A Grambling man was arrested Friday by Ruston Police after he was allegedly harboring a 17-year-old runaway.
The parents of the child reported she had run away with a man identified as Kevin Martin, Jr., 24. Martin had allegedly been told not to date the girl by her parents. An anonymous caller reported seeing Martin and the girl on Cardinal Street Friday evening and contacted Ruston Police.
Officers located Martin and arrested him for contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Martin said he was 20, but police were able to determine his true age is 24. He refused to tell police where he and the girl had been staying.
Martin was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.His bail amount was not available at the time of publication.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
After 10 years as dean and nearly three decades as a faculty member, Dr. Hisham Hegab has retired from Louisiana Tech University’s College of Engineering and Science (COES).
Dr. Collin Wick is serving as interim dean of the College while the University conducts a national search for the next COES dean.
Wick’s career with the University spans nearly two decades and includes multiple leadership positions within the COES. He served as associate dean of graduate studies (2017-2023) and chair of the College’s chemistry program (2013-2017). He has been the College’s associate dean of research since 2022 and will continue in that appointment while he serves as the interim dean.
The COES recently named Dr. Daniela Mainardi as the interim associate dean of graduate studies. Mainardi, who joined Tech in 2003, previously served as program chair of chemical engineering (2011-2017) and then as academic director for chemical engineering and nanosystems engineering (2017-2023). Mainardi has also served as the assessment coordinator for the COES since 2015.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to serve the COES in this new role,” she said. “I firmly believe that caring about a student’s success by offering unwavering support and fostering motivation forms the foundation for influencing students’ professional and personal development. I am especially eager to engage with our graduate students and devise strategies that enable them to reach their highest potential.”
Dr. Teresa Murray has been appointed interim academic director of the biomedical engineering and chemical engineering programs, and Dr. Mary Caldorera-Moore has been appointed interim academic director of the industrial engineering and instrumentation and control systems engineering technology programs.
“I look forward to working with our chemical and biomedical engineering faculty, students, and advisory boards to maintain high value for our programs,” Murray said. “This is an exciting opportunity to serve these programs.”
“I am delighted to serve as interim academic director of these programs,” Caldorera-Moore said. “It’s an honor to work alongside these exceptional faculty teams who are continuously striving to enhance and develop their programs.”
“I’m excited to continue the tradition of innovation that defines engineering and science education at Louisiana Tech, and I’m grateful to Drs. Mainardi, Murray, and Caldorera-Moore for their willingness to take on these new leadership roles,” Wick added. “Their experience and input will help shape the College in the 2023-24 academic year and beyond.”
A Ruston woman was arrested early last Wednesday morning when marijuana was found in her car on a traffic stop.
Ladrena L. Robinson, 22, was stopped for improper tail lights on U. S. 80 near the Ruston west city limits about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday by a deputy of the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office. While talking with the driver, the deputy smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
A search was conducted, and three large vacuum sealed bags of suspected marijuana were found in a back seat backpack on the back seat.
Robinson was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where she was booked for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and improper tail lamps. Her bail amount was not immediately available.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“My Lone Ranger lunchbox lunch every day for 5 years. 2 PB&J’s wrapped in tinfoil and thermos of sweet tea. No snacks or exotic stuff from my mom. That was it.”
Felt like getting a message in a bottle from a castaway, and knowing it was much too late to help him. “If I could have just gotten the guy some Fritos, or a Bite-Size Milky Way,” I’m thinking …
But what really got me was “lunchbox.” Had never thought about it much, but I missed the entire “lunchbox” cycle of a kid’s life. I was a ride-the-bus, eat-in-the-cafeteria kid.
Old school.
Never had a lunch box. (Except one time on Halloween when Mrs. Alice in second grade let us dress up and have a party and our parents could come for an outside picnic lunch so I packed one and my lunch box was called “a paper sack.” No idea why I’ve always remembered that. Dressed up like a pirate. Wonder if I packed fish and chips and something to keep me from getting scurvy and rickets?)
In the ignorance of rural youth, I never knew there were Lone Ranger lunch boxes, because surely I would have wanted one. Would have coveted one. A little tin box with a matching thermos, filled with peanut butter and jelly or maybe even “round steak” (bologna) on fresh white bread. What was in it wouldn’t have mattered much. I suspect the box itself was the thing.
I’ve studied and found there were Gomer Pyle lunch boxes. Gilligan’s Island. The Hulk. Happy Days. The Six Million Dollar Man. And — are you kidding me? — Superman.
Ignorance is bliss, thank goodness. I was lucky for what I didn’t know. I hope if I’d have had a lunch box that it would have been The Lone Ranger or Batman and not something stupid like The Waltons or Little House on the Prairie.
“Hey, which one of you losers belongs to this Partridge Family lunch box?!,” the kid with the Evel Knievel lunch box was wanting to know.
Sometimes I wonder what Lunch Box Life would be as a grownup.
“Hey TA, let’s go eat a gourmet burger or some enchiladas. I’m buying.”
Me: “Y’all go ahead. I’ll just eat this deviled ham and some moldy Ritz from my Wonder Woman lunch box.”
It would be all about the lunch box for me.
But things happened for me as they were supposed to, because one of the best memories of my wasted youth was the smell of a certain food baking each mid-morning at Lake View Elementary. That aroma was the portal to olfactory heaven. We’re talking — and I shouldn’t even have to write this — yeast rolls, the smell of hope and comfort and joy.
I love the smell of elementary school yeast rolls in the morning.
Mrs. Erline Perritt was the magic behind the memory. Black hair pulled back tight and under a hair net to showcase a round face always smiling. The yeast rolls she made on those giant sheet pans were things of fluffy goodness that could keep you battling through spelling class, knowing that if you could hold out a little while longer, she’d be putting a couple of those on your tray, maybe sneaking you one for dessert.
What smelled better to a little kid back then? A cheerleader’s perfume, maybe? But I doubt it.
Mrs. Erline Perritt. I didn’t need a lunch box. She was my real-life Wonder Woman.
