Pineville, La. (UrbanCast: 10/3/2026) – On a night designed to celebrate its history and legacy, Louisiana Christian University’s first-ever Presidential Gala was a testimony to all that has been good and right with the institution over its first 120 years.
The Gala, held at the Alexandria Convention Center Thursday night and attended by more than 300 people, was designed to honor this year’s Sports Hall of Fame inductees and Distinguished Alumni honorees, but made an even greater statement about the meaning of school to the community.
“One of the things I’m finding out as the president of this university is the heart of the institution,” said Dr. Mark Johnson. “When I hear stories about Louisiana Christian University, very seldom are there dry eyes. There’s something about what this place means to so many, and we are honored to be able to carry this legacy forward.”
The importance of LCU may have been stated the best by Distinguished Alum Lance Maxwell of the Class of 2000. Now the deputy chief of staff for Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Maxwell said he would not be where he is had it not been for LCU and its professors. He said attending LCU was the defining moment of his professional career.
“I want you to know that as I travel with the governor around this great state, I have learned that this place travels with you,” Maxwell said. “A diploma from LC means something, and it opens doors. It’s respected in courtrooms, hospitals, and yes, even the state capitol. Just ask my good buddy, Speaker Pro Tempore, Mike Johnson, who always represents LCU in a first-class way.”
Johnson, a Republican who represents Louisiana House of Representatives District 27, is also an LCU graduate. His wife, Sheila Thompson Johnson, is a member of both the Louisiana College and Louisiana Sports Halls of Fame. Mike Johnson was one of several local political leaders at the event and was joined by Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy and State Senator Jay Luneau (D-29).
But the night truly belonged to the six men and women honored for their contributions to the university past and present.
Alonzo “Buzz” Kelley is considered part of the Class of 1957, but during the ceremony, Dr. Johnson noted that Kelley was actually three credits shy of a bachelor’s degree in music. No longer. Johnson and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Natalie Maxie, conferred on Kelley an honorary degree, a move that brought a standing ovation for the Pineville native who devoted his professional career to serving Louisiana’s elderly through the ownership and operation of long-term care facilities.
As a pioneer in the nursing home industry in Central Louisiana, Kelley combined sound business leadership with a commitment to compassionate care for older adults. In a video, Kelley recalled his time as a student.
“After seeing some of the other universities and what the students were doing there, it makes me so thankful for the Christian education I had,” he said. “Being able to attend Louisiana Christian University is something that not many people realize what an opportunity it is. I was fortunate enough to be able to do that.”
Another honoree who split his professional career between education and the nursing home industry was Tommy Bankston. Also a member of the class of 1957, Bankston played football and baseball at LC. He was inducted into the university’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
Bankston served as principal of Winnfield Senior High School from 1950-1975 and superintendent of Winn Parish Schools from 1975-1980, before entering the nursing home industry. In 1986, Bankston became managing partner and president of Care One Management Company, which owned and operated eight nursing facilities in north Louisiana. He also served as president of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association from 1998-2000.
Bankston came to LC in 1953 on an athletic scholarship but said the school’s Christ-centered focus made a bigger impact on him.
“Louisiana College taught me the privilege of attending a university that taught Christianity,” he said. “To me, it’s the best college in the state of Louisiana. It’s protective. It takes care of the students. I never had a professor that when I asked to give me some help, they wouldn’t do it. Christ is alive. His resurrection is a fact, and His tomb is empty. Thank God for what He’s done for me and my family and for Louisiana College leading the way for me.”
The final Distinguished Alum was Debbie Curtis Eutsler. Her family name brings a long legacy and connection to LCU. As one of five children of John and Merle Curtis, the founders of John Curtis Christian School in River Ridge, Louisiana, Eutsler came to LCU as a junior in 1973. She served as Miss Louisiana College in 1974. After graduating, Eutsler has spent her career in education and is currently the Lower School Principal at John Curtis.
“For over 40 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving children,” she said. “I see individual children, each with their own gifts, challenges, dreams and purposes. My prayer has always been that my students would see Christ in me, not simply in what I say, but in how I live and how I love them.
“When I look at that young girl who arrived at Louisiana College in 1973, I could never have imagined where this journey would take me.”
The final two honorees from Thursday were the latest members of the Louisiana Christian University Sports Hall of Fame, former softball star Savannah Settle Davis and former women’s basketball coach Jason Tinsley.
Settle Davis played on the Wildcat softball team from 2015-2018 and was a First Team All-ASC selection for all four years. She finished her career with a 56-32 record. During the ceremony, Settle Davis thanked her parents, grandparents, teammates and coaches. Among that last group was former assistant coach Jay Barber, who died earlier this year.
“I don’t even know how to properly put into words what you meant to me,” Settle Davis said of Barber. “You were one of my biggest cheerleaders, supporters, mentors and coaches. I learned so many lessons from you, not just about softball but about life. I would do anything… to listen to the story I’ve probably heard five times before. I try to remember you every time I step on the field as a coach.
“I know this honor has my name on it, but it belongs to every person who has believed in me, encouraged me, challenged me, prayed for me, coached me, cheered me on, and simply showed it when I needed them.”
Another highlight of the night was the induction of Tinsley, who coached the LCU women’s basketball program from 2010 to 2014. He was introduced by his son, Landon, currently a sophomore at Anacoco High School where Tinsley now serves as head coach.
During his time with the Wildcats, Tinsley’s teams won 78% of their games, as he compiled an 89-25 record. LC won three American Southwest Conference East Division Championships, qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament three times, and he guided the program to its first NCAA DIII Tournament win.
However, the circumstance that led to Tinsley’s arrival at LC was not lost on him during his acceptance speech. He paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Janice Joseph-Richard. As a former All-American player at LC, Joseph-Richard had returned to her alma mater and guided the Wildcats to a conference championship in 2010. Just a few months later, she was diagnosed with her third case of breast cancer. She died on December 1, only a few weeks after Tinsley had succeeded her. Tinsley, with the help of his wife Sonia, who served as an assistant coach and is currently the coordinator of LCU’s Department of Health and Exercise Science, was able to guide the women’s team through its greatest challenge.
“Usually when you take a job over, it’s during the lean years,” an emotional Tinsley said. “She had taken over during the tough times and did an outstanding job of recruiting and creating a culture where there was talent3ëe4. All those things were in place. I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. What I had to do was not mess it up.”
In creating his own legacy, Tinsley has had several players who played for him then become successful high school coaches now.
“I had 18 years of coaching men and boys,” Tinsley said. “Told them, I’d coach them like I coached the boys. That if I coached them any other way, they’d be insulted.”
The Presidential Gala also marked the start of the university’s 5-year capital campaign to Restore, Rebuild and Reimagine, a vision of LCU President Johnson.
“The purpose is to strengthen the campus and prepare the next generation of students for lives of purpose and service,” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Beth Palmer.
A $1.2 million grant was given to LCU to start the capital campaign, which has a goal of raising $12 million.
Source: LCU Author: Al Quartemont
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