Jeremy Cefalu - Biology

About Me
My name is Jeremy Cefalu, and I am currently a junior biology major.  I was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana.  I attended C.E. Byrd High School where I participated in many school activities including varsity soccer for three years.  My next decision was deciding where to attend college.  Louisiana Tech made that decision fairly easy.  I was attracted to Louisiana Tech because of the small University size, and the fact that I would be able to establish a relationship with my professors.  When I first came to Tech I was uncertain about whether to major in Biology or Biomedical Engineering, but after two quarters of Biology with Dr. Sellers my decision was made.

While I have been at Louisiana Tech I have made lasting friendships that will carry on past the years of college.  These friends have helped me through tough times and celebrated with me through the good ones.  Louisiana Tech has offered me more opportunities than I could have ever imagined.  I have been involved in many community service projects such as Up-till Dawn, The Big Event, and the Special Olympics.  I am an active member in many honor societies including Alpha Epsilon Delta, Order of Omega, Gamma Beta Phi, and Omicron Delta Kappa.  I have also been the Scholarship chairman for Sigma Nu Fraternity for three consecutive years.  I have also made time to volunteer outside of the school with organizations like the American Red Cross, free healthcare clinics, and even hospice.  Through my studies and extracurricular activities, Louisiana Tech has strengthened my life goals and career path.  After my graduation in the spring of 2009, I plan to attend Medical School.  While in medical school I know that the education I received at Tech will help me through tough classes like Histology and Biochemistry.  Eventually my goal is to become a surgeon with my own practice.  I want to practice medicine to better the lives of individuals within my community.  I want patients to walk into my practice uncertain about their condition and leave feeling 110% better.

Quote
As Mark Twain once said,  “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”  In my opinion, Tech has given me the opportunity to explore, dream, and discover myself and for this I am more thankful than I could ever explain.

Hillary Miller - Biology

About Me
My name is Hillary Miller, and I am a junior at Louisiana Tech majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry.  I was born and raised in Ruston; my parents met and moved here when my dad became a professor at Louisiana Tech.  I practically grew up on Tech’s campus, spending my afternoons in Woodard Hall or the bookstore or student center during my Dad’s office hours, but I never imagined that I would attend Tech myself one day.  I graduated from Cedar Creek High School in 2005 and, after much contemplation, decided to begin my collegiate career at Louisiana Tech.

Needless to say, it was one of the best decisions of my life.  I love that Tech has become my home and that I have been able to make it my own. In high school, I was always very involved, and I feared that in coming to college, I would be lost in the mix of eleven thousand other students.  But there is something unique about Tech – a spirit of loyalty, friendship, and family – that has allowed me to grow in ways I had never imagined.  While at Tech, I have been an Orientation Student Leader, a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, and a member of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society.  Currently, I am a Student Recruiter, a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, a Student Leader Liaison, a member of the Order of Omega, and the President of Sigma Kappa Sorority.  Last fall, I was elected to represent the student body on the 2007 Homecoming Court, one of the greatest honors I have ever received.

After my graduation from Louisiana Tech in the spring of 2009, I plan to attend law school. There, I hope to utilize all that I have learned in my Biological Sciences courses to specialize in health law with an emphasis in bioethics; I also plan to pursue a Masters in bioethics in addition to my law degree.  I know it may sound cliché, but my true hope in achieving all of this is to be able to one day make a difference, however large or small.  I hope to use my knowledge of medicine, law, and politics to advocate policies for research and health-related reforms for the eventual betterment of the general public.  My time here at Tech has given me the roots to stay grounded and the wings to follow my dreams, and I feel prepared to pursue my ambitions upon my graduation.

Mentor

I owe a great deal of my success at Louisiana Tech and in Biological Sciences to my advisor, Dr. Larry Sellers. From day one, he has welcomed me with advice and encouragement; his genuine interest in my life and perpetual open door policy have made him one of my greatest mentors.  I am truly thankful for his support, as well as the support I have received from all of the faculty at Louisiana Tech, especially those in the College of Applied and Natural Sciences.

