Name: Stine Emrick Location: Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona Degree and Graduation Date: BS – Kinesiology and Health Promotion (2020) Louisiana Tech University
Other Education: * Master of Educational Leadership – Community College/Higher Education from Northern Arizona University
Career Position and Where: * Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Northern Arizona University
What a typical day looks like: * Organizing the operations of football lifts, helping the head strength and conditioning coach with aspects of programming for football, traveling with the football team to away games, heading up the internship program, being responsible for all aspects of training for the women’s soccer program and women’s basketball program. All of the other things: * Living in Flagstaff has given me the opportunity to spend off time hiking in the surrounding areas.
Name: Emily Mire Location: Fort Worth, TX Degree and Graduation Date: BS – Kinesiology and Health Promotion (2008) Other Education: * BS – Biology – Louisiana Tech University (2008) * MPH – University of North Texas Health Science Center (2010) * MEd in Counseling – Texas Christian University (2013) * PhD in Health Studies with a concentration in Higher Education – Texas Woman’s University (2016)
Career Position and Where: * Executive Director for Student and Academic Success at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in the Division of Student and Academic Affairs (Fort Worth, TX) * Adjunct Faculty, MPH@Baylor, Baylor University (online) * Adjunct Faculty, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center (Fort Worth, TX)
What a typical day looks like: * Every day is different, and that’s my favorite part! I could go from writing a student policy, to hearing a student conduct appeal, to a 1-1 meeting with a team member, to leading a faculty training, and to chiming in on what squat rack we should buy for the Fitness Center all in one day. In my primary job, I oversee the Office of Care and Civility (student crisis, student conduct, wellbeing and prevention programs), the Career Readiness Center, the Center for Academic Performance, Testing and Evaluation Services, and the Student Assistance Resource Center (food pantry, clothing closet, wellness coaching, restorative pathways, and the Fitness Center). The offices that I lead have a direct impact on student success and well being, and we get to work with students at all stages of their academic journey. I also write and maintain all student related policies and oversee the institutional response to the Clery Act.
In the past few years, I’ve started taking interns from schools across the country for in person and virtual internships (if you ever need an internship, reach out!), so I try to build in a regular cadence to check in on them and their projects. I could have the most perfectly planned out day, but given that two of my offices oversee student crisis and emergency response, my day can take a turn quickly! As I’ve progressed in my career, I have really enjoyed the supervision and leadership elements, and being able to coach team members and watching their offices do incredible work.
Once my work day wraps up, I run home to spend time with my family. Evenings with two kiddos at two very different ages can be a little chaotic, shuffling between homework, soccer practice, and bedtime routines. A few nights each week, I teach for the online MPH program at Baylor and the MPH program at UNTHSC. I absolutely love teaching and the point that I start working with students in both MPH programs, they are starting to figure out their own career trajectory, and there’s a mentorship element that is really neat. One thing I love about my relationship with the Kinesiology faculty at Louisiana Tech is how they held (and still hold!) space for me, and my hope is that I’m able to do the same for my students.
All of the other things: * I never meant to stay in Fort Worth. We moved here for me to get my MPH and accidentally stayed! Keep an open mind – you never know where your career may take you. * My husband is an alum from Louisiana Tech as well (BS, Biology – 2007 and MS, Exercise Science – 2008). He is my best friend and the BEST dad. He has supported my dreams without question. Once I graduated with my PhD, he did tell me that if I wanted to learn anything else, I could get a library card. I’m still not sure if he was joking or being serious. 😊 * We have two kiddos, Landry Kate (7, soon to be 8) and Anderson (2 in September). Having a picture with Landry Kate in my cap and gown from my PhD graduation is one of my favorites. Finishing my PhD with a toddler is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but my hope is that this picture will always serve as a reminder that we can do hard things. * I try to prioritize exercise. You think overseeing a Fitness Center would make it easy, but sometimes it makes it even harder! I have a gym in my garage at home and try to spend time under a barbell and punching a boxing bag a few times per week. * I am forever thankful for the people who served as mentors for me in college. In fact, I never would have looked into a MPH if Dr. Lanie Dornier wouldn’t have suggested it. I will always prioritize the moments where I can return the favor.
