S U M M E R 2 0 21
Northwestern State University Magazine
Messages Dear alumni, I write this message to you all with mixed emotions. By now most of you know that I will retire from Northwestern State effective June 30. It has been an honor and a privilege to devote more than 33 years of my life and nearly all of my career to NSU and to serve as its 19th president. The decision to retire was made prayerfully and was based on considerations of my family’s future plans and aspirations. Dr. Chris Maggio 1985, 1991 President Northwestern State University
There are countless individuals to thank for their help over the years, those who were mentors and supporters, those who offered guidance and wisdom during challenging times and those who celebrated the victories, both large and small. I want to thank my wife Jennifer and our children for their devotion and their patience. This university shaped many facets of my life in the almost four decades I spent here as a student, as a young professional and as an administrator. I have been inspired by students who persevered through tremendous obstacles with the goal of making a better life for themselves and their loved ones. There are colleagues, faculty and staff who remain behind the scenes and ask for no recognition, who do far more than required to solve problems, to help students and to help each other. I now begin a new chapter in my life in which I will continue to serve in my community while exploring new opportunities. There is no family like the Northwestern State family. Please continue to mentor those seeking opportunities and please continue to support the university we love. I wish you all the best. And as always… Fork ‘Em Demons!
My fellow alumni, As has been said before, change can be difficult, but change is also essential to growth. On behalf of the NSU Foundation and our Northwestern State family, I wish Dr. Chris Maggio well in all future endeavors and thank him for all he has done for NSU. Dr. Maggio was a mentor to me personally when I was a student and young professional and I feel certain that he will continue to be an ambassador for the university in whatever path he pursues. Dr. Drake Owens 2004, 2005 Assistant Vice President of External Affairs for University Advancement
Focusing on the future, the university is now engaged in a presidential search. Meanwhile, Dr. Marcus Jones, who has also spent a great deal of his career in leadership at Northwestern State, will guide us in the interim. The university will be prompt in disseminating information about the search as it develops. For now, we are looking forward to welcoming a new class of Demons to campus this fall and all the things we missed last year: athletics, alumni gatherings, concerts, parties and other events. Be sure to follow us on social media for updates and announcements. I end this message with thanks to all of you who have continued in your steadfast support of Northwestern State. Your time and your gifts are greatly appreciated and I hope to see you soon.
Alumni Columns Official Publication of Northwestern State University Natchitoches, Louisiana Organized in 1884 A member of CASE Volume XXXI Number 2 SUMMER 2021 The Alumni Columns (USPS 015480) is published by Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana, 71497-0002 Periodicals Postage Paid at Natchitoches, La., and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Alumni Columns, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, La. 71497-0002. Alumni Office Phone: 318-357-4414 and 888-799-6486 FAX: 318-357-4225 • E-mail: owensd@nsula.edu NSU ALUMNI OFFICERS
President................... Patricia Hrapmann, New Orleans, 1973, 1978 1st Vice President..................................... Leah Sherman Middlebrook, Dallas, 1986, 2016 2nd Vice President........................................... Dr. Nikki Ceaser-Small, Arlington, Texas, 2007 Secretary.............................................Trey Hill, Baton Rouge, 1985 Treasurer...............................J. Scott Repp, McKinney, Texas, 1989 Past President.............................Monty Chicola, Alexandria, 1979
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
NSU President...................................Dr. Chris Maggio, 1985, 1991 NSU Interim President.............................. Dr. Marcus Jones, 1992 Vice President for External Affairs..................... Jerry Pierce, 1961 Assistant Vice President of External Affairs for University Advancement................. Drake Owens, 2004, 2005
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steven Celestine.................................................... Shreveport, 1989 Tommy Chester..................................................Natchitoches, 1969 Caron Chester Coleman....................................Natchitoches, 2000 Shade Dufrene................................................. Baton Rouge, 1999, 2003 Allen Evans............................................................. Shreveport, 1989 John Evans...........................................................Natchitoches, 1992 LaTasha Gray-Grant....................................Mansfield, Texas, 2007 Emilyn Horton...............................Natchitoches, 1987, 1993, 2001 Emilie King.............................................................Shreveport, 2017 Matt Koury................................................................. Leesville, 1995 Jeremy LaCombe...................................................New Roads, 1999 Lane Luckie............................................................Tyler, Texas, 2008 Kim Martin.........................................................Lake Charles, 1988 Dr. Lisa Landry Mathews..................................... Shreveport, 1992 Virginia Monceret.................................................New Roads, 2001 Mandi Mueller ...................................................New Orleans, 2009 Michael Prudhomme................................................. Natchez, 1984 Joe Robertson...........................................................DeQuincy, 1990 Mark Spikes............................................... League City, Texas, 1991 Joseph B. Stamey.................................................Natchitoches, 1983 Crystal Hemphill Stewart....................... Natchitoches, 1997, 2003 Toni Stroud..........................................................Natchitoches, 1989 Glenn Talbert......................................................... Shreveport, 1964 Taylor Townsend................................................Natchitoches, 1986 Jim Villard.............................................................. Alexandria, 1983
EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS Jerry Brungart.................................. Natchitoches, 1969, 1971 Leonard Endris.................................................. Leesville, 1974 Dr. Hayward Hargrove............... Black Mountain, N.C., 1964 Gail Jones....................................................Natchez 1981, 1998 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
SGA President ........................................ Tja’h Edwards, Westwego Publisher............................................Dr. Drake Owens, 2004, 2005 Editor...........................................Leah Pilcher Jackson, 1994, 2011 Contributors.....................................................................David West Jason Pugh Matthew Vines, 2016 Photography............................................... Chris Reich, 2007, 2009 Josh McDaniel Design/Layout........................................Daphne Hines, 1982, 1984
Northwestern State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, specialist’s, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Northwestern State University. Northwestern State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy or parenting status, and veteran or retirement status in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies (i.e., Title IX): Employees/Potential Employees – Veronica M. Biscoe, EEO Officer (318-357-6359) and Students – Frances Conine, Dean of Students (318-357-5285). For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerns, contact the Disability Support Director, Randi Washington, at 318-357-5460. Additionally, Northwestern complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy & Campus Crime Statistics Act. Information about NSU’s campus security and crime statistics can be found at https://www.nsula.edu/ universityaffairs/police/. Full disclosure statement: http://universityplanning.nsula.edu/ notice-of-non-discrimination.
