Louisiana Tech University facts for kids
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Former name
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Industrial Institute and College of Louisiana (1894–1898) Louisiana Industrial Institute (1898–1921) Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (1921–1970) |
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| Type | Public research university |
| Established | 1894 |
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Parent institution
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University of Louisiana System |
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Academic affiliations
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Space-grant |
| Endowment | $117.9 million (2021) |
| Budget | $140.0 million (2021) |
| President | James B. "Jim" Henderson |
| Students | 11,084 |
| Undergraduates | 10,183 |
| Postgraduates | 990 |
| Location |
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United States
32°31′39″N 92°38′51″W / 32.52750°N 92.64750°W |
| Campus | Rural college town, 1,774 acres (7.18 km2) |
| Colors | Blue and Red |
| Nickname | Bulldogs and Lady Techsters |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I FBS – CUSA |
| Mascot | Champ & Tech |
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Louisiana Tech University (often called Louisiana Tech or just Tech) is a public university in Ruston, Louisiana, USA. It is a place where students can do a lot of research. The university is part of the University of Louisiana System.
Louisiana Tech first opened in 1894. Back then, it was called the Industrial Institute and College of Louisiana. Its main goal was to teach students about arts and sciences. This helped Louisiana grow its industries after the Civil War. In 1898, its name changed to Louisiana Industrial Institute. Then, in 1921, it became Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. This new name showed that it was growing into a bigger technology school. In the 1960s, the school welcomed students of all races. Finally, in 1970, it became Louisiana Tech University. This new name showed it was a full research university.
In Fall 2018, Louisiana Tech had over 12,000 students. They studied in five different colleges. Besides the main campus in Ruston, Louisiana Tech also has classes in other cities. These include Shreveport, Bossier City, and Monroe.
Louisiana Tech has 16 sports teams that compete in NCAA Division I. They are part of Conference USA. The university is famous for its Bulldogs football team. Its Lady Techsters women's basketball team is also very well-known. They won three national championships in 1981, 1982, and 1988. They also reached the Final Four 13 times!
Contents
History of Louisiana Tech
How the University Started
Before Louisiana Tech, there was a school called Ruston College. It was started in the 1880s by a pastor named W. C. Friley. This school lasted for seven years. It had about 250 students each year.
In 1894, local leaders in Lincoln Parish wanted to create a regional industrial school. A state representative named George M. Lomax helped make this happen. On July 6, 1894, a new law created "The Industrial Institute and College of Louisiana." This school was for teaching white children about arts and sciences.
In 1894, Colonel Arthur T. Prescott became the first president. He helped build the first main building. It was a brick building with classrooms, an auditorium, and labs. Another building was built for teaching mechanics. The school opened on September 23, 1895. It had six teachers and 202 students.
The first student to graduate was Harry Howard in 1897. He received a Bachelor of Industry degree. The first official graduation ceremony was held the next year.
In 1898, the school's name changed to Louisiana Industrial Institute. Over the years, the courses became more advanced. In 1921, the school's name changed again to Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. People often called it "Louisiana Tech" for short.
Growing the Campus
The first Main Building, also called Old Main, burned down in 1936. But its columns still stand behind the library. A new administration building was finished in 1937. It was first named Leche Hall, but later renamed Keeny Hall. It honors a former university president, J. E. Keeny.
Louisiana Polytechnic Institute grew a lot in 1939 and 1940. Seven new buildings were designed by architect Edward F. Neild. These included dorms for boys and girls, a dining hall, an engineering building, and an auditorium.
During World War II, Louisiana Polytechnic Institute was one of many colleges that helped train Navy students. This program helped students become Navy officers.
After the war, old army barracks were used to build the student union and bookstore. Students called it the "Tonk." This building was replaced later, but the nickname stuck.
In 1959, the first master's degrees were given out by the school.
Becoming a University
In 1962, Foster Jay Taylor became the 12th President. During his 25 years, he helped Louisiana Polytechnic Institute become Louisiana Tech University. The number of students grew from about 3,000 to 12,000. The first African-American students were admitted in 1965.
Many modern buildings on campus were built or updated during President Taylor's time. This includes sports facilities like Joe Aillet Stadium and the Thomas Assembly Center. The 16-story Wyly Tower, the Student Bookstore, and new dorms were also built.
President Taylor also started the Lady Techster sports teams in 1974. He hired Sonja Hogg as the first women's basketball coach. Under Coach Hogg and Leon Barmore, the Lady Techsters won three national championships in the 1980s.
The first doctorate degree was given in 1971. It was a PhD in chemical engineering.
