator for plants, he transformed his physical well-being. His by Louisiana State University Press. His book medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center. Macie McInnis Jepson, journalism, anchors industrial lube engineer, and marketing story was featured as part of a series on obesity

28 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 29 news about you

Francis North Hospital in Monroe. 1998...... KAREN GORDON BRANDON LANE PHILLIPS, M.D. David Caston, business management and Transforming communication Doctor for life 1995...... entrepreneurship, is assistant vice president Hometown: DeRidder Karen Martin Hamilton, journalism, is for administrative services at Lincoln General Hometown: I went to high school in Jena. I grew up eight miles marketing director for Kinsley Place, an Hospital in Ruston. Now resides in: outside the city limits in the country. Fairview, Texas assisted-living facility in Alexandria. She lives Now resides in: Houston Degrees: 1986, B.A., French (magna cum laude); 1994, M.A., in the Alexandria area with her husband, 1999...... English (technical writing emphasis) Robert, and three children. Gregory Lee, music, has completed the LSU Degree: 2000, B.S., Chemistry (summa cum laude) Position: Founder and CEO, GTCI Graduate School of Banking. He is vice Further education: 2004, M.D., Tulane University School of 1996...... president, mortgage and personal lender at About GTCI: Medicine This Richardson, Texas-based information- Marcus D. Minden Building and Loan. clarification company makes information usable and Current position: Pediatric Resident, Texas Children’s Hospital, Peterson, business understandable through technical writing, product Michelle Sabathier Baylor College of Medicine management and documentation, course training and e-learning. GTCI teams Daniel, psychology, entrepreneurship, On when I knew I wanted to be a physician: I was born with do high-tech training worldwide. is administrator of is an administrative Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition that meant I had a hole in my heart along with Community Place, My career path: I taught French at Quitman High School while working toward my master’s. I supervisor with a few other defects. In the 1970s, the treatment for tetralogy was still evolving and I spent a a nonprofit, 60- was also a graduate assistant in Tech’s English department. I accepted a technical writer position the Fort Worth, lot of time at Texas Children’s Hospital. My prognosis was that I’d live to my 20s. However, resident nursing with telecom giant Ericsson in Dallas when I was just one class shy of my master’s. I finished Texas-based U.S. that was based on people who are probably now in their 40s. I developed a close bond with my home in Jackson, my degree by correspondence and worked for five years at Ericsson. I developed an extensive Small Business pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Thomas Vargo of the Baylor College of Medicine. Today, he’s more Miss. Her husband, knowledge about the equipment I wrote about. I soon realized I was an engineer at heart and Administration than a physician to me; he’s my academic adviser. When I was little, I wanted to grow up to be D. Christopher moved from technical writing to training engineers on Ericsson’s technology. Disaster Team. He just like him. After my three-year residency, I hope to be accepted into a cardiology fellowship Daniel (political has self-published two books of nonfiction and fulfill my dream of being a pediatric cardiologist. Motherly instincts: I launched my company in 1996, an opportunity afforded by a client we science and poetry about different stages of his life: still serve today. I accepted a contract to do technical writing and high-tech training. I took sociology), is an associate with Simmons Law On reaching the stars: When I was 11, the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation granted “Humble Beginnings: Poems of Reality, Pain on the workload with the help of an untapped work force: stay-at-home moms. I sought out Group, P.A. in Jackson. He specializes in tort me a wish. I got to visit the set of the then-popular television sitcom “Growing Pains.” It was a and Hope” and “Still Humble: Stay on Track.” well-educated women who had left prominent jobs in the telecommunications industry. As litigation, medical malpractice, employment turning point for me. I didn’t do really well in school until after my wish. The experience taught He lives in Euless, Texas. subcontractors, they worked on their schedule and delivered high-quality results. law and other legal areas. me that anything is possible. During my last year of medical school, the “Growing Pains” cast Chris Taylor, filmed a reunion movie less than two miles from my New Orleans home. In fact, several cast On opening a satellite office at Tech’s Enterprise Center: With GTCI’s phenomenal growth over the Christopher Thomas, chemical engineering, business members were with me the day I learned I would complete my residency at Texas Children’s past five years, we have a tremendous need for qualified, energetic people to join our ranks. I is a process engineer for Fluor Corp., a global management, Hospital. Last spring, I was invited to present an award to Steven Spielberg for his work with the brainstormed ways I could create a pool of