NSU News
“I am honored to have been selected to serve Northwestern during this transitional period.” – Dr. Marcus Jones
Jones serving as interim president during presidential search Dr. Marcus Jones will serve as interim president of Northwestern State University effective July 1 while a search for the university’s 20th president gets underway. The appointment was approved by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System. NSU President Chris Maggio announced his retirement effective June 30, 2021. Information about a presidential search is forthcoming. “I am honored to have been selected to serve Northwestern during this transitional period,” Jones said. “I look forward to returning to the university I have called home for so many years and working with Dr. Maggio and university leaders to continue executing our mission.” Jones has an extensive academic, business and legal background, having served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for the University of Louisiana System for the past year, where he oversaw the areas of business finance, internal/external audit function, EEO and IT for the System and handled matters of system level importance on behalf of the UL System president. He also oversaw management of budgets, administration, policies and procedures and international relations and acted as the legal liaison for the System. Jones served as NSU’s executive vice president for university and business affairs from 2017-2020 where he was a key administrator in the planning, operation and management of the University. He oversaw University Police, the Environmental Health and Safety office, Grounds Department and the Physical Plant and was responsible for construction, maintenance, custodial and general upkeep of all University facilities and grounds. He also reviewed and executed university leases and cooperative agreements and
oversaw the environmental health and safety officer. He was NSU’s vice president for university affairs from 2007 to 2017. Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Northwestern State, a master’s in international trade and finance from Grambling State University and a law degree from Southern University Law Center where he was managing editor of the Southern Law Review. He also studied international business and finance at the University of Plymouth in Plymouth, England. Jones has been a member of Northwestern’s faculty since 1994 as an instructor of business, assistant professor of business law and international business, associate professor of business law and international business and has held the Ben D. Johnson Endowed Professorship since 1999. Proficient in Spanish and French, he led the university’s international recruiting efforts, which substantially increased the number of students at NSU from outside the U.S. Jones has also been treasurer and a consultant to the Ben D. Johnson Educational Foundation and finance/ accounts manager and consultant for the Ben D. Johnson Construction and Finance Co. In his role with the construction and finance company, Jones supervised subcontractors at construction sites, managed the company’s operating budget, provided financial oversight and worked in economic development. He has also served as treasurer and consultant of the Northwest Louisiana Athletic League and has served in several capacities including co-editor of “Callaloo,” a literary magazine based at Texas A&M. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., the American Bar Association and the Louisiana State Bar Association.
This public document was published at a total cost of $20,932.44. 52,927 copies of this public document were published in this first printing at a cost of $20,932.44. The total cost of all printings of this document, including reprints is $20,932.44. This document was published by Northwestern State University Office of University Advancement and printed by Cenveo Worldwide Limited, 200 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902 to foster and promote the mutually beneficial relationship between Northwestern State University and its alumni, supporters and community partners. This material was printed in accordance with standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43.31. Printing of this material was purchased in accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised Statues. 1
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Alumni News
Billioux named Scholars’ College Distinguished Alum The Louisiana Scholars’ College named Dr. Alex Billioux as the 2021 recipient of the Jimmy D. Long Sr. Distinguished Alumni Award. The award is presented annually to a graduate of the Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University who has been extraordinarily successful in their career and exemplifies the life of public service and commitment exhibited by the late State Representative Jimmy Long. In Louisiana, Billioux is best known for his role as assistant secretary of the Office of Public Health in the Louisiana Department of Health. Between March and October of 2020, Billioux served as a special advisor to Gov. John Bell Edwards on public health measures that were enacted to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus from its initial outbreak in New Orleans. Billioux previously played a central role in developing the nation’s first comprehensive plan for widespread Hepatitis C treatment and set up a long-term program for Hepatitis C control and elimination. He also launched the Louisiana Community Healthways program to address social needs of residents impacted by health issues. Prior to his service with the LDH, Billioux was senior advisor to the director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation where he led programs for Accountable Health Communities and Integrated Care for Kids. He was a 2015-16 White House Fellow, working at the Department of Health and Human Services. Billioux has also served outside the U.S., working on treatment and prevention programs for HIV, tuberculosis and other diseases associated with poverty in Guatemala, Haiti, India, South Africa and Uganda. Billioux studied biology, chemistry and philosophy in the Louisiana Scholars’ College, received his M.D. from Johns
Dr. Alex Billioux, center, answers reporter questions during a press conference updating the status of the coronavirus threat in Louisiana in March 2020. Also present were Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon. Photo: The Advocate/Travis Spalding
Hopkins University and a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford in England. He currently has a part-time appointment in the Medical School of Johns Hopkins University and is the vice president for Social Determinants of Health at United Health Care Government Programs. Established by the Louisiana Board of Regents for Higher Education in 1987, the Louisiana Scholars’ College serves as the state’s selective-admission honors college of the liberal arts and sciences. Its mission is to provide highly motivated students with a rigorous, customized honors education firmly grounded in the liberal arts and sciences.
Hall of Famer Charles Smith joins Marquis Who’s Who Charles Smith Jr. (1984) has been inducted into Marquis Who’s Who, which records and preserves the biographics of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment for library and research communities. Individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process. For 50 years, Smith has excelled as a teacher, focusing on advanced math and trigonometry at Peabody Magnet High School and works as the head boys’ basketball coach there. In his career, he notably obtained the most game wins in the state of Louisiana with a total of 1,087 wins. His achievements inspired the 2017 documentary “Chasing 1,000 Wins” for which he served as the co-writer and producer. Smith was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Coaches Hall of Fame and the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was Cenla-ian of the Year in 2018. During his formative years, Smith was inspired by his own high school coaches and teachers. While his basketball coach encouraged him to remain in athletics, his various teachers advised him to pursue further education. He was the first person in his family to receive a college degree, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Paul Quinn College and a master’s degree in social science education from Northwestern State. Smith is married to Rosa Bynog Smith. They have one daughter, Dr. Camacia Smith-Ross, and one son, Kedric Smith.
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Alumni News Magale Foundation, alumnus Robinson named to CAPA Hall of Fame Alumnus Anthony Robinson and the Magale Foundation will be the 2021 inductees into the Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts Hall of Fame at Northwestern State University. Formal inductions will be held at a later date. The Magale Foundation supports higher education, social services and the performing arts. It was created by John F. and Joanna Magale and has supported the School of Creative and Performing Arts for more than three decades. Joanna Magale was a 1926 graduate of Louisiana State Normal College and was a teacher in Arkansas. Gifts from Joanna Magale and the Magale Foundation established the Joanna Magale Endowed Professorship in Creative and Performing Arts and the Joanna G. Magale Scholarship Fund. The Magale Recital Hall is named in honor of Joanna Magale. The Magale Endowed Professorship
was among the first established at Northwestern State and led to the creation of additional endowed professorships in the School of Creative and Performing Arts by other donors. Interest from the endowed professorship supports faculty research and development and enhances the reputation of the School of Creative and Performing Arts and Northwestern State. Up to 50 NSU students benefit from the Magale Scholarship Fund annually. The fund has assisted more than 1,000 music and performance students since its creation. Robinson, a 1975 graduate in music education, has had a successful career
as an educator and musician along with military service. He spent 30 years with the Marshall (Texas) Independent School District where he was director of bands, junior high band director and assistant band director/percussion specialist. Since 1993, he has also worked as a percussion instructor at East Texas Baptist University. “Mr. Robinson is a true hero,” said Scott Burrell, Director of the School of Creative and Performing Arts. “He is to be commended for his distinguished military service to our nation. A superb musician and gifted educator, Anthony has touched the lives of many in his lengthy career. CAPA is very honored to name him as one of our most notable alumni.” Robinson attended Crepe Myrtle Junior/Senior High in Pineville where he was the Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Organization (LIALO) State Champion snare drummer. LIALO was an organization which brought together African-American schools to promote athletic and academic achievement through competition and collaboration. He attended Pineville High School as a senior. “To borrow a phrase from my Basic Military Training Squadron: ‘I entered NSU unknown and exited identified,’ ” said Robinson. “In 1971 I entered an institution not knowing what was in store for a kid from the Smithville community of Pineville.” At Northwestern State, he found a caring faculty that wanted to see him succeed. “I did not know the instructors, I did not know much about the music department and I did not know a lot about music in general,” said Robinson. “I was an 11-year product of Louisiana’s dual school system. However, I switched to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) system in 1970 by attending Pineville High School and becoming a PHS band member. None of this was
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Robinson a major factor at NSU. The teachers were genuinely interested in helping me learn to master my craft (teaching and performing) and prepared me to provide a positive, long-term service to humanity. Being recognized and inducted into the CAPA Hall of Fame is a reflection of my appreciation to those wonderful instructors who prepared me for the many services I have provided and continue to provide.” An active professional, Robinson has served as guest conductor for Louisiana’s District VIII Junior High and ninth grade bands and is widely known in Texas for his service to the Texas Music Educators Associations’ All State Bands and Orchestras. This service began in 1990 and has only been interrupted three times: twice for military service (Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom) and the COVID-19 pandemic. After retiring from Marshall in 2007, Robinson has continued teaching as a percussion specialist for bands at Pittsburg, White Oak, Henderson and Spring Hill along with Wiley College. He has maintained a 28-year music ministry to nursing homes and hospitals in the east Texas area. In 1995, he established the first ever Colonial Fife and Drum Corps in Marshall, the East Texas Ancients Fife and Drum Corps. The Corps led Shreveport’s Holiday In Dixie parade for four consecutive years.