In 1992, Louisiana Tech became a "selective admissions" university. This means it has higher standards for students to get in. The university has raised its admission requirements several times since 2000.
Louisiana Tech is known for its high graduation and student retention rates. It has one of the highest graduation rates among public universities in Louisiana. It also has a very good rate of freshmen who stay at the school after their first year.
Louisiana Tech was the first in the world to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in nanosystems engineering in 2007. In 2012, it also started the nation's first cyber engineering degree.
By May 2017, Louisiana Tech had given out over 100,900 degrees.
Campus Life and Buildings
Louisiana Tech University is located in Ruston, Louisiana. Major roads like Tech Drive and California Avenue are near the campus. Interstate 20 is also close by. A set of railroad tracks runs through the campus.
The campus has different areas. West of Tech Drive are most of the sports facilities. East of Tech Drive are the Lambright Intramural Center and University Park Apartments. Older dorms are near California Avenue. The oldest part of campus is south of the railroad. The Enterprise Campus is a newer area for research.
Louisiana Tech also owns other land. This includes farm land, forest land, and a golf course. It also has a Flight Operations Center at the Ruston Regional Airport.
Main Campus Buildings
The Main Campus started in 1894 with just 20 acres and two buildings. Today, it has 280 acres and 86 buildings. Many of the older buildings are built in a style called Colonial Revival. Several buildings, like Bogard Hall and Keeny Hall, are on the National Register of Historic Places.
The oldest building still standing on campus is the Ropp Center. It was built in 1911. It was once the home of seven Louisiana Tech presidents. Now, it's used for special events and housing guests.
The Quadrangle, or "The Quad," is a central part of the older campus. It's a peaceful place with oak trees and benches. In the middle of the Quad is The Lady of the Mist sculpture and fountain. This is a famous landmark for students and alumni. Buildings around the Quad include Keeny Hall and the Wyly Tower of Learning.
Centennial Plaza is another popular spot. It was built in 1994 to celebrate the university's 100th birthday. Students helped pay for it. The plaza is used for events like "Christmas in the Plaza" and movie nights. It's a main gathering spot because it's near restaurants, coffee shops, and student offices. A Clock Tower stands in the center of the plaza. It can play the school's songs.
Louisiana Tech has two main dining halls. The Student Center has a cafeteria, small restaurants like Chick-fil-A, and study areas. There's a bronze bulldog statue inside that students pet for good luck.
Tolliver Hall is the second student center. It was built in the 1920s as a dining hall. In 2003, it was renovated into a modern cyber student center. The second floor has a cyber cafe with computers and restaurants like McAlister's Deli. Student government offices are also here. The first floor is the campus post office.
In recent years, Louisiana Tech has built new buildings and updated old ones. Davison Hall, for the Professional Aviation program, was built. A new Hale Hall was constructed in 2004. Many sports facilities have also been upgraded.
A new College of Business building was completed in 2012. This 42,000-square-foot building has new classrooms, auditoriums, and computer labs. Louisiana Tech also planned a new College of Engineering and Science building next to Bogard Hall.
The campus also has the Idea Place, a science museum. A.E. Phillips Lab School, a K-8 school, is also on campus.
South Campus and Enterprise Campus
South Campus is southwest of the main campus. It covers almost 900 acres. It's home to the School of Agricultural Science and Forestry. It also has the Tech Farm, which sells dairy, meat, and plant products.
The Enterprise Campus is a newer area that started in 2009. It's a green building project for research. It helps connect the Engineering and Business colleges. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) Center is located here.
Tech Pointe was the first building on the Enterprise Campus. It houses the Cyberspace Research Laboratory and high-tech companies. It has access to advanced internet networks for research.
Barksdale Campus
Since 1965, Louisiana Tech has offered degree programs at Barksdale Air Force Base. These programs are mainly for Air Force personnel. But civilians can also take classes if there's space. All courses are taught on base or online.
Academics and Learning
Student Body Overview
As of Fall 2018, Louisiana Tech had over 12,000 students. They came from every parish in Louisiana, 43 U.S. states, and 64 different countries. Most students (85%) are from Louisiana.
The Fall 2016 freshman class had over 2,000 students. They had an average ACT score of 24.7. Many of these students were from Louisiana.
The College of Engineering and Science had the most students in Fall 2015. Other popular colleges included Education, Liberal Arts, Applied and Natural Sciences, and Business.
University Rankings
Louisiana Tech is recognized in many national rankings. U.S. News & World Report ranked Louisiana Tech among the top public universities. Forbes also listed it as a top public college and research university.
Money magazine named Louisiana Tech the best college in Louisiana in 2016. It also ranked high for value, looking at quality, cost, and alumni success. Forbes also ranked it as one of America's best value colleges.