well-qualified, ready-to-work individuals. I looked engineering and construction firm. Thomas works for General organization. In my speech, I explained how I see Starlight Starbright improving the lives of my into Tech’s technical writing program and realized it was the best way to build a pipeline for designs pharmaceutical and biotechnology Motors and is young patients by providing them with entertainment while they are hospitalized. future employees. We can offer students hands-on, technical writing internships as they pursue manufacturing facilities. He resides in currently on an their degree. After graduation, the strong candidates can move seamlessly to our staff. Greenville, S.C. Living my dream: I’ve wanted to work at this hospital for as long as I can remember. Some of the assignment as human nurses still remember me from when I was a patient. Triumph in my career: Being named to Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest-growing, privately held resources manager ...... companies two years in a row. for GM Holden 2000 Catrina Frierson, Engine Operations Dr. Amy Kay Bonin, biology, earned her 2003...... in Melbourne, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from sociology, is an 1st Lt. Shawn Washam, professional aviation, assistant coach with that aired on the “CBS Early Show” and “CBS was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Australia. Previously, he was an HR manager LSU. She is practicing at the Abadie Veterinary earned his wings of gold after completing the Northwestern Evening News” on Nov. 16. exceptionally meritorious service during based in Seoul, South Korea, for three years. Hospital near New Orleans. flight school in the U.S. Marine Corps. He State University Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a physician’s When GM acquired Daewoo, he helped Wendi Prater, master’s family and child studies finished first in his class and flies the AH-1W women’s basketball 1991...... assistant with the 1st Infantry Division. integrate the two companies by creating and Super Cobra helicopter. administering HR processes. He earned his (master’s industrial psychology 2001), earned program. Frierson Teresa Brazzel Pernini, history, joined Atlanta ...... master’s in human resources from University the senior professional in human resources played a key role on law firm Powell Goldstein LLP in the position 1994 ...... of South Carolina and was recruited by GM certification. She is associate vice chancellor 2004 the Lady Techster of counsel. She graduated summa cum laude Malcolm Butler, journalism, earned the top upon finishing the program. He lives in of administrative services at Louisiana Delta Erin Akin, speech, received her master’s in team for four years. and received her juris doctor degree from award for Best Media Guide in his division in Melbourne with his wife, Julianne, who runs Community College in Monroe. hotel, restaurant and tourism management the College of William and Mary. Pernini the 2004 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Dawn Lang, architecture, is an architectural her own HR consulting company. from University of South Carolina. She is intern with Somal Associates LLC in specializes in real estate finance. contest. The booklet provides detailed 2001...... conference services assistant at Nelson Mullins information on the Lady Techster basketball Dennis Thompson, chemical engineering, Shreveport. Her work involves project design James “Jamie” Walker, finance, is a loan Riley and Scarborough LLP, a law firm in 1992...... program. Tech’s sports information department is a process and control engineer at Calumet and CAD drafting. officer at Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Columbia, S.C. also received four other awards. Lubricants Co. in Cotton Valley. He also Dr. Chris Dicus, forestry-wildlife, was Union in West Monroe. builds and operates e-commerce Web sites Leslie Echols, interior design, works for 2005...... promoted to associate professor at Cal Poly Eric England, management (master’s industrial that sell everything from computer parts to Shreveport-based Somdal Associates LLC, an Dan Currier, photography, is in the M.F.A. State University where he heads the Wildland psychology 1995), was named interim director ...... real estate in Shreveport/Bossier. His wife, Lisa 2002 architecture, interior design and landscape program in photography and film at Virginia Fire and Fuels Management program. He is of the Port of Shreveport-Bossier. He joined Ann Hymel Thompson (animal biology), is a Ted Duchesne, biomedical engineering, is architecture firm. Echols assists in the selection Commonwealth University. He lives in known as the “resident fire guru” at Cal Poly, the port in 1995 as an executive assistant and physical therapist. They live in Haughton and a biomedical engineer flight controller at of finishes and furniture specifications and Richmond, Va. located in San Luis Obispo, Calif. worked his way up to his current position. have two daughters, ages 1 and 3. Wyle Laboratories. He sits in mission control maintains the sample library. supporting all astronaut health-related 1993...... Rebecca Young, journalism, is director of business development and grant writing at St. hardware on the International Space Station. 1st Lt. Joseph Whelchel, chemistry, He lives in Houston.

