Grambling State University will honor a historic milestone this spring as members of the Class of 1975 — the first graduates to earn their degrees under the university’s new name — return to campus for their 50th anniversary celebration.
Known as Golden Graduates, they will be recognized during the Spring 2025 Commencement Exercises on Friday, May 9, at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
The Golden Grads celebration not only marks a milestone for the Class of 1975 but also honors the legacy of leadership, resilience, and achievement that continues to define Grambling State University.
As the first graduates to cross the stage under the Grambling State University name, the Class of 1975 helped usher in a bold new era — one defined by academic excellence, expanded opportunities, and a growing national influence.
Throughout the weekend, the university will host a series of events honoring the Golden Grads and celebrating their contributions. Highlights include a guided campus tour, offering alumni a firsthand look at the growth and transformation that has shaped Grambling State’s identity.
The celebration is more than a reflection of the past; it is a bridge to the future. Today’s graduates will stand alongside the trailblazers who paved the way, drawing inspiration from their stories of perseverance, purpose, and pride. Together, they embody the spirit of Grambling State — a legacy built across generations.
Among the distinguished members of the Golden Class are Senator Edward J. “Ed” Price, who currently represents District 2 in the Louisiana State Senate and has dedicated his career to public service, and Sheila Loeb, the first woman elected as SGA President at Grambling State. After graduation, Loeb continued her legacy of leadership in education as a teacher at Eunice High School. Both exemplify the values of service, leadership, and impact that define the Grambling experience.
The Golden Grads celebration will culminate with a special recognition at Commencement, honoring the Class of 1975 or their historic achievement and the enduring example they set for generations to come. Their legacy continues to shape Grambling State’s future, inspiring every graduate to lead, serve, and build on the foundation they helped create.
Friday morning around 9:30 a.m. a pack of local and state first responders came racing down Tech Drive, taking a hard right between the Jim Mize Track and Field Complex and the Robert Caruthers Soccer Complex on the Louisiana Tech campus.
And as the made their way through the entry gates and onto the running surface at the Jim Mize Track and Field Complex, they were greeted by cheers, smiles and high fives from this year’s volunteers and participants for the Special Olympics.
A total of 27 law enforcement officers from the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ruston Police Department, Louisiana Probation and Parole, Louisiana State Police and the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office participated in this year’s Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.
“This is one of our favorite events of the year,” said Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Landon Hunt. “It helps raise money for our local Special Olympics, but more importantly, it fosters community engagement and encourages widespread support for our local students with intellectual disabilities.”
Hunt, who has participated in this Torch Run for a number of years, said that each law enforcement officers who participates pays a registration fee with all of those funds going directly to the local Special Olympics.
The group started their run on Friday morning at Dubach Town Hall, and divided into groups that took turns carrying the flag over the 13-mile trek into Lincoln Parish and to the Jim Mize Track and Field Complex for the opening ceremonies.
“The true heroes are the student athletes,” said Hunt. “Their strength, courage, resilience and determination are what motivates our folks to run and we are so grateful to have the opportunity to serve them.”
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Ruston man last week after he allegedly sent threatening text messages to a woman.
Roy E. Jenkins, 73, was arrested April 22 after a woman showed deputies text messages where he reportedly kill her.
The woman said Jenkins saw another vehicle at her house and started sending her a series of threatening messages. The messages said the sender intended to best her and shoot her.
Jenkins could not be contacted immediately but later called the Sheriff’s Office wanting to give his own statement.
In an interview, Jenkins said he sent the messages in the heat of the moment but was now remorseful. He was arrested for improper telecommunications and 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.
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Louisiana Tech University’s School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry will host its 52nd annual University Farm Production Sale on Saturday, May 3.
The sale will be held at the Tech Farm on the University’s South Campus, located on Ben Grafton Lane at Tech Farm Road in Ruston. Livestock viewing begins at 10 a.m., followed by the auction at 1 p.m. A complimentary lunch will be provided to all attendees.
This year’s sale will feature a range of high-quality livestock, including:
Angus cross pairs with Brangus-sired calves
Black Baldy cross pairs
Angus, Baldy, Brangus, Braford and Hereford heifers exposed to Angus and Hereford bulls
Finished market steers, hogs and lambs, with processing included
Organized by Louisiana Tech agricultural sciences faculty, staff, and students, the event serves as both a fundraiser and a hands-on learning opportunity. Students are involved in every aspect of the sale, including livestock preparation, marketing and logistics.
“The annual Louisiana Tech University Farm Production Sale is rich in history and tradition and provides an excellent learning experience for the students involved,” said Dr. Gary Kennedy, dean of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences. “The funds realized from our sale will be used to support scholarships, academic degree programs and the livestock units that all work together to benefit our students in agricultural sciences at Louisiana Tech.”
Proceeds from the auction support student scholarships, academic programming and the development of Tech’s livestock facilities. The sale also strengthens relationships between the University, local agricultural producers, alumni, and the community.
“The Tech Farm Production Sale is one of the highlights of the year on South Campus,” said Dr. Paul Jackson, head of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry. “It brings the community together to support student scholarships and our livestock units, all while showcasing the outstanding work of our students.”
Dr. Mark Murphey added that in 2024, the sale raised more than $26,000 for scholarships, provided critical funding for livestock operations, and supplied more than 3,000 servings of beef to the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana and the Tech Food Pantry.