To all of our sponsors, coaches, volunteers, parents, and campers, the Wilbert Ellis Free Baseball Clinic Planning Committee, and to all the media which provided excellent preview and coverage for this year’s clinic, I take this opportunity to express my deepest thanks and appreciation to you for taking time out of your busy schedules to be a part of this celebration for 2023, marking the 13th year for the clinic.
Your presence, support, sponsorship, participation and hard work made a tremendous difference in the lives of our youth. Your generosity guaranteed a rich exposure in many areas for the campers.
Thank you for your support in making The Wilbert Ellis Free Baseball Clinic a “HIT” once again this year by working together diligently to ensure we accomplished the maximum success for a “GRAND SLAM” clinic. We are already looking forward to next year.
Today we’ll look at the correlations between tournament bass fishing and the greatest game in America…football! Now this is an area that I can relate to very well. As a former coach/player/angler nothing comes close to matching what football and tournament fishing gives you. Football is a team sport that’s made of eleven guys working together as one. But if only one guy does not do his job, the other team will make you pay. Bass Fishing on the other hand is all about one guy…the angler holding the rod!
No other sport in my opinion requires the emotional level that football does but tournament bass fishing is a close second. There are just as many emotional highs and lows on tournament day as there are in a four-quarter football game. One play or one cast can completely change the outcome.
Another word that describes both sports and is often overused…. Momentum! One minute you have everything going your way and scoring on every possession then your quarterback throws an interception, and everything goes south. Same goes for bass fishing as you get an entire school of fish fired up catching fish on every cast, when for some unforeseen reason, they quit biting. Momentum can even carry over from one tournament/game to the next.
No football game or bass tournament can be won without one important detail…. a game plan. Your football game plan can change not just on every series but on the result of just one play. An angler’s game plan can change on the very next cast. You spend hours preparing for your next opponent or tournament and all the sudden, you have to punt and regroup. Then there are days that everything you planned works like a charm and your game plan pays off with a championship win or collecting a check on tournament day.
Then there are times as athletes or anglers that we call a grind. Those days when nothing you planned goes right. Everything you thought would work, does not. Every play/cast is a struggle, and the game/tournament seems like it will never end. Just trying to get a first down or catch that 5th fish for a limit just seems to take forever and some cases you can’t get it done. This is where heart, grit and determination come into play and the player/angler that has the most, will usually prevail.
In football, they say defense wins championships. The same can also be said for tournament bass fishing. With football, you go and scout an opponent to gain an advantage. In bass fishing sometimes you go and catch fish in areas you know you’re not going to fish on tournament day because you don’t want to beat up your own fish. It’s not something you do to intentionally hurt a specific angler, but it’s a strategy anglers employ in order to play defense. Every once in a while, you’ll find an area by accident simply by fishing defensively in areas you otherwise might not have fished.
The final comparison with football and tournament bass fishing that just might be the biggest difference between winning or losing…. decision making. Some point during a football game a coach has to make a decision to go for it on fourth and goal or kick a field goal. One is the safe play while the other is a huge gamble. Anglers must also make major decisions during a tournament day like; do I make the long run for bigger fish and hope they’ll bite, or do I stay where I’m at and wait them out? One has high risk while the other is a safer play. Anglers for instance will most always take the risk because it has the highest reward.
There’s no better time of year as football season kicks off and it’s also when most tournament trail championships take place. Football and tournament bass fishing; two sports that have so much in common and appeal to so many fans. Now you have an angler’s perspective on how these two awesome sports parallel each other. Till next time, good luck, good fishing, apply your sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie met with local media members Tuesday during his regularly scheduled presser to talk about this weekend’s season opener against FIU.
On the matchup with FIU… “I know are football team and staff are excited for Saturday’s game against FIU at 8 p.m. inside Joe Aillet stadium in the home opener. We look to have a great crowd. It has been a long time since we last played. Our football team is much improved. Our guys have put a lot of work in throughout the course of the summer. A lot of transfers have done a good job of coming in and integrating themselves into what we have already established from last year and the foundation that we have built since they arrived in January. A lot of guys have stayed the course that stayed with us through January, February and last season are really going to be the rocks to help move us forward in addition to the guys that we have here. It is an exciting time of the year. I know everyone is looking forward to the first game. I am excited for our football team to get out in front of a great crowd on Saturday night and compete in a great conference opener with a lot on the line against FIU who is a good team that beat us last year at their place. I know coach (Mike) MacIntyre and his staff have done a great job with those guys as well. We are looking forward to getting this 2023 season going.”
On the FIU Quarterbacks… “Grayson James has played a lot of football. He had a great game against us last year and I know they are excited about (Keyone) Jenkins the freshman. We anticipate him playing as well based on all the reports that we have seen and getting a series. How much that is, I do not know but you have to prepare for both defensively as they can give you problems. Coach (Scott) Power and his staff have done a very good job. You have to be able to feel your way through the first quarter then adjust on defense and offense for maybe some new wrinkles or personnel that did not show up on the depth chart.”
On unknowns in week zero… “For us defensively, with the defensive line and being able to create as pass rush and our linebackers because we have a lot of new players in addition to Hugh Davis. I am very excited about watching those guys compete. I am excited about Myles Heard in our secondary, Cecil Singleton Jr. has improved and Demarcus Griffin-Taylor is a guy that has turned heads since he has been here. Those are some things that you look forward to. On the offensive line we have Abraham Delfin coming back from injuring and getting back to playing shape. It has been awhile since he has played. I am excited to see Hank lead our offense and guys like Smoke Harris and Cyrus Allen making plays. Our tight ends I am excited about. Running back we have a question mark right now in terms of our depth with the injuries that we have. Coach (Teddy) Veal has done a good job of preparing all of those guys to be able to step in and play well. We talk about it all the time, everybody can play but we want our guys to play and play well. It is our job to prepare them and it is their jobs to take the coaching and teaching and do that.”