The Mire Family 2021Emily and Kent as undergraduates at Louisiana Tech Landry KateAnderson
Que up the music: Rossini’s William tell Overture to begin and end the “Lone Ranger. “ When I was a child, a few decades ago, that music announced the show as we gathered to listened to the “ Lone Ranger” on that old vacuum tube radio (we had no electricity back then). I loved the show and the adventures and heroic deeds of the Lone Ranger and Tonto. That show began on radio in 1933 and morphed to TV in 1949 and the big screen in 2013. I do hope that none of you has been deprived of the opportunity to enjoy the Masked Man.
Fast forward to 2021 and the question “Who Is that Masked Man, Woman, or Child?” takes on a whole new meaning. All of us have become the Masked Man, Woman, or Child. Our lives have been dramatically changed by the Covid pandemic. I see people all over our campus sporting masks, some coordinated with their fashion couture, some advertising their favorite sports team, some acknowledging their University logo, and some just plain. We mask up against variants— Beta, Delta, Omicron (all with their Greek to me. Sorry, I just couldn’t resist.) I just don’t like it.
My long-time habit of greeting students, friends, and colleagues with a smile and a “hello” has been challenged by all of the Masked People on campus and in the community. How can I really know who I am greeting when their identity is hidden behind the mask? How can they know my greeting? My smile is hidden behind my own mask, so I must smile with my eyes. My greeting is muffled by the mask. Communication is challenged by the mask. Some communication specialists assert that communication is just 7% in our words, 55% in our body language, and 38% in the tone of voice—all of which are “masked” by our masks. Our communication quality is compromised by our masks. I don’t like it.
It is difficult to feel good by our need to wear masks. We hear that masks are lifesaving tools to protect public health, to prevent viral spread of Covid. We hear that masks are components of social responsibility. Some of us wear masks because of peer pressure. Some wear the mask because we are risk averse. Some appreciate mask wearing because it results in great savings on cosmetics. I cannot remember the last time I had to purchase lipstick or gloss or other make-up.
We see controversy, sometimes shaming, over mask wearing. What about those people who value individual liberty? Masks sometimes make us feel out of control. Even some of the iPhones using facial recognition will not open to owners because the phones reject the recognition when the owner wears a mask. I don’t like it.
Masks enable anonymity. Apparently people wearing masks are sometimes tempted to perform deeds that they would not engage in otherwise. Note that most of the “robbers” in movies and real life have masked up. I know a lot of people on campus, but I cannot say that I recognize them when they are masked up. Of course, I greet then anyway. I am not certain that when we are able to take off the masks, I will recognize those persons whom I only know under their mask. I don’t like it.
So like the Masked Ranger who secreted his identity to perform good deeds, our masks are social symbols—tools to mitigate against spread of a deadly virus, COVID. Despite the downside of wearing our masks, we must continue to communicate through our words, tone of voice, and body language which includes mask-hidden smiles. The experts say that when we continue to smile in all of our original glory, that the smile is physically expressed in our eyes. Masks hide our regular smiles, so smile big with your eyes. That’s my plan as we continue our need to mask. And in the words of the “Lone Ranger” concluding the episode—“HI, HO, Silver, and Away.”
Fast forward to March 2022 and the question “Who is that unmasked man?” rises to the top. Even though we received permission to remove the masks, for some of us the habit had already become too strong. Many of our “creatures of habit” continue to mask-up. But others have begun to show their faces and to brandish those marvelous smiles. Unfortunately, with the rise of Omicron variants that are more highly contagious, the mask mandates may return. My hope is that the words in the concluding COVID episode will be “BYE, BYE COVID and Masks Away.
Dr. Dauzat is Dean Emerita of the College of Education and Coordinator of External Projects for Louisiana Tech University. This blog was originally written December 2021.