RUSTON, La. — Following a turnaround 2025 season under first-year head coach Bryan Beck, multiple Ruston High Bearcat baseballers were selected to the end of year All-District 2-5A team.
The Bearcats had six players make first-team, five players make second-team, and five selected for honorable mention.
“I’m just incredibly proud of the way our coaches and district felt about this team and the Bearcat players on it,” Beck said. “You can look at the results and see that West Monroe won and went undefeated — and you can see they have a lot of guys on there, but we have quite a bit of players on there, as well. It goes back to this being a player-led program — I’m extremely proud of these kids. And we have some young players on that list that will be back next year. But I’m just really happy that we could represent our school and our community the way we did getting players on that list.”
Senior David Griep and sophomore Tyler Roach were both named to the first-team as pitchers, while junior Nolan Parnell was the top first baseman. Junior Jackson Lee made first team in the outfield, while sophomore John Parker Moak was named first team as a utility player. Senior Jake Simmons rounded out first-team player selections for the Bearcats.
Senior Sam Specht was given second-team honors as a pitcher, while sophomore second baseman Dillion Williams, junior third baseman Hudson Wood and senior Payton Martin made the second-team in the infield. Senior Caleb Hampton rounded out the second-team selections as a utility player.
Seniors Kolby Sonnier, Talan Billberry and Carter Love joined both junior Lander Smith and sophomore Hunter Soto on the honorable mention list.
A man who crashed his car into a ditch on Garr Road was arrested by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, but not before the man resisted attempts to arrest him.
Elbert E. Kirkendoff, 63, of a Garr Road address was arrested on April 20 for second offense DWI, resisting arrest and several traffic charges.
A deputy responding to a call of a stalled vehicle partially in the roadway found a Hyundai Accent in a “seesaw” position in the ditch. Kirkendoff was attempting to use a chain to get assistance on pulling his car out of the ditch. The deputy determined the Hyundai had crashed into the ditch.
Kirkendoff was found to have a strong odor of alcoholic beverages which intensified when he spoke. He refused to provide any identification and began to walk away from the deputy. When they deputy attempted to take Kirkendoff into custody, he pulled away and ran. The deputy deployed a Taser to take him in the custody.
Since Kirkendoff was tased and taken to the ground, EMS was called to the scene to clear him. He was taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center where he refused to participate in field sobriety tests.
A breath test showed his blood alcohol content to be .254g%, more than three times the Louisiana legal limit.
Kirkendoff was booked for second offense DWI, open container, driving under suspension, careless operation of a vehicle, resisting an officer by a failure to provide identification and resisting an officer by force.
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.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
(With vacation season looming, here’s a case study for young families to consider. Keep a diary. And a sense of wonder. And some paper towels handy. Written 30 years ago, but seems like just the other day …)
It had all the elements of the classic child-ice cream blunder: beach, summertime, hot father, innocent 5-year-old boy, orange sherbert Push-Up, and a car.
Fortunately, the car was a rental.
And we were wearing the same clothes for the third straight day and we were 15 minutes away from being in the second-largest body of water on Earth. How big a threat could melting ice cream be?
None. Laugh and encourage a sweaty child to eat ice cream faster, and they likely will. Helps to have an old rag around.
Summertime crisis avoided.
This was just one of the many exciting things that happened on vacation in Myrtle Beach, S.C., a place 43 miles from my hometown down SC-9 South, where you can get anything from a tan to a gift-shop seashell dressed to look a lot like Elvis Presley.
Nothing spectacular happened. We ate more ice cream and went swimming and ate out a lot. We did the sandcastle thing and the rides-at-the-pavilion thing. We rode an airplane. We stayed in a hotel.
Tourists.
But as has happened since my vacations have included a child, the things I’ll remember are the things that happened around vacation. These times have reminded me that Thornton Wilder was right when he warned us in Our Town: Don’t miss the magic in the mundane, the tiny pieces in which the whole of your life is delivered.
That might be a fancy way of saying this: I wonder if my dad remembers ice cream dripping on my hand on that same stretch of beach in the mid-1960s?
I do.
My son had anticipated this trip. When a child is 5 and hits Vacation Countdown, time in Kid World moves with the speed of a jury trial.
Seven days. An eternity passed.
Six days. Glaciers were formed, moved, and melted.
Five days. The City Council decided something.
We’re talking slow movement. Imagine two weeks of watching Coke fizz settle.
Then suddenly, It Was Time.
He was told the trip would be 10 days long. I was packing only a few things when he walked in with nine pairs of pants, nine T-shirts, and one cloth bag, all piled in his arms like a ball. He would sleep in the outfit he had on, he said, minus the Power Ranger flip-flops.
He was ready. Overpacked, but ready.
You had to like his effort.
Early the next morning, he looked at the clouds out of the airplane and wondered why we were flying upside down. It took me a while to figure that one out: he’s used to seeing clouds above him through a car window.
Later in a rented beach house when his 10-year-old cousin said it was raining “cats and dogs,” he made him explain that, exactly.
He rode a play horse outside an A&P four times straight and nearly fell asleep on a dog on the merry-go-round at the same pavilion I used to go to with my cousins when I was little.
He played putt-putt one night until he nearly fell asleep standing, but the lemonade we bought woke him up.
