NEWS

Louisiana Tech had plenty to celebrate in its 2024 football season home opener, including some difference-making alumni from the University’s College of Applied and Natural Sciences.

Among the things to cheer in the Aug. 31 opener:

the on-the-field 25-17 victory over defending Southland Conference champion Nicholls State;

an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 17,000 students and fans at Joe Aillet Stadium, despite a second-quarter rainstorm and Fall Quarter not yet in session;

richly deserved recognition of and free tickets for First Responders, the police, fire, and medical personnel who serve and protect the Ruston community;

and a highlighted appreciation for some special heroes who serve ANS, the first of the University’s five colleges to be highlighted, one during each home game this fall.

“When we learned that the theme of the game was Hometown Heroes, we thought this was a great opportunity to recognize our own hometown heroes,” Dr. Jamie Newman, associate professor of biology in the School of Biological Sciences and the associate dean for research in ANS, said. “We couldn’t recognize everyone, so we decided to really celebrate those alumni who give back to our local community and our Louisiana Tech community through funding scholarships, through giving of their time as part of our alumni mentoring program, and through sharing their expertise as guest lecturers.”

“Due to the applied nature of the academic programs in the College of Applied and Natural Sciences, alumni engagement and support play critical roles for the success of our students,” ANS Dean Dr. Gary Kennedy said. “Whether it is through support and donations for scholarships, equipment, supplies or facilities, the engagement of alumni assists our students in realizing their full academic and professional potential. Engaged alumni also support our future generations of professionals through mentoring and sharing of their expertise with current Tech students.”

ANS chose to highlight health care providers among the generous alumni who are helping foster the next generation of Tech students.

“It was an honor for our College to have the chance to invite a few of these alumni out on to the field so that they could be celebrated, not only by us but by so many who they have served in the community,” Newman said. “It was also so fun to see them visit with each other. They talked about shared experiences at Louisiana Tech, even if they attended at different times. It is this same common experience that they share with our current students, and that has such an impact on students and faculty.”

During one of the season-opening game’s timeouts, a one-minute video highlighting the value of The ANS Alumni Mentoring Program played on Joe Aillet Stadium’s new giant video board. Created in 2020 to keep Tech students connected with the campus and professional community, the Mentoring Program is a way for many students, especially those pursuing a career in health care, to shadow Tech professionals during clinical hours.

“Connecting these students with our alumni during those early days of the pandemic provided an invaluable resource of support and encouragement as they attempted to stay on track to achieving their goals,” Newman said. “Over the past four years, we have continued to partner current students with our alumni so that they can seek advice, opportunity, and connection over the shared experiences of classes in Carson-Taylor and student life at Louisiana Tech. Our mentees and their mentors continue to stay in touch, and we have seen the program benefit the students, alumni, and our campus.”

One video segment featured Health Hut Director Dr. Jackie White and Administrator Chelsea Mayfield, each a Tech alumna. A free Ruston clinic supported through the Lincoln Health Foundation, the Health Hut offers opportunities for Tech students to volunteer and shadow care providers.

“Not only do our students have the chance to engage and give back to the community, they also see how their Louisiana Tech degree can take them and see how they can continue giving back even after they graduate,” Newman said. “Dr. White and Mrs. Mayfield have also come to campus to as guest speakers for classes and student organizations.”

Also featured were Shreveport internal medicine physician Dr. Steen Trawick (Class of ’91) and graduate school student Aleena Gibbons (Class of ’25).

“By getting to be a part of this wonderful program, we’re able to provide our students this guidance and assist them with whatever they need,” Trawick said. “That’s been so valuable; nothing happens in our lives without someone investing something positive back into us.”

“Having alumni give something back to Louisiana Tech has been such a strong resource for me,” Gibbons said. “I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without that.”

For more information on the Mentoring Program, visit case.org/resources/issues/november-december-2023/match-makers

Watch the ANS featured video from the game on YouTube.