Arkansas Alumni Association Annual Member John Lizotte took an unconventional path to college. Feeling disenchanted with high school, he left during his senior year in Hot Springs and joined the Navy. While in the Navy, he learned of an opportunity to take classes for free at Paula Moore Junior College through a presentation from one of its professors. Lizotte took advantage of the opportunity while awaiting discharge and was “hooked on education and learning.” After discharge from the Navy, Lizotte found himself back in Hot Springs weighing his options; during this time, he discovered the U of A. Lizotte said the U of A “had what I wanted, so I got on a bus and went up to the university.” There, he met with counselors who told him that, due to his educational background, he could enroll for only one quarter to determine if he could qualify to stay. “I made the honor roll that quarter and did not give the counselor a choice,” Lizotte said.
During his sophomore or junior year, his roommate invited him to meet his family in Joplin, Missouri. During that trip, Lizotte met his roommate’s little sister, Pat Taylor, who he would marry on Dec. 20, 1959, in Fayetteville. Meeting Pat is Lizotte’s favorite memory from his time at the U of A, and even today, the U of A has a special place in their relationship. Lizotte says the Arkansas Alumni Association has a special meaning for him and his wife. In the past, they would have season tickets for football, basketball, and baseball. They would go to all the games and the tailgates the association provided. The Lizottes moved back to Northwest Arkansas in recent years. As they have gotten older, Lizotte said that their membership in the association keeps them close to the U of A.
Lizotte said that the U of A allowed him to pursue a career “I was passionate about.” Lizotte spent a few years after the U of A earning a master’s degree in music at Northwestern University and eventually moved to Michigan to teach. He said that without the learning opportunities provided by the U of A, he never would have been able to immerse himself in his passions and “would not be where I am today.” Today, the U of A is a family legacy among the Lizottes, eldest son Chris Lizotte B.S.E.’84, M.M.’86 attended the U of A and earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in music. Members of the third generation of Lizottes continue this legacy. Lizotte recalls his time at the U of A with love and says it is an experience he would recommend to anyone interested in learning.
