Beyond 1894

Dr. Henrietta Williams Pichon may be a new dean at Louisiana Tech University, but her Bulldog roots run deep. Joining the podcast during her second month on the job, she talks about taking the "scenic route" to explore her love for education and leadership in different parts of the state and country before coming back to Tech. She shares her excitement for the future and part of her vision for the...

Over four years have passed since then-director Karl Puljak was a guest on Beyond 1894. Now, two years into his role as dean of the College of Liberal Arts, he joins the podcast again to talk about his leadership position and his reasons for taking the job. He discusses studying and traveling all over the world before ending up in Ruston and the family ties that have kept him in the city. He menti...

Louisiana Tech alum and current Senior Associate AD Kyle Kavanaugh bleeds Tech blue. He's lived through a career that's led him to athletics marketing, but his background in coaching and teaching is what's laid the groundwork for his success. In this episode, he discusses lessons learned from leading and the importance of "the people" in all that he does. He talks about family and managing time, a...

For the special 100th episode of Beyond 1894, Mayor of the City of Ruston Ronny Walker sits down with Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson to discuss the strength of the unique partnership between the city and the University. The two talk about the value of Tech students within the community, the potential for hand-in-hand growth of Tech and Ruston, and why Ruston is a perfect place to pursue an...

Louisiana Tech Class of 2019 graduate Merix Gooden has more than made a name for himself in the photography and videography scene. He's made connections that have allowed him to put his camera on subjects like star NBA players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and iconic musicians Drake and Lil Wayne. His self-published content has earned him millions and millions of social media views and an ever-grow...

The international student population at Louisiana Tech is crucial to the University's culture and mission. Director of International Affairs Jay Ligon spends this episode discussing the enrollment and growth of students from other countries, the international recruiting strategies he and his team adhere to, and the impact of the international students on campus. The Office of International Affairs...

An Le is one of two professors leading the charge for this year's ARCH 335 Design-Build course. Junior architecture students spend two full quarters' worth of time bringing a project to life from concept to reality at MedCamps, and with the program entering its tenth year, there are lots of monumental builds that stand as a testament to 335's efforts. Le was part of the design-build course as a st...

A dynamic duo from Louisiana Tech's Division of Nursing, Dr. Sherry Peveto and Dr. Melissa Madden, spend this episode discussing the choices that led them to nursing, the evident potential and early results of Tech's new RN to BSN program, and the quality and preparedness of the high-caliber students that earn their pins in the Tech nursing program. RN to BSN: https://online.latech.edu/programs/nu...

From one LA to the other, Emmy-winning entertainment marketing professional Lori Shefa's time at Louisiana Tech laid the foundation for a successful career. She discusses the almost-accidental choices that led to her life in the entertainment industry, the frenetic energy that comes with working on projects like CBS Super Bowl ads and primetime television trailers, and the joys of constantly findi...

After a record-setting showing for 2023's Louisiana Tech Giving Day, the 2024 event is shaping up to be another example of the strength of the Tech Family. Director of Annual Giving Lindsey Murry joins the podcast for this episode to talk through the impacts of the University's million-dollar Giving Days past, the best ways to rally to the cause on the big day (April 18), and the rewarding aspects...

This episode features Dr. Lindsey Vincent, a loyal blue Louisiana Tech grad who has let the University guide her professional and personal paths for years. The associate dean of research, outreach, and innovation and director of SciTEC recounts the decisions that led her to Ruston, the exciting work and special people in the College of Education and Human Sciences, and the recent successes that we...

Not too many people leave their educational fate up to chance, but Dr. Judith Roberts ended up at Louisiana Tech because of a coin toss. It's a gamble that paid off, as the communication professor spends this episode discussing how transformative her experiences in Ruston have been and the joys of the program she teaches and the students she serves. One of those students, senior Madeline Kalmbach,...

Three Louisiana Tech students, each from a different cohort of the UL System's Reginald F. Lewis Scholars program, join together to discuss the background of their scholarship, experiencing international cultures abroad, becoming young black male leaders on campus, and how their sense of community is impacted through outreach and service. Jayden Johnson (cohort 3), Joseph Johnson (cohort 2), and D...

