Beyond 1894

Deputy Athletics Director Gerald Jordan came to Louisiana Tech 11 years ago, and his career in LA Tech Sports has seen him transition from sports medicine to leadership and administration. He is committed to the University and its student-athletes, and the native Tennessean has kept his career goals focused on fostering a culture of community and caring. He discusses the growth he's seen during hi...

From Louisiana Tech's Union Board, students Riley Jones (2025 UB President) and Landyn Jones (2025 UB Vice President) join the podcast to share their journeys. Destined to join Union Board from the start, the two of them discuss their passions for planning, creating, and executing events for their fellow Bulldogs. They talk about their philosophies as leaders for the 2025-26 school year, and they...

This episode features Dr. Heidi Adams and Dr. Nan Nan from Louisiana Tech University's School of Ag Sciences and Forestry. Dr. Adams discusses the Forestry program's accreditation, its concentrations, and its nearly 100% job placement rate. Dr. Nan highlights her role in teaching wood science and forest products, emphasizing sustainable management and innovative uses for wood waste. They also disc...

Louisiana Tech Project-Based Learning Specialist Ashley Osborne may have roots in the study of film, but she now serves students and faculty in the College of Engineering and Science. She speaks on her love for movies and shares her four favorite films, and she discusses the academic and career choices that led her back to a role at Tech. She gives insight into the formation of the new Staff Senat...

Philip Michael Leblanc, an instructor in communication and media studies at Louisiana Tech University, discusses the challenges and rewards of teaching visual communication, including photography, videography, and graphic design. He emphasizes the importance of balancing family, relaxation, and preparation during the school year. Leblanc shares his background in graphic design and his approach to...

Rebecca Quebedeaux Pike might be in her first month on the job as the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association's coordinator of marketing and membership, but her journey as a Tech student-athlete is still very fresh in her mind. She spends this episode talking about her decision to attend Tech to run track and field and cross country and how the task of balancing athletics and academics shaped her growth...

Leslie Lofton, associate registrar at Louisiana Tech University, discusses her role and the office's busy summer activities, including orientation, transcript processing, and system implementation. She details her journey from Staten Island, NY, to Tech, highlighting her educational progress and career roles, and she talks about the supportive environment at Tech, both in the registrar's office an...

Louisiana Tech Orientation Student Leaders Maygen Jackson and Walker Morrow have spent most of the summer getting Tech's latest freshman class acquainted with life on campus. It's a responsibility that is equal parts challenging and fun for the dedicated OSLs. They take some time in this episode to discuss the ins and outs of a week of Orientation, their reasons for pursuing roles as leaders on ca...

Ryan Ivey, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Louisiana Tech University, discusses the institution's recent acceptance into the Sun Belt Conference, highlighting the benefits of renewed rivalries, geographic proximity, and reduced travel costs. Ivey reflects on his career journey, stressing the importance of leadership, fan engagement, and community connection, and he also outlines ongoin...

Broadcasters and writers Teddy Allen and Malcolm Butler and historian Chris Kennedy gather together on this episode to discuss the life of Hall of Famer and 50-year Voice of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Dave Nitz, who passed away in June of 2025. The trio talk about the career of "Freeway" Dave, share stories and memories from the broadcaster's legendary run in the booth, and pay a fun and heartfel...

Christiann Bayne, Director of Career Services at Louisiana Tech University, shares her journey from Baton Rouge to Ruston, influenced by her family's background in ministry and journalism. She emphasizes the importance of career services on campus and details the Career Center's resources, including career assessments, resume writing, and the Career Closet, which provides free professional attire....

Casey Ingram, director of residential life at Louisiana Tech University, discusses her 20-year involvement with the University. She highlights the importance of housing freshmen on campus, which currently accommodates 75% of the student population. She talks about the housing challenges in the COVID-19 era and the significance of maintaining a personal connection with students and parents, ensurin...

Dr. Ben Bergholtz, assistant professor of English at Louisiana Tech University, discusses his journey into academia, his teaching philosophy, and his book "Swallowing a World: Globalization and the Maximalist Novel." He emphasizes the importance of engaging students through high-energy, reflective classes and the need for interdisciplinary approaches. Bergholtz highlights the evolution of the Engl...

