Ready for Bulldogs’ Arrival – Lincoln Parish Journal

By Judith Roberts

It’s a great time to be a Louisiana Tech Bulldog.

We could talk about everything from sports to administration to academics to admissions and everything in between. I don’t know if I can think of any area of ​​Tech that doesn’t reflect excitement and energy right now. And even for me, personally, I can say with a smile that it’s a great time to be a Louisiana Tech Bulldog studying communications.

Our first two students—Leslee Bennett and Madison Remrey—graduated from our brand-new Master of Communication program this spring. I taught Leslee and Madison in their undergraduate program, and watching them grow from first-year students to master’s graduates has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had as a teacher.

It’s an incredibly bittersweet feeling when we have a large class graduating, and that was the case this spring. First with these two, and then with so many of our undergraduates who have become Tech alumni. My colleague Dr. Megan Smith and I ran down to the basement of the Thomas Assembly Center before graduation to say goodbye to as many students as we could. Several of the students had articles published in the Lincoln Parish Journal—Olivia, William, and Katelyn, to name a few. Madeline interviewed me on Louisiana Tech’s Beyond 1894 podcast.

It was a day of celebration – although I will miss this group.

However, I have to say that I hope some of them will come back to our master’s program, as some of those who are currently enrolled. As someone who helped set up the program, I know I’m biased, but I think it’s a great program for anyone—not just those with a communications background—to hone their communication skills in any field, especially STEM. We have courses in the political economy of communication, health communication, technology, and identity. There’s even a course called Disinformation, Misinformation, and Digital Media—what person alive today wouldn’t find that course relevant?

And while I’m enjoying all that summer has to offer—and it offers plenty of rest and relaxation—I’m already looking forward to what fall has in store. We’re hiring new faculty in the College of Liberal Arts, home to the Department of Communication, and we’re taking applications for the fall cohort of graduate students. Additionally, Tech is hosting several orientation sessions where incoming first-year students can set their schedules, tour the buildings, and meet some of the faculty they’ll interact with throughout their college careers.

Summer may be a time of relaxation, but it is also a time of anticipation as we await our new and returning students for the upcoming academic year. I look forward to seeing my returning students and I look forward to meeting our new first-year students.

So yes, it is a very It’s a great time to be a Louisiana Tech Bulldog.

For more information about the undergraduate or graduate program in Communication, please email Judith Roberts at [email protected].