On relationship with Quarterback Hank Bachmeier… “You have to have a very open and honest communication especially at this time of the week with the game plan with things that you like or don’t like when you are talking about a specific play or concept. It is important to ask him what he likes because ultimately the players are the ones that are out there and they have to be comfortable playing. Hank has been in our system long enough that he is comfortable and has enough volumes of reps and concepts that we used that he has some comfort levels with certain things. Being able to put those guys in positions to be successful is important. He has played lots of football which is exciting. It is important to remember that he has not played since October. There is a lot of new faces but also a lot of players that have a lot of career snaps. That is what we are excited about and Hank is one of those guys that is also.”
On game week… “You definitely can sense the excitement and emotion that our players are getting excited that the game is here and they want to play. We have to continue to hone in on terms of our execution in practice and ultimately making it our game day reality. We have to really hone it in and keeping guys on a routine is a little different because we had two weeks to prepare for this first game, almost like a bye week. They are excited and ready to play but we have to execute better in practice and get them on a routine. With our first game there is a checklist that you have to make sure from a staff and player standpoint ad not take anything for granted from going over pregame warmups to what it is like at the team hotel on Friday and Saturday. Being able to make the most of our time there.”
On Champions Plaza… “It will also be exciting to have the Champions Plaza unveiling going on. I am really excited what that brings to our community and highlighting six individuals who have made such an impact at Louisiana Tech and far beyond Louisiana Tech in the world of athletics. To have them honored on Friday night with the unveiling of their statues is going to be incredible and it gives us momentum for this home opener also.”
On freshman defensive back Michael Richard… “He has done a great job since he got here in the spring. That is why you want to get high school kids that graduate early and can get into your program. At the end of the spring he was not on the two-deep depth chart. That is why you come early because in fall camp you can make those strides. He has done that and he has picked up the game. He has played multiple positions for us in the secondary and has been very involved there. He is a mature kid. I am excited to see him play. On special teams he is really going to impact us. He has a bright future and coach (Nate) Johnson and Power have done a really good job of teaching him as he has played different spots in the secondary.”
Lavon Edward Chandler July 18, 1923 – August 21, 2023 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Wednesday, August 23, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Wednesday, August 23, 2023, 11:00 am Cemetery: Douglas Cemetery, Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Edward Allen Lamkin May 4, 1939 – August 18, 2023 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Saturday, August 26, 2023, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Saturday, August 26, 2023, 2:00 pm Cemetery: New Prospect, Saturday, August 26, 2023
Huey P. Warner April 18, 1940 – August 16, 2023 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Thursday, August 24, 2023, 9:30 am – 10:30 am Service: Greenwood Cemetery, Thursday, August 24, 2023, 11:00 am Cemetery: Greenwood Cemetery, Thursday, August 24, 2023
Janice “Jan” Williamson May 1, 1943 – August 17, 2023 Visitation: Saturday, August 26, 2023, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Funeral Service: Saturday, August 26, 2023, 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Cemetery Committal: Saturday, August 26, 2023, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2500 West California Ave, Ruston
Charlotte Ann (Williams) King August 5, 1947 – August 10, 2023 Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Saturday, September 2, 2023, 10:00 am
Daisy Myles Monday 11/11/1935 — Tuesday 08/15/2023 Family Gathering: Friday 08/25/2023 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Visitation: Friday 08/25/2023 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Wake: Friday 08/25/2023 5:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 08/26/2023 12:00am, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 446 Bowden Road, Ruston (Clay) Interment: Saturday 08/26/2023, George Washington Carver Memorial Park, Martin Luther King Drive, Ruston
Alfaye Wesley Saturday 04/27/1935 — Saturday 08/19/2023 Family Gathering: Friday 08/25/2023 2:00pm to 3:00pm Funeral Service: Saturday 08/26/2023 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Saturday 08/26/2023, Greater Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Dubach
Michelle Eley April 25, 1972 – August 21, 2023 Visitation: Wednesday, August 23, 2023, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Funeral Service: Thursday, August 24, 2023, 10:00 AM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Cemetery Committal: Thursday, August 24, 2023, Pecan Cemetery, Hwy 822, Hilly
(This is one of 20 profiles on the recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2023 Rising Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. Photo by Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com).
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Name: Ashley Avery
Age: 27
Employer: Ensure Agency, Louisiana National Bank
Title: Assistant Vice President, Administration
Hometown: Monroe, La.
How long have you lived in Lincoln Parish: 8 years
Civic-volunteer organizations: United Way of Northeast Louisiana and Capital Area United Way (Workplace Campaign Coordinator, previous Member of Campaign Cabinet, named 2020 Campaign Coordinator of the Year); Adopt-a-School Partner (Supports elementary schools in Lincoln and surrounding parishes to promote financial education and positive behavior); Habitat for Humanity (past Lincoln Parish Board Member and Finance Chair)
Professional Highlights: LBA Leadership School: 2021 graduate of Louisiana Bankers Association Leadership School, a program that focuses on leadership in the workplace and the role of financial professionals in the community; Leadership Lincoln: was a graduate of the XXXVI Class of Leadership Lincoln; Uncommon Award: Was a recipient of the Uncommon Award in 2022, an honor presented by Louisiana National Bank and given annually to an employee who embodies core values including integrity, enthusiasm, and commitment.
Brian Woodard, President/CEO of Louisiana National Bank, on Ashley Avery: “Over the last several years, Ashley has been challenged with a variety of different projects and has always been successful. She has a rare ability to focus on the details without losing sight of what we are trying to accomplish. Although her greatest asset is probably her work ethic, she has a “can-do” attitude that is uncommon. I have found she is willing to accept any challenge presented to her and goes at it with the mindset that there will be a successful outcome. All of these traits and abilities are recognized by her peers and what makes her a leader.”
Q&A with Ashley Avery:
What makes Lincoln Parish special?
Each day, I become more impressed with Lincoln Parish. The collaboration and support amongst our diverse group of leaders, business owners, and members of the community is evident and continues to provide a solid foundation for success. Lincoln Parish is a place where voices are heard and progress is made; and, despite continued growth—Lincoln Parish hasn’t lost its small-town feel that we all know and love.
How do you see your role in improving Lincoln Parish?
