January 8, 2015
MARSHALL NEWS MESSENGER: (12/23/14) - Zwolle, Louisiana, native Sade "Slim" Stewart came to East Texas Baptist University with two things on her mind after graduating as valedictorian from high school in 2004 - getting her education and playing basketball.
Stewart has always played basketball.
"I started playing at the age of 3, and then I got injured in college at the age of 21 as a senior," she said.
"My dad's family is very competitive when it comes to sports, especially basketball," Stewart said. "I have cousins and an uncle that played professionally overseas in Europe and in the National Basketball Association."
During her senior year, she got what most thought would be a career-ending injury.
"I was playing overtime, and I was slowly knocking cartilage off my knee," she said. "After a while, there was enough missing that caused my knee to no longer be protected."
Stewart didn't let her injury stop her from excelling academically. She received her bachelor of science in chemistry with a minor in criminal justice in 2008, graduating magna cum laude.
Mom to Otis "Poppa" Williams III, Stewart began working in the oil industry.
"Growing up, I wanted to be a criminal science investigator for the FBI, but I took advantage of the popularity of the oil industry in 2008 by becoming an analytical chemist for major refinery," Stewart said.
"I am currently a research and development manager for a major oil company that manufactures and distributes automotive lubricants. I love the job due to not knowing what my day will hold," she said. "I chose my career due to my liking of science and math."
"I fail on a daily basis which is viewed as success. I may not always know what will work but I know what will not work," Stewart said. "I am mainly responsible for formulating, investigating internal and external issues and conducting day to day activities for the department.?"
Determined, Stewart decided to go back to school to get her masters.
She enrolled in the new masters of business administration in entrepreneurship program. A few weeks ago, she received her MBA and was named most outstanding student for obtaining and maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.
"I have a business mindset but didn't really know the proper way to handle business," Stewart said, "and I needed to get a more in depth knowledge of what it takes to own and operate small business."
It was discovered that she had another year of eligibility to play basketball.
"I was 28 when I came back and started to play," she said.
"I had a baby at 25 and hadn't consistently worked out in about two years," Stewart said, "and was out of shape compared to what I am accustomed to being."
Stewart still finished number two in scoring that year for the history of ETBU's women's basketball program.
"My shot was still there - just not as accurate," she said, "and I felt like I had some good nights, and some nights that were not so good."
Playing with girls who were six to 10 years younger than Stewart was different.
"My patience was tested at time, but overall, I am glad I was able to finish what I started 10 years ago," Stewart said.
Coming back to ETBU was a given for Stewart for many reasons.
"The benefit of coming back to ETBU included familiarity, knowing that my education is important to the professors, the Christian atmosphere, the unity and being able to obtain a MBA in 15 months."
When asked how she got her nickname, "Slim," Stewart said it was because of teasing she received.
"Kids can be so cruel," she said. "I would be teased and called skinny."
"My response was, 'I am not skinny... I am just slim,' and it stuck," Stewart said.
(Used by permission www.marshallnewsmessenger.com. Story by Rebecca Holland, Education Reporter.)