Hall Family Scholarship aims to assist women and minorities seeking careers in ET

NATCHITOCHES - Dr. Tom and Katy Hall, formerly of Natchitoches, established an endowed scholarship at Northwestern State University that will benefit students pursing degrees in the Department of Engineering Technology. The two hope the gift will enable women and minorities who are underrepresented in the engineering profession to be success in pursuing careers in engineering and technology.

Dr. Tom Hall served as head of the Department for 10 years while Katy Hall served in multiple departments around campus.

"We hope the recipients are motivated to do well in their studies in engineering technology and seek productive employment or continuing education upon graduation," Dr. Hall said.

The Halls arrived at NSU in 1995 after 26 years in the U.S. Army and continued service to NSU until retirement in 2010.

Katy Hall worked in the Registrar's Office, the Department of Mathematics and Electronic and Continuing Education. During that time, the CALL program was established in ECE and Mrs. Hall was one of the first advocates for advising and encouraging students who were returning to college after several years.

"She set up processes to stay in contact with those needing the most help," Dr. Hall said.

Dr. Hall served on faculty in the Department of Engineering Technology, the last 10 years as head of the department. As a new faculty member, he was instrumental in helping the department to attain accreditation. He earned an Excellence in Teaching Award and was named Professor Emeritus in 2012.

"When I was head of the department, we created the industrial engineering technology program, which also received ABET (the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation. Later, we started a concentration within the EET program for biomedical engineering technology," Dr. Hall said.

Since retiring, the Halls have traveled extensively. They enjoy river cruises and, since COVID, Dr. Hall has taken up photography. They recently returned from a photo safari in Zimbabwe.

Dr. Hall continues to serve with ABET, the accrediting body for engineering and technology. He has been involved with ABET since 2001 and has progressed from program evaluator to commissioner to member of the executive committee. He was the chair of the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission from 2019-2020 and regularly goes out as a program evaluator, team chair or trainer.

Information on the Department of Engineering Technology is available at https://www.nsula.edu/engrtech/.

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