Working in the insurance industry gives me the opportunity to protect some of Lincoln Parish’s most prominent businesses and offer peace of mind to members of our community. Aside from that role, I take an active approach to support chamber efforts, shop local, and connect with other leaders and elected officials. Being an active member of Lincoln Parish has allowed me to establish collaborative relationships with others who are also focused on the long-term success of the parish.
Who has played a pivotal role in your professional development and why?
This may be cliché, but—my boss, Brian Woodard, has had the most impact on my professional development. Since joining the company in 2017, I’ve had the opportunity to take several training courses to improve my technical skills. I’ve also had the opportunity to participate in multiple leadership development programs. Most importantly—I’ve had a front row seat to watch Brian lead a team and run a business. I’ve witnessed the impact of investing in employees, taking care of customers, and giving back to the community. I would not be the leader I am without the examples set by the leaders around me.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has issued a State Declaration for Extreme Heat Emergency as well as a statewide burn ban as the forecast calls for continued triple digit temperatures and very little chance of rain.
Lincoln Parish is included in the excessive heat warning as well as the red flag warning for fire danger.
Excessive Heat Warning continues with triple-digit high temperatures expected throughout this week and heat indexes of over 115 degrees on some days.
The extended forecast shows temperatures in excess of 100 degrees, including 107 degrees on Thursday and 105 degrees on Friday and Saturday.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for most of East Texas and North Louisiana generally along and south of I-20 with very dry conditions, low relative humidity and occasional wind gusts contributing to enhanced fire danger.
Areas north of I-20 will also experience low RH, but winds will be lighter and fuels aren’t quite as dry to warrant a Red Flag Warning for these areas.
Officials urge people to check on elderly family, friends and neighbors and to keep all pets indoors if possible while providing plenty of water for those that can’t be brought inside.
On Monday, August 21, 2023, shortly before 4:00 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash on LA Hwy 837 near LA Hwy 151. This crash claimed the life of 51-year-old Patricia Eley of Simsboro.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, driven by Jamie Bell, was traveling north on LA Hwy 837. At the same time, a 2005 Dodge Ram, driven by Anthony Cappo, was traveling south on LA Hwy 837. For reasons still under investigation, both vehicles crossed the centerline and struck each other head-on.
Eley, who was properly restrained and a passenger in the Dodge, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Ouachita Parish Coroner’s Office. Both drivers, who were properly restrained, received minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Although impairment is unknown, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Stay safe on the road by always driving attentively and without impairment. Avoid distractions, such as texting, eating, or using your phone, and remain focused on the task at hand. Also, never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs (prescribed or illicit). Making responsible choices while driving can save lives and prevent tragedies.
In 2023, Troop F has investigated 23 fatality crashes, resulting in 26 deaths.
As methods for student learning is ever changing in the world of modern technology, Louisiana Tech’s own assistant professor Dr. Dustin Whitlock of the College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) recognizes the need for educators to keep up with these changes.
Thus, Whitlock spent two weeks this summer at the Massachusettes Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., near Boston in an effort to study the enhancement of STEM learning through mixed and augmented reality in order to benefit students, thanks in part to grant funding at both the state and federal levels.
“The College of Education and Human Sciences, specifically the Curriculum Instruction Leadership program, is continuing to evolve as the field of education evolves,” Whitlock said. “The university and program understand that we have to make sure we are continuing to keep teachers up to date with best practices. There is a big push within the field of education to move toward learning science and encouraging teachers the “how and why” we learn rather than just the “what” to teach.
“In that, there are pushes towards increasing new technologies and doing different things. There have been some new opportunities to look at new technology as it relates to student learning. One of the things that we’ve gotten interested in is the usage of what is known as mixed reality, which is either augmented or virtual reality, within the classroom.
Whitlock spent his two weeks at various seminars at the Scheller Teacher Education Program at MIT, exploring The Education Arcade and seeing new ways to engage in various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) scenarios through mixed reality learning by digitizing opportunities for students, both at the grade-school and college levels.
“We’re looking at ways for how mixed reality can impact teacher preparation,” Whitlock said. “We want to know if we can put a teacher in a virtual reality headset where they are in a classroom standing in front of students, interacting virtually in a computer program that simulates what it will be like to be in a classroom.
“They can also gain an understanding of what it’s like for students who may suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder or dyslexia. If we can equip those teachers in pre-service, then they will be more equipped to handle those situations in-service.”
Louisiana Tech Associate Dean for Research, Outreach and Innovation Dr. Lindsey Keith-Vincent applauded Whitlock’s initiative in seeking out new, unique methods for preparing teachers for the classroom.
“Dr. Whitlock’s vision for connecting with leaders at MIT to strengthen and expand our CEHS work in the learning and cognitive science spaces, has led to synergies that will lay the foundation for world-class research and partnership efforts here in Ruston,” Keith-Vincent said. “Louisiana Tech University has the opportunity through this work to be on the forefront of instructional and technological advancements that can transform the global learning landscape.
“Because of faculty like Dr. Whitlock, our CEHS has a seat at tables with leaders in key fields that are defining the future for communities of learners.”
Whitlock originally learned of a grant funding opportunity earlier this year through the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, which has components in both federal and state grant funding. Whitlock was able to secure grant funding at the state level through LINKS, which is Louisiana’s arm of EPSCoR.
“(Louisiana Tech) University graciously matched part of the LINKS funding, as well, so they were willing to also support me as a professional,” Whitlock said. “Really, my goal was to understand how one of the top research institutions in the world in MIT is conducting the work they are doing. And I wanted to see how we could better position ourselves as we look to do some similar work.
“LINKS is designed to connect us as a university to other institutions. And now we have a connection with MIT, and I was able to bring some things back and possibly connect some other colleagues to work that is being done there. It was a way to build a bridge between Louisiana Tech University and one of the top research institutions in the world.”
Whitlock concluding by thanking those that made it possible, including members of his college and the university.
“I’m very grateful to the Board of Regents for selecting me for the funding and providing me the opportunity,” Whitlock concluded. “I’m very grateful to Dr. Lindsey Keith-Vincent for her help as she navigated me through the grant writing process. I’m thankful to Dr. Don Schillinger for his work as the dean to help with funding, and to Dr. Ramu Ramachandran for his support.”
