Beyond 1894

Dr. John Worsencroft recently became the director of Louisiana Tech University's School of History and Social Sciences. In this new role, he's learned to get the most out of both his passion for teaching in the classroom and his administrative duties to the School and to the College of Liberal Arts. He spends this episode discussing his educational background, his time in the United States Marine Corps, and his teaching philosophy. He stresses the importance of learning how to learn, and he gives his thoughts on the political nature of history in higher education.

Dr. Worsencroft's Website: johnworsencroft.com

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

When Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson took office at the start of 2024, his longtime UL System office colleague Cami Geisman and her family joined in the journey to Ruston, Louisiana. Geisman, Tech's executive VP for external affairs, spends this episode talking about the move to Tech being her first ever move from her hometown of Baton Rouge, the sense of community in Ruston that made it so easy for her and her family to fall so quickly in love with the city, and the dynamics of her job that have her convinced Louisiana Tech is the perfect place to live and learn.

LA Tech University Communications: brand.latech.edu

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Students Cade Jordan and Reagan Patrick, the current LA Tech Union Board president and vice president, are both involved, dedicated, and hardworking students with bright futures. Managing their extracurriculars on top of their busy senior years isn't always easy, but they take the time on this episode to explain why Union Board and the events they're tasked with putting on for the University are so near and dear to their hearts.

LA Tech Union Board: theunionboard.com

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Let Dr. Heath Tims reintroduce himself in his new engagement-focused role and break down the ideas behind the latest iteration of Louisiana Tech's Homecoming. He discusses the community-focused mindset behind the structure of this year's events, the details of some of the highlights of Homecoming Week, and the goal of the Alumni Association to connect with the Tech Family near and far.

LA Tech Homecoming Events: 1894.latech.edu/homecoming

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Associate Professor Joanna Ward was born into a Louisiana Tech lineage. Ruston, LA was always going to be her first and only choice to pursue her education. It's no surprise, then, that she now dedicates her time to enriching the lives of her students and pushing the health informatics and information programs at Tech further into the future. She discusses her personal journey in the healthcare sector, explains some background info on the HIIM operations at the University, and praises the partnerships that help turn the wheels of the institution she calls home.

HIIM at Louisiana Tech: ans.latech.edu/health-informatics-information-management/

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Gary Kennedy, now the dean of LA Tech's College of Applied and Natural Sciences, is a Tech alum that's been at the University for 27 years. He spends this episode talking about ANS's growth and change over the decades, the special status of programs like nursing, biology, and forestry within the college, and the upcoming Forest Products Innovation Center project that will change the landscape of South Campus forever. He even takes some time to show off his auctioneering talents, a skill he's honed over 40+ years of practice.

The College of Applied & Natural Sciences: ans.latech.edu

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Interviewed by guest host LeAnn Waldroup from the College of Business, Dean Chris Martin recounts the stops in his career that brought him to Louisiana Tech and talks about all things COB. He shares details on the College's sky-high placement rates and the sustained growth and success of their programs. He gets excited about new features and updates within the College (like a café area in the building) and beams with pride when mentioning he'll soon be a grandfather.

The College of Business: business.latech.edu

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Finishing his first full year as dean of the College of Engineering and Science at Louisiana Tech, Dr. Collin Wick has his eyes on the future. Even so, a 17+ year history at the University means he's seen and done a lot within the College's walls and beyond. He discusses the early fork in his educational road between music and science, and he recounts the career moves that led to his current role as dean. He shares his excitement about innovative partnerships and the quality of the students that earn their degrees at Tech.

The College of Engineering and Science: coes.latech.edu

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

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

The College of Education and Human Sciences: education.latech.edu

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

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

The College of Liberal Arts: liberalarts.latech.edu

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]