We regret to report that Mrs. Ursula E. Coombe Panula passed away Monday, October 5th 2009. We at SCMA extend our condolences to the family in their time of loss. We know that she will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Mrs. Ursula Panula of Ruston recently donated to the Special Collections, Manuscripts and Archives department a very valuable U.N. Stamp collection that her husband, Dr. Gustaf H. Panula collected as a hobby. Dr. Gustaf H. Panula began teaching chemical engineering in 1954. As the years went by, Dr. Panula’s contributions became more valuable to the life of Louisiana Tech University. President Dan Reneau was one of the many engineering students taught by Dr. Panula. Mrs. Ursula Panula shared with me that she felt compelled to donate the United Nation’s stamp collection owned by Dr. Panula to Louisiana Tech University because of the respect she felt for Dr. Dan Reneau. President Dan Reneau states, “Dr. Panula was an icon of a teacher. He was dedicated to both his profession and his students and we loved him.”
Dr. Gustaf Panula, a chemical engineering professor, came to Louisiana Tech directly from the University of Colorado where he received his Ph.D.
Fifty years after Dr. Panula began teaching at Louisiana Tech University another priceless contribution has been made to the University. The department of Special Collections, Manuscripts and Archives is now the home of the Panula United Nations Stamp Collection. The staff is honored to work with and exhibit such an impressive collection.
The collection is in mint condition and includes thirty-nine different stamps ranging in years from 1951 through 1957. The stamps are on exhibit in the reading room of the Department of Special Collections, Manuscripts and Archives.
By Peggy Carter
 |
| Loading |