Ruston Police arrested a Grambling man last Monday after responding to a complaint of an unwanted person on the premises.
Officers responded to a Homer Street apartment complex where a man and woman were attempting to hide from managers. The managers said the apartment was rented but that the renters had not taken possession of the apartment.
A 17-year-old female said the two were using the apartment until they could find jobs. Kevin D. Martin, 24, of Grambling, said they arrived the previous night and rented the apartment from unknown men. When asked how much rent he had paid, Martin said he did not give them any money but was planning to do so.
Property managers desired to press charges and Martin was arrested for simple criminal damage to property and criminal trespass. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Grambling State University President Rick Gallot (seated at left) and Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, Registrar of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (seated at right), sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will bring students from Ghana to pursue graduate degrees in sports administration at Grambling State. They are pictured with (second row l-r), Dr. Connie Walton, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Priscilla Boadi Dzakpasu, Deputy Director Ghana Scholarship Secretariat; Dr. Obadiah Simmons, Interim Executive Director of the Office of Graduate Studies and Head of the Department of Kinesiology, Sport, & Leisure Studies; Richard Adu Gyamfi, Director International Relations and Partnerships; and Dr. Aaron Livingston, Graduate Program Coordinator for Sport Administration. Photo by Carlton Hamlin\Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, Grambling State University
Grambling State University strengthened its international footprint Thursday as President Rick Gallot and Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, Registrar of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will bring students from Ghana for graduate studies at GSU.
The initial cohort of students from Ghana will come to study in Grambling State’s graduate program in sports administration.
The relationship was established by trips to Ghana by GSU professor Dr. Aaron Livingston and a group of sports administration students. Their trips in recent years to the West African country promoted education, sports, and cultural enrichment by becoming heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of youth sport camps as well as organization and administration of coaching seminars.
“We’ve taken Grambling State students to Ghana three times over the past three years,” Livingston said. “But this has been longer than that in the making. I’ve been to Ghana five times working on these agreements. And I’mactually going over there next month for a recruiting event.”
Livingston said that he hopes the first cohort of students from Ghana will begin studies at the start of Grambling State’s 2024 spring semester.
“The number of students depends on how my recruiting event goes,” Livingston said. “If I can get three to five students coming over here in the spring, that will help give me a measuring stick of how we need to approach the program. But that would be a good number to start with. Everybody wants the American brand for sports because it’s one of the most profitable industries in the world.”
Livingston said the Sports Administration graduate program at GSU is designed to take three-and-a-half years to complete.
“It just depends on how a student matriculates through the program,” Livingston said. “It’s a 39-hour program.”
Gallot expressed his pride in adding Ghana to the list of foreign countries that have students attending GSU.
“One of the things we (Gallot and Agyemang) talked about on our walk over from Grambling Hall (to the President’s Conference Room in Long Jones Hall) is that our student population is really reflective of the entire globe,” Gallot said. “When we look at our population from this past year, we had students from 37 states and 27 foreign countries.”
GSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Connie Walton said she believes the goals of Grambling State and universities from Grambling align well for the success of the agreement.
“I’m excited about this opportunity,” Walton said addressing the Ghana representatives before the signing of the MOU. “Dr, Livingston has been working on this particular partnership for some time. When I reviewed the mission statement (of the Ghana Board of Trustees), it really was in line with the mission of Grambling State University. You indicate that you really were established to address the qualities in education. Grambling State University was founded for that reason as well.”
She said she was also pleased with the way the agreement is set up and worded.
“The details of the MOU are really concrete,” Walton said. “They spell out exactly what’s going to happen. The students will apply to Grambling State University, and you will review those applications and so will Grambling State University, and both will be responsible for being part of the selection process.”
Walton said that once the students from Ghana are at Grambling State, GSU will keep officials from Ghana updated on the progress of the students and their level of achievement before the Ghana officials will decide if the scholarships for those students will continue or not.
Agyemang said getting to visit the campus made him feel even stronger about the agreement.
“I felt like I’m walking on a campus in Ghana. I see the connection, the attachment, and it gives me great confidence about the partnership,” Agyemang said. “Our country is very focused on education. We have more than 10,000 scholars globally and are very much excited about this MOU here.”
He also said he hopes the agreement will help serve the needs of universities in his country.
“We are committed to this MOU because our universities are in need of teachers with educations from other countries and I am confident Grambling State University will be a part of making that happen,” Agyemang said.
Livingston said he is also working with other countries in hopes of developing MOUs for student exchanges.
“I’m working with the University of Taipei and we’re also doing some work with Athens, Greece, right now trying to establish relationships there,” Livingston said. “All of this work is already showing benefits. I got a call last week from a university in Nigeria.”
Livingston also expressed his gratitude to Healthy Life Global, a nonprofit organization headed by Nikiel Winston, who earned her Master’s in Sports Administration at GSU, which emphasizes leadership, cultural education, health, and sport enrichment impacting thousands of children.
“That’s been a major partnership,” Livingston said of help received from Healthy Life Global. “They were the reason we were able to get our footprint in Ghana.”
As Gallot finished his welcome before the actual signing of the MOU, he stressed the students from Ghana will be part of the “GramFam” and that he has high hopes for the agreement’s success.
“When we think about our university motto — ‘The place where everybody is somebody’ — we want you to know and feel confident that any of your students who come here to study will be seen as a part of our Grambling family,” Gallot said. “We will certainly value and appreciate this relationship and look forward to reciprocating with our own visits to Ghana. Thank you, everybody, for the energy, the partnership, and for the sense of family and I certainly look forward to this program growing beyond any of our wildest dreams.”
Pictured is RHS football coach Jerrod Baugh flanked by senior Bearcats Nate Johnson (left) and Ahmad Breaux during Monday’s Bayou Jamb 2023 Press Conference.
Ruston High School football coach Jerrod Baugh opened his speech during Monday’s Bayou Jamb 2023 press conference at West Monroe High School’s Don Shows Field House by thanking event founder Patti Thurmon for the work she’s done over the years turning the event into one of the top high school football jamborees in the state.
