Story & photo: Lisa Sollie

UWA alumnus says university support helped launch his military career

When Dustin “Pete” Eaves arrived at the University of West Alabama in 2003, he had no idea how much his college experience would influence his future. Nearly two decades later, the 2008 graduate, now a lieutenant colonel, commands the Security Forces Squadron at the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 186^th Air Refueling Wing in Meridian, Mississippi.

Looking back, Eaves says his path was anything but straight, but the people and experiences he encountered at UWA helped shape the leader he is today.

Fresh out of South Choctaw Academy, Eaves arrived at UWA with one career in mind.

“When I graduated high school, honestly, my initial intention was to be a football coach,” Eaves said. “That’s wild to say now. But that all changed when I got on campus. The people I met, the influence they had. For me, the journey to where I am today was anything but predictable, and that’s okay.”

One of the unexpected turns happened when he joined the military. Initially, the decision was practical, Eaves said—motivated by the G.I. Bill, a signing bonus and other benefits, and inspired by his father’s military service. What he found instead was an early career in firefighting. After completing one semester at UWA, Eaves left in spring 2004 to attend basic training and the fire academy.

When he returned to campus, Eaves learned about a student firefighter program through Livingston Fire Department. On a whim, he applied and was selected, earning a small stipend each semester.

A year later, that student position became a full-time job. Eaves also earned EMT-basic certification and assisted with ambulance service and fire rescue operations while completing his degree.

The support of UWA’s faculty, Eaves said, made it possible to keep moving forward toward graduation despite the demands of military service and a full-time job.

“I can’t say enough about the staff, and especially my instructors and professors who worked with me to help me catch up and stay on track,” he said. “Not only did I miss a semester in 2004, but I was also deployed to assist with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in 2005.”

One particular faculty member who stands out to Eaves is retired math professor Micky Smith.

“You can’t miss a lot of math and catch up easily, but Mr. Smith would meet me after hours and explain things until I got it,” Eaves said.

That kind of commitment and support from UWA’s faculty left a lasting impression on Eaves and helped him complete his degree while continuing to serve his community and country.

After graduation, Eaves worked for both the City of Meridian Fire Department and the Key Field Fire Department. After leaving the City of Meridian he focused his efforts at Key Field, and over the next 15 years, rose through the ranks to become deputy chief.

While at UWA, Eaves also met his future wife, Betsy Greene. Both were involved in greek life and were set up on blind date by mutual friends. “We really liked each other, then I got deployed in 2006, and it was a long deployment,” he recalled. “But she hung around while I was gone, and we picked back up with our relationship when I returned. I took that as a good sign.”

The couple married in May 2007 with one school year remaining before graduation. Eaves was finishing his bachelor’s degree in technology management, while Betsy, a 2006 UWA graduate, was completing her master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education.

His mother, Anna, was also a UWA student during that time, pursuing her education degree while Eaves was completing his own.

“I remember walking into an American History class at eight in the morning and there was my mom on the front row,” he said. “I knew she was commuting and earning an education degree, but I never expected to see her in my class. I was mortified at the time, but we laugh about it now.”

Eaves said his father supported their decision to marry while he was still in school with one caveat; he had to finish his degree. Looking back, he realizes how easily his education—and the opportunities that followed—could have been derailed.

“I was working full time at Livingston Fire Department, going to school full-time, and serving in the Air National Guard,” Eaves said. “My plate was full, and it would have been super easy to drop out of school and just work.”

The support Eaves received at UWA also shaped his leadership philosophy. Today, he strives to offer the same open-door approach to the approximately 100 state employees, civilian, military technicians, and Air National Guard members he leads as they protect the installation and aircraft.

“My door is open here on base,” Eaves said. “While I am very adamant about following the chain of command, I also want to have that approachability that I found as a student at UWA.”

Eaves also credits several mentors in the fire service and the Air National Guard with shaping his leadership style.

“Gene Tolbird, who worked at Key Field for a long time, I especially aspired to be like him,” Eaves said. “Another one was Col. Jeremy Parker. Colonel Parker was one of the ones who made it possible for me to finally get my commission, which led to an opportunity to work for the Air National Guard Readiness Center. He was also a great leader and a good role model.”

Those mentors not only influenced Eaves’ leadership style but also modeled the resilience he would need throughout his own career.  The commissioning process also taught him an important lesson: setbacks are part of the journey.

“My original application to receive my commission was in maintenance,” he said, “I was told no. I was told ‘no’ three more times before I was given the opportunity to become an officer. Perseverance takes you a long way.”

For Eaves, effective leadership comes down to the impact a person can have on others.

“What makes a great leader, I believe, is the difference you can make for the people who work under you,” he said. “That’s what impacts me the most, even today. I tell people out here on the base all the time, I love helping people out. In my role as commander, I can do that every day.”

Those experiences continue to shape the advice Eaves shares with today’s students. “Be flexible, find something you’re passionate about and pursue it.”

It is a lesson Eaves has carried with him since his time at UWA—a reminder that success is rarely a straight path and that perseverance, supportive mentors and the opportunities found along the way can help shape where that path leads.

Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

UWA engineering technology major turns lessons from the field into a future in construction

For Owen Vander Wal, the past year has blurred the line between football and the job site. Being coachable on the field, he’s found, translates directly to the workplace—a lesson he’ll put to the test this summer.

Building on the experience he gained during last summer’s internship at Smurfit Westrock folding carton plant in Eutaw, Vander Wal decided to pursue a new challenge in civil construction engineering. He’ll get that opportunity in June through a postgraduate internship with Brasfield & Gorrie, based in Birmingham.

