Trawick stresses importance of relationships at Louisiana Tech’s winter commencement
Above, Louisiana Tech president Les Guice addresses graduates at the winter commencement held at the Thomas Assembly Center Saturday, with Tower Medallion recipients Lue and Beck Napper sitting to his right. Left, speaker R. Steen Trawick Jr. delivers a message of the importance of relationships as Tech grads go off into the world. Photos by Emerald McIntyre
Louisiana Tech conferred degrees to 331 in the university’s Winter 2023 Commencement ceremonies, held in the Thomas Assembly Center Saturday.
T. Steen Trawick Jr., a 1991 Tech graduate in Biological Sciences and CEO of CHRISTUS Shreveport- Bossier Health System since 2019, advised Tech’s newest alumni to value relationships more than money and prestige and to make servanthood a priority.
“I’ve spent time with many people as they were dying, and no one, not a single one, has ever told me they wish they’d spent more time at the office, or made more money,” Trawick said. “Cherish the ones you love and your opportunities to serve. Life is a journey. Yours is beginning now. So buckle up, hold on, because it’s a fun ride.”
He also suggested that the newest members of Tech’s alumni family remember and realize the importance of this once-in-a-lifetime day.
“Tell someone ‘thank you’ today. Give them a hug,” he said. “ Tell them you love them for supporting you through this. Have fun and celebrate the day.”
During the ceremony, Becky and Lue Napper were recognized with the University’s highest honor, the Tower Medallion. The Tower Medallion signifies membership in the Hall of Distinguished Alumni and is awarded to Tech alumni who have made a difference with their exceptional achievement, community service, and humanitarian activities.
The Hall of Distinguished Alumni was established in 1977.
The Nappers met while at Tech, were engaged as students in 1969, graduated from Tech together in 1970, and were married in January 1971. Ever since, the couple have been both fierce supporters of the University’s goals and vision and loyal servants in the community.
The Nappers initiated The Marbury Lecture Series in 2006, provided funds for a special lab in Tech’s College of Education, helped finance the Walk of Honor in Aillet Fieldhouse, continue to support the Marbury Scholarships through the Tech Foundation, and much more.
The Nappers have one son, Lomax. He and his wife, Sandy, live in Ruston with their son, Camdyn, who is an eighth-grader at Cedar Creek.
Lomax Napper is an instructor in the College of Education.