Ruston will take on West Monroe in game four of the Bayou Jamb at 8 p.m. Friday at Rebel Stadium.
“Patti, I know you’ve heard this a lot but I do want to thank you once again for putting all of this together,” Baugh said. “When you’re dealing with 12 or 14 coaches at a time trying to get them to all agree on some things — that’s a feat in itself.”
Baugh also thanked new West Monroe coach Todd Garvin, who replaced Jerry Arledge as Rebels head coach during the offseason after serving as Ouachita Parish High School’s head coach last season, for his role as host coach It was a role Baugh expected to have as the 2023 Bayou Jamb was originally set to be played at Louisiana Tech’s Joe Aillet Stadium until the Bulldogs agreed to a “Week 0” game on their schedule that will be held on Saturday, forcing an audible for Thurmon and Bayou Jamb officials.
“I appreciate all the sponsors, all the volunteers and everybody that it takes to put this on. I appreciate Coach Garvin for all he has to do,” Baugh said. “When you host an event as big as something like this, there’s a lot of things that get pushed to the side with your program in order to accommodate everybody, so I appreciate Coach Garvin for letting us hold this here.”
Baugh also expressed his admiration for Arledge, who will be presented with a Bayou Jamb Lifetime Achievement Award during Friday’s jamboree between the Bearcats and Rebels.
“Coach Arledge, we’ve had quite a few battles since I’ve been at Ruston,” Baugh said. “That goes back to when I was at Longview (Texas High School) and when I was at Ouachita before that. You definitely deserve being in the Hall of Fame.
“What you’ve done for north Louisiana football and Louisiana football in general is something that many of us can only hope to give as much to the game as what you’ve done”
Baugh spoke of the significance of the Bayou Jamb and what it has come to mean for north Louisiana as a whole.
“We just appreciate being part of this event,” Baugh said. “It’s growing and something that I think you can see moving from ULM to LA Tech to West Monroe — it’s not a ‘place event,’ it’s an entire living, breathing thing I guess you can say, and that’s due to what Patti and what all the sponsors that continue to support this and support kids, really.
“At the end of the day that’s what we really want to do and hopefully we can continue to do that.”
Baugh had RHS seniors Nate Johnson and Ahmad Breaux on hand with him at the press conference.
“Nate plays safety for us and Ahmad Breaux plays defensive end, defensive tackle and some tight end for us,” Baugh said. “Nate actually played some quarterback in the spring when we needed him to. You won’t find any two finer guys that represent our football program and are what we want our football program to represent.
“If you want to know what’s made Ruston successful —- Nate’s made a 34 on the ACT and Ahmad’s made a 28, and they’re both above a 4.0 grade point average. So what makes us successful is that they can overcome a bunch of us idiot football coaches, and with good test scores they’ve overcome that.”
Baugh also talked of the perseverance his senior Bearcats have shown over their high school football careers.
“These players have a chance to do something really special,” Baugh said. “It started last year and we’ve got these guys and 20 other seniors — 22 total — that have overcome a lot.
“If you really think about it, this group of seniors are really the COVID kids. The season was abbreviated when they were freshmen, and to go through that and continue participating, they really had to love the game, stick with it, and go through a lot of different things.”
Baugh said looking at the big picture, having to move the Bayou Jamb schedule around due to the blistering heat wave blanketing north Louisiana is something that pales in comparison to the high school football careers his seniors have had.
“Shuffling some games because of heat to me isn’t a very big deal when you consider all the hoops we had to jump through just to have a season when these guys were freshmen. So I think if you look at all of these guys who are seniors, it’s a very special group in the fact they were able to overcome all of those things and have continued to play the game that they love.”
“Hopefully we can go out and compete against West Monroe,” Baugh said. “We overcame some things last year and did some things that hadn’t been done in a long period of time – beating those guys. Coach Arledge was a part of that for so many years.
Baugh also talked of the competitiveness between the Rebels and Bearcats, who won the game between the schools last November 35-17 to break a 33-yard losing streak to West Monroe.
“Everybody wanted to call that ballgame a rivalry and I always said it ain’t a rivalry when somebody’s kicking somebody’s butt all the time, and that’s the way it had been for a long time,” Baugh said. “That (33-year West Monroe win streak until last season) was a butt kicking. I use that word here, and the kids don’t even know that I use that word because I usually use another one talking about it. But Ruston-West Monroe has always been a very special game and hopefully we can get out there (Friday) and get our season kicked off to a good start.”
Pictured from left to right during Monday’s Bayou Jamb Press Conference are Cedar Creek’s Ladd Thompson, head coach William Parkerson, Gray Worthey and Brett Johnson.
First-year Cedar Creek head football coach William Parkerson should get a good gauge on his team Friday night as his Cougars take on Mangham in the second game of the rescheduled Bayou Jamb 2023 at West Monroe High School.
Parkerson, who had served at Cedar Creek as both an offensive coordinator (2017-18) and defensive coordinator (2011-2017) for the Cougars, said during the Bayou Jamb press conference on Monday at the WMHS Don Shows Fieldhouse that he’s going into the game simply looking to see where his team stands one week out from the start of regular-season play.
Cedar Creek will open the regular season on Sept. 1 with a home game against the Glenbrook Apaches.
“We didn’t do a full game plan or anything like that,” Parkerson said of his approach to the Bayou Jamb game against Mangham. “We’re just going to do what we do and see how we do.”
Parkerson expects his Cougars to face plenty of physicality from the Dragons.
“We’re going to see a couple of teams like that this year, so it’s going to be good to get a look at that kind of team,” Parkerson said. “Buckle up and get ready for a fistfight.”
Parkerson said facing a tough team like Mangham can only be a good thing heading into the start of a new season that made it to the Division IV Nonselect School semifinals.
“Let’s face a challenge and see where we are,’ Parkerson said. “We want to be a physical football team, so let’s go face a physical football team and see how we stack up with them.”
Starting center Brett Johnson attended the Bayou Jamb press conference but is highly unlikely to see action in the jamboree itself after injuring his left leg
Parkerson said they would find out more about the injury later Monday. Johnson was slated to undergo an MRI later Monday afternoon to determine the extent of the injury.
