Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP James L. Holly, M.D. Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP


Letters - The March 2016 Flood and the Induction Ceremony for the Long Purple Line March 18, 2016
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I-10 into Louisiana from Texas and also from Mississippi are closed.  All North bound highways from Beaumont are closed.  The recommendation is to go West to Dayton, Texas and to 59 North to Shreveport and then I-49 to Natchitoches.  At best this is a seven-our trip to Natchitoches.  The problem is that there will be major congestion on any of these routes.  Hopefully things will change before Thursday and Friday.  Sadly, none of the rivers have crested yet.

All of this is to say that Carolyn and I very much want to be with you on Friday but it may not be possible.  I will decide on Thursday whether or not we can reasonably get there.   The critical issue will be if I-10 opens by then.  If I cannot be there and if the event takes place, this is what I would have said; perhaps someone could say it for me.

Comments to Long Purple Line Induction Ceremony
March 18, 2016

In 2012, when I received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from my School of Medicine in San Antonio, I thought there was no secular award I would treasure so greatly.   In January, when Dr. Henderson called to notify me that I would be inducted into the Long Purple Line, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and deeply moved, and I was very proud.

  • 98 years ago, in 1918, before I was born, my material grandmother, Ilda Garnett Simpson Holly, whom I adored, received a two-year teachers certificate from Northwestern Normal.
  • 66 years ago, in 1950, as a six-year-old, I was enrolled in the second grade at the Laboratory School at Northwestern State College.
  • 61 years ago, in 1955, as an eleven-year-old, I attended my first symphony concert in the Fine Arts Auditorium at NSC.  Dr. Joseph Carlucci was the conductor.  In 1976, I attended my first concert in Beaumont, Texas, the conductor?  Joseph Carlucci.
  • 60 years ago, in 1956, as a twelve-year-old, I started the eighth grade at Natchitoches High School which is on the NSC campus.
  • 58 years ago, in 1958, as a fourteen-year-old, I entered the regional science fair on the NSC campus.  The awards ceremony was held in the Fine Arts Auditorium.
  • 57 years ago, in 1959, as a 15-year-old, I began running cross country and track for Natchitoches High School on the NSC campus and track.
  • 55 years ago, in 1960, as a 16-year-old, I watched Jackie Smith, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame and of the Long Purple Line, practice for the high hurdles at NSC.
  • 53 years ago, in 1962, as an eighteen-year-old, I started my sophomore year at NSC, where, in a speech class, I met my future wife.
  • 52 years ago, in 1963, the soon to be Mrs. Carolyn Bellue Holly, became a Purple Jacket, the oldest honor and service organization at NSC.
  • 50 years ago, in 1965, as a twenty-one-year old, my soon to be bride, and I graduated from NSC.

 

The connection between Carolyn and Larry Holly and Northwestern State University is deep and long, and now, for both of us, it is Purple.

Thank you for this honor.  Carolyn and I will treasure it always, and we will take every opportunity to serve and to support Northwestern State University, our alma mater, of which we are extremely proud.

James (Larry) Holly, M.D.
C.E.O. SETMA
www.jameslhollymd.com

Adjunct Professor
Family & Community Medicine
University of Texas Health Science Center
San Antonio School of Medicine 

Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
School of Medicine
Texas A&M Health Science Center 

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