W I N T E R 2 0 21
Northwestern State University Magazine
Although
Messages My Fellow Alumni:
Dr. Chris Maggio 1985, 1991 President Northwestern State University
The old saying that “tough times don’t last but tough people do” can certainly be applied to the year 2020. Through an international pandemic, ravaging storms, social conflicts, uncertainties, disappointments and many personal losses, our NSU family pulled together to help each other in so many ways. Many of us were forced to adapt to circumstances beyond our control and, in doing so, discovered new ways of working, learning and accomplishing goals. Sometimes challenging times force us to think outside the box and grow in ways we never knew were possible. As I write this, the university is preparing a series of commencement ceremonies that will certainly be unlike any at NSU before. Much thought to detail has been put into the planning of these events in order to acknowledge this milestone for our May, August and December 2020 graduates. These students have overcome many unexpected obstacles, and all deserve celebrating, even though it may not be in person. My family and I are ending 2020 with gratitude: for the perseverance of our university community, for the strong support of our alumni, friends, community partners and especially to each of you for your generosity, patience and cooperation. I hope you will join me in welcoming the new year with optimism and a commitment to continued support of each other, our communities and the university we love. Be safe and stay well as we all look forward to better times ahead.
Dear Alumni: While 2020 was certainly not what we planned, there were many highlights that deserve reflection. Among those are your response to requests of support for our students, your ideas and suggestions on avenues through which we are developing more inclusive partnerships and, time and again, encouraging examples of people helping people. Dr. Drake Owens 2004, 2005 Assistant Vice President of External Affairs for University Advancement
Although circumstances may change, the Alumni and Development staff is moving forward with plans for spring events that you will read about in this issue, namely Long Purple Line, Flavor of Louisiana and the Greek Centennial Celebration all wrapped in one weekend April 9-11. We also plan to honor the classes of 1970 and 1971 in a combined Golden Jubilee weekend May 7-8. These events will be carefully coordinated, and we will communicate details as plans are finalized. This edition is also full of snippets that spotlight NSU alumni making an impact in diverse fields including medicine, education, business, the arts and military service. Our graduates are engaged in important work and we are proud to highlight their accomplishments. We have missed the personal interactions that are normally an essential part of building relationships and feeling connected to our friends and loved ones, but we have also been more thoughtful in the ways that we communicate, sensitive to individual circumstances and more purposeful in our service to the NSU community. Thank you for your continued support for Northwestern State. I look forward to a time when we can join together in person and hope to see you at our spring 2021 events.
Alumni Columns Official Publication of Northwestern State University Natchitoches, Louisiana Organized in 1884 A member of CASE Volume XXX Number 4 WINTER 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, Carencro, 1985 Treasurer...............................J. Scott Repp, McKinney, Texas, 1989 Past President.............................Monty Chicola, Alexandria, 1979
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
NSU President...................................Dr. Chris Maggio, 1985, 1991 Vice President for External Affairs..................... Jerry Pierce, 1961 Assistant Vice President of External Affairs for University Advancement................. Drake Owens, 2004, 2005
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. P. Cade Brumley...........................................New Orleans, 2002 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 Trey Hill..................................................................... Carencro, 1985 Emilyn Horton....................................................Natchitoches, 1987 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 MEMVERS Jerry Brungart..................................Natchitoches, 1969, 1971 Leonard Endris..................................................Leesville, 1974 Dr. Hayward Hargrove, Black Mountain, N.C. .............1964 Gail Jones ..................................................Natchez 1981, 1998 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Nicholas Hopkins............................... Bossier City, SGA President 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.