Alumni News Nominations open for new alumni awards; deadline is July 31 Northwestern State University Alumni Association invites nominations for three new alumni awards, two that will recognize distinguished service and one for volunteerism toward the Alumni Association. The new awards are Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award, Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award and NSU Alumni Association Volunteer of the Year Award. The awards are intended to recognize alumni whose accomplishments significantly benefit both society and the NSU campus, advancing the common good and inspiring others to address challenges with insight and creativity. These new honors will awarded in addition to the Long Purple Line distinction, which will continue to serve as the highest honor the university bestows on alumni. Nominations may be made by any alumnus or alumna, by any alumni chapter, or by any member of the faculty or staff of University. The selection committee is composed of the two immediate past presidents of the Alumni Association, current president of the Alumni Association, one member of the Demons Unlimited Board of Directors, the Director of the Alumni Association and the SGA President. The deadline to submit applications is midnight July 31, 2021. For more information and to access a nomination form visit https://www. northwesternstatealumni.com/awards/.
CRITERIA FOR NOMINATIONS IS AS FOLLOWS: Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award The Outstanding Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award is given to a young alumnus/ alumna who has exhibited their dedication and loyalty to Northwestern’s programs and mission. The candidate must demonstrate: • An early record of distinguished service to Northwestern; and • Continued interest in serving the university in his/her life as a volunteer, donor and /or advocate. • The recipient must be an alumnus/alumna of NSU. • The recipient must have attained alumni status within ten years. • The recipient must be forty or younger at the time of the nomination. Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award is given to an NSU Alumni who has exhibited his or her dedication and loyalty to Northwestern’s programs and mission. The candidate must demonstrate: • A record of distinguished service to Northwestern; and • Continued interest in serving the university in his/her life as a volunteer, donor and /or advocate. • The recipient must be an alumnus/alumna of NSU. • The recipient must have attained alumni status greater than ten years. • The recipient must be forty or older at the time of the nomination. NSU Alumni Association Volunteer of the Year Award The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to a person who has exhibited his or her dedication and loyalty to Northwestern’s programs and mission. The candidate must demonstrate: • Membership in the NSU Alumni Association. • Continued interest in serving the university in his/her life as a volunteer, donor and /or advocate. • Exemplary record of volunteer time, talents, and service to the NSU Alumni Association. • Active involvement with a chapter, alumni interest group, affiliate program, NSU Alumni Board, or other forms of volunteer service to Northwestern State University.
Memphis magazine recognizes Bernard Williams as ‘Silent Hero’ Dr. Bernard Williams was recently profiled in Narrative Memphis, an on-line magazine that profiles individuals, small businesses and philanthropies that promote community, wellness and creativity. Williams was highlighted for his work in the Shelby County (Tennessee) Juvenile court where he is chief probation officer of the county juvenile court. In that position, he has a voice in every case that goes before the court for dependency and neglect, delinquency and protective services. He works with children and families to better the lives of at-risk you and makes sure there are programs in place to protect children. A native of Columbia, Mississippi, Williams was a state-ranked athlete in high school. Having lost his father at age 12, he recalled coaches and teachers who impacted his life. After high school, he chose to forego the MLB draft and enrolled in junior college in Missouri. Later, he enrolled at Northwestern State where he played baseball and earned a degree in general studies in 2008.
He also met his wife, the former Angela Bowman, a native of Winnfield, who was cheerleader and cheer captain at NSU. She earned a degree in criminal justice in 2008. After graduating and getting married, Bernard and Angela moved to Memphis to work and be closer to family. They are parents to Braylon, 13; Bailey, 8, and Bernard “Danny Boy”, 1.
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Alumni News Newman inducted into Midland, Texas, Petroleum Hall of Fame Fred M. Newman (1965) is one of this year’s inductees into the Midland, Texas, Petroleum Museum’s Petroleum Hall of Fame. An induction ceremony and dinner took place April 29 at the Bush Convention Center to recognize individuals who made significant impacts on the petroleum industry in the Permian Basin and in their communities. The Museum is dedicated to those who cherished the freedom to Newman dare and whose work and service helped build the Permian Basin. Born in Louisiana in 1943, Newman attended high school in Hodge. His quest to find a better way started in high school when he designed and built a robot, winning the National Science Fair in Louisiana and earning the opportunity to go on a Navy cruise as a young scientist. He graduated from Northwestern State in 1965 with a B.S. in physics and math. He was a student-athlete at NSU, playing on the football team. In 1965, Newman went to work with Schlumberger as a field engineer in Magnolia, Arkansas. He was transferred to Shreveport in 1969 and then to Saskatchewan in 1971 as a district manager, the youngest district manager in the history of the company. In 1974, Schlumberger transferred Newman and his family to Midland. Upon learning of another transfer,
Newman decided it was time to strike out on his own. He purchased a few shallow oil and gas wells in New Mexico and participated in workovers, re-entries and new drilling. With a partner, he formed Aztec Drilling and still operates a few shallow gas wells because of his association with Aztec. During the 1970s boom, Fred purchased five small drilling rigs and formed Fred M. Newman, Inc., a shallow vertical drilling contractor. With the downturn of 1982, he saw an opportunity in plugging and abandoning wells and formed Total Abandonment Plugging Service, Inc. which grew to five wells and over 60 employees. In 1986 he formed Triple N Services with three of his four children, and it became one of the leading P & A contractors in the Permian Basin. When that company became profitable, he turned back to his true passion, inventing. He has successfully patented over eighty petroleum industry innovations improving the safety and efficiency of the oil and gas industry. In addition to his degree from Northwestern State, Newman earned numerous postgraduate credentials and holds ministry certificate from Sewanee the University of the South in Tennessee and an honorary Doctorate of Science from Husson University in Bangor, Maine. A resident of Midland since the mid-1970s, Newman has invested in and given back to the community and school system, not only serving on the school board in the 1980s but also through his church as a Sunday school teacher, Boy Scout leader and other areas. He has also served in various capacities with the non-profit MARC and established a Ronald McDonald-style facility for visiting cancer patients in Midland. He and his wife Christine Holly Newman have four children and eight grandchildren.