As President, there are always many things that need to be done to address the needs of the campus and its many stakeholders. Over the past few years, I found myself in a routine of working at the office and then coming home to work until bedtime.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the Spring of 2020, we sent most of our students home, and I spent even more time at home working. Even though I was in regular communication with colleagues and friends, the isolation began to impact me. I was overweight, stressed, and tired much of the time. I didn’t know how to get out of that cycle.
Then later in the summer, a couple of our closest friends came over for a dinner. They invited me to get on a structured meal plan with them. I decided to take them up on that and began to manage the portions and types of healthy foods for meals and snacks. After a while, I began to notice that I had more energy and had the desire to get out of the house more.
I often saw different people walking around the parking lots of Joe Aillet Stadium, so I decided to try some walking myself over the Christmas holidays. Initially, I would walk up to Hideaway Park and make a loop around the park before coming home. I kept doing that walk regularly and began to notice my endurance improving and walking a bit easier. Some of my aches and pains brought on by inactivity over the years began to fade away.
Every day, I continued to walk, setting small milestones and stretch goals. I kept feeling better the more that I walked. Walking around our athletics venues gave me frequent opportunities to run into a few students, staff, and community members. Those interactions, although brief, were refreshing.
My experiences over the past year really helped me get a better perspective on how much my physical conditioning impacts my mind and body. I know that there are many others on our campus like me – those who are “too busy” to focus on their own health. I see the same signs of fatigue that I had.
Returning to campus last spring lifted everyone’s spirits as we could have more face-to-face interactions and a greater sense of normalcy. Through all of these past months, my wife Kathy has been helpful as she helps me keep my routine and get my walks in every day. Carrie Flournoy and Miki Lyons also provided encouragement and understanding. They helped prove the saying that our friends and family are most important in helping us achieve our health goals.
I invited our Kinesiology faculty, David and Jessica Szymanski and Lacey Deal, to come to my office before the beginning of the Fall Quarter to get their thoughts about organizing some activities to encourage faculty and staff health. We decided that organizing some Saturday morning walks for our Tech Family members would benefit everyone who decided to participate. Tonya Oaks Smith and Carrie joined in to help organize and publicize the walks. Everyone offered many great ideas and encouragement.
The first three Tech Family Walking Group walks were set for early Saturday mornings before September football games. I had no idea how many would show up, but was pleasantly surprised on that first Saturday morning when 50 to 60 of our friends and colleagues from every part of campus showed up at the beginning of the driveway to the President’s residence.
Jessica and Lacey had everything organized so people could choose their preferred walking distance and pace. Several of our Kinesiology students set the pace and led us on our walks to campus. It was most enjoyable to walk and chat with different people that I had not been able to get to know well beforehand. I saw many great conversations between colleagues, who quickly became friends, on the walks.
We have continued to have the Saturday Tech Family Walks every Saturday beginning at Aspire Plaza at 8 a.m. We have different students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members that show up for the walks, and we always have a great time. During our annual Legacy Day, we even invited future Bulldogs and their alumni parents to join us for a special tour of campus.
I found that walking with others is a great motivational driver. However, you first have to make a commitment to focus on yourself – on your health.
Just get out and walk. No excuses! Block out an hour for YOU! Every day!
And come join us this Saturday morning for a walk! You’ll love it!!
Legacy Day 2022- Alumni, faculty, staff, parents and students participated in the Saturday walk. Legacy Day – Alumni, faculty, staff, parents and students participated in the Saturday walk on February 19
Rhonda Grafton Boyd, M.Ed. Social Media Coordinator
Where did you grow up and what activities were you involved in? I was born and raised in Ruston. I lived in Monroe for about 5 years and then moved back to Ruston. Growing up, as long as I had a bicycle, Barbie doll and a basketball I was set! My best friend and I would play outside most nights until it was too dark to see. I took dancing from Mrs. Martile Mathewes (tap was my favorite) for 7 years then piano from Miss Margaret Moffett for 7 years. I attended Bethel Christian School and graduated in 1982. In school, I played basketball and softball. I had a scholarship offer to play basketball at Louisiana College, but wanted to go to Louisiana Tech
My Daddy and me 1967
My Mama at her new desk and switchboard at Green Clinic 1980
What did you want to be when you grew up? As early as I can remember I wanted to be a veterinarian. By the time I was in high school this had changed to wanting to become an accountant. I was going to be a CPA and move to Dallas!