“We need to remember to come back to this place,” he said in the car. “They’ve got good lemonade here.”
I told him I’d remember.
Contact Teddy atteddy@latech.edu
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
(T’Avion Clark and Aidan Anding lead the Bearcat Relay Squads. Photo by Jonathan Plaza “LAMileSplit”)
Special Report
ALEXANDRIA, La. — Ruston High’s boys’ track and field squad took the crown Wednesday in the District 2-5A meet at Butch Stoker Stadium on the campus of Alexandria Senior High School with a final total score of 185 points, while the girls came in second with 177 behind champion ASH.
The boys’ victory was 45 points higher than the host school ASH, who finished with 140 points.
“I was very impressed with the way our Bearcats competed during the inclement weather we experienced last week in Alexandria,” Ruston High head coach Trey Smith said. “It’s been quite a while since we have asked our kids to focus over an eight-hour period with the several rain and lightning delays we experienced. They came out after the break rolling and never looked back.
“It was a tremendous team effort to win back the district title on the boys side. We executed well in all aspects of the field, sprints, distance, hurdles, and relays. The kids have been very focused and it’s always wonderful to see their hard work pay off in the championship season.”
Bearcat Track and Field will be back in action at the Region 1-5A Championships held at Northwestern State University on Wednesday, April 30th.
Quitman coach Joel Antley is pictured talking to his infield during the bottom of the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game at Quitman. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
QUITMAN — Long before Billy Beane and analytics, baseball was a numbers game.
Always has been, always will be.
And it was numbers, and the law of averages, that led to a heartbreaking loss for 12th-seeded Choudrant Tuesday night as the Aggies fell at fifth-seeded Quitman 6-5 in nine innings of Class B second-round baseball action at Wolverines Field.
Choudrant led Quitman going into the bottom halves of both the seventh (4-3) and eighth (5-4) innings and both times the Wolverines managed to plate a run to extend the game into another inning.
But after the Aggies failed to score a run in the top of the ninth, Quitman didn’t waste time taking advantage, with the Wolverines’ leadoff batter walking and moving to second base on a sacrifice bunt.
Then the law of averages came into play as Quitman clean-up batter Case West, who had gone 0-3 at the plate so far (he did reach first in third inning on a fielding error) slapped his first hit of the game into left field.
Quitman sent the runner from second and he beat the ball to the plate as the defending state champions erupted in celebration of the win.
That didn’t take away any of the pride Choudrant coach Joel Antley felt for his team and the way the Aggies kept fighting.
“We’ve done this all season — just scrapping to put things together,” Antley said. “We struggle with some things sometimes and do some well the next week. You’ve just got to be able to put it all together.
“A couple of times there I thought we had them, but they battled just like we did. Neither team wanted to lose, that’s for sure. It was a big step. I thought we could win this game. I knew we could win this game. It was a close one last time, so I knew it was going to go down to the end for sure. I didn’t know it was going to go past the end. I’m proud of my guys for never giving up and just pressing and working their tails off.”
Choudrant scored first in the top of the opening stanza as Cash Camp led off with a single before scoring on a Colton Smith single.
But the Wolverines plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning off of two hits on Camp, the Aggies’ starting pitcher.
Despite giving up those early hits, Camp worked himself out of the jam, retiring the Quitman side with his third strikeout of the inning.
A big fifth inning at the plate put the Aggies back on top as Choudrant plated three runs off of four hits — an Austin Barmore single, a Camp double that plated Barmore, a Smith single that came off the top of the bat, and a two-RBI double by catcher Wade Watson — to move out on top 4-2.
Quitman added a run in the top of the sixth inning before adding another run in the top of the seventh to tie things up and set up the extra innings showdown.
The Aggies made a pitching change to start the bottom of the seventh, pulling Braden Bagwell from his shortstop role and sending him to the mound.
“If we could have saved 10 more pitches somewhere,” Antley said of having to pull Camp off the mound. “He was over 100 pitches. Who knows? But they started to put the ball into play there later (in regulation innings), and that made a difference.”
Choudrant went up 5-4 in the top of the eighth as Carson Carrico led off with a walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cam Bagwell and then scored on a Cy Spatafora single.
But the Wolverines added a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning as Braden Bagwell walked in a run before knuckling down and recording a strikeout to push the game into the ninth.
Quitman retired all three batters it faced in the top of the ninth before taking advantage of the numbers and the law of averages in the bottom half of the stanza.
An emotional Antley struggled to talk about his seniors — Smith, Watson and Tucker Batterton — after the game.
“Along with lots of others in the past, they were great leaders for us — not just ‘do what I say, but do what I do’ kind of leaders,” Antley said. “So that just means a lot for us to keep going.”
And for the Aggies left to return to Tony Antley Field next season, Antley said the work begins now.
“I told them you got to go right back to work,” Antley said. “I told them that to win championships, you’ve just got to keep working and build it every week. Every time you go out there. Even when you’re playing superior teams, you’ve just got to put your head down and get out there and play.”
Zoey Smith (photo by Snazzy Shenanigans Photography)
by Malcolm Butler
Choudrant’s Zoey Smith and Stacy Tassin earned the speciality honors while a total of seven Aggies players were named to the all-District 2B softball team.
Smith was named the District 2B MVP while Tassin earned the Coach of the Year honor after guiding the Aggies to the league crown and a berth in the Class B playoffs.