But even with a short-handed offensive line against a tough defensive line like Mangham, Parkerson is offering any excuses.
“This is a message to the guys — opportunities are available,” Parkerson said. “Next man up. Let’s see what happens.
“We’re not going to back down. We’re not going to cower. So let’s see where we are.”
Cedar Creek and Mangham were originally slated to play at 3 p.m. Saturday, but Bayou Jamb officials announced on Sunday they would not play afternoon games in what are expected to be temperatures in the range of 108 degrees and instead moved the Cougars-Dragons contest to 8 p.m. on Thursday.
“I love the fact the temperatures will be cooler than they would have been at 1 p.m. and that we’ll get an extra couple days to prepare for the regular-season opener,” Parkerson said. “That’s going to really end up being a huge benefit.
In the Bayou Jamb, the Cougars won’t be facing the best rusher in the state, as Mangham’s Jaylen Williams was last year when he was voted the 2022 Class 2A Offensive Player of the Year after a record-breaking performance that helped lead the Dragons to an appearance in the state semifinals
Williams rushed for a state-best 2,844 yards last season, averaging nearly 11 yards per carry while scoring 44 touchdowns.
But the Dragons do return senior quarterback Austin Lively, who was named the District 2-2A Offensive MVP as a junior.
Mangham head coach Scott Wilcher said his team does head into the Bayou Jamb with a new attitude they Dragons have worked on over the summer.
“We had a great summer but we did things differently after two straight losses in the semifinals,” said Wilcher. “Maybe we just weren’t mentally tough enough to get to that next stage we want to get to, and that’s the state championship.
“The guys really bought into the changes we made over the summer heading into the fall. They’re really good kids and are excited. We’re young. We’ll be playing 12 or 13 sophomores, but our seniors have been great leaders and run the locker room, and we appreciate that.”
Wilcher used Parkerson as an age-measuring stick during the press conference.
“Can I tell you how old I am?,” Wilcher asked. “I coached against Coach Parkerson’s dad when he was at West Feliciana. I think it was 1994. We had ‘Booger’ MacFarland on that Winnsboro team and I take all the credit for Booger’s strengths.
In social media’s sprawling landscape, where opinions clash and debates often overshadow camaraderie, an unexpected haven of inspiration is emerging through the pixels and posts: uplifting Christian memes.
These digital nuggets of wisdom can offer a respite amid the hustle of everyday scrolling, reminding us of our soul’s intrinsic worth and the boundless love that divine grace bestows upon us.
As I navigate my daily digital journey, I find myself collecting these virtual gems – snapshots of profound thoughts that now reside in the gallery of my phone, awaiting their turn to spark moments of personal reflection and, today, to share rays of hope with you.
In fact, I’m struck by a realization while scrolling through the images I’ve saved over the past month or so. It seems that our loving Father has brought a substantial collection of thoughts into my view – and therefore into my head – that are exactly what I needed to see at this time. For Christians, that’s not a new concept, but it’s still reassuring to observe it in our own personal lives.
Now, in this exploration, let’s delve into the vivid spectrum of Christian memes that have recently taken up abode in my digital space. As we survey these insightful musings, let’s peel back the layers of this visual ministry and uncover the impact these shared sentiments can have on our lives.
– On my sister’s feed, a weighty reflection on the soul’s value emerges: “Ponder how valuable your soul must be for Satan to tirelessly pursue it and the King to lay down his own life for it.”
– A Bible Study Fellowship classmate’s post emphasizes God’s love: “Have you ever considered that God has fallen in love with you? He sends you flowers every spring. He sends you sunshine every morning. Whenever you want to talk, he listens to you. He can live anywhere in the universe, and he chooses your heart. Amen.”
– A voice from the past reminds us of God’s power and protection: “But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress – Psalms 59:16.”
– From the page of a high school church camp friend comes a reminder about trusting divine intervention: “Sometimes God kills the connection so the connection doesn’t kill you.”
– From the lens of a journalistic connection, we gain awareness life’s possibilities: “When you look at a field of dandelions, you can see either a hundred weeds or a thousand wishes.”
These are just a few of the hundreds of images I’ve collected through the years. I hope they resonate with you as much as they do with me.
But does a study of Facebook and Instagram memes take the place of studying the Good Book? Of course not.
And do such graphics sometimes present erroneous messages? If you’ve been around the digital world for any length of time, you know the answer to this question as well.
Even so, I believe these on-screen spiritual reflections can sometimes be part of the cure for what is ailing us. In his providence, the Great Physician often puts them into our path. They may not solve our problems outright or overall, but they can help bring our mind to where it needs to be, especially when they are from the scriptures themselves, such as this one:
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think – Ephesians 3:20.”
So, join me in this assessment of pixels that carry profound messages as we seek solace, share hope and rekindle the warmth of unity amid the ever-evolving backdrop of social media.
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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
A man wanted by Claiborne Parish authorities for failure to register as a sex offender was arrested last Sunday by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office.
About 2:15 a.m., a deputy stopped a car on U. S. 80 near Louisiana Highway 3005 for improper lights. A check showed the driver, James Clinton Green, 34, of Haynesville, was wanted on a warrant accusing him of failing to register as a convicted sex offender.
After the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office verified the warrant, Green was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where he was held pending transfer to Claiborne Parish.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Ruston High School volleyball’s 2023 season will see two temporary changes that are only slated to last one year: a new home venue and a new head (yet very familiar) head coach.
And at the helm of the program for this year, Mandy Cauley, the inaugural coach of the program, will make a return to the bench for one season to give head coach Lucie Hunt the needed recovery time after summer procedures to address a cancer diagnosis– and thankfully, the prognosis is looking very good.
“I’m excited to be back as part of the program,” Cauley said. “You know, switching seats from being a parent fan to the seats on the bench is quite different– especially since I have two daughters on the team. But I’m excited about it.
“It means a lot that she trusts me with the program and her kids. It just says a lot for the level of communication and the type of relationship that we have to be able to do this. I’m just glad I can be there for her in a time of need.
For Hunt, there was no one else she would rather take over in an interim period as she will be a spectator during her recovery process.