What was your first job? My first job was at Green Clinic working in the basement of the old Clinic building on Vienna in Medical Records. My mother worked and retired from there after 30 years. They had a summer work program for employee’s teens. I was very fortunate in that not only did I work there summers from the time I was 13 but worked there while I was in college.
Where did you attend undergrad and what was your major? I started out in Accounting at Louisiana Tech but after a couple of years decided that was not the major for me. I switched to Marketing. I am a 1986 Louisiana Tech graduate with a B.S. in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration. This degree has and continues to serve me well!
Winter Graduation 1986 Dr. F. Jay Taylor
Where did you attend graduate school and your activities during that time? In 1988 I received my M.Ed. in Exercise Science and a Post-Bacculareate Certificate in Gerontology from Northeast Louisiana University. As usual, there is an interesting story here. After graduation, I decide to go back to school to become a teacher so I was going to get my certification to teach business and physical education. While pursing this I was still working at Green Clinic. At that time the Clinic conducted clinical trials for pharmaceuticals. At this particular time there was a trial for older people who might contract the flu. Mary Ellen Bass, the Clinical Coordinator at the Clinic, hired me to do marketing for this clinical trial. My job was to present to as many organizations and clubs which had older members. One day I was telling Dr. Sylvia Stroops (a former professor in the Kinesiology Department) about this and she suggested that I speak to the members of the Senior Citizen Exercise Program (now the Adult Fitness Program) which at this time was in its infancy – 8 years old. Long story short, I asked Lou Ann Albritton (another former instructor in the department) if I could speak to her classes. I loved it so much that I decided that was what I wanted to do career wise – work with older adults. At the time my future husband was at Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM) and told me about the gerontology program they had there. I was really excited because the closest program was in Florida. I took classes at Tech that I needed to make up the deficiencies I had in order to enroll at NLU in the Exercise Science Masters graduate program. While I was doing that I did four practicums in the Adult Fitness Program assisting Mrs. Albritton and Dr. Gail Clark.
What brought you to Louisiana Tech? It was not a what, but a couple of whos that brought me to Tech. Dr. Gail Clark, my friend and mentor is the main reason I am at Tech. The department was in need of an adjunct instructor to teach two satellite classes of the Adult Fitness Program. These classes met on Tuesday and Thursday and were at the Arcadia Senior Center and the Ringgold Senior Center. In addition to this, Dr. Tommy Grafton, hired me a Health Educator for Project Northland, an underage alcohol prevention program for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. I was the Health Educator in Union Parish and Lincoln Parish. Little did I know that I would eventually teach Health classes at Tech. Dr. Grafton gave me some great advice when I began teaching that I have never forgotten: “When it comes to health (alcohol, drug and sex education), you will not be able to save everyone, but if you save one, if what you share and teach causes one person to live better and make healthy decisions, then you have been a success.” He was a source of encouragement and inspiration to me for many years. After a couple of years I became fulltime thanks to Dr. Joann Dauzat and took over the Adult Fitness Program Coordinator when Dr. Clark retired. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I would be teaching at Louisiana Tech University! What an amazing adventure it has and continues to be! I cannot imagine doing anything else!
Dr. Gail Clark
Dr. Tommy Grafton
One of my first Adult Fitness Classes (2002)– notice the student in the red t-shirt – that is Mrs. Deal who was my TA my first year at Tech. My parents were also members of my class.
My 7 AM chair exercise class (2012)
What classes do you teach at Louisiana Tech? I currently teach KINE 290 Personal and Community Health or as it is known on campus: Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll, KINE 406 Health Aspects of Aging, and KINE 280 Dance Appreciation. I have also taught for years in the Adult Fitness Program at the pool, chair classes and the After 5 class. In addition, I have taught KINE 292 Fitness and Wellness, Running, Beginning Golf and have taught for many years FYE (First Year Experience) for incoming freshmen.