“I truly love Northwestern and I am honored to be a part of the NSU alumni family,” Williams said. After moving to Memphis, the couple went to work in marketing and Williams began volunteering with an outpatient clinic at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A social worker introduced him to Youth Villages, which changed the direction of his life and led him to pursue a master’s degree in counseling studies after developing an interest in working with at-risk youth to break destructive cycles of juvenile crime. A short time later, he applied for a juvenile court job and began working in the intake center of county juvenile court while pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology. After learning on the job and completing his Ph.D. in 2017 he was promoted to the Civil Rights division ensuring that youth were represented equally based on ethnicity. “The most difficult challenges occur in the areas of prevention,” Williams said. “In the realm of prevention, it is extremely vital that youth have access to services throughout their lifespan. For example, I think all children should have access to sports, arts programs, music programs, and they should not be excluded because of their
socioeconomic status. The most rewarding experience is to see the community become a village for youth. Our local YMCA provides me with summer jobs for justice-involved youth. It is amazing to see the transformation of the youth as they are in a safe environment with incredible people who have a shared responsibility of mentorship and positive relationship building.” Meanwhile, his wife Angela began her career as an import/ export specialist at FedEx. She earned a master’s degree in human resource management and a second master’s in management and leadership. She later further her career with promotions in global trade compliance with companies such as V-Alexander and Company, ABB and IDEXX. Recently, she completed her Doctorate of Business Administration with a concentration in global operation and supply chain management. After completing her DBA, she was promoted to trade compliance manager for Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare. “She has 14 years of experience in global trade compliance,” Williams said. “As her husband, I’m super proud of my wife and our roots came from NSU.”
“I truly love Northwestern and I am honored to be a part of the NSU alumni family.” – Dr. Bernard Williams
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Alumni News
Spotlights The Louisiana Association of Broadcasters awarded 2017 communications graduate Javonti Thomas with two prestige awards and one nomination at the 2021 virtual ceremony in March. Thomas was awarded Multi-Media Journalist of the year for 2021 by LAB. That award is given to one journalist that shoots, writes and edits the majority of their work themselves. Thomas also received an award for the morning show he anchors. KALB’s Jambalaya Morning Show earned the best morning show award for the second year in a row with Thomas as an anchor. Thomas He also received a nomination for his investigative journalism work. During 2020, Thomas reported on a number of issues including natural disasters Hurricane Laura and Delta. He also interviewed a member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet, former Veteran Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, about the department’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas is now focusing on a national project, Bridging the Great Health Divide, where he analyzes health disparities in rural Louisiana and finds solutions.
and Bugle Corps from Lafayette, a position he has held since the corps’ inception. Freeman is active as a clinician and adjudicator in wind bands as well as the marching arts. Freeman’s bands have consistently garnered superior ratings in marching, concert and sight-reading and placed highly in regional, state and national performance competitions. They have appeared in many high profile events, including the 2005 inaugural parade of George W. Bush and the inauguration of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. They made their first international appearance at the 2014 London New Year’s Day Parade in Westminster, UK. Most recently, the West Monroe High School Band was chosen as the Louisiana representative in the 58th presidential inaugural parade. His professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu, ASBDA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, LMEA, LMAA and the District I Band Directors Association. In 2019 he received the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor Award at the Midwest Clinic. He has been married to Victoria Freeman since 1992 and they are parents to two children, both musicians and graduates of West Monroe High School. Lake Charles attorney Michael Antoon was selected by Thrive Magazine as one of 13 Thriving 30 Somethings in the April edition of the magazine for better living. The magazine focuses on people living happy, healthy lives that are balanced and full of energy and contentment. Individuals selected for 13 Thriving 30 Somethings were highlighted not only for their careers and commitment PHOTO: THRIVE MAGAZINE to community, but also for Antoon overcoming obstacles of the past year, helping their neighbors and expressing gratitude for lessons learned along the way. Antoon was born and raised in Natchitoches and graduated from Northwestern State in 2007 with a degree in business administration. He is now an attorney/partner with Vamvoras Antoon Law Firm. During high school and college, Antoon worked at his family’s businesses and had a campus job at the NSU Alumni Center where he helped set up for events. He said his parents, Merle and Johnny, instilled in him a love of people and community service. Antoon volunteers at the Lake Charles Pitbull Rescue, serves on the board of the Imperial Calcasieu Museum and is a big brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Vamvoras Antoon Law Firm supports numerous local philanthropies, fundraisers, festivals and cleanups.
Robert Freeman, director of bands at West Monroe High School, was named the Banner Ford of Monroe Golden Apple Teacher of the Year. The award’s prize was a new car from the dealership. He was nominated by a student for the award. A graduate of West Monroe High School, Freeman has been director of bands there since 2003. He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree at NSU in 1992 and a Master of Music in euphonium performance Freeman from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1994. He is also a former marching member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Rockford, Illinois. He has held positions as brass professor at Pearl River Community College and director of bands at North Forrest High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Currently, he is on the brass instructional staff with the Louisiana Stars Drum
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Alumni News
Michael and his wife Alyson are very social and the 2020 pandemic radically changed their lifestyle. Where they once visited restaurants, festivals and other events, they adapted to using Zoom and other mediums, changing the way they conducted business and doing their part to prevent the spread of the virus. Then came Hurricanes Laura and Delta. “We worked feverishly to prepare our home and evacuated with four dogs and two cats – twice,” he said. As Laura hit, they watched live-streams from storm-chasers of buildings that were shredded. Though their home was damaged, they were grateful the damage wasn’t worse and, months later, are still in the process of overseeing repairs. Asked to define “home,” Antoon said “Home is that sphere of influence within which you can and should make your impact. It is where you and your friends, family and neighbors work together for a better tomorrow.”
Gallow joined Xavier following 4-1/2 years at Northwestern State, her alma mater, with the majority of her time spent in the development office. She was promoted to associate director of development in 2019 after four years as assistant director of alumni affairs/development and assisted with the development of university-wide fundraising. A proud Lafayette native, she received her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State in 2015 and completed her master’s in student affairs in higher education this past spring. She was a dancer on the renowned Demon Dazzlers and founded Kimberly K. Gallow, LLC in 2016. Dr. Jeffrey C. Mathews stepped down as director of bands at Northwestern earlier this year. Mathews, an associate professor of music, will teach full-time and direct the NSU Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds in the 2021-22 academic year. Associate Director of Bands Dan McDonald has been named interim director of bands while a search for a permanent director takes place. Mathews has served as director since 2013, enhancing Mathews the reputation of the program built by his predecessor Bill Brent. In that time, Mathews worked to build the overall band program by raising the profile of the concert band program which includes the NSU Wind Symphony. Under his direction, the Wind Symphony was invited to perform at the 2019 World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Convention in Buñol, Spain. Northwestern State hosted the 2020 College Band Directors Southern Division Conference at which the Wind Symphony performed. NSU’s band had record setting recruiting classes in 2016 with 111 freshmen and 120 in 2017. That led to the Spirit of Northwestern becoming the state’s largest marching band in 2019. Mathews, a 1990 graduate of Northwestern State, was among the students recruited by Brent as he began increasing the size of the band. Mathews returned to NSU as assistant director of bands in 1998. Mathews was also director of student activities and organizations from 2004-08. He held the Magale Endowed Professorship on multiple occasions. Mathews earned a Bachelor of Music Education at Northwestern State, a Master of Music Education at the University of North Texas and a Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting pedagogy at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Kimberly Gallow has joined the athletic staff at the University of New Orleans as associate athletic director for operations and capital projects. Gallow joined the Privateers after two seasons as associate athletic director/ senior woman administrator at Xavier University. Gallow will serve on the executive PHOTO: UNO ATHLETICS team and oversee all capital Gallow projects, operations, event management, championships, sports medicine and sports performance. She will be the sport administrator for indoor volleyball, beach volleyball and spirit squads. “I am enthusiastic and honored to join the Privateer family as well as having the opportunity to work with AD Tim Duncan,” said Gallow. “I look forward to working closely with the UNO team to ensure we are continuously serving our student-athletes. I’d like to thank Tim Duncan, Dr. John Nicklow and the UNO staff for the opportunity to continue my career in higher education back within the University of Louisiana System as well as within my home conference, the Southland Conference. Xavier Athletics has been nothing short of amazing to me in my time serving as their Associate AD/SWA and I look forward to taking those learned experiences to #NOLAsTeam.” At XULA, Gallow was the sport administrator for women’s basketball, competitive cheer and spirit teams and sports medicine. She was responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the mental, physical and holistic well-being of the XULA student-athletes. She also oversaw and executed several strategic plans and initiatives, along with game management and primary contact for the NAIA’s Champions of Character program.