Smith joined teammates Bailey Grace Weaver, Addison Worley, Emma Boggs, Faith Milton and Kylie Willis on the 13-person first team while Kelsee Guillotte earned honorable mention honors.
Choudrant led the way with seven representatives followed by Downsville Charter and Family Community with four each and Forest with three.
Downsville was represented by Abbie Barkley, Addy Austin, Chelsea Walsworth, and Eden Miller (HM). FCCS was represented by Ali-Kate Walker, Madison Hesser, Jadyn Hutchinson, and MJ Caldwell (HM). Forest’s selections were Carly Thompson, Peyton Thompson (HM), and Lauren Thompson (HM).
Smith earned the district MVP award after hitting .526 with eight home runs and six stolen bases.
The Aggies posted a 15-14 record this season, before falling to Holden in the second round of the Class B playoffs.
Tournament bass fishing is sometimes about as predictable as the weather. Every single day is different, even when the weather doesn’t want to cooperate. This is why anglers must be flexible and willing to adjust.
The anglers who can pivot at the right time are usually the guys who win. Just because you caught bass one way on Thursday, does not mean you’ll be able to catch them the same way on Friday. So many factors come in to play when it comes to bass biting.
The weather is probably the biggest factor in how bass react daily. Of course, they bite best during low or falling barometric pressure days and if there’s one thing I’ve learned over my many years of tournament fishing, it’s that timing is everything. No matter what body of water it is, bass are biting somewhere! You just have to be in the right place at the right time.
This is where practice pays off, but you as an angler must pay attention. If you caught fish in a certain area on Friday at 10 a.m., there’s a good chance those same fish will bite about an hour later the next day.
But almost every tournament day, anglers must adjust on the fly. Conditions can change hourly, especially during the spring, as cold fronts come through more often than any other time of the year. During the summer months, bass are more predictable as weather patterns tend to be more consistent and stable for days at a time.
There are days, however, when anglers are left scratching their heads and questioning the bait and technique they are using. It’s a running joke with anglers that memos are sent out to all bass on the morning the tournament starts.
It’s like they’ve been notified to be aware that there are bass fishermen on the water today looking to jerk them into a bass boat. Therefore, bass should avoid all artificial lures and be alert for anything that resembles live bait and approach all food sources with caution!
While we all know bass can’t read, there are times when it seems someone has made them aware that anglers are on the water.
Sometimes, I think we as anglers give bass way too much intellectual credit, but with so much fishing pressure on our lakes today, bass are becoming more educated and can be difficult to catch. Day after day, hour after hour, bass are seeing so many lures that they have become warry of anything that doesn’t look like natural forage.
This is the challenge that I absolutely love about bass fishing! How can I put together a recipe to catch these little green creatures we call bass. Because the ultimate goal is to put a heavy five-fish limit in the boat that will allow me to either win or cash a check.
But so many times, the tournament never goes the way you planned. There comes a point during the day that you must rethink your strategy and approach. This is when the word “adjustment” comes into play.
Like so many professional anglers will tell you, bass fishing is all about decision making. Anglers that make the right adjustments at the right time are usually the ones holding up the trophy at the end of the day.
Bass fishing is becoming more and more difficult even with all the great lures and equipment we have as anglers. The days of going out and catching a hundred bass in a day are pretty much gone. Why? I feel it’s all because of one word, “pressure.”
Boat ramps that used to be empty Monday through Thursday, are now full seven days a week. The bass never get a break from the pressure with so many anglers on the water every single day. Also, we now have Livescope, a tool that allows anglers to go after every bass.
Today, there’s no longer a safe haven for bass to retreat to and get a break from all the fishing pressure. Daily, bass are chased and pursued all over the lake with no time to recover.
This is why so many tournaments today are won by anglers who make the right decisions and adjustments in order to put themselves in position for the win or cash a check.
‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to wear your life jacket every time your big engine is running.
Contact Steve atsgraf26@yahoo.com
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Wednesday, April 30 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 5 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
Thursday, May 1 6:30 a.m.: Community Prayer Breakfast (Ruston Sports Complex, $20 donation) 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers) 6-8 p.m.: Gnocchi Class (Ruston Farmers Market)
Friday, May 2 6 p.m.: GSU baseball
Saturday, May 3 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Plein Air Pop-Up Picnic Day (Lincoln Parish Museum) 3 p.m.: GSU baseball
Sunday, May 4 1 p.m.: GSU baseball
Monday, May 5 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council meeting (Ruston City Hall) 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Tuesday, May 6 6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St.) 5-7 p.m.: BFA Studio Art Exhibition Opening (Tech School of Design, 1 Mayfield Ave., Ruston)
Wednesday, May 7 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
Thursday, May 8 9:30 a.m.: Piney Hills Quilt Guild meeting (Grace Methodist Church) 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: 5 Loaves, 2 Fish Ministry Fundraiser (First Baptist Church parking lot; $10/plate) 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 5-7 p.m.: Business After Hours (Courtyard Marriott, 1309 Maxwell Blvd.) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers) 6-8 p.m.: Indian Cuisine (Ruston Farmers Market)
Saturday, May 10 8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 3 p.m.: GSU baseball
Sunday, May 11 Mother’s Day 1 p.m.: GSU baseball
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
On Good Friday, April 18, 2025, Melba Jean Odom Thompson of Ruston, passed peacefully from this life into the presence of Jesus. A memorial service and celebration of Melba’s life will be held at First Baptist Church in Ruston on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 2pm. A visitation will be held in the sanctuary from 12pm until the time of service. Melba’s celebration of life will be officiated by Dr. Chris Craig, assisted by Rev. Clayton Owens, with special music by Phillip and Alnita Carroll.
