With so many exceptional students and teachers continuously recognized during the last few months of the year for excellent achievement in their respective fields, one college, whose students and teachers are equally as impressive and worthy of honor, seems to continuously be overlooked.

The College of Liberal Arts, home to many outstanding departments such as aviation and architecture, needs to be mentioned for its longstanding tradition of acknowledging a broad variety of outstanding faculty and students, and whose research engages the interest of fellow liberal arts teachers and students, as well as the rest of the Tech family and Ruston community.

Dr. Edward Jacobs, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and Bill Willoughby, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, need to be commended for their focus on student scholars.

The 29th annual Liberal Arts Research Symposium held last Thursday, recognized 24 outstanding students from the schools and departments in the College of Liberal Arts. Jacobs said the symposium showcased the diverse resource areas of the College of Liberal Arts and aroused general interest from the liberal arts faculty.

Tech, even in its expansion, also does a great job of recognizing outstanding students. From crawfish boils to formal recognition, Tech honors its very essence: outstanding students.

“It is a rare occasion to highlight students involved in so many different aspects of outstanding academic performance,” Jacobs said, “and to also recognize many students who display their talents in a public arena because of many students’ involvement in aspects of society.”

Willoughby said this year’s keynote speaker, Frank Hollon, is a Tech alumnus and an excellent example of what graduating students from the College of Liberal Arts should aspire to be.

“After graduating from Tech, Hollon received a law degree from Tulane and went on to begin a very successful practice in Alabama,” Willoughby said. “He has had several books published and continues to write while continuing his law practice.”

Jacobs said the showcased students’ aspirations ranged from hopes of doing mission work while applying veterinary skills in third world countries to attending law school or working in an architecture firm.

“One student recognized for drama started at Tech as the place kicker for the football team,” Jacobs said. “Now he is a student success for the theater department and hopes to pursue a professional career in acting.”

Through the efforts of Jacobs, Willoughby, the College of Liberal Arts and all the academic colleges, students recognized for their accomplishments are what make Tech what it is yesterday, today and tomorrow.