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Alumni News
Thank you, Dr. Chris Maggio, ‘Mr. NSU’ NSU’s 19th president Dr. Chris Maggio will leave the university after more than 33 years dedicated to service and student success, having served as faculty/staff and in numerous leadership and instructional roles. Marcus Jones is serving as interim president while a search takes place. Maggio announced his retirement in a message to the university community April 16. “As gratifying as it has been to work over the years in athletics, recruitment and enrollment management, alumni and development, student affairs and as a vice-president and president, those responsibilities have necessitated extensive time away from my family,” he said. “Retirement will allow me to spend more time with family and friends and to explore new opportunities for serving others in education or related areas.” Maggio was invested as president in 2017. He and his wife Jennifer have worked tirelessly for the advancement of the university and been personally engaged in student organizations, service projects, fund raising and other support initiatives. Jennifer Maggio initiated a literacy project and organized outreach events for community children and youth. Maggio guided Northwestern through one of the most challenging periods in its 137-year history when the school transitioned last spring to predominantly online classes and academic programs early in the COVID-19 pandemic. NSU has returned to in-person classes and more normal operations but continues to serve students through online and hybrid class delivery. The four highest enrollments in NSU history have been during Maggio’s tenure as president, and the university’s economic impact on the region has climbed to an all-time high of $428 million. Over the years, Maggio served NSU as Head Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Admissions, Director of Enrollment Services, Director of Alumni and Development, Dean of Students and Assistant Provost, Assistant Vice-President for External Affairs and Vice-President for the Student Experience.
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Alumni News
The Maggio family has a long relationship with Northwestern State and the city of Natchitoches. Dr. Maggio’s grandparents were immigrants from Sicily and saw many of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren earn degrees at the university. Maggio is a 1985 summa cum laude graduate of Northwestern State. As a senior, he was elected Mr. NSU by his fellow students. Maggio earned his master’s of education at NSU. He received a doctorate in developmental education from Grambling State University. Jennifer Maggio earned a graduate degree in Student Personnel Services at NSU in 1992 and has worked in education as a teacher and administrator at the elementary, secondary and university levels. “My career at Northwestern has been much more pleasure than work. The memories of student achievements, faculty and staff accomplishments, athletic success and alumni philanthropy and support will make these years at Northwestern forever meaningful,” he said. The NSU Foundation established a scholarship honoring Dr. Maggio. Anyone who would like to contribute to the scholarship may do so by visiting www.northwesternstatealumni.com. Click on the Give tab and specify Dr. Chris Maggio Scholarship in the Choose Category tab.
My career at Northwestern has been much more pleasure than work. The memories of student achievements, faculty and staff accomplishments, athletic success and alumni philanthropy and support will make these years at Northwestern forever meaningful. – Dr. Chris Maggio
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Foundation News 5th annual Poche Bass Tournament supports NSU Fishing Team Burt and Shelley Poche presented proceeds from the fifth annual Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Bass Tournament to the Northwestern State University Foundation. Of the funds raised at the event, $20,000 will fund student scholarships for team members and $5,000 will help underwrite team expenses. This year’s tournament was the most successful to date, registering 249 two-man boats for the Toledo Bend tournament held March 27. This year, the Poche family and the NSU Fishing Team have been able to offer more scholarships to incoming students from all over Louisiana and Texas who sign with the team. “This year was the biggest turn-out we’ve ever had, and we look forward to the years to come,” Shelley Poche said. “We are thankful for our sponsors, vendors and volunteers who made the tournament successful.” The tournament paid back to fishermen $33,950 and 12 prizes. The Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Fishing Scholarship was established by Burt and Shelley Poche and Misty Ott in memory of their son, a 2015 graduate of Natchitoches Central High School and an avid outdoorsman. Dylan Poche excelled at tournament fishing and was a member of the NCHS
Proceeds from the fifth annual Dylan Kyle Poche Scholarship will assist with NSU Fishing Team expenses and individual scholarships for team members. From left are Cristy Bernard, Burt and Shelley Poche, NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio, Fishing Team Sponsor Judy Hamous and Jill Bankston.
Fishing Team and the NSU Fishing Team as a freshman. He passed away in January 2016. The NSU Fishing Team is open to all students and taps into the growing popularity of organized competitive bass fishing. The team competes in FLW, B.A.S.S. and Collegiate Bass circuits. NSU Fishing Team Sponsor Juddy Hamous said he encourages incoming members to apply for the scholarship and the award has been a great help to incoming students. Hamous is available to meet with prospective students during campus visits to talk more about the team, which has grown significantly, along with national interest in fishing as a collegiate sport. For more information on the NSU Fishing Team, contact Hamous at juddyh@nsula. edu or call (318) 332-0565 or visit the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/NSULABassFishing/.
Lemoine memorial scholarship will assist future educators Students pursuing a degree in education are eligible for a new scholarship created for future teachers. The Linda Gale and Henry H. Lemoine Jr. Scholarship will be awarded to an education major at any level attending Northwestern State University. Linda Gale, born in 1947, and Henry Jr., born in 1949, were reared near Clarence and both graduated from Northwestern State, Linda Gale in 1968 and Henry in 1970. Linda Gale worked at Oakdale Elementary School, teaching third grade and fourth grade math and social studies. “She was dedicated to the education of elementary age students. The love for her students was evidenced by her hard work tireless energy that she spent on a daily basis,” said her nephew, Sean Lemoine, a Dallas-based attorney and a 1994 graduate of NSU. He and his sister, Dr. Tara Lemoine, established the scholarship to celebrate the love Henry had Henry H. Lemoine Jr. for Linda Gale and her love of teaching. Their hope is that it will assist other people with a passion for teaching to carry on Linda Gale’s legacy. Henry H. Lemoine Jr. graduated law school from LSU and took his first job in Many. He practiced law for over 40 years, based out of Pineville. He was city attorney and city judge for Pineville and he had a long standing interest in helping children swept into the juvenile justice system. He passed away Feb. 21, 2021. To make a contribution to the scholarship fund, visit northwesternstatealumni.com. Linda Gale Lemoine
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Foundation News
Members of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity thanked David and Sherry Morgan, center, for their generosity in funding First Generation and Extra Mile Scholarships.