Dr. Chris Dicus, Louisiana Tech alum and a professor of Wildland Fire and Fuels Management at Cal Poly, talks about his early interest in wildlife and his decision to study at Tech. Dicus shares his career path, including his work on the Black Saturday fires in Australia and the multiple wildfire outbreaks in California. He emphasizes the importance of holistic fire management, involving various d...

Malcolm Butler, the voice of Louisiana Tech, shares his deep-rooted connection with the University, starting from his childhood memories of the campus. He recounts his journey from a student worker to jobs in sports information, highlighting significant moments like beating Alabama in 1999 and the 2019 softball team's resilience post-tornado. Butler discusses his transition from radio to ESPN+ bro...

Dr. Amy Vessel, director of the Clinical Residency and Recruitment Center at Louisiana Tech, shares her journey from a four-generation education family to her current role. She highlights the TEAM model, which includes mentor teachers and faculty evaluators, and the success of graduates in securing jobs. Vessel emphasizes the importance of finding joy in teaching and the program's goal of producin...

Guest host LeAnn Waldroup interviews Dr. Selwyn Ellis, a long-tenured professor and department head at Louisiana Tech University, about his journey and contributions to the institution. He discusses his transition from Mississippi to Louisiana Tech for his doctorate, his role in the Center for Information Assurance, and the evolution of Tech's computer information systems degree. He highlights the...

Dr. Sarah McVay, a leader in Louisiana Tech's Division of Nursing, cares about her work, her patients, and her students with equal fervor. So much so that the Heroes with Heart retreat at MedCamps was born out of a desire to help her future nursing graduates contribute to the community and develop as caregivers. In this episode, she discusses the importance and impact of the Heroes with Heart retr...

Calling Jesse Webb a student is true but an understatement. The double-major, double-minor junior has made a habit out of learning, researching, and maximizing his potential. With passions in both physics and music, Webb has zeroed in on his goals in both areas and enjoyed a full plate during his time at Louisiana Tech. In this episode — part of a sequence of episodes that tie into feature stories...

Currently the manager of the ExxonMobil refinery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana Tech alumna Regina Davis has built her career — her whole life, even — on firsts. Most recently, she became the first Black woman to lead the BR refinery, and she spends some time this episode reflecting on the importance and meaning of that role and its personal impact during Black History Month. She discusses finding her...

The Louisiana Tech Honors College has recently seen a significant overhaul. Student Experience Coordinator Ashton Thomas speaks about the structure, format, and purpose of the new-look Honors College and why the vision and missions of the programs within are important to Tech students. She talks about her time at Tech and her goals for the future, and she spends a moment reflecting on how the Univ...

Associate Director of Human Resources Ashley Jackson is part of the team responsible for integrating new faculty and staff at Louisiana Tech into the Tech Family. A local with Louisiana Tech legacy in her blood, she knows that the functions of HR are critical to the University's mission, and she talks about the ways she and her team work to make new hires feel at home. She shares her story and how...

With just a few days left in her reign as Miss Louisiana Tech University 2024, Kaylyn Murphy takes some time in this episode to reflect on her year. She speaks about winning the crown at the beginning of 2024, the importance and joys of representing her university with confidence and integrity, and her lessons learned and memories made during the biggest moments of her pageant life. Website: ...

Join Gavin, Cami, and Teddy from the University Communications crew as they recap some of the biggest moments and most important stories from Louisiana Tech's 2024. From leadership changes to enrollment growth and from groundbreaking research to alumni spotlights, this episode touches on what made the year great for the Bulldogs. Also included is a glimpse into the upcoming year and the exciting f...

Dr. Julie Moulard, an associate professor of marketing at Louisiana Tech University, discusses her academic journey from mass communications to marketing, her research on consumer suspense, and her current focus on brand authenticity. She explains the three types of authenticity: true to ideal, true to fact, and true to self, and how they apply to brands and social media influencers. Moulard empha...