Melba was born in Norphlet, Arkansas on December 3, 1932, to James and Lillian Odom. She was a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, served on the homecoming court, and was a member of the Blue Jackets, an honorary service organization. Before graduating magna cum laude in Business Administration, she married the love of her life C.R. Dickie Thompson, who proudly told everyone “She is the smartest woman I know.” They were happily married for 70 years, showcasing their love for Jesus and each other all throughout their married life.
For 34 years, Melba was employed at Lincoln Builders in Ruston, retiring in 1995.
After retiring, Melba could be found volunteering as a Lincoln General Hospital Pink Lady, an active member of the Junior Guild, and a faithful member of her First Baptist Church Sunday School Class.
Melba loved a good cup of black coffee, Jeopardy, completing crossword puzzles, watching sports (especially women’s college basketball and college baseball), the calmness of the ocean, an Odom family reunion, watching her hummingbirds, and spending time with her family. She was the epitome of strength, body and mind; her life was evidence of a woman rooted in Christ.
We believe that Melba would want you to know that when trials and tribulations come after your heart, body, and mind – remind yourself that your victory is in Jesus, your Savior forever. And know that just as Romans 8, a passage she turned to often, tells us – “despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us”, and who loved Melba. That truth provides us with much comfort and hope.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three brothers and three sisters, whom she loved dearly.
She is survived by her brother, Dale Wiley Odom, and her children: Daughter, Teri Thompson Schalewski and husband Mike from Bossier City; Sons, Scott Thompson and wife Rita of Ruston; Russ Thompson and wife Ann of Ruston; Clay Thompson and wife Laura, of Argyle, Texas. Their seven grandchildren, Greg Thompson and wife Jennifer; Cole Thompson and wife Kalen; Mary-Arthur Plette and husband Michael; Andie Thompson, Hunter Thompson and wife Maura, Henry Thompson, Luke Thompson, and four great-grandchildren, Grant Thompson, James Thompson, Lucy Plette, Sam Plette, and another great-grandchild, Kolter Ramsey Thompson, on the way.
The Thompson family would like to extend a special thank you to our dear friend Toni Lathon, who cared for Dickie and Melba for over five years and became family. We also would like to thank the staff and nurses at The Arbor and Terrace and Premier Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church Sanctuary Building fund.
Willie Earl Pesnell October 26, 1935 – April 26, 2025 Visitation: Alabama Presbyterian Church, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 10:00 am – 11:00 am Service: Alabama Presbyterian Church, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 11:00 am Cemetery: Sibley Cemetery Choudrant, Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Deontrell Hunter Wednesday 08/24/1994 — Sunday 04/20/2025 Family Gathering: Friday 05/02/2025 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Visitation: Friday 05/02/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Funeral Service: Saturday 05/03/2025 2:00pm, St. Peter Baptist Church, 404 Longstraw Rd, Ruston Interment: Saturday 05/03/2025 Following Service, St. Peter Baptist Church Cemetery, 404 Longstraw Rd, Ruston
Melba Jean Odom Thompson December 3, 1932 – April 18, 2025 Visitation: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Service: First Baptist Church, Ruston, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 2:00 pm
Grambling State University will award an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to distinguished alumna and trailblazing executive Alana Ward Robinson during its Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony, to be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 9, in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
Alana Ward Robinson is a transformative technology strategist and award-winning executive with a distinguished record of leading enterprise-wide innovation across the public and private sectors. With deep expertise in emerging technologies, she has reimagined operating models, built high-performing tech organizations, and driven measurable outcomes across Fortune 500 companies and mission-driven institutions.
“Alana Ward Robinson’s journey is a testament to the power of preparation, resilience, and a clear sense of purpose,” said Grambling State University President Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. “Her work at the intersection of technology, equity, and leadership has not only shaped industries—it has opened doors for generations to follow. As a Grambling State graduate, she exemplifies what it means to carry forward the mission of this institution with excellence and intentionality.”
As Founder and CEO of Robinson Group Consulting (RGC) since 2004, Robinson leads a national practice specializing in interim CIO leadership, enterprise technology strategy, and digital transformation. RGC’s diverse client base includes global supply chains, healthcare payers, financial institutions, housing authorities, nonprofits, and universities. Her work consistently bridges strategic vision with operational excellence.
Robinson launched her career at IBM Corporation, ultimately managing the Public Sector P&L across multiple states. She then held senior leadership roles at the Public Service Company of Colorado, PACE Membership Warehouse Club, Coors Brewing Company, Sara Lee Hosiery, and RR Donnelley, where she drove ERP innovation and multimillion-dollar efficiency gains.
A civic leader and governance expert, Robinson has served on numerous boards, including the World Food Program (IT Advisory Council), Brighter Horizon Foundation (Chair), Girls Inc. of Chicago (Secretary), the National Hospice Foundation, and the African American Experience Fund of the National Parks Foundation. She is a founding member of the Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) and an active supporter of inclusive leadership and next-gen tech talent.
