Danielle Creamean - 2008 Wildlife Conservation - Featured Student
Who Am I
My name is Danielle Georgette Creamean and I was born and raised as a ‘Georgia Peach’ just an hour north of the city of Atlanta. I am a senior Wildlife Conservation major at Louisiana Tech University and will graduate in the spring of 2008. Upon graduation I will be married to my college sweetheart and Tech Forestry/Wildlife graduate, Justin Reed. We will be moving to Goldonna, LA where I hope to be employed by the U.S. Forest Service as a Wildlife Biologist.
Why Tech and Wildlife Conservation
Well it’s sort of a funny story how I ended up at Tech. My freshman year in college I attended the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. Though I loved doing my homework on the beach and cheering on the Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl, it was obviously not meant to be. Come time to register for spring classes, I discovered none existed for my program of study (Environmental Science). I was then told that they had dropped my major. That is when the frantic search for somewhere to continue my education began. It just so happened that I met a group of students from LA Tech who were on Spring Break in Miami that were able to convince me of how great the Wildlife program was here. I have always had a passion for animals and had never been to Louisiana so I figured, ‘Why not?!’
Mentors
It is absolutely impossible to name just one individual that has most influenced my education here at Tech. Without each and every one of the professors, my experience would have been incomplete. I have them all to thank for the knowledge they have passed on, the values they have instilled, and their dedication to my success. Though I’m excited to be moving on to the next phase in my life, I cannot say that I won’t miss it here. Whether it was listening to Dr. Adams’ lecture on “particularly wolfy looking cottonwoods” or hearing Dr. Dickson’s infamous owl call ring through the halls of Reese, they’ve all made an impression on me and I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey.
Favorite Quote
“What we think or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only thing of consequence is what we do.”
-John Ruskin
James Pitman - 2008 Wildlife Conservation Featured Student
Who Am I
My name is James Pitman and I am a senior Wildlife Conservation major in the School of Forestry at Louisiana Tech University. I was raised in Rosepine, Louisiana where I lived with my parents, William and Marcia Pitman, and my sister Kimberly. I attended Rosepine High School and graduated in 2005. After completing my bachelor's degree here at Tech, I plan to attend graduate school and pursue a career in wildlife research.
Why I Chose Louisiana Tech and Wildlife Conservation
When I was looking at potential universities, I had a particular type in mind. I knew I didn’t want to live in a large city, miles from any forests or lakes. I didn't want to sit in a crowded classroom with a teacher who didn't even know my name. Louisiana Tech and Ruston fit me perfectly. The faculty and staff of the School of Forestry are very friendly and always willing to help. South Campus just has a great atmosphere, and stands out from the rest of Louisiana Tech. And, Ruston has enough lakes and woods around to wet a line or shoot a duck every now and then.
I chose Wildlife Conservation because I am an avid outdoorsman, and love to spend time fishing and hunting. I can not think of a better career than one that works with wildlife and helps ensure that future generations will also be able to share my passion for the outdoors.
My Mentors & Friends
I could write pages about my Wildlife and Forestry professors and how they have helped me in my academic pursuits. I have learned so much since I came here, and each professor, in their own way, contributes to what makes the School of Forestry so special. I would like to thank each of them for choosing to share their knowledge through teaching. Dr. Dickson has led many students to a career working with wildlife and has helped me tremendously in reaching my own goals. Dr. Patterson and Dr. Holley always seem to be able to make classes fun and interesting. Dr. Gibson helps keep me in line academically and is always willing to help. Dr. Dyer has taught me so much about different trees and plants that I will never look at a forest the same. I also would not know very much about forest ecosystems and their management if not for Dr. Ross and Dr. Adams. Dr. Long and Dr. Mills have introduced me to GIS, which is a much needed asset in my field. Mrs. Andrea and Mrs. Mary Anne always help me keep up with paper work and deadlines and are always willing to help. Though I haven't had classes with Dr. Strimbu, Dr. Grozdits, or Dr. Newbold, whenever I see them at forestry meetings or in the halls, they always smile and say hello, adding to the friendliness and closeness that can be seen in the department. All have added to my experience here and I want to thank each one for including me in the School of Forestry family.