Louisiana Tech has been praised for graduating students with less debt. It was also named one of the "Most Underrated Colleges In America" by Business Insider.
Several of Louisiana Tech's graduate programs are highly ranked. These include programs in Business, Audiology, Biomedical Engineering, Education, and Engineering.
Academic Colleges
Louisiana Tech offers different types of degrees, from associate to doctoral degrees. It has five main academic colleges.
College of Applied and Natural Sciences
This college includes schools for Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Human Ecology, and Nursing. It also has a department for Health Informatics.
College of Business
The College of Business has departments like Economics, Marketing, Management, Accountancy, and Computer Information Systems. It offers many undergraduate degrees. It also has Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Business Administration.
The MBA program has different options, including online and executive programs. The college has been accredited by AACSB International since 1955. This means it meets high standards for business education.
The college also has centers for Information Assurance and Entrepreneurship. It is recognized by the National Security Agency (NSA) for its cyber defense research.
College of Education
The College of Education has been preparing teachers since Louisiana Tech started in 1894. Today, it has three departments: Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership; Kinesiology; and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. They offer many degrees from bachelor's to doctoral levels.
Important parts of this college include A.E. Phillips Laboratory School and The IDEA Place.
College of Engineering and Science
The College of Engineering and Science (COES) is the engineering school at Louisiana Tech. It offers many undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering and science.
The college started in 1894 as the Department of Mechanics. Over time, it added degrees like chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering. It was one of the first schools to offer biomedical engineering in 1972. It also offered the first nanosystems engineering degree in 2005 and the first cyber engineering degree in 2012.
Bogard Hall is the main building for the COES. Other buildings like Nethken Hall and the Biomedical Engineering Building are also used. A new Integrated Engineering and Science Building was completed in 2019. It provides new classrooms and study spaces for students.
College of Liberal Arts
The College of Liberal Arts has nine departments. These include Architecture, Art, History, Journalism, Performing Arts, and Professional Aviation. It offers many bachelor's and master's degrees, plus a doctorate in audiology.
This college also hosts the Louisiana Tech University Honors Program. The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is also part of this college.
Special Centers
- American Foreign Policy Center: This center helps with research in U.S. foreign policy. It also helps people learn about world affairs.
- Joe D. Waggonner Center for Bipartisan Politics and Public Policy: This center helps students learn about politics and public policy. It encourages active community involvement.
Art Galleries The School of Design at Louisiana Tech has two art galleries. They show art from different artists. Their goal is to help students and the community learn about modern art.
Interdisciplinary Centers
Center for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology (CEnIT)
In 2001, Louisiana Tech created the Center for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology (CEnIT). This center works with both the College of Engineering & Science and the College of Business. It helps promote new business ideas and technology.
The Top Dawg Competition is an annual event hosted by the CEnIT. Students compete with their business plans and ideas. Money is awarded to the winning teams.
Online Learning and Partnerships
Global Campus Louisiana Tech started its Global Campus in 2008. This campus offers many online degree programs and courses. It gives more choices to students, including military members and international students.
As of 2011, Global Campus offered over 275 online courses. It had six master's degrees, two bachelor's degrees, and one associate degree available online.
CenturyLink@LaTech In 2011, Louisiana Tech partnered with CenturyLink. This program helps CenturyLink employees get training and degrees in telecommunications and information technology.
Student Life and Activities
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
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| White | 74% |
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| Black | 11% |
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| Unknown | 6% |
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| Hispanic | 5% |
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| International student | 2% |
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| Two or more races | 2% |
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| Asian | 1% |
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| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income | 27% |
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| Affluent | 73% |
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Student Organizations
Louisiana Tech has over 163 student organizations. Students can join groups for student government, media, sports, and more.
The Union Board plans fun events for students all year. These include the Fall Fling, Talent Show, and "Tech the Halls."
The Student Government Association (SGA) is the official student governing body. They organize events like Welcome Week and Homecoming Week. They also help students with voter registration.
Louisiana Tech and Grambling State University have an ROTC exchange program. Students can join either the Air Force ROTC at Tech or the Army ROTC at Grambling.
Since 2006, Louisiana Tech has hosted a Summer Leadership School. This is for Air Force Junior ROTC cadets from high schools across the U.S.
Campus Media
The Tech Talk was Louisiana Tech's student newspaper from 1926 to 2019. It won many awards for its journalism.
Speak Magazine is Louisiana Tech's student magazine. It has been published every three months since 2014.
The Lagniappe is Tech's yearbook. "Lagniappe" means "something extra." It has been published almost every year since 1905. The yearbook has won awards for its quality.