Her honors include the Girls Inc. She Shines Lifetime Achievement Award, ITSMF President’s Award, Grambling State University Alumni Beacon Award, CIO Review’s Top 20 Technology Consulting Providers, and recognition from the Financial Times Agenda 100, among others.
Robinson holds a B.A. in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from Grambling State University and is an alumna of Harvard University’s Advanced Executive Management Program, where she was elected Class President. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she resides in Irving, TX with her husband, E. O’Neal Robinson, also a Grambling State alumnus.
Robinson’s honor will be conferred during the Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony, which also features a keynote address by actress, author, and entrepreneur Tabitha Brown. For more information, visit gram.edu/graduation.
After spending the past three seasons at Cedar Creek School in Ruston, Lance Waldron has been hired as the new boys basketball coach at D’Arbonne Woods Charter School.
D’Arbonne Woods Charter School Executive Director Doug Postel told the Lincoln Parish Journal Monday that the school has hired both Waldron and his wife, Beth.
“Lance, along with Beth because I consider them to be a team, have a history of excellence in everything that they do,” said Postel. “When we had an opportunity to bring them on board, we jumped on it. They have experience with turning programs around and making championship run.
“We have had a lot of success in recent years in getting our programs headed in the right direction, and it’s time that basketball joined the ranks of softball and powerlifting and some of our other programs at D’Arbonne Woods that are starting to see some success.”
Waldron will replace Dane Reeves.
“My wife, Beth, previously worked at DWCS, and our boys attended school there for most of their childhood, so we already have strong relationships with many of the families,” said Lance Waldron. “D’Arbonne Woods is a great school, and we’re looking forward to building something special with the basketball program. We were very impressed with Doug Postel’s long-term vision for the school, and we’re excited to be part of what’s ahead. We can’t wait to get started.”
Waldron was hired by Cedar Creek in the summer of 2022. During his three years guiding the Cougars, Creek amassed a mark of 40-38, including a run to the Select School Division IV quarterfinals this season before falling to eventual state champion Hamilton Christian. It was the program’s first quarterfinal appearance in 37 years.
“Leaving Cedar Creek is bittersweet for our family,” said Lance Waldron. “It has been a huge part of our lives for the past three years, and with our oldest son graduating this year, it will always hold a special place in our hearts. I’m very thankful for the opportunity Cedar Creek gave me when I decided to return to coaching after being away from it for seven years.
“We made history with the program in just three years, and I’m especially grateful for the players. They are phenomenal kids who bought in early and played with grit and determination every game. While we’re grateful for our time at Cedar Creek, we are extremely excited about this next chapter at D’Arbonne Woods. Being closer to home is going to be a huge blessing.”
Prior to his time at Cedar Creek, Waldron recorded a mark of 246-87 during his nine years at Simsboro (2006-2015), leading the program to six district titles, three appearances in the Top 28 and two state championship game appearances (2012, 2013).
He left the high school coaching ranks following the 2014-15 season in order to join the corporate world before returning to the court for the 2022-23 season.
An alleged shoplifter was arrested at a Ruston store on April 21.
Kendrick Robertson, 40, of Winnfield, was arrested for theft after officers located him during a search of the area.
Officers responded to the Neighborhood Walmart on West California Avenue but learned the suspect had fled on foot. A store asset protection officer provided a photograph of the suspect, and he was located several blocks away.
According to an officer’s report, William said, “I already know I’ve been shoplifting.” When shown the suspect photograph from the store, Williams said, “Man, I know that’s me.”
Williams was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for misdemeanor theft.
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.
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Courtesy of LA Tech Special Collections, Manuscripts & Archives
By Wesley Harris
An orangish glow cast strange shadows over the town of Ruston during the early morning hours of Monday, January 6, 1936. The eerie sky seemed to reflect that fiery haven ruled by the devil.
When the morning revealed the glow had risen from the complete destruction of the main building at Louisiana Tech, some predicted the end of the small north Louisiana college. But others soon saw it as a “fortunate calamity.”
The day students were scheduled to return to classes after their Christmas holidays, a fire struck “Old Main,” the primary administrative and classroom building and the symbol of the school’s early growth since its founding in 1894.
However, the opportunity for the erection of expanded and up-to-date facilities following the fire led some members of the education community to conclude the burning of Old Main was, in the long run, fortuitous.
Fire broke out sometime before 3:25 a.m. in a biology laboratory under the auditorium at the rear of the building. Ruston, Monroe and Arcadia fire trucks responded but the fire in the massive building could not be stopped until it ran out of fuel.
Although the external walls were brick, the floors, internal walls, attic and roof, and anything constructed of wood nearly 40 years old burned quickly.
The death of Louisiana Tech, then called Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, was a given, according to the pessimists. No small school like Tech could survive the loss of a huge building like the Old Main, the largest structure on campus, containing administrative offices, classrooms, laboratories, and an auditorium.
Before the flames, Old Main overshadowed the other structures on campus, both in size and import, with most classrooms and offices housed within its brick walls. Large oaks surrounded the building which faced the Everett Street bridge over the adjacent railroad tracks. Brick columns marking the original entrance to the campus framed Old Main in an image familiar to its students.
Those columns remain near the bridge.
