Mrs. Lauren (McCollum) Vaughan (’18) earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing during her time on the hill. Since then she has been a proud member of the team at Willis-Knighton North in Shreveport Louisiana, where she is currently serving as the Patient Care Coordinator of Infection Prevention and Control. She and her husband, Daniel, class of 2015, have two precious boys; Callum and Campbell who keep them busy and laughing.
I started my career in critical care and was privileged to work through the COVID-19 pandemic. That season shaped me in a lot of ways. Watching strong nurse leadership in such a hard time is actually what pushed me to go back to school and pursue my MSN in administration.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a few different areas of the health system, including a couple of years in nursing informatics, helping deploy a new electronic health record. I enjoy being in a leadership role now and getting to support nurses and staff throughout the hospital. Being a resource, helping solve problems, and working behind the scenes to improve patient care is really fulfilling to me!
More than anything, I’ve always seen nursing as a calling. Whether I was at the bedside or now in leadership, I try to approach my work in a way that reflects my faith and care for people!
Our family is active members at First Baptist Church, Marshall, where we love serving and worshipping together!
I am the granddaughter of an ETBU love story! My maternal grandparents John R. Rich (Class of '61) and Martha J. (Hedgecock) Rich (Class of '63) met and fell in love on the Hill and the rest was history! They played a pivotal role in my upbringing (that is an UNDERSTATEMENT!) and served on the alumni council during my childhood. My grandparents always spoke of how special ETBU was and how it brought them together. ETBU was woven into my formative years as I often traveled to ETBU homecoming and events and was the obvious choice for me!
When it came time for me to decide on a university to attend, I wanted more than just a degree. I wanted a community of faith! ETBU offered a place where I could grow academically and spiritually. ETBU definitely turned out to be the place for me! It was a place where I was truly seen, challenged, and supported!
I was so blessed and encouraged by many individuals during my time at ETBU. A large part of what makes the Home on the Hill so special is the Faculty and Staff members who serve there! Some of the current faculty and staff include: Elizabeth Ponder, Dr. Tommy Sanders, Dr. Blair Blackburn, Martha Dudley, Dr. Robin Rudd, Minda Purdie, Dr. Ellis Purdie, Dr. Zachary Beck, and Leska Papas. While there are others like Sally Roden, Dr. Emily Prevost, Blair Prevost, Dr. Heather Hadlock, Dr. Jennifer Bashaw, Dr. Rebekah Grigsby, Dr. Brittany Murley, Allison Peteet, and Lauren Moore. All of these names, I am so grateful for.
ETBU's alumni network is so special. My husband and I are so thankful for the friendships we made at ETBU. Our closest friends are alumni! We are thankful for the support and steadfastness that has resulted from these friendships rooted in faith!
The awesome thing about meeting a fellow Tiger alum "in the wild" (whether you know them personally or not) is that you automatically feel like family! ETBU is such a close-knit community of faith that FAMILY is exactly what we are!
When I think about my time at ETBU I think about growth. I remember the sense of community, the intentional mentorship from professors, and the way faith was woven into everyday life. It was a time of being stretched and refined in many ways. I met the love of my life and the father of my children, I formed lifelong friendships, and I joined a church that I love and actively serve in today. In my time on the hill, I not only was trained for a beloved and deeply rewarding profession but learned about and participated in true, faith-based community.
ETBU prepared me with both knowledge and faith-driven perspective. Academically, ETBU gave me a strong foundation for nursing, but more than that, it shaped how I show up in my work. In healthcare, especially in high-stress areas, you’re consistently in situations where people are vulnerable and your decisions matter. ETBU helped me learn how to lead with compassion and integrity, stay grounded in my values, and remember that people always come first.
It also gave me the confidence to step into leadership, even when I didn’t feel totally ready because I trusted in God's call and the discernment of others to recognize His gifts in me.
If I could speak with current and future Tigers of today, I’d tell them not to rush through this season. Take it seriously but also be present in it. Lean into where you are. The relationships you build and the lessons you learn here will stick with you far longer than you think and will help shape who you become. You also don’t have to have everything figured out right now. Just be faithful in what’s in front of you and keep moving forward. Don’t forget that what you’re working toward actually matters. Whatever field you go into, you have the chance to make a real impact on people. That’s a big deal. Don't underestimate what God can do with your "yes"!