NEWS

Scholarship established in memory of former geology professor

Oct 12, 2016 | Applied and Natural Sciences

Louisiana Tech University’s College of Applied and Natural Sciences and School of Biological Sciences has established a scholarship in honor of Dr. Gary Zumwalt, former professor of geology at Louisiana Tech, who passed away on December 21, 2015.
Dr. Gary Zumwalt

Dr. Gary Zumwalt


The scholarship was established by former Louisiana Tech professors Dr. Scott Burns, Dr. Ron Davenport and Dr. Maureen Hillard, who were former colleagues of Zumwalt, Zumwalt’s widow, Diane, and the Louisiana Tech School of Biological Sciences.  The scholarship is designed to support undergraduate and graduate students who shared Zumwalt’s passion for the environment, geology, and evolution.  Scholarship awards will be presented annually to at a minimum of two students who demonstrate the desire to pursue a career in one of these fields through their course involvement, extracurricular activities, outside employment and participation in faculty-lead research projects.
A dedicated educator, husband and father, Zumwalt was well-respected and admired at Louisiana Tech with educational and research activities that included leading interesting and challenging Geology Field Camps in Colorado, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana, and educational trips on research boats at LUMCON.
“Gary was passionate about helping students learn to excel in school and wrote and published the ‘EZ Study Method’ pamphlet that helped countless students improve their note taking and study skills,” said Burns.
Outside of Louisiana Tech, Zumwalt spent time with his wife, children and grandchildren, enjoying the outdoors through photography, fishing, kayaking and canoeing.  He also enjoyed camping with his family and was an avid woodworker, who enjoyed building kayaks and furniture.
“Dr. Zumwalt had a tremendous influence on Louisiana Tech, the faculty and the students who met him,” said Dr. Bill Campbell, director of the School of Biological Sciences.  “We hope that this scholarship will help to maintain that positive impact for future generations of students.”
To donate to the Gary Zumwalt Scholarship in Environmental Science and Evolution, please make your check payable to Louisiana Tech Foundation, with the designation that it is for the Zumwalt Scholarship Fund, and send to P.O. Box 3183, Ruston, LA 71272.  For more information, contact the offices of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation at 255-7950.