“When we sat down in early June and talked about what was going to happen, it was obviously kind of scary looking towards the future with me stepping away and then her having to step into this role that she hasn’t been in in a very long time,” Hunt said. “She started the Ruston program, and she’s a very knowledgeable coach.
“And now that she has high school age girls playing, she just kind of did a deep dive and fully immersed herself as the volleyball mom and a volleyball coach. So it was a no brainer to ask her to step in. It was a just a good fit.”
Cauley spoke to how she has been around the current roster of players for many years, so familiarity will not be a problem.
“I’ve known this group of kids since the seniors started playing volleyball,” Cauley said. “I was their coach at A.E. Phillips or with Rocket Fuel. So I’ve been with these girls in some form or another since the beginning; it hasn’t been just the past few years. I was there when they started, and then they took their journeys in their own direction. So it’s really neat to see how they’ve grown as individuals and players.”
A fun challenge Cauley will navigate is now coaching her two daughters from the bench in junior outside hitter Harper and now freshman setter Baylor.
“There’s going to be an interesting dynamic there,” Cauley said. “I’m trying be intentional about when I talk to them as ‘mom’ and when I talk to them as ‘coach’ so that we have balance. It’s a delicate situation. Everyone tells me I’ll look back and these will be the most special memories, sure. But it’s not just their needs, but the rest of the players as well; it’s the perception of the whole team and of the parents– everybody. I don’t believe in favortism, so I’m going to be careful.”
Ruston will continue August scrimmages and host a Jamboree on Friday, Aug. 26, at the Ruston Sports Complex.
The regular season will being Thursday, Aug. 31, as Ruston will host Parkway. Stay tuned to the Lincoln Parish Journal for a story on the full volleyball schedule next week.
Tickets are now available for purchase for the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The event is set for Friday, Sept. 15 inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 7 p.m.
Being honored as part of the 2023 Hall of Fame Class is two-time Ray Guy Award winner Ryan Allen, three-time All-Sun Belt Conference performer Lonnie Cooper, seven-time All-American sprinter Trey Hadnot, Kodak All-American Tamicha Jackson, All-American lineman Chris Richardson, two-time Southland Coach of the Year Andy Russo, and three-time All-American linebacker Glenell Sanders.
Tickets are $50 per seat and $400 for a table of eight. A limited number are available for the event and can be purchased HERE. For more information, contact Championship Resources assistant Gracie McCorkle at gmccorkle@latechalumni.org or (318) 497-7532.
There will be a social reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar available leading up to the ceremony. Dress is business casual.
Huey P. Warner April 18, 1940 – August 16, 2023 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Thursday, August 24, 2023, 9:30 am – 10:30 am Service: Greenwood Cemetery, Thursday, August 24, 2023, 11:00 am Cemetery: Greenwood Cemetery, Thursday, August 24, 2023
Janice “Jan” Williamson May 1, 1943 – August 17, 2023 Services pending
Charlotte Ann (Williams) King August 5, 1947 – August 10, 2023 Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Saturday, September 2, 2023, 10:00 am
(This is one of 20 profiles on the recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2023 Rising Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. Photo by Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com).
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Name: Colton Primm
Age: 31
Employer: Louisiana Tech University (Department of Athletics)
Title: Senior Associate Athletics Director for Championship Resources
Hometown: Fayetteville, AR
How long have you lived in Lincoln Parish: Two years
Civic-volunteer organizations: ADs for Christ
Professional Highlights: Serving as sport administrator and Interim Head Golf Coach for Louisiana Tech during the spring of 2023 and helping lead the team to the finals of the Conference USA championships; Serving alongside fellow administrators and friends on the Louisiana Tech Athletics executive staff and helping make decisions to provide our student-athletes with the best experience possible and move our athletics department forward; Creating the Aillet Society, the first-ever major giving society (gifts of $25,000 and up) for Louisiana Tech Athletics, and building it up to 60+ members in year one (2022-23); Helping lead the fundraising efforts at the Razorback Foundation (University of Arkansas) and navigating through the Covid-19 pandemic while personally generating over $3M in revenue in 2020 and 2021; Leading the athletics annual giving program at the University of Central Arkansas and setting the all-time athletics fundraising record in 2018.
Dr. Eric Wood, VP and Director of Athletics at LA Tech, on Colton Primm:
“I’m proud of Colton and how committed he’s been not only to fundraising for our student-athletes and coaches, but also with finding ways to positively impact the donor experience. He’s been an excellent addition to the advancement staff, our athletics family and the Ruston community and he’s put together a great team that is poised to have an even greater impact once we get it rolling again this year. He is one of the rising stars in collegiate athletics fundraising and we are so thrilled to have him in the Louisiana Tech Family.”
Q&A with Colton Primm
What makes Lincoln Parish special?
The people. When my family moved to Lincoln Parish in 2021, the community welcomed us with true southern hospitality. It has been a friendly and safe area, which has made for a great place to raise our family.
How do you see your role in improving Lincoln Parish?
Louisiana Tech University and Louisiana Tech Athletics are an integral part of this community. My role within the athletics department is to build connection between our athletic programs and Louisiana Tech alumni, fans, and the local community in order to grow support for Tech Athletics. I believe that when Louisiana Tech flourishes, so does Lincoln Parish.
Who has played a pivotal role in your professional development and why?
I am blessed to be part of an industry (intercollegiate athletics) where there are few degrees of separation among everyone, and people tend to look out for one another. I’ve had stops at Ohio University, the University of Central Arkansas, the Razorback Foundation at the University of Arkansas, and now Louisiana Tech University. There have been multiple people at each stop who have played a pivotal role in my professional development, but none more than my current boss and friend, Vice President/Director of Athletics, Dr. Eric Wood.
I knew Eric Wood, the person, through our connection with ADs for Christ, long before I knew Eric Wood the boss. He is the same person now as he was then. He is a servant leader and because of the culture he has created, he makes coming to work every day a true joy. He has instilled confidence in me and made me a better fundraiser, a better colleague, and a better leader. More importantly, his impact has made me a better husband and father.