Dr. Marcia Dickerson, the Francis R. Mangham Endowed Professor of Management in the College of Business, knows that management is a make-or-break area of business for all entities. She discusses her 20-year Louisiana Tech career, her passion for human resources and her beginnings in HR, and how the students she serves and the faculty she works with inspire her daily. Louisiana Tech MBA: https://bu...

One special area of the University is both a public component of campus and a private haven for partnerships. Hear from Tommy Perkins of Louisiana Tech's Enterprise Campus as he discusses the challenges and joys of managing daily activity in that sector, the lessons learned from the building process of Tech Pointe II, and the impact of the partners that call Tech's campus home base. Enterprise Cam...

Louisiana Tech University's 15th President, Dr. Jim Henderson, has just begun his time in the office, but he's focused on hitting the ground running. President Henderson spends this episode speaking on the Louisiana Tech ties that have inspired him since his childhood, the journey that led him to the University of Louisiana System presidency and then to our University, and the unique and unmatched...

With quite a few big stories and high points decorating Louisiana Tech's 2023, the University Communications crew touches on some of the biggest wins of the year in this annual recap episode of Beyond 1894. Hear about some newsworthy endeavors in leadership, growth, grants & giving, and triumphs throughout the year. Louisiana Tech news: https://www.latech.edu/news/ Website:  https://1894....

As Miss Louisiana Tech 2023 Chanley Patterson approaches the final weeks of her time representing her institution, she discusses the responsibilities that come with the Loyal Blue crown and being a face of the University. She talks about growing up as a "pageant girl," competing for the Tech title after a year off from competition, and her advice for the next lady in the lineage. Website:  ht...

Dr. Les Guice has dedicated over 50 years of his life to Louisiana Tech University. He's spent the last ten years and then some as the University's president, and, just weeks before his retirement at the end of 2023, he's got a lot to reflect on. Join the 14th president of Louisiana Tech as he looks back on his legacy and lengthy career, discussing his Bastrop beginnings, his family, and his insti...

Tech Online has officially launched, serving distance learners and graduate professionals and allowing them to experience the same programs at the same quality offered on-campus. Jerona Washington, Director of Online Learning Initiatives and the Academic Success Center (ASC), speaks on the importance of Tech Online, the functions of the ASC and Tech in the Shreveport-Bossier area, and the transfor...

November 11 marks Louisiana Tech’s 2023 Homecoming game, but, as always, Homecoming week is packed with events for current students and alumni of all graduation years. Madison Kaufman, Director of Alumni Engagement, has the details on the busy Homecoming schedule. From pep rallies and parades to social gatherings and special recognitions, there’s something for everyone and plenty of reasons to Lov...

Dr. Don Schillinger, current Interim Chair of the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership, did not always plan to be a teacher. He did not always plan to be at Louisiana Tech. But "everything happens for a reason," and he explains why in this episode. Don recounts his days learning and growing and discovering his passion for teaching. He talks about buying in to leadership roles in L...

This episode features Louisiana Tech's Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Keri King. She spends the episode discussing her days as a student at Tech, her initial journey as a professional aviation major, her transition to joining the staff at the University, and the duties and goals of her role, including the ongoing refinement of the Quality Enhancement Plan. About the QEP: https://qep.late...

There are roughly a couple hundred student organizations on Louisiana Tech's campus. Wes Cavin, Director of Student Activities, has a hand in all of them. Wes joins this episode to discuss the nature of student life at the University, finding his calling at the place he calls home, and the satisfaction of being of service to the students who are looking to lead. Louisiana Tech Student Orgs: https:...

Dr. Chris Heidenreich came to Louisiana Tech University as the Director of Bands in 2021, and his road to leading the Band of Pride began with a love for the trumpet as a fourth grader in Ohio. Listen to "Dr. H" talk about his passion for conducting and making music, his stops along the way to becoming director at Tech, the action-packed schedule for the BoP's 2023-24 season, and why the intersect...