What are your research interests? Balance and Fall Prevention
What organizations are you affiliated with? Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
Tell us about your family. I am Ruston born and bred. My Daddy (Pat Grafton) owned his own business, Grafton’s TV Repair Service and my Mama (Lurline) was the PBX operator at Green Clinic. We took a vacation every summer either to visit family in Illinois, go fishing, go to see the Kansas City Royals play baseball, visit Branson, or go to Panama City Beach. We never missed a Lady Techster BB home game from 1978-1982. My Daddy passed away in 2010 and my Mama in 2014. My son Patrick is a 2013 graduate of Louisiana Tech with a double major in Journalism and English. He was the editor of the Tech Talk his senior year. After Tech, he moved to Chicago to attend Second City Comedy School. While there he opened for Lena Dunham on her book tour. In 2016 he applied and was accepted to graduate film school at UCLA in Los Angeles. I was fortunate to have him home for several weeks the summer of 2019 with a film crew and cast of 28 to film his graduate film thesis. It was incredible to see the intricate workings of an actual film shoot. He graduated with his MFA during the height of the pandemic in 2020 while the film industry was totally shut down. This past spring he was hired by Nickelodeon as a production coordinator. He and his roommate Sining (my bonus son) live in Los Angeles.
My parent’s 60th wedding anniversary
Patrick and friends home for film shoot. (2019)
Patrick and Sining Christmas 2019
Even though I was an only child, I have lots of extended family, many of whom are Tech graduates and huge supporters of Tech athletics. One of my Daddy’s older brothers, Ben Grafton taught Agronomy at Tech.
I have two fur babies, Felix an 8 year old Chihuahua and Oreo a 5 year old Jack Russell/Wire Hair Terrier.
And then there are friends that become family. Besides my work family, I am very blessed to have a bonus mom, Kathie Farmer who I call Honey. She has one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever known. Many of our alumni and current students know Honey and love to visit with her. Many times we would meet at Starbucks or my office to have coffee. She has had many of them to her home over the years. For so many it is like having a grandmother away from home. We love to ride bikes, travel and visit with friends. Needless to say we have binge watched ALOT of TV series these 18 months. Some of our favorites have been Everwood, Royal Pains, Call the Midwife, White Collar, Monk, Good Witch, Yellowstone, and Unforgettable just to name a few.
Honey
What do you like to do in your spare time to unwind? I love to cook! I love to grill! I don’t necessarily like to bake! I love trying new recipes and feeding people. It is not uncommon for me to try a new recipe and serve it to several guests. I also love to travel, ride my bike (old school with foot brakes), walk my doggies. I love to visit with friends! Fortunately, I am blessed to work with some of my best friends – we enjoy having coffee and visiting outside of work. This was so important during COVID to still be able to visit so we came up with Driveway Coffee – friends and family members would bring their own coffee or tea and we would socially distance on the driveway with fans going and umbrellas up or with the heater and coats on.
Pre-Covid, of course– Honey, Smiley Reeves, Jessica Szymanski and Earlene Jackson
What is your favorite quote? “Life is a measurement of the problems we seek to solve and the people we help along the way” Colossians 3:23 – “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than men.”
Anything else you would like for us to know. For 4 years I sang on the Temple Baptist Church Singing Christmas Tree.
Lacey White Deal, M.Ed. Adult Fitness Program Director
Where did you grow up and what activities were you involved in? I grew up just 30 minutes south of Ruston in Quitman. My parents moved there when I was only 4 months old and still live in the same house. Growing up I participated in track and cross country until I was about 16 years old. But, most of my time was spent riding horses and competing in rodeos. I spent most weeknights in an arena practicing and then weekends traveling all over the state. I loved every minute of it and know now that I was very blessed to have parents that were willing to drive me up and down the road every weekend.
