Giving Day 2021

Dr. Hisham Hegab, Dean of the College of Engineering and Science, is calling all COES graduates to rally on giving day by offering a generous dollar for dollar match up to the first $5,000 given to the College of Engineering and Science Excellence Fund. Support for this area provides critical funds to create experiential learning opportunities, faculty research, facility and technology upgrades, and so much more!

Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) Directors Challenge: The TTC serves as an independent source of knowledge, research, and education in the field of trenchless technology. TTC Director Dr. John Matthews will generously match every dollar given to the Trenchless Technology Center on Giving Day one-for-one up to $2,000.

The Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board will match every dollar given to Mechanical Engineering on giving day up to $4,050.

The Construction Engineering Technology Advisory Board will match every gift given to CET on Giving Day dollar-for-dollar up to $2,550.

Jason D. Smith, Finance ’90, MBA ’95, President and CEO of Citizens National Bank, will generously match dollar for dollar up to $2,500 for gifts from College of Business alumni and friends to the Business Excellence Fund. Gifts to this fund allow the College to remain competitive, flexible, and innovative by responding to changing circumstances and taking advantage of new opportunities that ultimately provide an immediate impact on the lives of our students and faculty. Smith is not only a double COB alum, but a parent of current COB student Audrey Smith. He said, “Since Audrey enrolled in the College of Business, I have seen the same commitment to excellence in the College as I saw first-hand as a student and alum. This contribution is more than a gift, it is an investment!”

Mike Terracina, Accounting ’83, MBA ’84, will generously match dollar for dollar up to $5,000 for gifts to the College of Business Scholarship Fund. Support for student scholarships is critical to ensure that the next generation of business leaders are able to receive the best education and opportunities possible. Scholarship support makes a tangible difference for students with unmet financial need, and helps the College attract the most talented students from across the nation.

Jim Barlow (Management 91’ and MBA-Finance 93’), President of Home Federal Bank, will generously match dollar for dollar up to $5,000 for gifts to the Louisiana Tech Athletic Club (LTAC). Contributions to LTAC enables our 320+ student-athletes to maximize their experience through scholarships, health care, strength and conditioning, academic support, healthy and balanced meals, nutritional-based literacy, housing, mental health counseling, and programing that prepares them for life after sports. Jim is excited to answer the call from Dr. Eric A. Wood to help our student-athletes be competitive in the classroom, in their leadership development, and on their respective playing fields.

Since its opening in 2017, Louisiana Tech University’s Good Nutrition Mission Food Pantry has provided approximately 3,000 pounds of food—or 2,326 meals—to our University’s students who need a good, healthy meal. An anonymous donor will match dollar for dollar up to $1,000 for the Good Nutrition Mission Food Bank. Make a difference, make a gift, and help grow and enhance the food supply for the Food Pantry!

The Department of Professional Aviation’s Industrial Advisory Board will generously match the first $9,000 dollar for dollar donated to Department of Professional Aviation. The money raised on Giving Day will go towards a new flight simulator and scholarships for students majoring in Professional Aviation.

Willie Clark III, a 1987 Civil Engineering graduate is generously matching every gift made to the Louisiana Tech Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) dollar for dollar up to $1,000.

An anonymous donor has generously agreed to match dollar for dollar up to $1,000 given to the Louisiana Tech Student Chapter of ASCE. Your support not only benefits their regular activities, but will give them a head start on their hosting duties for the 2022 National Concrete Canoe Competition here in Ruston!

The Chemical Engineering Advisory Board will match every dollar given to Chemical Engineering on giving day up to $5,850.

Ed and Lynell Buckley will donate $3,000 when 150 gifts are made to the Louisiana Tech Athletic Club (LTAC). Any gift of any size can make the difference!

Louisiana Tech University Alumnus and CEO of Glenwood Regional Medical Center, Jeremy Tinnerello is challenging nursing alumni to support the “More Tech Nurses” project that will provide scholarships as well as enhance recruitment and retention efforts for Louisiana Tech’s Division of Nursing. Jeremy will match dollar for dollar up to $2,500 for the "More Tech Nurses" program.

Joe Psalmonds, a 1973 business administration graduate, will match dollar for dollar up to $5,000 for gifts to the COB Dean’s Discretionary Fund, an unrestricted fund that allows the College to respond to emerging needs and direct funds wherever the greatest needs may be in a given year. “I chose to challenge my fellow alumni to give to the Dean’s Discretionary Fund because of Dean Martin’s remarkable and visionary leadership. Under his leadership, the College has achieved national rankings, increased enrollment each year, received re-affirmation of AACSB accreditation, and has strong placement rates for graduates. Will you join me in supporting Dean Martin by making a gift to the Dean’s Discretionary Fund this Giving Day?”

Dr. Don Schillinger, Dean of the College of Education, and his wife, Ammi, are generously matching gifts up to $1,500 to the Education Excellence fund. Support of this area provides critical funds to support experiential learning opportunities, faculty research, facility and technology upgrades, and so much more! Supporting the Education Excellence fund is the best way to positive impact the entire College of Education.

A generous anonymous supporter of the Louisiana Tech School of Theatre will match dollar for dollar up to $1,000 for the School of Theatre. Support students within the newly established School of Theatre.

Melanie Hudson (Business Administration/Marketing 86’), Field VP at Travelers, and Alumni Association Board member, will generously match dollar for dollar up to $10,000 for gifts to the Louisiana Tech Athletic Club (LTAC). Melanie understands the need to give to the most important need for the Louisiana Tech Athletics to be able to support our student-athletes. Gifts to LTAC, the annual fundraising arm of the athletic department, directly impacts 320+ student-athletes by allowing the gifts to be used in a variety of ways to support the student-athlete experience and to help them compete on the field or court, in the classroom, and in life!