Morgan Scholarships awarded for first generation, ‘Extra Mile’ students in Tri Sigma and Pi Kappa Phi Northwestern State University students who are members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Beta Omicron Chapter and Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority Alpha Zeta Chapter were recognized as recipients of David D. Morgan and Sherry F. Morgan “Extra Mile” and First Generation scholarships during a socially-distanced assembly April 8. David Morgan, a 1973 NSU graduate and alumnus of NSU’s Beta Omicron Chapter, established the “Extra Mile” Scholarship in 2008 to recognize members of Pi Kappa Phi who distinguish themselves through academic success, chapter leadership, campus involvement and part-time employment. The scholarship has since grown and is awarded at the national level as well as in the local chapter. The Sherry Fargerson Morgan “Extra Mile” Scholarship for Sigma Sigma Sigma was announced in 2017 and mirrors the criteria for Pi Kappa Phi by honoring students who are outstanding and high achieving members of the chapter. First Generation Scholarships are students who are the first in their immediate families to attend college. Qualifying members participate in an application process that is reviewed
by chapter alumni before selections are made. Since 2018, the Morgan First Generation Scholarship has awarded more than $105,000 to NSU students. This year’s recipients are Trace Anthon of Hammond, Tabatha Bowlin of Alexandria, Courtney Chancellor of Gray, Katie Cole of Campti, Sheridan Duet of Thibodaux, Katelynn Edwards of Haughton, Javier Garcia of Bossier
City, Jonatan Jimenez of Bossier City, Gabriella Lawrence of Bossier City, Emmette Nobles of Natchitoches, Jacob Norris of Jonesville, Bailee Rattanachai of Haughton, and Katelyn Stevens of Ringgold.
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Recipients of the Sherry F. Morgan Extra Mile Scholarship are Hannah Angell of Boerne, Texas; Natalee Cook of Shreveport, Sheridan Duet of Thibodaux, Grace Gosserand of Ventress, Katelyn Kennedy of Baker, McKenzie Knotts of Keithville, Lilly Roach of Bryant, Arkansas, and Lauren Vienne of Natchitoches, LA Recipients of David D. Morgan Extra Mile Scholarship are Trace Anthon of Hammond, Andrew Dubriske of Barksdale AFB, Jonathan Gennaro of Kenner, Jonatan Jimenez of Bossier City, Emmett Nobles of Natchitoches, Jacob Norris of Jonesville and Joshua Wiggins of Alexandria. Keynote speaker was NSU alumna and businesswoman Britney Burton Spivey, a 2007 graduate and owner of Simply Chic Boutique with franchised stores across Louisiana. In addition to numerous recognitions for entrepreneurship, leadership and community service, she is a mother of three and actively involved in service and mentorship in her church, her community and Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. Sigma Sigma Sigma National President Natalie Averette of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Pi Kappa Phi CEO Mark E. Timmes of Charlotte, North Carolina, sent greetings via video.
Foundation News Lowe piano performance scholarship honors long-time Cenla musician Wanelle Lowe began playing piano at age three, before her feet could touch the pedals, and by the time she was 12, she was the pianist at her church in Rochelle, Texas. She spent her life teaching, performing and accompanying choirs and vocalists and, along with her husband, sharing her musical gifts with others. Lowe’s legacy will live on through a scholarship established by her children to benefit students majoring in Lowe piano performance at Northwestern State University. The Wanelle Lowe Endowed Scholarship for Piano Performance will be awarded to senior-level or graduate student studying piano performance.
Lowe earned a bachelor’s degree in music before moving to Louisiana where her husband Carroll Lowe served as music minister and later as state church music director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention in Alexandria. She was a private piano teacher for over 50 years and actively involved in local and international competitions. In addition to her work as a private teacher, Lowe was also the pianist for First Baptist Church Pineville for 57 years. Her role of church musician expanded to include performing as accompanist for the Singing Ministers of Louisiana Baptists for 20 years and the Louisiana Baptist All State Youth Choir for 25 years, ensembles that were organized by her husband. She was also accompanist for the Pineville High School Choral Program for 26 years. Lowe earned a master’s degree in piano performance at Northwestern State in 1980. Lowe passed away in 2012 at the age of 78. Her husband passed away last year. The scholarship is expected to be awarded to its inaugural recipient in 2022. Friends may contribute to the scholarship in memory of the Lowes by visiting www.northwesternstatealumni.com. Donors can click the Give tab and indicate the Wanelle Lowe Endowed Scholarship in the Specify section.
Simmons scholarship for future teachers pays back and pays forward Family and friends gathered to announce and celebrate the creation of a scholarship that will benefit Northwestern State University students who want to make a impact in their careers by becoming teachers. The Dr. Lisso and Nadine Smith Simmons Teacher Scholarship was created through an initial donation of $50,000 to the NSU Foundation and will continue the legacy of the couple for whom it is named. The endowed scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $2,000 per year to an undergraduate from Louisiana with preference for a student from Winn or Grant parishes. Dr. and Mrs. Simmons were married 56 years before Mrs. Simmons’ passing in 2006. A high school English teacher suggested Simmons consider college. Arriving at NSU in 1939, he received $10 in assistance for fee payment. Years later he learned that the funds were part of a $300 bequest left to the school by a teacher from
Goldonna in order to assist students. Simmons served on active duty in the Naval Air Force from 1942-46. As a radar officer with the rank of LT(JG) (Lieutenant, Junior Grade), Simmons served aboard aircraft carriers in the Pacific Theater. In 1946, he returned home and reenrolled at Northwestern State. There, he met Nadine Smith on her first day of school. He graduated in 1947 and completed a master’s degree at LSU. They were married four days after she graduated from NSU in 1950. Mrs. Simmons, a native of Sikes, was a teacher and homemaker. At the time of her passing, she was a member of First Baptist Church, WMU at First Baptist and the Natchitoches Garden Club. She was active in The Lions Club, Couples Too Sunday School Class and The Association of the Preservation of Historical Natchitoches. In 2000, during her Golden Jubilee 50-year graduation, NSU presented her with the Nth Degree, a special honor bestowed on individuals who go the extra mile in meritorious service to the university and/ or community. Dr. Simmons began his career in education teaching in Natchitoches Parish schools. He served as a principal in Webster Parish before spending 14 years as a professor at Northwestern State. He then spent eight years as Dean of the College of Education at Southeastern Louisiana University. He retired after one year as Dean of the School of Education at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. In 2000, he was inducted in NSU’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development Hall of Distinguished Educators. Friends can contribute to the Simmons Scholarship in honor of the couple by visiting www.northwesternstatealumni.com. Donors can click the Give tab and indicate the Dr. Lisso and Nadine Smith Simmons Scholarship in the Specify section.
From left are grandson Tyler, daughter Ann Cates, Simmons, granddaughter Anna Nadine, daughter Staci Waldvogel and grandson Mathis.