30 | Louisiana Tech Magazine www.latech.edu | 31 What Matters to Alumni Stay connected.

Dear Dr. Reneau, One of the main roles of education is to help children learn the Join the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association today. skills they will need to function in society. This process starts Thank you so much for the reception at the Ropp Center to at home, and I was lucky enough to have great educators right celebrate the Gerald and Shirley Cobb endowed professorship. from the beginning. Everyone learns from their parents, but I “I hope that those of you who are not members of the Alumni It was great to see you and so many of my friends there, and I was especially blessed. Association will consider joining now. By doing so, you will have really appreciate the kind words you had for my parents and me. the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, learn more about Teachers encourage you to do your homework, but Dad taught People often criticize state government, and many times it’s me that it’s critical to be ready for challenges that await – never what’s happening on campus, and if you desire, to get involved in richly deserved. But this time they got it right: encouraging show up unprepared! When he was a high school coach, I saw local chapter events. If you are already a member, I encourage you to investment in the university by supporting endowed how his players were often not as physically talented as some become active in your cities by offering your time and talents to the professorships with matching funds. I can only hope that more of their opponents. But his teams were successful because they alumni take advantage of this great opportunity. worked harder and were better prepared. It was a powerful local chapter or even starting one up.” lesson about the value of teamwork and - Tim King (‘69), Alumni Association president Since I’ve moved to Montana, I’ve traded the influence a great leader can have on azaleas for tumbleweeds, replaced tall others. pine trees with the Rocky Mountains, and I don’t have to worry about fire ants Mom showed me the importance of anymore. Though I live far away, I can sacrifice and dedication by earning never really leave Louisiana Tech. In graduate degrees and teaching elementary fact, I’m sure the university is part of my school, all while raising four boys and genetic makeup. Let me explain: running a household. The understanding and compassion I show to my patients In 1921, my great-grandfather hitched every day comes directly from the example up the wagon, loaded up his wife and my mom set at home. seven children, and left his sharecropper’s life in Jackson Parish to move to Ruston. Louis Pasteur wrote, “Fortune favors the He took a job as a night watchman at prepared mind,” and I have been very Tech so that his children could get college fortunate. I have a beautiful and talented educations – a very radical idea back then! Patrick Cobb, left, and his wife, Carla, not wife, two bright, energetic sons, and a pictured, recently honored his parents, Shirley Six of his seven children graduated from and Gerald Cobb, shown here, with a College career that’s dedicated to helping people Tech, including my grandmother. She ran of Education endowed professorship in their fight cancer. Any success I have had the dining halls at Tech for decades and names. The Cobbs represent a longtime family comes in large part from the preparation married my grandfather, who became chief tradition of Louisiana Tech connections. my parents gave me and the education I of campus police. Both of my parents and received at Louisiana Tech. my three brothers graduated from Tech, too. My roots at Tech Please cut along dotted line and send to the following address or join online at www.latechalumni.org/association. go as deep into the red clay hills as the Sparta sand. I’m so happy that I could do something meaningful for the university and my parents. Please let me know how I can help Alumni Information Update – mail to: Alumni Association | P.O. Box 3183 | Ruston LA 71272 When the Foundation office told me about the opportunity to you in the future. set up this professorship, I gave it a lot of thought. I realized ______there was no better way to honor my parents and support Tech Sincerely, Name: Last First Middle/Maiden Class Degree Social Security # than this program. ______Patrick Cobb, M.D. (’81) Spouse’s Name: Last First Middle/Maiden Coll./Univ. & Class Degree Social Security # ______Home Address: Street City State ZIP Home Phone # for your support. ______thank you Employer Bus. Address Bus. Phone # Position with Firm The Louisiana Tech Alumni Association salutes these Lifetime Members: ______Danny Almond Alan & Keri Grafton Roland & Maria Joun Ted Sanderlin Spouse’s Employer Bus. Address Bus. Phone # Position with Firm George & Jean Baldwin Joseph C. Gregory Luke & Katy McCown Ford & Karen Taylor ______James & Teddie Bryant Jerry & Nancy Harrison Lillie M. Mitchell Tia Toms Email Address Spouse’s Email Address Jason & Lana Bullock Randy Harrison Lynn & Ann Pierce Wesley & Valerie VanNatta Lee C. Burkett Trudie Hays Kelli E. Prince Robert A. Watson ■ $35 Single Membership ■ $50 Joint Membership ■ $500 Single Life Membership ■ $600 Joint Life Membership Charles & Ellen Butler Abe & Francoise Hendricks Dr. & Mrs. Daniel D. Reneau Christine A. Weeks Elenora A. Cawthon Lawrence & Alice Higginbotham Dr. Robert W. Rives John A. White I have enclosed: $______Charge to my ■ Visa ■ Mastercard ______Doyle & Virginia Cooper Rosemary Huff Michael M. Robinson Robert L. Wright Jr. Card Number Expiration Date Please make your check payable to the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association. ______These names have been added to the lifetime roster since the previous issue of the magazine. T hank you for your membership and continued support of Louisiana Tech. Signature as it appears on your credit card

32 | Louisiana Tech Magazine In 1950, like today, the Quad was the picture-perfect spot on campus. In the same year that three nattily dressed Louisiana Tech students posed for a box-camera photo at the Lady of the Mist fountain, the Korean War officially began, the first universal credit card (Diners Club) was established, the TV pop-music show “Your Hit Parade” began airing, Gloria Swanson starred in “Sunset Boulevard,” and Club Med was founded as a not-for-profit association providing wholesome, modestly priced R&R (rest and relaxation) to war-weary Europeans.

Louisiana Tech University Division of University Advancement nonprofit org. u.s. postage P.O. Box 3183 Ruston, LA 71272-0001 pa i d jackson, Ms permit no. 80