Dr. David Wayne Allard, an educator in the Texarkana community, passed away at the age of seventy-five on November 24, 2023. He was born on September 23, 1948, in El Paso, Texas, to Wayne and Jesse Allard. Dr. Allard grew up in Dawson, Texas, where his father produced the weekly paper and his mother taught early childhood education. His academic journey led him to serve as a professor at Texarkana College starting in 1983. He later played a pivotal role in developing the Biology Department at Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT), joining the university in 1997.

His professional achievements were significant, including being named a 2018-2019 Regents Professor Award winner by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents​​. Dr. Allard was also recognized with multiple awards, such as the Distinguished Faculty Award and the Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award​​. Notably, he was the only professor to be jointly appointed as a faculty member at both Texarkana College and Texas A&M University-Texarkana, transitioning fully to TAMUT in 2000​​.

Dr. Allard’s death came after a battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia, marking the end of a remarkable career dedicated to education and research. He is survived by his wife, Ellen, his son Jason, his daughter Catherine and her husband Joshua, his stepson Jordan Angell and his wife Brittney and grandchildren Elisha, Alea, Malachi and Asher Angell​​. A funeral service was held on November 30, 2023, at the Williams Memorial United Methodist in Texarkana, Texas​​. The family suggested donations to the David and Ellen Allard Endowed Scholarship fund at Texas A&M University-Texarkana in lieu of flowers​​.

Anil Pournouri, a former student, reflected on Dr. Allard’s profound impact: “His passion for science was inspiring, and his dedication to our success was clear in every encouraging word and gesture.” She recounted how Dr. Allard helped her navigate the school system upon immigrating, offering invaluable guidance during a challenging time. “He played a crucial role in helping my sister and me adjust, and years later, supported my aspiration to enter medical school,” Anil said. “Dr. Allard’s influence will endure not only in the academic realm but also in the hearts and minds of those privileged to experience his wisdom and kindness.”

Reflecting on Dr. Allard’s life, his colleague Craig Nakashian remarked on his character and impact. He said, “It’s hard to express how important he was to countless students, colleagues, and members of the community, in Texarkana and beyond.” Nakashian added, “His care for those around him, insight into the human condition, and wicked sense of humor were only a few of his wonderful qualities.” He concluded by saying, “He’ll be missed by all who knew him.”

Dr. Allard’s legacy, marked by his dedication and selflessness as highlighted by colleague Craig Nakashian, resonates deeply in the Texarkana community and among his students. Anil Pournouri remembers him for his inspirational passion for science and commitment to student success, emphasizing his significant role in shaping both academic and personal journeys. Dr. Allard’s profound influence as a mentor and educator, celebrated for his wisdom and kindness, will be enduringly remembered by all who were privileged to know him.

At the drop of a hat, anyone can name their go-to Halloween and Christmas movies. Yet, when it comes to Thanksgiving, many find themselves at a loss to name more than one film dedicated to this wholesome holiday. To get you acquainted, here’s a list of five films that capture the essence of Thanksgiving.

First on the list is the 1987 road trip comedy, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Directed by John Hughes, this masterpiece captures the mayhem and warmth of Thanksgiving, painting a picture of frantic holiday travel that’s as hilarious as it is touching. Steve Martin and John Candy’s performances are a delightful pairing, much like turkey and stuffing.

Next is a nostalgic nod to our childhoods with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. This animated classic not only entertains but imparts the timeless lesson of gratitude and the importance of community during the holidays. Charlie Brown’s makeshift feast is a tender reminder that the spirit of Thanksgiving isn’t found in the grandeur of the meal, but in the company we share it with.

Third is Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters, a film that stretches beyond the Thanksgiving holiday to explore the intertwined lives of its characters. Thanksgiving serves as the pivotal junction for the film’s beginning, middle, and end, framing the narrative with a sense of continuity and reflection that’s as rich and complex as a Thanksgiving feast itself.

In fourth place is Pieces of April. This indie film offers a unique perspective on Thanksgiving, focusing on the efforts of the protagonist, April, to host a dinner for her estranged family. It reflects the complexities of modern family relationships.

Finally, Home for the Holidays rounds out the list. This film dives deep into the dysfunction that often accompanies family gatherings, wrapped in a humorous and poignant package. Directed by Jodie Foster, the film delves into the humorous and touching aspects of family gatherings, highlighting both the comedic and tender moments of the holiday experience.

As Thanksgiving Day unfolds, with many eyes set on football games, there’s always room to squeeze in a Thanksgiving film or two. Between the games and the halftime shows, these movies offer a perfect reprieve, enriching the holiday with laughter and heartfelt stories. So, consider diversifying your holiday entertainment with one of these classic films, each offering a unique perspective on the essence of the holiday.