Quote
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
-Henry David Thoreau
Denton Culpepper - 2007 Wildlife Conservation Featured Student
Who Am I?
My name is Denton Culpepper. I am from the “big” town of Dubberly, Louisiana, where I live with my parents, Douglas and Donna Culpepper and my younger sister Madalyn. I came to Louisiana Tech University in 2004 after graduating from Lakeside High School. I am a senior with a double major in Forestry and Wildlife Conservation with a minor in Environmental Science. After graduating, I plan to seek a Masters and then a Doctorate degree in Forest Ecology with a concentration on Hardwood Management. I am very excited about my future and hope that I can make an important contribution to the productivity of our nation’s dynamic forests.
Why Tech and Forestry/Wildlife Conservation?
I chose Louisiana Tech because it is the perfect distance from my home. Tech is just far enough from home to give me independence, while still allowing me to visit my family as often as I like. I also had several family members and close family friends, who attended Louisiana Tech, recommend that I further my education here. I found that every faculty and administrative staff member at Louisiana Tech were very helpful and considerate which also made this school more attractive.
I chose Forestry and Wildlife Conservation as my degrees because I am an avid outdoorsman and would like to have a job that will allow me to work outdoors. I enjoy both hunting and fishing, but I also understand that these animals and their habitats require the respect and assistance of man to remain for the next generation. There is much to be learned about forest ecology and the proper management of the nation’s forests. I hope that I can shed light on these and other challenges in the future.
Mentors
Through my student career, I have found that all my Forestry and Wildlife Conservation professors have helped me in their own unique way. They all instilled valuable knowledge within me that I will carry throughout my career in Forestry and Wildlife Conservation. They have been both a source of guidance and an endless supply of knowledge. Also, all of the members of the Forestry Office Staff have played an important role in keeping me on track and answering the endless questions I have for them. They have always met me with a generous smile every time I have opened the office doors. Though I owe so much too so many faculty members of the Forestry Department, I would have to say that four professors have been the most influential in my academic studies and on my future career goals. These men have not only been my educators, but also I consider them friends. I would like to personally thank the following four men for their assistance while I’ve been at Louisiana Tech University: Dr. Jim Dickson for the endless supply of wildlife information, Dr. Jim Dyer for identifying any tree that I may bring in his office, Dr. Mark Gibson for keeping me on track academically, and Dr. Bill Patterson for allowing me to assist in scientific research procedures.
Favorite Quote
"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people."
— Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Laura Kim Hobbs - 2006 Wildlife Conservation Featured Student
About Me
My name is Laura Kim Hobbs and I am a Senior at Louisiana Tech University. I am double majoring in Wildlife Conservation and Elementary Education with a minor in Geographic Informational Science. I am the daughter of Daryl and Jenny Hobbs. I graduated from Mt. Olive Christian School in 2001.
My time at Tech
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at Louisiana Tech University. I chose Louisiana Tech University for many reasons, but the main one being how extremely friendly everyone is here. The professors, secretaries and students of the Forestry/Wildlife Department have always been extremely friendly, helpful and encouraging. I have never heard a discouraging word from anyone in the department which has allowed me to always feel comfortable asking questions. The knowledge and friendship that I have gained from my time here at Tech is irreplaceable.
Mentor
To say that I have only one mentor is impossible because I feel that I have gained something from each person that I meet. There are always things to learn from each other, and I have been blessed to have met some of the best people around including Dr. Adams, Dr. Dyer, Dr. Dickson, Dr. Newbold, Dr. Patterson, Dr. Long, Dr. Mills, Dr. Holley, Dr. Ross, Mrs. Andrea Green, and Mrs. Mary Anne Sandiford. Just to name a few. If I had to name one person that has helped me through college, I would have to thank my late-cousin-Marty Hobbs. Last thing he made me promise was to finish college and that is what I plan to do. Not only have his words of encouragement carried me through on more than one occasion, but also his way of looking at and embracing things in the most exciting and wonderful way.
Quote
The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
