Northwestern Honors Professors Emeriti

Northwestern State University’s College of Science, Technology and Business recognized four former professors during a ceremony Monday.  Named Professors Emeriti were Dr. Tom Hall, Dr. Wayne Hyde, Dr. Bill Shaw and the late Dr. Ed Anders.  In a ceremony attended by colleagues and family members, the four were lauded for their leadership and accomplishments inside and outside the classroom. 

“We honor people all of us hold in high esteem, those who have given a great part of their lives to the university,” said NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb.

Anders, honored posthumously, was a professor of mathematic for 18 years.  After earning degrees from Louisiana Tech University, Northwestern State, Penn State and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Auburn University, he joined the faculty at NSU in 1967.  He served as the university’s budget officer for three years and was active in the Faculty Senate and numerous academic and community organizations.   He retired from Northwestern State in 1985.

He was a member of the American Mathematical Association for 45 years as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Louisiana System from 1997-2001.  Anders was a retiredlieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and served as a liaison officer for the Air Force Academy.

Anders passed away Dec. 26, 2010.  His widow, Jolene Anders, accepted the honor on his behalf. 

Hall was professor and head of the Department of Engineering Technology from 2000 until his retirement in 2011, during which time he was the driving force behind achieving accreditation for the Department from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and developed a concentration in biomedical engineering technology.  He joined the faculty at Northwestern Statein 1995 after having served active duty in the U.S. Army since 1969, reaching the rank of colonel.  He also received the Purple Heart.  Hall earned his bachelor’s degree at the United States Military Academy at West Point, a master’s degree in electrical engineering at Stanford University and a Ph.D. in educational technology at Northwestern State.

"What I appreciate most is the permanent attachment this gives me to NSU and my friends here,” Hall said. 

Hyde earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at North Texas State College and a Ph.D. at Tulane University.  He joined Northwestern State’s faculty as an assistant chemistry professor in 1962 and was promoted over the years to full professor and head of the Department of Chemistry and Physics from 1979-1985. He served as coordinator of the Department of Chemistry and Physics during the 1997-98 school year.  He was an active participant in JOVE program, a joint venture NASA, serving as advisor and mentor for many years.

“Dr. Hyde educated and prepared many young people for careers in the medical profession,” Webb said.  “He is well-respected by his peers around the state for his excellent reputation for fine teaching.”

“I enjoyed greatly my time at NSU,” Hyde said.

Shaw joined the Northwestern State faculty in 1965 and was professor and coordinator of Industrial Technology from 1989-1996 and department head from 1984-89.  In 1982, he was the coordinator and editor of the report for accreditation to the National Association of Industrial Technology.   After earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts education at Northwestern State in 1954, Shaw served in the U.S. Army for two years, then earned a master’s degree in industrial education from the University of Missouri in 1960.  He received his doctorate in industrial education and business management from the University of Missouri in 1964.

“Thank you to the folks that initiated my nomination,” Shaw said.  “This institution is part of my family.  I started here in 1950 and at that time, five members of my family were here as students, plus my sister, Dr. Marie Shaw Dunn, who was an administrator in Home Economics.”

Currently, five of Shaw’s grandchildren are students and his son and daughter-in-law serve on faculty, he said. 

“You are my family and I appreciate every one of you,” he said.