Dr. Judson LaGrone (’12) came to the Hill and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and then went on to obtain a Master of Science from Texas A&M University and a Doctoral degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch. After several successful stops along the way, he currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Lamar University JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing, where he actively teaches and mentors students in leading and managing, evidence-based practice, integration to professional practice, and research courses. He and his wife, Dr. Frankie LaGrone, are the proud parents of son, Jude, and love being a family, traveling, nature walks, and more.
Follow along to hear more of Dr. LaGrone’s journey and his reflections on ETBU.
Being from the small town of Fannett, Texas, I felt welcomed by the sense of community on campus and the financial aid that ETBU provided. ETBU's generous donors significantly decreased the financial burden for me and my family through the many scholarships offered to students.
During my pre-requisite courses, Drs. Marty Warren, Robert Ellison, and Justin Briggle were instrumental in supporting me both in the classroom and on campus. They always welcomed you to their classroom and genuinely asked if they could do anything for you. Residence Life staff, Jae ('03) and Amber (Millner) Hunter ('02), and Tricia Hart supported resident assistants as students and embodied a family dynamic within the team. Dr. Elijah Brown and his wife, Amy, served as a listening ear to students who needed it and as spiritual advisors while serving as faculty in residence. The University Advancement Office staff, Dr. Catherine Crawford ('89) and Lindsay Loy ('02), made balancing being a full-time student and student worker enjoyable. Dr. Dub Oliver was influential as a mentor and always welcomed you with open arms. Nursing faculty who were influential in my success in the classroom and at the bedside include Martha Dudley ('02), Leslie Borcherding, Shirley Ballard, and Dr. Connie Wyszynski. Their professionalism in and out of the classroom, compassion for patients and families, and dedication to the nursing profession have forever shaped the nurse and educator I am today.
The networking continues after you leave the Hill. Whether it be on social media and talking with alums who were on campus during undergrad, meeting up with ETBU roommates and fellow resident assistants, or calling up and sending nursing-related memes and videos to my nursing school classmates, the relationships feel as if we have never indeed left.
Reflecting on my time "where the light never dies," there were many laughs, late nights, road trips, opportunities for personal growth, and preparation for life. I had the opportunity to study abroad in Hong Kong for a semester, which opened my eyes to new cultures and sparked lifelong friendships from across the globe. Serving as a resident assistant in three residence complexes and working Super Summer gave me experiences and friendships that led to many more networking and friendships after college. Being a member of Blue Crew and cheering on the Tigers during the fall for football and spring for basketball, baseball, and softball allowed for a time away from the books and camaraderie. Lastly, serving as a member of the Student Foundation and working as a student worker in the University Advancement Office allowed me to network with donors and alumni from ETBC and ETBU for the betterment of the university and student body while also making life-long connections.
My time on the Hill allowed for personal growth and reflection, which pushed me to persevere and know that with God's plan, I can be a victor and not a victim of life's challenges. With these experiences, I took on challenges in my nursing career that were intimidating at times, but I knew that with my
preparation from ETBU, I had the skill sets needed to succeed. I was also able to lean on ETBU nursing faculty as mentors during my graduate studies and utilize concepts and experiences as a resident assistant, both at the bedside and in management.