The fire was a crushing loss to the 41-year old school originally named the Louisiana Industrial Institute but informally known as Tech. Old Main had been erected in 1895, the year after the founding of the university. The original two-story brick building contained eight large classrooms, a large auditorium, a chemical laboratory, and two offices. Old Main was practically synonymous with Tech.
The next year, a three-story brick wing was added to the east side of the building, and in 1897 a similar wing was added to the west side. In 1902, a two-story wing was added to the south side of the central portion of the building.
By the time of the fire in 1936, Old Main housed the school’s executive offices, the printing plant and publications offices, extension division offices, the commerce, English, art and mathematics departments, biology and agricultural laboratories, 19 classrooms, the post office, the auditorium, and the department of buildings and grounds.
The loss of the structure was estimated at approximately $250,000, not counting lab equipment, musical instruments, all the new band uniforms, library books, and the bookstore contents. That’s equivalent to about $6 million in 2025 money but with current labor costs and building codes, a comparable structure could not be replaced for that today.
Fortunately, most of the university’s records of student grades survived the inferno due to the acquisition of a new fireproof safe by the registrar’s office. Only reports for students during Tech’s first five years of the college, ledgers kept outside the outside the safe, were destroyed.
Students and faculty were unaware of the catastrophe until they appeared on campus that morning for their 8:00 a.m. classes. Within 24 hours, school officials arranged new meeting places for each one of the displaced classes.
A student newspaper editorial a few weeks later expressed alarm that Tech could not survive the devastating loss. But, the paper observed, 1,100 students showed their confidence in Tech’s endurance by registering for the next semester.
Officials moved rapidly to initiate construction of a new building. The foundation of the new administration building, Leche Hall—later renamed Keeney Hall—was laid on June 3, 1936, and was ready for occupancy in January 1937, just one year after the burning of Old Main. In the meantime, a temporary building was constructed quickly of rough planking with a tar paper roof, sawdust floor, and pine benches to provide temporary auditorium space. It was christened the Wigwam.
The construction continued in 1938 under Tech president E. S. Richardson. On February 22, 1941, seven new buildings were dedicated, having cost over $2,000,000 in state and federal funds. In addition, existing buildings received extensive renovations. New sidewalks and landscaping of the campus were completed.
Along with Keeny Hall, the new buildings to replace Old Main were Howard Auditorium, named for Harry Howard, Tech’s first graduate and the university’s treasurer for 40 years; a new dining hall; the woman’s dormitory, named for James B. Aswell, Tech president from 1900 to 1904; Robinson Hall, a men’s dormitory named for W. C. Robinson, Tech president in 1899 to 1900; a new power plant and laundry; the agricultural laboratory; and Bogard Hall, the engineering building.
From the single main building erected in 1895 to accommodate six faculty and 200 students, Tech had grown to 30 buildings and approximately in 2,100 students by 1941.
In other words, the burning of Old Main could be described as a fortunate catastrophe leading to exponential growth of the campus physical plant. Another surge of construction would not occur for 30 years.
Over half a dozen buildings took the place of the supposedly irreplaceable Old Main. The building campaign prompted by the fire ensured the college would endure. It was a fortuitous disaster, prompting growth that otherwise may never have occurred.
Front view of the old main building.View toward east wing of old main building.Tech students look on after the fire destroyed the old main building.The brick columns mark the old entrance to campus and the driveway of the old main building (Photo by LA Tech University Communications)
Ruston Police arrested a local man for possession of synthetic marijuana after he was spotted preparing a cigarette with the drug.
An officer on patrol saw Jamarius Williams, 35, sitting in front of a business in the 900 block of South Vienna Street rolling a marijuana cigarette. The officer pulled into the parking lot and as he approached, Williams attempted to conceal the cigarette in his left hand.
Williams dropped the cigarette when directed. An inspection revealed it to be a synthetic marijuana called “Mojo.” According to the officer’s report, Williams admitted it was Mojo.
The officer’s report notice noted Williams was arrested about two months ago for possessing synthetic marijuana but has not been to court on that charge.
He was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Bail was that at $1,500.
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.
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RUSTON, La. — Mark down two more Ruston High Bearcats headed to play college football.
Bearcat senior defensive tackle Payton Bell and senior wide receiver Joran Parker have now signed with Clark Atlanta University in Altanta, Ga., and Lane College in Jackson, Tenn., respectively.
“These signings show the respect that colleges have for our football program, even when it’s smaller colleges that people may not have heard of before,” Ruston High head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “Whenever I’ve talked to the people on those campuses, they feel like our guys are top quality guys. It speaks so much to what our football program represents, and that’s spreading all over the place.”
Bell held a signing Monday morning in the main auditorium in front of his teammates, coaches, friends and members of his family, while Parker elected to have a private signing back in March.
Bell is heading to Clark Atlanta with the intent to study kinesiology to be an athletic trainer and chose the football team for the sense of community.
“They told me they really want to see me play,” Bell said. “Any organization that wants to see me play that much, I’m 100 percent going to go. And I really want to be an athletic trainer. Coach (Chris) Brister inspired me a lot, and that’s the direction I want to go.”
Parker is signing with Lane College to study business and plans to go early in the summer to get a head start on the playbook and earning his college credits.
“Lane College felt like family to me,” Parker said. “Being here in Ruston, (the coaches and team) made me feel like family, and the coaches there are the same way. And I want to get there early and get the extra nine hours of credit and get into the playbook — I know it’s going to be different from high school.”
