NEWS

Barbara Reich Freiberg

Louisiana Tech University concluded its 2025 Winter Quarter with commencement on Saturday in the Thomas Assembly Center, handing degrees to 335 new graduates to bring the all-time worldwide total of Tech alumni to 115,768.

Two prominent Tech alumnae helped punctuate the proceedings with enthusiastic speeches, the first from Louisiana State Representative Barbara Reich Freiberg.

Freiberg spoke to the graduates and their friends and family in attendance about the quality of her Tech education and how the University prepared her for her career and her life. She emphasized that Tech taught her about the importance of commitment and explained to the students that their support systems and the University’s commitment to them is reflected in the dedication they’ve shown in pursuit of their degrees.

“As you step into the real world, commitment will be the cornerstone upon which you’ll build your future,” Freiberg said. “So, I would suggest five principles for a committed life:

“First, commit to setting clear goals and believing in yourself … Secondly, commit to embracing lifelong learning … Next, commit to cultivating resilience … Commit to leading with integrity … Fifth, commit to serving your community.”

She also took a moment to herald women’s sports icon and founding mother of the Lady Techsters Sonja Hogg for embodying these ideals. Hogg was in attendance to receive the University’s Tower Medallion.

Sonja Hogg is awarded the Tower Medallion

Hogg was presented with the Tower Medallion during the ceremony by Tech President Jim Henderson and CEO of the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association Heath Tims. The award recognizes exceptional individuals who have brought honor not only to themselves but to the institution and provides permanent recognition in the Louisiana Tech University Hall of Distinguished Alumni. The medallion, first given in 1977, is reserved for alumni who have distinguished themselves by exceptional achievement, community service, and humanitarian activities.

Following a series of tales from the early days of the Techsters, including why she made the strategic decision to avoid the “Lady Dogs” moniker, Coach Hogg addressed graduates directly and left them with a simple and empowering phrase delivered with old-ball-coach enthusiasm: “Go kill it.”

The graduates in attendance were bid congratulations and farewell by the friends, family, faculty, and staff in the Thomas Assembly Center, along with beloved bulldog Tech XXII, who decided the ideal place to be was in the arms of President Henderson as the ceremony concluded.