Beyond 1894

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

Louisiana Tech First Year Experience on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latechfye/

Website: https://1894.latech.edu/beyond/

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

Louisiana Tech Athletics: latechsports.com

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond

Email: [email protected]

Broadcasters and writers Teddy Allen and Malcolm Butler and historian Chris Kennedy gather together on this episode to discuss the life of Hall of Famer and 50-year Voice of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Dave Nitz, who passed away in June of 2025. The trio talk about the career of "Freeway" Dave, share stories and memories from the broadcaster's legendary run in the booth, and pay a fun and heartfelt tribute to a man whose voice carried into so many hearts of the Bulldog faithful since 1974.

Read more: latechsports.com

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond

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Christiann Bayne, Director of Career Services at Louisiana Tech University, shares her journey from Baton Rouge to Ruston, influenced by her family's background in ministry and journalism. She emphasizes the importance of career services on campus and details the Career Center's resources, including career assessments, resume writing, and the Career Closet, which provides free professional attire. And she focuses on the center's role in building competencies and fostering relationships with alumni and academic partners to enhance Louisiana Tech students' career development.

LA Tech Career Center: latech.edu/career-center

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

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

Louisiana Tech Residential Life: latech.edu/life-on-campus/residential-life/

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Ben Bergholtz, assistant professor of English at Louisiana Tech University, discusses his journey into academia, his teaching philosophy, and his book "Swallowing a World: Globalization and the Maximalist Novel." He emphasizes the importance of engaging students through high-energy, reflective classes and the need for interdisciplinary approaches. Bergholtz highlights the evolution of the English curriculum to include diverse literature and digital humanities, and he also addresses some of the challenges of AI in education.

College of Liberal Arts: liberalarts.latech.edu

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

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Dr. Chris Dicus, Louisiana Tech alum and a professor of Wildland Fire and Fuels Management at Cal Poly, talks about his early interest in wildlife and his decision to study at Tech. Dicus shares his career path, including his work on the Black Saturday fires in Australia and the multiple wildfire outbreaks in California. He emphasizes the importance of holistic fire management, involving various disciplines, and the need for resilient community design. He also shares his thoughts on the future of fire science and reasons to be optimistic about a changing world.

Forest and Fire Sciences at Cal Poly

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

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Malcolm Butler, the voice of Louisiana Tech, shares his deep-rooted connection with the University, starting from his childhood memories of the campus. He recounts his journey from a student worker to jobs in sports information, highlighting significant moments like beating Alabama in 1999 and the 2019 softball team's resilience post-tornado. Butler discusses his transition from radio to ESPN+ broadcasting, emphasizing the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, and he reflects on personal and professional challenges, the importance of community, and his enduring passion for Louisiana Tech.

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

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

LA Tech CRRC: latechcrrc.org

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

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Guest host LeAnn Waldroup interviews Dr. Selwyn Ellis, a long-tenured professor and department head at Louisiana Tech University, about his journey and contributions to the institution. He discusses his transition from Mississippi to Louisiana Tech for his doctorate, his role in the Center for Information Assurance, and the evolution of Tech's computer information systems degree. He highlights the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the growing demand for AI and prompt engineers, and Louisiana Tech's rare and hard-earned NSA designation.

CIS at Louisiana Tech: business.latech.edu

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]