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Basketball player develops solutions in equations and relationships

Posted on Friday, November 07, 2025

Senior preps for peer instruction

Solving a math problem drives senior Parker Gonzalez. But he says what gives him the greatest satisfaction is seeing the students he tutors learn the formula themselves.

“As a peer tutor, I enjoy slowing concepts down and getting to relearn the material,” he says. “It is encouraging to witness how far they have come.”

Coming to LaGrange originally as a dual-degree engineering student, Gonzalez opted instead to focus his pursuits on Psychological Science and Mathematics.

“I have always had a passion for people and understanding how people work and how they approach the world,” he says. “I also enjoy the satisfaction of solving equations.”

Dr. Stacey Ernstberger, Professor of Mathematics, says Gonzalez brings energy to the classroom.

“He has enthusiasm for the material which spreads to other students,” she says. “It is great having Parker as a double major in Mathematics and Psychology, as the two fields pair well together. He is working hard to make plans for post-graduation as well, researching potential graduate programs and other opportunities.”

Senior leads tutoring sessionOver the summer, Gonzalez had the chance to use what he has been taught in his courses as an intern at QGenda, a leading provider of healthcare workforce management solutions in Atlanta.

“I learned how to work in a corporate environment,” he says. “The biggest takeaway I had was not being afraid to ask questions.”

Following the three-month internship, Gonzalez says the company wanted to keep him on during the school year. Currently, he is working as an Implantation Consultant for the Time Tracking and Compensation Management team.

“When a new company wants to purchase QGenda, they send a setup book which details what kind of tasks their providers work and how much they should get paid according to items in the contract,” he says. “I take the setup books and build them into our software to ensure that each provider is getting paid appropriately.”

At LaGrange, Gonzalez brings his passions into his work with Greek Life and various campus organizations, including SMILE LC that he founded.

“Coming to LaGrange, I noticed that mental health wasn’t talked about much among students, he says. “I wanted to begin some of those conversations on campus, which was the main motivation behind SMILE LC.”

He also pours his energy into serving as a key leader on the Men’s Basketball team.

“Parker has a tremendous work ethic,” says Head Coach Kendal Wallace. “He excels in his role on the team and is a vocal leader who keeps everyone accountable.”

Gonzalez says he considers his coach a valuable mentor in his life.

“He shows up every day and teaches me that good things take hard work,” he says. “Nothing worth your time is easy, and it all takes grind.”

After graduation, he seeks to use his psychology background in business.

“I want to make sure the people around me are happy in their jobs and doing what I can to improve efficiency and morale for companies,” he says.

 

Campus Notes

Ice skating night flyer

  • On Saturday, Nov. 15, Sweetland on Ice is hosting LaGrange College Night. From 5-9 p.m., 10% of all sales will be donated to the LC Fund, benefiting student scholarships.
  • Registration is open for “The Côte d’Azur, Provence and Paris: A 3D Journey Through Southern France and the City of Light.” Hosted by President Susanna Baxter and First Gentleman Mark Huffman, the trip will be May 27-June 7, 2026. For more information on details and rates, email 3DJourneys@lagrange.edu.

 

Collegiate Enrichment

Black Male Initiative: Wild ’N Out

Friday, Nov. 7

7:30 p.m., Beason Recital Hall, West Side

  • Black Male Initiative will host their own version of the hit show “Wild ’N Out.” Students can participate or watch from the crowd.

USA South Conference Championship Game

Saturday, Nov. 8

1 p.m., Callaway Stadium

  • The Panthers football team will compete in a showdown against Belhaven for the conference title.

Scholarship Donor Thank You

Monday, Nov. 10-Friday, Nov. 14

11 a.m., Caswell Plaza

  • Cards will be available for students to write thank you notes to donors for their support.

Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars Info Session

Tuesday, Nov. 11

11 a.m., Bailey Room

  • Servant Scholars will give a presentation on the program and how to apply.

Irish American Scholars Program Presentation

Wednesday, Nov. 12

11 a.m., Bailey Room

  • International student Kate Sturgess, of Northern Ireland, will give a presentation on the Irish American Scholars program that students can apply for and spend a year abroad in Northern Ireland.

Graduate Fair

Thursday, Nov. 13

11 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room

  • Recruiters will be on campus to connect with students who are interested in pursuing graduate education.

Rotaract Club Service Activity

Thursday, Nov. 13

11 a.m., Multimedia Classroom, Room 317, Lewis Library

  • Students will learn how to craft pet toys that they can keep as their own or donate to local shelters.

Budget Simulation Activity: Could you do better than Congress?

Thursday, Nov. 13

11 a.m., Jolly Room, Callaway Science Building

  • Students will participate in an activity to balance the federal budget.

 

Sports

Football

Team to compete in championship

The Panthers (7-1, 5-0 USA South), enjoying their best season since 2008, will be hosting Belhaven University (6-2, 5-0 USA South) on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m., at Callaway Stadium. With just two conference games remaining, the winner of Saturday's game will guarantee themselves the league’s NCAA Tournament berth as well as at least a share of the USA South Championship.

Freshman earns conference honor

Freshman Donell Williams was named Defensive Rookie of the Week.

Women's Volleyball

Team to play in post season tournament

LC finished its conference schedule with a 10-6 record, clinching the fourth seed and setting them up to host Huntingdon on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m., in Mariotti Gym.

Men's Basketball

Team to play home opener

The Panthers open their 2025-2026 season on Saturday, Nov. 8, with a 4 p.m. home game against Truett McConnell University.

Women's Basketball

Team to play Oglethorpe in season opener

LC begins its 2025-2026 season on Wednesday, Nov. 12, with a 7 p.m. home game against Oglethorpe University.

Men’s Cross Country

Freshman earns conference award

Freshman Alan Vidrio Buen Rostro was named to the Collegiate Conference of the South All-Sportsmanship Team.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Saturday, Nov. 8 – Volleyball at Oglethorpe, noon, Atlanta, Georgia

Saturday, Nov. 8 – Football (Home) vs. Belhaven, 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium

Saturday, Nov. 8 – Men’s Basketball (Home) vs. Truett McConnell, 4 p.m., Mariotti Gym

Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Volleyball (Home) (CCS Quarterfinals) vs. Huntingdon, 7 p.m., Mariotti Gym

Wednesday, Nov. 12 – Men’s Basketball at Brevard, 5 p.m., Brevard, North Carolina

Wednesday, Nov. 12 – Women’s Basketball (Home) vs. Oglethorpe, 7 p.m., Mariotti Gym

 

In the headlines

Let’s Teach Day inspires future educators, LaGrange Daily News, Nov. 3

Category: Academics, Students

Keywords: Technology, Business

Last updated: 11/07/2025