Stephanie Rutherford - Biology

About Me
My name is Stephanie Rutherford; I am majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.  I grew up in Gonzales, LA where I graduated from East Ascension High School in 2004.  I decided to attend Louisiana Tech because of its beautiful campus and strong sense of community amongst the students.  However, when I started Tech four years ago, I never could have imagined what incredible friendships I would develop during my time here.  By participating in the Honors Program, for example, I have been able to meet and befriend students from all academic areas.

One of my favorite things about Louisiana Tech is that there are so many opportunities to share amazing experiences with fellow students.  From looking on as students tore down the goal posts after our football team beat Top 25-ranked Fresno State my freshman year to being selected to spend a summer studying abroad in Australia, Tech has been responsible for some of my fondest memories.  Tech also makes it exceptionally easy for students to get involved in the community.  As a student, I have been a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club, Habitat for Humanity, and Gamma Beta Phi.  Through these organizations I have been able to serve Ruston in ways I never thought possible.  The achievement I am most proud of, though, is being chosen to represent Louisiana Tech as a member of Who’s Who Among American College Students.

Quote
B.F. Skinner said, "Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten."
I will graduate from Louisiana Tech University in May 2008.  I have recently been accepted to the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine as a member of the Class of 2012.  As my time at Louisiana Tech comes to an end, I find myself reflecting upon all of the lessons I have received as a biology student.  Though I know what I have learned at Tech will help me in my future career as a veterinarian, I think the most useful thing my professors have taught me is that it is possible to get where you want to go in life on your own, but you can get there a lot faster and much easier if you are willing to ask for help.

Angeline Acosta - Medical Technology

About Me
My name is Angeline Acosta and I grew up in Winnfield, Louisiana.  I graduated from Winnfield Senior High School in 2005 as valedictorian.  I am a junior majoring in medical technology.  At Louisiana Tech, I have been a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, Golden Key Honor Society, and Gamma Beta Phi.  I served as a Gamma Chi Formal Recruitment Counselor and President of Chi Lambda Beta.  I have also been a volunteer for the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team and active in several community service projects.

Why Tech?
Science has always been my favorite subject, and Louisiana Tech has one of the top medical technology programs in the country. Being a hematology laboratory assistant has helped me prepare for working in a clinical laboratory setting.  I have been accepted into the hospital-based clinical laboratory program at Rapides Regional Medical Center, and will graduate with a Bachelor of Medical Technology degree in 2009.

Mentors 
The two professors who have influenced me the most are Dr. Griswold and Mrs. Muslow.  They have taken a personal interest in me and helped me succeed and accomplish my goals here at Louisiana Tech.

   

Cierra Hidalgo - Medical Technology

About Me
My name is Cierra Hidalgo, and I am a junior at Louisiana Tech University.  I am majoring in medical technology, and I have recently been accepted to LSU physician assistant school, which I will be starting in May.  I was born and raised in Thibodaux, LA, where I graduated from Edward Douglas White Catholic High School.  Before my senior year of high school, I had never heard of Louisiana Tech University; however, when I started looking into colleges, as soon as I visited Louisiana Tech, I knew it was the perfect place for me.  The beautiful campus, friendly students, excellent academic programs, and helpful teachers were just what I needed to help me achieve my goals.  While at Tech, I have been involved in several organizations, such as treasurer of Chi Lambda Beta and a member of Gamma Beta Phi.  Once I finish physician assistant school, I hope to work as a physician assistant in cardiothoracic surgery.  I am proud to be a Tech student, and will always regard this experience as one of the best in my life.

Mentors
I have had two teachers at Louisiana Tech that have been extremely instrumental in my educational experience.  Those two teachers are my two advisors, Dr. Griswold and Mrs. Muslow.  When I first came to Tech as a senior in high school to visit the campus, it was Dr. Griswold that I first met. Besides being a great teacher, he showed me how much the teachers really care about their students.  After Dr. Griswold retired, I thought there was no way my next advisor could ever be as good, but then I met Mrs. Muslow, who has also been an excellent advisor.  She is a great teacher, who really cares that all her students understand the material.  I have been extremely lucky to have two great advisors, and because of them, I have been able to accomplish my goals.