In anticipation of the reopening of the Red River Innovation Lab for the Humanities (RRILH) at Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT), I spoke with Dr. Drew Morton, the program’s director, to learn about the upcoming development. While specific reopening dates are still being finalized, the lab – located in UC 323 – is preparing for a soft opening to introduce the campus community to its resources.

Morton said, “We’re still waiting on IT to get the broadband infrastructure set up in the lab so that eSports and the Innovation Lab can share the same space.” The soft opening, he said, “would just entail introducing folks to the space and [give] them a sense of the hardware and software we offer. I’m really excited about our Zenbooth recording booth that we just got.” For those unfamiliar with Zenbooth, envision a modern phone booth designed to create an ideal quiet environment by reducing sound entering and exiting the booth.

One highlight of the lab is its equipment rental service, offering digital SLR cameras, microphones, and more. Access to the lab’s computers, Zenbooth, and general space is facilitated through the ACME suite (321S). Importantly, the RRILH is accessible to all students, with no constraints on equipment or software usage aside from what the library currently imposes.

The RRILH also holds various events and workshops: “Before the pandemic, we brought in a lot of guest speakers from all over the country on Zoom. We had Henry Jenkins from USC do a guest lecture for us on democracy and social media, for instance. We also did tech tutorials on Adobe software and cameras regularly. The goal is to teach our community how they can use new technology to reimagine their scholarship and creative work,” Morton said.

Regarding upcoming speakers, Morton is working on plans, but due to the challenges of reopening the physical space, long-term scheduling is still in progress. He expressed interest in inviting Logan Buck, an honors student who is completing a thesis project on video games in collaboration with Morton.

For now, Morton said that this year is a reboot, and his goal is to “get that space open to the public and [get] the word out about what [the RRILH] can offer to the campus, whether that’s letting professors know they can draw upon our cameras and podcasting equipment to reimagine their classroom assignments or research projects or students know they can use our Macs to create posters for their student organization or club on Photoshop.”

From the U.S. Army to the media and broadcast industry, Professor Barney Self’s career has been nothing short of dedication and persistence. He advises his students to embrace the “hustle.” Self says, “I remember when I first went into television, the graduating class in Mass Communication at the University of Texas in one semester, not a year, one semester, could fill every single job in television, radio, and film combined. You’ve got to hustle; you’ve got to put your name out there.”

It began with a what looked to be a promising career as a court typist in the US Army, but quickly turned out to be something else. Instead of getting the job that he wanted, Professor Self was thrust into a role that he knew all too well: news broadcasting. “I read the news at the top and bottom of each hour for Armed Forces Radio….I had trained as a clerk typist, that was what I wanted to do, and I got to Fort Polk Louisiana and they said, ‘Oh, you were at your college radio station…well, now you’re a radio broadcaster.’”

  Upon completing his stint in the Army, Professor Self shifted back to civilian life with 12-hour shifts at a television station and while also attending four classes at Tarrant County College. “Five days, four or five days a week. And on weekends, I would transfer videotapes or film to videotapes. I would shoot coaches’ films on 16-millimeter film, which allowed me the opportunity to save some film for other uses. I did any job within the industry that would get me noticed. You can’t [get noticed] until you [hustle] like I did,” says Self.

In an industry marked by volatility, Professor Self says, “I worked in the same job for almost 20 years with the same title for seven different companies. We were taken over so many times. I’ve worked at TNT. I’ve also worked in the telecommunications sector, for both DISH Network and T-Mobile.” He also comments on the varied workplace environments he encountered, “DISH [has] great service [and] great equipment, terrible human beings. T-Mobile, service is okay. Wonderful company, wonderful company to work for.”

Through the highs and lows of his career, Professor Self’s message remains consistent: “Find a goal that you want to do, whatever goal that may be, and then find anything you can do to help you get towards that goal…. [And] get to know people in the industry that you’re working at.”

When asked about teaching another course in the future, Professor Self spoke of his desire to teach a film class, a testament to his love for the art of cinema. nurtured during late nights babysitting satellite feeds at a Dallas television station, KTWS, where he watched old movies while doing his homework. “If it’s a movie that was made before 1985, I’ve probably seen it,” he says. “I love LA,” he said. “If I had it all over again, I should have stayed in Los Angeles. I was up there when I was 17 and thought about going into the film industry.”

Professor Self’s story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and hard work, inspiring a new generation of students to embrace the hustle and forge their own paths towards greatness in the world, regardless of what they choose to do.