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W.E. "Billy" Laird "I arrived on campus in May of 1954. NLSC was a great place for a good old country boy."

What all were you involved in and/or where did you work while at the University? "I was hired to work in Athletics in the Health and PE department and I also worked off campus for the B.S.U."

Favorite place on campus: "My favorite place on campus was the Student Union Building. It was a great place to visit with friends and, of course, see all the NLSC co-eds."

How Billy's time here impacted his life: "My many years involved with NLSC, NLU, and ULM greatly impacted my life in more ways than I can mention here."  

Favorite memories: "The two top memories I have are (1) beating Louisiana Tech in 1956 by a score of 7-0 (I caught the winning touchdown pass) and (2) meeting my wonderful wife of 54 years (and not necessarily in that order – ha!)" 

What is Billy doing now? "I am chasing my grandchildren, my great grandchildren and doing yard work. I make it to as many ULM events as I can."

Anything else you want to share? "ULM has been a wonderful experience for me and my family."


Contact Billy at: 318-343-4463 or blaird1935@bayou.com.

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Coach Mike Vining "I arrived as a student in the fall of 1962. There were lots of buildings being built – NLU was really growing and I loved the atmosphere. I was hired in 1978 as an assistant basketball coach – so much had changed since my arrival in 1962. "

What all were you involved in and/or where did you work while at the university? “As a student, I played basketball for Coach Lenny Fant, and I played baseball for Coach George Luffey and Coach Bill Dotson.

As an employee, I coached basketball with Coach Fant and Coach Benny Hollis and became head coach in July of 1981."

Favorite place on campus: "As a student, I enjoyed hanging out in the SUB – it was a great place to visit with other students and hangout in between classes. I enjoyed bowling and playing pool.

As an employee, it was the basketball coliseum. I enjoyed practice and the games, it was a great place to be and there was always so much going on."

How Mike's time here impacted his life: "As a student, I learned to work and interact with many different kinds of people. This set the stage for the rest of my life. I have met many of my best friends through my connection with ULM.

As an employee, the university was my life. I dealt with so many people all over campus while coaching and received so much help from everyone."

Favorite memory: "As a student I enjoyed playing on the teams which won conference championships in both basketball and baseball.

As a coach, our first NCAA appearance for the university when we played Iowa and Lute Olsen was their coach. "

What is Mike doing now? "I retired from coaching in 2005 after 27 years at NLU/ULM. I went back to work for ULM in athletics. Sammy and I have been married since 1975 and we have two daughters Heather Kinney and Robin Meeks and one son, Todd. I spend time with my 2 granddaughters Avery Meeks and Nola Kinney."


Anything else you want to share? "I enjoy attending ULM events, riding cutting horses, and spoiling my granddaughters. I can now watch basketball games and go to sleep when I get home."

Contact Mike at: 318-343-8815 or vining@ulm.edu.

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Martha Ann Madden "I arrived as the Dean of Women in September of 1967. I was the youngest Dean in the South at that time and was very excited to be a part of this wonderful university."

What all were you involved in and/or where did you work while at the University? "I was involved with all of the sororities, most all student groups, and the dorms / dorm organizations."

Favorite place on campus: "I enjoyed working with the dorms and with the great staff I had."

How Martha's time here impacted her life: "Dr. George Walker, University President, was a great University President. I learned much from him as to how to be a good administrator. I hope I had a chance to impact a lot of lives during the time I was Dean. The student body nearly doubled during that time."  

Favorite memories: "I enjoyed seeing the students graduate and seeing them mature from their freshman to senior year." 

What is Martha doing now? "I am President of Madden Associates, LLC for the last five years. Please go to: www.mmaddenassociates.com for more on what I’m up to!"

Contact "Dean" Madden at: 202-328-1585 or mmadden@arcadiaassociates.com.