- Department: Civil Engineering
- University: Louisiana Tech University
- Location: Homer, Louisiana
Jesus is the Hero of my life story. I grew up feeling genuinely loved and encouraged. Of course, I got disciplined plenty when I fouled up, and I recall my dad in particular saying "this hurts me more than it hurts you". I believed him. Turns out while raising my two sons I have had the same feelings. I think Jesus feels the same way. Maybe that is too simplistic since He is God and I am not. Anyway, I graduated high school, went to America's First Engineering College, married my high school sweetheart, served in the Army for 22+ years as an Airborne Ranger Infantryman, worked in an engineering firm for a couple of years, and then as a senior lecturer. Several of my military years were spent in higher education. I am now retired from higher education. I enjoyed working with college students who are getting ready for the next phase in their lives. All along the way, Jesus has been my Hero, disciplining and discipling me. I have noticed it's easier when I cooperate.
Favorite Quote
That's tough to narrow down to a single favorite. I'm going to share two. They're both from real people God used to shape me in a positive way. They could shape you, too. “What you tolerate, you condone.” “You’ve got a lot of potential. Use it.” Colonel (Retired) Cole Kingseed was one of my battalion commanders in the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. I was asked for advice recently by one of my current students who is an ROTC Cadet serving as a platoon leader. He said he’s having trouble deciding when he should speak up to his squad leaders if he sees them doing something wrong. I told him “every time”. I shared advice a wise battalion commander taught me that if you see something wrong and don’t make a correction, you’ve just set a new standard. “What you tolerate, you condone.” I told him to be sure to speak up when he sees subordinates doing something right, of course. The best leaders do both well. Pat Wright was a wood shop teacher and a football coach of mine in junior high school. He signed my yearbook with, “You’ve got a lot of potential, Jeff. Use it.” It stung a little because I knew he knew I was not striving for excellence at that time in my life. Instead, I was settling for mediocrity. He pushed me to greater heights. I think of Coach Wright often as I continue to strive to measure up to what he saw in me.
Friends describe me
as not fitting the mold of a stereotypical engineer
My hobbies
spending time with family
Fantasy dinner guests
Is dinner the evening meal or the noon meal?
Best advice I ever received
Be strong and courageous. Never quit. Persevere.
My undergrad alma mater
US Military Academy at West Point, NY
In college I drove
I didn't have a car until I graduated. Then my wife and I used her car until it blew up. She bought a new one for us when I was in Ranger school at Fort Benning, GA.
If I weren't a professor, I would
be a stand up comedian
Favorite books
Don't Give The Enemy A Seat At Your Table, It's Time To Win The Battle Of Your Mind... Louie Giglio
Favorite movies
inspirational ones like Saving Private Ryan that remind us of great sacrifices made for all of us
Favorite city
Arizona community between Homer and Lisbon, Louisiana
Favorite coffee
Stars & Stripes Java, Reveille Blend, 50% of all profits go to Semper Fi & America’s Fund to benefit our combat wounded, critically ill, and catastrophically injured members of ALL branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families
Nobody knows I
am an introvert
My latest accomplishment
Marriage. Since 1985. First date with my bride was February 13, 1981. Still glad the Valentine's Day Dance got cancelled to encourage us to cheer on our high school basketball team. Otherwise, my date would have discovered I can't dance. She might not have gone out on a second date with me!
Current Research
How wide, long, high, and deep God's love truly is for me. From the Bible's book of Ephesians Chapter 3, verses 16 through 19. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19, New International Version, Holy Bible