What did you want to be when you grew up? I had no clue. I was always told, “you can do whatever you want, just don’t be a teacher.” My mom was a high school science teacher and knew very well how hard it was to be a public-school teacher. But I guess some of her knowledge rubbed off on me. During my undergraduate days I always struggled in classes and really had a hard to making a connection to what I was learning. During graduate school everything that I was learning just clicked. I knew that being a teacher was the place for me. After graduation I did not want to be a traditional teacher and spent 10 years working in aquatics. My classroom was a pool and my students ranged in age from 6 months to 86 years of age.
What was your first job? My first job out of high school was working a J & H Boots and Jeans. I worked there for a few years in high school and college. My first job out of college was as the Programs Coordinator for D.S. Recreational Services in Houston, Texas. I managed aquatic programs and staff training for 36 pools in the North Houston area.
Where did you attend undergrad and what was your major? Louisiana Tech University, Bachelor of Science in Fitness and Wellness (now Health Promotion)
Where did you attend graduate school and your activities during that time? Louisiana Tech University, Masters of Elementary Education
What brought you to Louisiana Tech? After spending 10 years in Texas, getting married and having two children my husband and I decided that it was time to move home. My husband took a position in the School of Design here at Tech, teaching in the architecture program. My background in teaching opened up the door for me to take a Special Education position at Glen View Elementary. After only a few years I knew that I was in the wrong place for my talents and passions. Luckily for me I had developed a relationship with Mrs. Boyd and her parents while assisting with her chair exercise class during my graduate school days. This relationship and some great timing opened the door for me to use the knowledge I had gained while working in the aquatics field in Texas and teaching special education to teach in the Kinesiology department.
What classes do you teach at Louisiana Tech? I am the current director of the Adult Fitness Program (that I helped with when I was a student) and because of this I coordinate the KINE 425: Practicum classes. I also teach KINE 414: Introduction to Adaptive Physical Education and Sport, KINE 256: Aerobic Conditioning, Strength Conditioning and Aquatics, KINE 202: Foundations of Kinesiology, KINE 220: First Aid. This year I am also adding courses offered within our PE program to my list of classes.
What are your research interests? My focus of research the last few years has revolved around health education and the impact of service learning on our community and the impacts it has on our student experiences.
What organizations are you affiliated with? Special Olympics of North East Louisiana, Med Camps of Louisiana, SHAPE, LAPHERD and Buddy Ball of Ruston
Tell us about your family. I have been a married to my husband Brad since May of 2007. We met as students at Tech and then moved to Texas for right at 10 years. We had our first son Oli (12) while living in Austin. When our second child Finn (8) was on the way we decided to move back home and be near family. Brad took a position teaching in the Architecture program here at Tech. I then soon followed a few years later. Now that our boys have gotten a little older we love to travel as much as possible. Amusement Parks, Camping, Hiking and Mountain Biking are some of our favorite destinations. This summer we took a huge three-week road trip to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Utah. We visited 11 National Parks and spent two days playing at Disneyland. The bug to fill our National Park passport has hit and we have plans for a similar trip next year to Utah and Colorado.
What do you like to do in your spare time to unwind? We spend lots of time at Lincoln Parish Park. During our COVID summer we bought nice bikes for our kids. This opened up a new place for us to spend time together. We are also massive Formula 1 racing fans. On race weekends you can find us most mornings in front of the TV watching our favorite drivers. Our bucket list trip is to go to the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, United Kingdom.
What is your favorite quote? “Be the person you needed when you were young.“
Anything else you would like for us to know. I remember being a student at Tech and really having no idea what I wanted to do after graduation. That really didn’t change the day I graduated either. I never passed up an opportunity that came my way and ended up with some pretty great jobs after college, hard jobs, but good jobs. I never made a ton of money, but my jobs were never about the money. I always wanted to be doing something that I enjoyed and really liked the people that I worked with on a daily basis. I know without a doubt that all of the jobs and people that influenced me through college and in my career have played a major role in where I am today. I want my students to understand that life, whether it be work or family is not always going to be easy. Hard work, patience, learning and mistakes are all part of the process. Don’t settle for something that does not fulfill you, keep pushing, keep learning and one day you will find exactly what you are supposed to be in life.
The Exponential Factor 