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Foundation News James C. White Memorial Scholarship endowed at $10,000 The James C. White Memorial Scholarship at Northwestern State University is now fully endowed at the $10,000 level thanks to the efforts of family and friends. The final donation of $1,370 from the St. Mary’s Cooking for a Cause Club pushed the scholarship to the endowed level. SMS students joined the White family in presenting the contribution to the NSU Foundation. Club organizer Mason McCart said Cooking for a Cause cooked and baked items to sell to raise funds for the scholarship, which benefits a firefighter, first responder or immediate family member of a firefighter or first responder attending Northwestern State University. Pictured are Garrett McCart, Michael Sesvold, Liz Miller, Jordan and Zack White, Jon McCart and Mason McCart McCart is the son of Carmella and Jon McCart, a fellow firefighter and friend of White’s. Personnel from the Natchitoches Fire Department “I started the club last September and every month, we and other friends established the scholarship in 2019. select a charitable cause,” Mason McCart said. Philanthropies James C. White grew up in Cloutierville and graduated have included breast cancer research, hurricane relief, from St. Mary’s in 1991. He attended Southern Arkansas the Natchitoches Women’s Resource Center, Natchitoches and Nicholls State University. He began working for the Humane Society, a local domestic violence support group Natchitoches Fire Department in 1996 and was promoted and this latest contribution to the NSU Foundation. to captain in 2005. He was also an EMT for the Natchitoches Friends can continue to support to the James C. White Regional Medical Center Ambulance Service. He was Memorial Scholarship visiting northwesternstatealumni.com diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2006 and passed and making a donation under the Give tab, specifying the away in 2007, leaving a wife, Liz, and two sons, Zachary and scholarship in the Comments section. Donors can also send Jordan. contributions to the NSU Foundation, 535 University Parkway, Liz White Miller is employed at St. Mary’s and both Zachary Natchitoches, Louisiana 71497 with memo indicating James. C. and Jordan are graduates of SMS. White Scholarship.
NFA establishes scholarship in thanks to NSU cheer team Natchitoches Flipping Athletics presented a donation to the NSU Foundation to initiate a scholarship for members of the NSU Cheer team. The scholarship will benefit a cheerleader in good standing that will be awarded annually in the amount of $1,000. Recipients must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better. NFA has had a long relationship with NSU Cheer, working closely with the team and Coach Amy Stepp. NFA also employs several NSU cheerleaders and work around their cheer and class schedules. On the front row from left are Coach Courtney Bergeron, NSU assistant volunteer coach and NFA coach; NSU Coach Amy Stepp, Terrance Green, scholarship recipient; Thea Foshee, Coach Micah Murchison, Erin Dupree representing the NSU Foundation and NFA Coach Abby Williams. On the back row are Valyn Myrick, Toby Green, Presley Stewart, Izzy Peluso, Annalise Sylvia, Tre Jackson Elise Vidrine, Gavin Acor and Drelan Evans.
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Athletic News
Five home games, new-look SLC slate highlight 2021 FB schedule After a year of uncertainty, there will be some feeling of normalcy this fall for the Northwestern State football team. The Demons announced their 11-game fall schedule Thursday – a slate featuring five home games and a unique Southland Conference campaign. Northwestern State opens the season with regional non-conference road games at Conference USA member North Texas (Sept. 4) and Alcorn (Sept. 11) before kicking off the Turpin Stadium portion of its schedule against UT Martin on Sept. 18. “The proximity of the two nonconference games to Natchitoches provides an opportunity for our fans to travel and support the team. The North Texas game may have special appeal for those who want to spend the holiday weekend in the Dallas Metroplex,” said NSU Director of Athletics Greg Burke. “Regional rivalries are also a focus whenever possible in the scheduling process. The home and home series with Alcorn, along with future games against Grambling and Prairie View A&M, reflect that approach.” Head coach Brad Laird, who begins his fourth season in September, echoed the importance of playing a pair of relatively nearby non-conference foes.
“You look at the North Texas game, we have a good number of Texas guys on our roster,” he said. “Then you look at Alcorn, and it’s a lot like the North Texas game where it’s not a team we normally see, but we have some guys from Mississippi on the roster.” NSU begins its new-look Southland Conference slate Sept. 25 at Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions are one of three teams the Demons will face in home-and-home matchups in 2021. With the departure of five members to the Western Athletic and A-Sun conferences, the Southland instituted the trio of home-and-home matchups to maintain an eight-game conference schedule. Southeastern Louisiana will return to Turpin Stadium on Oct. 23, which
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serves as Northwestern State’s annual Homecoming game. In addition to the Lions, the Demons face McNeese (Oct. 16 home, Nov. 20 away) and Houston Baptist (Oct. 9 away, Nov. 6 home) in home-and-home series. “You don’t see that in college football,” Laird said. “I just talked about the normalcy of playing an 11-game season, and it’s a little bit different once we get to conference. In order to play the 11-game schedule and approach some sense of normalcy, you play three teams twice. It’s very unique. For our guys, the opportunity to play 11 Saturdays is what’s important.” Northwestern rounds out its eightgame Southland Conference schedule by hosting Incarnate Word on Oct. 2 and traveling to Nicholls on Oct. 30.
Athletic News Former student-athletes establish Broussard Athletic Endowment State’s athletic endowment – through outright donations or deferred gifts – to more than $5 million. The Broussards’ endowment serves as a multi-pronged example for other former NSU student-athletes in both in action and Kendra and William Broussard in scope. First, William Broussard designated the DUF as a beneficiary of his retirement to fund the endowment. Secondly, he reiterated the hope his decision spurs on similar action from his and Kendra’s former NSU teammates – a thought that dovetails with the “Light the Fire” theme Northwestern State athletics has embraced for the 2021-22 athletic calendar. “Having served previously as the associate athletic director here at NSU, Will has an in depth and personal understanding of the need for our Perpetually Purple Program to continue to grow, and the impact these donations have on our current student-athletes. I just appreciate that he’s never forgotten where he came from and wants to honor his and his wife’s time spent here in this way,” said Greg Burke, NSU AD.
Dr. William Broussard and his wife Kendra Broussard, both 2000 graduates, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary by announcing the William ’00 and Kendra ’00 Broussard Athletic Endowment. William Broussard is a two-time All-American offensive lineman and a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete who later worked in athletic administration at NSU. Kendra Broussard is a former NSU volleyball player. “Northwestern State Athletics has been an enormous part of our lives,” William Broussard said. “We met as studentathletes almost 25 years ago and continue to maintain friendships with fellow student-athletes and folks we met both during our time studying there and later when we both returned to work at NSU. “This commitment is both a measure of our devotion as well as a challenge to all alumni to give what they can to support the institution. NSU is a leader in the Southland and the state of Louisiana year in and year out in graduating student-athletes, and that’s what matters the most to us. The Louisiana Scholars College provides a unique opportunity to recruit standout student-athletes, and as the first football player to graduate from there in 2000, I’m proud to have seen that tradition continue.” The William ‘00 and Kendra ‘00 Broussard Athletic Endowment joins the list of athletic scholarships developed through the Perpetually Purple program. The goal of the Perpetually Purple drive, which is managed by the Demons Unlimited Foundation (DUF), is to grow Northwestern
Missouri honors Delaney with Kansas City highway designation Nearly four decades after his death, Joe Delaney’s impact continues to resonate in his professional hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. The Missouri Department of Transportation, earlier this month, approved an application for a two-mile stretch of I-435 that encircles the Kansas City area to be named the Joe Delaney Memorial Highway. The area encompassed in that stretch runs from Missouri Highway 350 continuing to Raytown Road, taking travelers past Arrowhead Stadium where Delaney starred for the Kansas City Chiefs for two seasons before drowning in an attempt to save three children in a pond near Monroe on June 29, 1983. Delaney, a two-sport All-American at Northwestern State who helped the Demons win the national 4x100 relay championship in 1981, was the 1981 AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Chiefs after rushing for 1,121 yards and three touchdowns while catching 22 passes for 246 yards. His 3,047 career rushing yards were a school record at the time his career finished and remain the fifth-highest total in school history. His 27 career rushing touchdowns were a school record for 20 years before being surpassed by Tony Taylor (32 TDs) in 2000. Delaney’s rushing touchdown total remains third in school history. Delaney’s 299-yard, fourtouchdown explosion against Nicholls on Oct. 28, 1978, remains the school single-game standard for yards and shares the mark for rushing touchdowns 43 years later.
