During Louisiana Tech’s 100th Homecoming celebration, a special moment played out on the field as the 1952 Homecoming Queen Miriam Pipes Savage crowned the 2025 Homecoming Queen Annie Heard. To some, this may have been the simple passing of a torch, but it’s a moment that represented a connection between two generations with a shared love of Louisiana Tech.
A Ruston native, Savage attended Hillcrest Elementary and Ruston High School before becoming a Bulldog. She majored in Elementary Education and went on to teach in Lincoln Parish Schools for more than 30 years, shaping countless young lives in the community.
Savage made the most of her time at Tech, serving as a member of the Blue Jackets to promote interest in Louisiana Tech activities, joining Alpha Lambda chapter of Phi Mu, and being selected by the Tech student body as one of the nine 1952 Beauties. But her crowning achievement came when she was named as the 1952 Homecoming queen.
“I loved every minute of it!” Savage recalled. “I hope young people today enjoy it as much as I did.”
Her memories as a student in the ’50s are rich with tradition: the state fair game against Northwestern State, the beanies worn by all freshman students, and even a humorous moment during her Homecoming.
“When I was crowned in 1952, I walked across the field and knelt down for Dr. Ropp to place the crown on my head,” Savage said. “But there was no crown!” Somewhere along the way, the bedazzled headpiece never made it to the stadium. She recalled Dr. Ropp laughing about it with her on the field.
Fast forward 73 years: Annie Heard, a junior from Winnfield, La., stood ready to receive her crown in a moment that was years in the making.
For Heard, Louisiana Tech represents a meaningful legacy. Both her mother and sister attended Tech and were members of Phi Mu. Her sister, Elizabeth, was also crowned Homecoming queen in 2022 and was on the field for Heard’s announcement since past royalty were honored during the game as part of the 100th celebration.
“One of my first thoughts was how Homecoming is all about legacy and being crowned queen was a full circle moment for me because of my sister,” said Heard. “Seeing her experience at Tech is what drew me here, and she’s been such an inspiration and source of encouragement for me.”
Getting to know Savage during the experience and having her pass the crown made it even more memorable for Heard.
“Meeting Miriam encapsulates what Homecoming is all about — bringing different generations of alumni together to celebrate our Tech Family,” said Heard. “I immediately felt the love in our bond, and she was so intentional in asking me questions about myself and my experience.”
Meeting Miriam encapsulates what Homecoming is all about — bringing different generations of alumni together to celebrate our Tech Family.”
ANNIE HEARD
Having the opportunity to pass the crown more than seven decades later was a special honor for Savage as well. “It was wonderful and rewarding,” Savage said of the experience, “especially because she was a Phi Mu!”
In their exchange on the field, these two queens bridged more than seven decades of history, proving that the Tech Family endures across generations.