Louisiana Tech's student radio station is KLPI. It started in 1966. It broadcasts at 4,000 watts of power.
Louisiana TechTV is the student-run TV station. It started in 2000. It shows movies, news, and original student programs.
Student Housing
The newest dorms at Louisiana Tech are Cottingham, Richardson, and Mitchell Halls. These are three-story buildings with different room types. They have separate floors for different genders.
Greek Life
Louisiana Tech has about 20 Greek organizations. These include fraternities and sororities.
Sports Teams
Louisiana Tech has 16 varsity sports teams. They compete in NCAA Division I as part of Conference USA. The men's teams are called the Bulldogs. Most women's teams are also called the Bulldogs, but the women's basketball team is known as the Lady Techsters. The school colors are red and blue. The women's basketball team also uses Columbia blue.
Football Team
Louisiana Tech's football team started in 1901. They have won three National Championships (in 1972, 1973, and 1974). They have also played in 13 major bowl games and won 25 conference titles. Many famous players have come from Tech, including Terry Bradshaw and Fred Dean.
The football team plays in Conference USA. Their home games are at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Men's Basketball Team
The men's basketball team started in 1909. They have won 25 conference titles. They have also played in 6 NCAA tournaments and 9 NIT tournaments.
Three players have had their jersey numbers retired: Leon Barmore, Karl Malone, and Jackie Moreland. Other famous players include Paul Millsap and P. J. Brown.
The Bulldogs play their home games at the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
Women's Basketball Team
The Lady Techsters women's basketball team started in 1974. They have won three national championships (1981, 1982, 1988). They have also won 20 conference championships. They have appeared in 13 Final Fours and 27 NCAA tournaments.
Famous alumni include WNBA All-Stars Teresa Weatherspoon and Betty Lennox. Many coaches from the program have also become very successful.
The team plays their home games at the Thomas Assembly Center.
University Traditions
Lady of the Mist Statue
The Lady of the Mist is a well-known statue on campus. It's a granite sculpture in a fountain in the middle of The Quad. The statue represents "Alma Mater," which means "nurturing mother." It welcomes new students and says goodbye to graduates. It also symbolizes the hope that Tech graduates will achieve their dreams.
The statue was paid for in 1938 by the Women's Panhellenic Association. It was created by Duncan Ferguson and Jules Struppeck. It faces north to welcome everyone to campus.
The statue was repaired in 1985. Today, it's still a special place for students and alumni. New freshmen throw a gold medallion into the fountain to mark their new beginning.
Alumni Brick Walkway
The alumni walkway was built in 1995 for the university's 100th anniversary. It's a path made of bricks that goes through Centennial Plaza. The bricks have the names of alumni engraved on them. The walkway continues towards the student housing apartments. As of March 2022, bricks for the 2020 alumni were laid.
Famous People from Louisiana Tech
Many successful people have graduated from Louisiana Tech.
In business, alumni include Nick Akins, CEO of American Electric Power. Glen Post was the former CEO of CenturyLink. Brothers Charles Wyly and Sam Wyly became billionaires. Phil Robertson, founder of Duck Commander and star of Duck Dynasty, also graduated from Tech. Will Wright, who designed famous video games like The Sims, attended Louisiana Tech.
In arts and entertainment, country music stars Kix Brooks and Trace Adkins are alumni. Faith Jenkins, a former Miss America scholarship winner, hosted the Judge Faith TV show. Marc Swayze, a comic book artist, created the superheroine Mary Marvel.
In public service, former U.S. Senators James P. Pope and Saxby Chambliss attended Tech. Many military leaders are also alumni, including Lieutenant General David Wade. Kim Gandy was president of the National Organization for Women.
In sports, many Tech athletes have become professional stars. Three football players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Terry Bradshaw, Fred Dean, and Willie Roaf. Other famous football players include Matt Stover and Troy Edwards.
Four basketball players and coaches are in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Leon Barmore, Karl Malone, Teresa Weatherspoon, and Kim Mulkey. Other famous basketball players include Paul Millsap and P. J. Brown. Seven Lady Techsters alumni are in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Trace Adkins, recorded three Number One country music hits -
Terry Bradshaw, four-time Super Bowl champion -
Kix Brooks, won more CMA and ACM awards than any act in country music history -
Karl Malone, two-time NBA Most Valuable Player -
Paul Millsap, four-time NBA All-Star -
Phil Robertson, founder of Duck Commander, star on television series Duck Dynasty -
Will Wright, video game designer and creator of The Sims, the best-selling PC game of all time
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See also
In Spanish: Universidad Tecnológica de Luisiana para niños