A product of Haughton High School, Delaney’s No. 44 jersey is retired at Northwestern State. He was inducted into the N-Club Hall of Fame in 1985 and into the Chiefs Ring of Honor in 2003. Delaney was honored with the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Ronald Reagan after Delaney’s death. The renaming of the Missouri interstate loop – which was requested by Adam Jassey, who has worked extensively with the 37 Forever Foundation named in honor of Delaney’s jersey number with the Chiefs – is part of an 11-month stretch where Delaney’s memory has been in the spotlight in both Missouri and Louisiana.
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New multipurpose space named for Lucile Mertz Hendrick Northwestern State University formally named a new multipurpose meeting space in the Friedman Student Union after long-time administrator Lucile Mertz Hendrick (1909-2003) and unveiled a portrait of Hendrick created by NSU graduate student Edgar Cano Lopez that will hang outside the room. The space, Room 121, is the site of the former campus bookstore and has quickly become a popular meeting space for campus groups, according to Student Government Association President Nick Hopkins, who welcomed guests on behalf of the student body. Hendrick was assistant dean of women at Northwestern from 1959 until 1963 and was dean of women from 1963 until her retirement in 1974. A 1929 graduate of Louisiana State Normal, Hendrick was a charter member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and remained active until her death. During her tenure as a college administrator, she was named Outstanding Dean of Women for Louisiana. In 1998, she was named to Northwestern’s Long Purple Line, the highest honor bestowed on a Northwestern alumnus. Hendrick was awarded citations from several NSU student organizations, including the SGA, Purple Jackets and Panhellenic Council, who created the Lucile Mertz Hendrick Panhellenic Foundation Scholarship in her honor. Sigma Sigma
Sigma Sorority also created the Lucile Mertz Hendrick Outstanding Alumna Award in her honor. Several members of Sigma Sigma Sigma attended the portrait unveiling Monday, which coincided with the sorority’s Founder’s Day. NSU SGA President Nicholas Hopkins and artist Edgar Cano Lopez unveiled a portrait of Lucile Mertz Hendrick that will Lopez, the artist hang outside the newly dedicated Lucile M. Hendrick Room, a who created the multipurpose meeting and event space on the first floor of the finely detailed Friedman Student Union. portrait of Hendrick, is earning buildings and prominent spaces a Master of Arts degree in Art. He was named after individuals features a born in Isla, Veracruz, Mexico, and grew portrait of that person and highlights up in Santiago Tuxtla, a small city in the individuals who made significant Los Tuxtlas region of southern Veracruz. contributions to the university. The He studied in the fine arts program at program also highlights the talents the Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa, of student artists and alumni with the initially focused on creating set designs works commissioned to artists who are for campus theatre and working partcurrent or former students. time jobs outside of art. During his A dedication program for the time at the Universidad, he began to Seven Oaks Stage at Iberville Green, develop his own techniques through originally scheduled for April 23, was his practice in lithography and drawing postponed to the fall semester due to and later began to explore painting. He anticipated inclement weather. The held his first solo exhibition in 2012 and Seven Oaks Stage will be named to has since accumulated a substantial honor the first seven Black students to body of work. attend Northwestern State. Details on The NSU Student Government the rescheduling will be announced as Association’s ongoing portrait plans are finalized. program was created to ensure that
In Memory 1938 – Alice Stephenson, January 3, 2017, Dallas, Texas
1970 – Betty Brosset Carnahan, April 20, 2021, Natchitoches
Barbara Durr Johnson, April 19, 2021, Plano, Texas
1952 – Gilbert DeRouen, April 10, 2021, Johnson City, Tennessee
1971 – David A. Solomon, April 12, 2021, Natchitoches
Arthur Ray Lambert Jr., April 22, 2021, Robeline
1963 – Mack Daniel Knotts, May 1, 2021, Haughton
1989 - Phillip Gillis, April 29, 2021, Natchitoches
1962 – Calvin Jay Reese, Jan. 29, 2021, Richardson, Texas
1993 - Elizabeth Ann Dierksmeier, Feb. 16, 2021, Littleton, Colorado
1967 – Kenny Guillot, April 17, 2021, Baton Rouge 1967 – Dr. Jerry L. Allen, May 1, 2021, Natchitoches (former professor of microbiology)
1995 – Sean Anthony Revels, April 7, 2021, Natchitoches Molly Biggs Templin, April 8, 2021, Punta Gorda, Florida
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Harvis “Junior” Johnson, May 1, 2021, Natchitoches Alvin E. Calhoun, May 3, 2021, Baton Rouge George “Chappy” Elton Gunter, May 7, 2021, Winnfield Mary Ann McCartney Roberts, May 11, 2021, Winnfield Bert Thomas Batchelor, May 15, 2021, Tallulah
Looking Back Not Just a Dean, A Friend
“For him, NSU was about the memories with the students on his campus. It was walking the hallways of the Student Union and knowing more than just a student’s first name.”
Guess Who
“It’s important to get to know students individually,” Dr. Chris Maggio said in a 2011 Potpourri interview while serving as Dean of Students, where he was responsible for providing services to students, such as student programming, leadership training and volunteer opportunities in which out-of-classroom experiences aid student development. “But those were not the only programs Maggio had in mind when he took the position,” wrote interviewer Jeffrey Sholar (2011). He understood the students came first and he made his goal to be there for them. “For him, NSU was about the memories with the students on his campus,” Sholar wrote. “It was walking the hallways of the Student Union and knowing more than just a student’s first name.”
After holding virtual Greek recruitment during the COVID pandemic, NSU will return to in-person recruitment this fall and will welcome all Greeks back to Natchitoches for the Greek Centennial Oct. 22-24. Pictured here are students attending an Alpha Phi Alpha interest party during Fall 1991 recruitment. Can you name them? Email your answer along with your name, city of residence and year of graduation to jacksonl@nsula.edu.
The Spring Alumni Columns featured this photo... Students who served as counselors for Inside View in 1981 were, front row from left, Inside View Cochair Barbara Gillis, Tony Hernandez, Cheryl Corkran, Jim McKellar, Kristy Towry and Inside View Cochair Agatha Newitt. On the second row are Ginger Gates, Diane Adams and Norma Carillo. On the top row are Roger Rolon, Mairus McFarland, Anna Cloutier and Inside View Cochair Danny Seymour. Those who guessed correctly were: John Litton (1984), Bedford, Texas – former member of The Entertainers Perry Anderson (1985), Athens Dr. Colleen Cook Johnson (1978, 1982), Bolivar, Tennessee
Support DEMONS UNLIMITED by using the ENCLOSED ENVELOPE Support NSU Athletics Donations to the Demons Unlimited Foundation help provide scholarships for over 350 deserving student-athletes each year, accounting for over $250,000 in expenses for the Athletic Department. Simply put: We cannot do what we do without you. Your support allows us to remain competitive and continue to enhance the educational and athletic experiences of our student-athletes. Thank you, and Fork ‘em, Demons!
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SUMMER 2021
Northwestern State University Alumni Columns Natchitoches, LA 71497-0002