Edward B. Goellner – Education Faculty Member, 1969-99

Edward B. Goellner

I was born and reared on a dairy farm about a mile south of Lumberton, Mississippi.  The gravel road leading to town was called Gum Pond Road.  The name derives from a pond of water with clusters of black gum trees growing in it.  In early life, my entertainment consisted of pick-up baseball games and swimming in Big Boys Swimming Hole located in the middle of Red Creek swamp.  As time passed, my entertainment advanced to country dances on weekends in various homes.

The outside world was brought to me by way of the Mississippi edition of the  Picayune out of New Orleans, LA, which I read from cover to cover.  Every year the  Picayune featured the various festivals in South Louisiana or Cajun Country.  The festivals were described in detail along with many pictures showing scenes and activities that were difficult to put into words.  Even at that time I thought,  “That is the place to live.”  The festivals offered entertainment for the whole family, not just for children.  In other words, fun for the children and fun for the parents.

                As time passed–high school, college, and teaching–and finally a doctorate in education, it was time to choose an institution of higher education and to settle down, establish roots and rear my family.  There were three of us, the other two were my wife, Lee Dee Ransonet from Loreauville and our son, Karl.  At this time memories of my life on the farm in Lumberton, MS returned and flashes of Cajun Country passed through my mind.  I also wanted a university that was dedicated to entering into new fields of education, and I wanted to be a part of it.

                After interviewing at various other universities, I chose the University of Southwestern Louisiana.  It was and is my opinion that I chose a great place to work and an excellent environment  in which to rear a family.  It was the Heart of Acadiana–Cajun Country.  I got the best of both worlds.  The College of Education and the University of Southwestern Louisiana are both growing in numbers as well as academically.

                The friendly people, the excellent students, the mild climate, the excitement of the many festivals, and an excellent moral and social environment to rear a family–all of these factors made my choice to stay at the University of Southwestern Louisiana a happy and profitable one.

                My final word is: GO FOR ANOTHER ONE HUNDRED YEARS!!

                GO!!  CAJUNS!!!