Bell finished his career at Ruston High after lettering all four years — a rarity, as Baugh described in the signing ceremony. He earned numerous post-season accolades after finished with 44 tackles and four sacks on the season.
Parker finished with the second most catches in the season for Ruston (31) and lead the team with seven receiving scores.
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RUSTON, La. — New quarterback. New running backs. New defensive coordinator.
New — almost everything.
It’s probably a word Ruston High head coach Jerrod Baugh will get tired of hearing pretty quickly.
And yet, the irony is that the one thing that isn’t new after the first spring practice is, well — the newness of a turned-over roster ready to kick off its own season and identity.
“There’s a lot of new faces out there today,” Baugh said. “I told them after practice that it wasn’t bad for a first day. We had a lot of different guys get reps with different groups. So there were a lot of running backs and different linebackers. That’s what I told our coaches at staff meeting — that it should be a really good opportunity over these nine or ten practices before the spring game for us to evaluate going into the summer who is going to start for us in the fall.”
Bearcat football fans are fully aware of the graduating attrition from the 2024 roster — a team of senior players that saw the Superdome for three consecutive seasons — meaning 2025 will see fresh faces across the board for the most part.
Of course, there are some key veterans that will be returning to the roster, including upcoming seniors Lander Smith at fullback and Ra’Keem Potts at defensive line and junior Ahmad Hudson at wide receiver. These returners are critical for Baugh as a lot of the younger guys will need some time to get acclimated to the speed and expectations of the Bearcat football program.
And as Aidan Anding did following his sophomore year of basketball, upcoming junior Keshun Malcolm has now put the football pads on and will play wide receiver. Malcolm made a couple of great catches in the opening practice before taking a huge hit toward the end of the day in a “Welcome to Bearcat Football” moment for the star basketball player.
At tailback, upcoming sophomore Dalen Powell just wrapped up a baseball season for the Bearcats and is the returning leader in rushing yards for a running back unit that includes soon-to-be upperclassmen Jeremiah Freeman and Davis Demoss.
Superstar Hudson and a few other returners were absent from Spring Practice, as they are competing with the Bearcat Track and Field squad during the postseason.
For Baugh, it’s a positive for the returners to miss parts of the spring as it will allow more players to get reps and be evaluated heading into the summer.
“We do have a nucleus of guys that are going to be really good,” Baugh said. “Just like every other year, we need our veterans to play really well early on while these other guys gain experience and get the game reps they need. But I think we have a good selection of guys — we just have to put the puzzle pieces together.”
Ruston will continue to practice three times per week until Friday, May 15, when the Bearcats will head to Captain Shreve for a spring game with the Gators.
I’ve got a new spin on the phrase “There’s an app for that.”
In my 88th day of reading the book of Psalms, I can truthfully say: There’s a psalm for that.
Yes, no matter your emotion, no matter your circumstances, there’s a psalm that will speak to your personal situation.
To catch you up if you missed some of my earlier columns, I began a daily reading of the Psalms on Feb. 1 and am planning to finish with the 150th on June 30. So far, so good – except for the few days when I had to read more than one chapter because I unintentionally let myself fall behind. Even on those catch-up days, though, the words have stayed fresh and full of meaning.
The Psalms cover the full landscape of human emotions: fear, joy, sorrow, anger, trust, gratitude, repentance, hope. Whatever you’re feeling, you can find a psalm that speaks directly to it – and more importantly, shows you how to bring it before God.
Here are just a few examples from the first 88 psalms:
Fear and vulnerability: “I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.” (Psalm 3:5) When fear has rattled your soul, this verse reminds you that God watches over you, even when you’re not even awake to know it.
Waiting and doubt: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1) When God’s timing feels excruciatingly slow, it’s comforting to realize that even David, a man after God’s own heart, wrestled with the same feelings.
Provision and peace: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) This is the deep sigh of relief that comes from trusting that God will take care of our needs.
Hope after heartache: “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) When sadness feels endless, this verse reminds us that new joy is already on the horizon.
Answering the longing for connection: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” (Psalm 42:1). This psalm beautifully captures the yearning for a deeper connection with God. It’s perfect for moments of spiritual searching or renewal.
Strength in crisis: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) When life’s storms rage around us, God isn’t far off. He’s “very present.”
Fresh starts: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) These are the perfect words for anyone needing to hit the reset button.
Surrender and stillness: “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.” (Psalm 62:1) In a world that never stops buzzing, this reminds us that our true hope comes from waiting quietly before God.
Endurance in weakness: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26) When your own strength runs out, this verse points you to the One who never fails.
Joyful worship: “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.” (Psalm 84:10) It’s a powerful reminder that nothing in this world compares to simply being close to God.
Honest lament: “For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.” (Psalm 88:3) Psalm 88 is often called the darkest of all psalms. Yet even here, the psalmist turns to God in his pain, showing us that we can bring everything to Him – even our most anguished cries.
So, yes, there’s a psalm for that.
As I’ve read through these psalms, I’ve found comfort, hope and a deep sense of God’s presence woven into their words. Again and again, they remind me that I am never alone. Through the honest, heartfelt voices of the psalmists, God meets me right where I am – and He can meet you, too, wherever you are.
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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.
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