Beyond 1894

Dr. David Szymanski, department chair and professor of Kinesiology at Louisiana Tech, charts the path that began in Chicago as a fine arts major, pivoted, and then took him through the ranks of collegiate baseball coaching. He highlights his transition from a professional baseball hopeful to a "professional professor," his pioneering research in baseball sport performance, and his role in expanding the University's kinesiology programs. He shares his passion for helping students figure out what they want to be when they grow up and gives the reasons why he considers kinesiology a versatile "renaissance degree" capable of opening doors to everything from allied health fields to Major League Baseball. LA Tech Kinesiology: https://www.latech.edu/education-human-sciences/about-cehs/kinesiology/index Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/ Email: [email protected]

Dr. Leland Weiss, the new-ish dean of the Graduate School and longtime Louisiana Tech engineering professor, discusses his journey that began in Canada, carried him all over the U.S., and eventually landed him at Tech. He highlights his transition from industry to academia, his research focus on waste heat recovery, and his role in supporting graduate programs across the University. He shares his vision for the Graduate School and gives the reasons why he thinks Tech's graduate programs can stack up against any others in the country. Louisiana Tech Graduate School: latech.edu/academics/graduate-school/ Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/ Email: [email protected]

Dr. Mortissa Harvey, director of Title IX compliance at Louisiana Tech University, discusses her role in ensuring the institution adheres to Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education. She emphasizes the importance of building trust and relationships to make the Title IX office a resource rather than a punitive body. She shares her background, including her education at Spelman College and Louisiana Tech, and she reflects on the growth of the Title IX office's visibility and impact over her five years at the University. Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/ Email: [email protected]

Sometimes, two Louisiana Tech stories intertwine. Dr. Wyatt Olson and Madison Kaufman have come from very different hometowns and have had very different journeys that have led them to the University, but the crossing of their paths was fate. As the two of them eye their fast-approaching wedding date, they take time to reflect on their careers, their affinity for Louisiana Tech, and the many things they love about each other. Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/ Email: [email protected]