CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE
by Norm Miller
An idea that began with the discovery of a social media post originating in Montana has quickly flown south to Louisiana and nested in the heart of Dr. Natalie Maxey, Assistant Professor of Engineering at Louisiana College. Using a 3D printer in the school’s engineering lab, Maxey began on Wednesday, March 25, making frames for the protective face shields that are in demand by hospitals and clinics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maxey, who was looking for an opportunity to help, jumped in without hesitation. “My sister is a doctor, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her running short of what she needed to protect herself.” All health care workers are somebody’s loved one, Maxey added, noting that local publicity on social media has fostered numerous companies to fire up their 3D printers and help. “This response represents my vision, because I can’t print the frames as quickly as the hospital needs them,” she said. Based on a Facebook post, Maxey called the President of Louisiana College Dr. Rick Brewer about the project. Brewer called Jason Cobb, FACHE, Rapides Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer. Brewer said LC could produce the much sought-after N-95 face mask – a 4-hour process on the 3D printer. Cobb said that he had an ample supply of those. Exercising foresight, however, Cobb later contacted Brewer, saying the hospital needed about 100 of the face shield frames. Each shield requires 75 minutes to create. “We are thankful to our Louisiana College friends as they use their resources to help our community,” Cobb said. “As our hospital staff continue to care for patients on a daily basis, during a time in our history that’s unlike any we’ve ever known, it’s reassuring to know that community partners and friends are working with us to make sure we have everything we need to provide the best care possible. As always, our goal is to provide exceptional care to our patients while keeping our RRMC team and our Central Louisiana community healthy and safe.” While Maxey was in the lab working, Brewer was a guest on KALB’s Good Day Cena. There he shared a few details about the project. Within an hour, Brewer received notice that a church wanted to donate $500 to the project. And before 24 hours had passed, more than $5,500 had been donated to help defray expenses and help buy another 3D printer. 12
COLUMNS Spring 2020
President Brewer summarizes COVID-19 responses Dear Louisiana College Family:
“All across the United States, corporations and companies both large and small are pitching in to help others in these challenging days,” Brewer said. “I am glad for LC to do its part through the servant heart of Dr. Maxey, who came to us through God’s providence.”
These are difficult days for you, your family, your church, and maybe for your vocation, as well. Louisiana College’s administration, faculty, staff, and students face similar challenges as you. Yet, we all must rely on God, who states: “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.
Brewer recounted the partnership agreement that he and LaTech President Les Guice signed in September 2015 regarding Louisiana College’s pre-engineering students completing their degree at LaTech in Ruston, LA.
Your Louisiana College leaders have asked for God’s wisdom to navigate these new waters wherein we find ourselves, and the information below represents our best efforts to respond to what some are calling the new normal. Whatever comes to pass, we, like you, will not fear but will rely on God’s strength for the coming days.
A few months later at a Sunday lunch with a few church members, Brewer met Maxey and discovered she was facing an inconvenient relocation her employer would soon make. She could relocate or resign. Brewer knew right away he had found a professor to teach the pre-engineering courses needed to utilize the LaTech agreement. With Maxey on board, Louisiana College still needed an engineering classroom. That’s when the Tara Terrill Engineering classroom in Cavanaugh Hall became reality. Tara’s parents Jim and Mary Terrill donated $100,000 to outfit the room, including a 3D printer. “I find it amazing, but not really surprising how God works,” Brewer said reflectively. “What we planted in 2015 is bearing life-saving fruit today. God has produced this harvest for such a time as this.” Maxey said she is “doing what God created me to do. If what I do helps the community, shows the love of God, and glorifies our Lord, then that’s what I want to do.”
College leaders have worked tirelessly to safeguard the health and well-being of our campus family. Most students have returned home, and only necessary staff remain on campus. Other staff members are teleworking. We postponed the May 9 Commencement to August 8. Such decisions reflect what countless other schools have done, and were made prayerfully with the best interest of all at heart. Rest assured, however, Louisiana College remains open. We also remain open-minded in looking for ways to enhance current efforts or add new ones. To help stay connected with our campus community, and to maintain the effective pursuit of our Vision of Preparing Graduates and Transforming Lives, we have made several adjustments. STUDENT HEALTH On March 30, we launched Campus.Health, which offers free medical and mental telehealth visits for ourstudents. This provides unlimited, 24/7, FREE, on-demand access to medical advice or immediate therapy. Whether students are feeling physically ill or are stressed through other stimuli, they can obtain professional information and recommendations from licensed and trained specialists.
ACADEMIC Our new Center for Online Innovation and Development enables 100 percent online learning, where digital tools have significantly advanced the online classroom experience. Additional online resources include the Student Success Center, Writing Center, and Library. SPIRITUAL CONTINUITY Leaders from Louisiana College, students, and other friends and supporters of the College have submitted devotional thoughts via video, as well as by text. These we are posting on lacollege.edu, and are sharing them on social media, too. On April 9, Chapel will resume in video format to be shared by email and social media with the Louisiana College family. Adding to that ministry is the newly established prayer request opportunity, whereby a student’s needs can be shared in confidence with select Louisiana College personnel who will pray for each request. The address is prayer_requests@lacollege.edu. Although there is an air of uncertainty blowing across the country, we live in the certainty of God’s love and care that know no limits. Thank you for continuing to pray for us. If you are not already connected with Louisiana College on social media, you may do so. TWITTER @LA_College @rickbrewer FACEBOOK @lacollege INSTAGRAM @la_college Following, liking, sharing, and retweeting our social media posts help us keep in much closer contact with you. That also aids in informing increasing numbers of people about who we are and what we are doing not only about COVID-19, but the avenues we choose to answer our calling on behalf of the students God has entrusted to us.
Telehealth resource launched for students Difficulties posed by social distancing, travel restrictions, and the shift in established routines are unsettling. Add to the mix personal health concerns, and the reasons Louisiana College launched a telehealth service for students on March 30 become apparent. “Because our primary concern is the health and well-being of the Louisiana College family, we are providing free telehealth service to our students,” said President Dr. Rick Brewer. “With the necessity of online classes comes the separation of our campus community, but I want students to know they are not separated from our compassion and concern.” LC partnered with TimelyMD, which hosts Campus Health. Available via smartphone or any web-enabled device, students have 24/7 unlimited free access to professional health advice and licensed counselors. Whether students are feeling sick or overwhelmed, they can talk to Campus. Healthmedical providers- who can diagnose common conditions (cold, flu, sinus infection) - and licensed counselors that offer students a safe space to talk about anything at any time, whether COVID-19 or any other mental stressor. All Campus.Health counselors are professionally trained, with some specializing in faith-based counseling. Regarding COVID-19 specifically, Campus.Health will virtually assess symptoms and administer frontline care in a digital environment to limit the spread of illness. They will also give recommendations on the need for testing vs. self-quarantine, and where to go if testing or further care is needed. Students already have received an email containing Campus.Health log in information. Any enrolled, full-time LC student can register, and they may choose a voice or video call from their smartphone. “Thomas Paine said, ‘These are the times that try men’s souls; … yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.’ Well, these are the times that try everyone’s soul,” Brewer emphasized. “Weeks and maybe months of trying times await us,” he added. “Yet the ‘glorious triumph’ will come only through our reliance upon a faithful God and our compliance regarding healthful advice from knowledgeable persons. Louisiana College is doing both.” COLUMNS Spring 2020 13