His internship with Brasfield & Gorrie is guaranteed for at least six months and is designed to help determine where he fits best within the company, particularly as he continues building his construction experience.

Engineering Technology students do plenty of hands-on work, but for Vander Wal, seeing projects move from paper to reality was eye-opening.

“We do a lot of AutoCAD work at UWA,” he said, “but when I saw how that was used at Westrock—I saw the real-world connection for the first time.”

That opportunity is a long way from where he started just a few years ago. Although football brought him from Fairhope to Livingston, Vander Wal said he nearly transferred after his freshman year. Looking back, he’s glad he stayed.

“I know everyone says, ‘There’s something about this place,’” he said, “and it really has been true for me.”

That sense of connection has carried over into the classroom.

For his senior capstone project, Vander Wal and fellow seniors Sabino Galvan, Alexis Davis, and Kasey Coleman found another way to apply their skills: converting a mountain bike into an e-bike.

“We started talking about how far the Engineering Technology building is from the rest of campus, especially the Math & Science building,” he said, “and we wanted to find a better way for students to get back and forth. We thought an e-bike would be a cool solution.”

The group laid the foundation for future teams to build on. Once they mapped out the process, they purchased key components, including a wheel hub and battery, then began testing the bike’s viability. The project drew on skills from across the program, including mechanical and electrical work as well as project management.

“We were able to get from the ET building to the Math and Science building in three minutes,” Vander Wal said. “If a student walked, it would take the full 15 minutes between classes, and they’d be late. I think it would be great if the Division could start converting bikes for students, maybe for a small fee. It’s something that could be explored in the future.”

That same drive to apply what he’s learned has also led to recognition in the classroom. At the Division’s recent Honors Day, Vander Wal received three honors, including Pro-Certified Scholar, 2026 University Scholar for Engineering Technology, and induction into the Epsilon Beta Chapter of Epsilon Pi Tau International Honor Society for Professions in Technology.

As his time at UWA winds down and he prepares to receive his diploma on May 8, Vander Wal is focused on carrying those lessons into the next phase of his career.

“Being coachable and trainable are two sides of the same coin,” he said. “Brasfield & Gorrie is taking a chance on me, even without a deep construction background, because I’m willing to listen, learn, and put in the work. I’m hoping that mindset helps turn this internship into a full-time job by next fall.”

Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Kay Lucas

On game days at Tiger Stadium in Livingston, Alabama, the inside of the University of West Alabama’s mascot, LUie the Tiger, gets hot. Thanks to three UWA engineering technology graduates, however, a cool solution is now within reach.

Last spring, then-seniors Matthew Mosley, Tyler Lovering, and Ishmael Naylor designed a high-tech prototype mascot head for their senior capstone project. Their innovative design featured an integrated cooling system, improved ventilation, and a lightweight structure, all aimed at making mascot duty more comfortable in the Alabama heat.

Dr. Narendra Datta, chair of the Division of Engineering Technology, explains that the annual capstone project challenges seniors to develop real-world, hands-on projects integrating everything they’ve learned throughout their degree program. Guided by Dr. Datta, Mosley, Lovering, and Naylor selected this unique project topic.

Assistant professor Robert Miller provided valuable support to the team and Naylor, who led the initial phase of scanning LUie’s existing mascot head and importing the model into Fusion 360, the AutoCAD software used in their coursework. The team then integrated a compact water-to-water cooling system using a hydration vest, tubing, and a mini water pump, applying principles of fluid power, heat transfer, and motor controls.

Lovering focused on heat transfer calculations and conducted temperature reduction tests to validate the prototype’s effectiveness.  The team also replaced the internal helmet with an adjustable hard hat for better fit and enhanced ventilation, while enlarging the eye openings for improved visibility. Tests showed the prototype lowered internal temperatures by 5–7°F.

Mosley managed the project timeline, ensuring tasks were completed on time and parts were ordered on schedule.

“This project used many skills I developed over my four years at UWA,” Mosley says. “Project management provided a blueprint that helped me plan, prepare and organize our project, while computer applications like Excel kept our materials and progress in order. Our engineering courses supported the design and mathematical aspects of the project.” 

Since graduating in May, Naylor has worked for Steel Dynamics’ Columbus Division in Mississippi, starting as an electrical engineering intern and moving to a full-time position as a millwright technician by August. He credits UWA’s engineering technology program for thoroughly preparing him for his career.

“I can’t say enough about the excellent instruction from Datta and our professors and instructors,” Naylor shares. “They genuinely care about our success, combining classroom learning with hands-on labs that give us the practical experience we need on the job. Our senior project proved we have what it takes to succeed in any challenge.”

Mosley, now a mechanical engineer at Phifer, Inc. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, echoes this sentiment. “At Phifer I handle projects from design to repair, creating drawings and ordering parts, then leading maintenance crews during installation.  My drafting and mechanical motor classes have been invaluable in these tasks.

Although the prototype isn’t ready for permanent use, Datta believes their work showcases the students’ creativity and ability to apply engineering principles to practical challenges at the University. Building on their success, a new senior team, guided by Datta, Miller and assistant professor Dr. Ikechi Ukaegbu, will explore new materials to enhance durability without sacrificing cooling efficiency.

“We intend to continue this project with future senior teams, allowing each group to build on the work of the last,” Datta says. “This ongoing effort will drive the development of a more comfortable mascot head for LUie, creating a lasting legacy of innovation and student achievement.”