One Weekend, Three Big Events April 9-11, 2021 Northwestern State University will host a special spring weekend that will combine three big events to welcome alumni and friends back to Natchitoches. Mark your calendars for April 9-11 when the Greek Centennial Weekend will be held in conjunction with the previously postponed Long Purple Line induction ceremony and Flavor of Louisiana, NSU’s popular spring seafood extravaganza. Organizers are planning events in compliance with health and safety mandates and will adjust as conditions change. Watch for communication regarding adjustments as they may occur and feel free to contact the Alumni staff at (318) 357-4414 to confirm event details. Festivities will begin when six distinguished alumni join the Long Purple Line, NSU’s Alumni Hall of Distinction. This year’s inductees are state official Sujuan Boutte of Prairieville, businessman Harvey F. Marcus Sr. of Monroe, Louisiana State University Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron of Baton Rouge, NSU Vice President for External Affairs Jerry Pierce, FedEx executive John A. Smith of Memphis, Tennessee, and former NSU faculty member Thomas Whitehead of Natchitoches. The Long Purple Line induction will begin with a reception at 10:30 a.m. for former inductees, followed by a noon luncheon and induction program at the Natchitoches Events Center. Check-in for the lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at https://longpurpleline2021.eventbrite.com. That evening, NSU will host Flavor of Louisiana, a food festival that raises dollars for NSU scholarships and academic programming. The popular event will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, April 9 and will feature samplings of a variety of seafood dishes and specialty cocktails with silent auctions, door prizes, music and more. Flavor of Louisiana will also serve as the opening social for all alumni participating in the Greek Centennial weekend. Information is available at www.nsula.edu/fol. Greek events on Saturday, April 10 will begin with chapter meetings at 9 a.m., followed by a family-friendly Greek Riverbank Festival in downtown Natchitoches and a semi-formal Centennial Gala at 7 p.m. The Celebration will continue Sunday with an all-Greek worship service and breakfast at 9:30 a.m. on the downtown riverbank. Individual organizations have also planned special events and celebrations for their chapters. Ticket and more information is available at https://greekcentennial2021.eventbrite.com. Tax-deductible sponsorships are available for all events with corresponding perks and benefits. Information on sponsorships is available at northwesternstatealumni.com/greeks100/tickets-sponsors/. Anyone who purchased tickets to Golden Jubilee or Long Purple Line and are not able to attend the new dates should email Danielle Cobb at cobbd@nsula.edu or call (318) 357-5513 to receive a refund for your purchase.
Save the The Golden Jubilee honoring Date 50-YEAR GRADUATES
will be Friday, May 7 - Saturday, May 8 and will celebrate the NSU classes of 1970 and 1971.
The tickets are $75 per graduate and $60 per additional guest(s). https://goldenjubilee2021.eventbrite.com
This public document was published at a total cost of $20,703.45. 52,348 copies of this public document were published in this first printing at a cost of $20,703.45. The total cost of all printings of this document, including reprints is $20,703.45. 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
WINTER 2021
Alumni News Daughter pens tribute to 1941 graduate Grace Cecile Barrois Dixon Mary Dixon prepared the following tribute to her mother, Grace Cecile Barrois (1921-2020).
M
y mom, Grace Cecile Barrois Dixon, a native of Plaquemines Parish, graduated from Louisiana State Normal College (the original name of Northwestern) on May 31, 1941. It was the year Cheerios hit the market, Parade magazine began publishing, the FCC approved regular television broadcasts and the United States entered World War II. My mom, who was Homecoming Queen, was 19 when she graduated. I can’t imagine what it was like for my mom to leave her parents and country home in south Louisiana and travel the more than 250 miles to Natchitoches to attend college. I was always amazed thinking about how she made that journey; about the Grace Cecile Barrois Dixon is pictured on June 30, 2020, with her courage it took as a young teenager to leave the safety and love of her family. I was framed diploma from Louisiana always proud of her for that. I wish I had asked her more questions so I would have State Normal College. She passed known more stories. away one month later. I knew she was homecoming queen and after graduation she went back to the New Orleans area and taught business school. Back then, that included shorthand. I met only one of her students years after she finished teaching and he held her in very high regard. That always made me feel good. My mom lived a good life (a teacher, a florist, a strong woman, a loving wife and mom) and lived 21 more years after my dad (Arthur Joseph Dixon) died. They were married 50 years. She missed him every day; as she did her mom and dad who died many years earlier. As COVID-19 hit all our communities this year, I was not allowed to visit my mom any longer due to the lockdown in assisting living homes. My mom lived in Sunrise in Baton Rouge. While I could not visit, I sent her package after package to ensure her she was always on my mind. The package she received from me on June 30 of this year was my favorite of all time. I wanted it to tell her how proud I was of her and for her to realize and remember she had a full life and one in which she excelled and worked hard. On that day, she received from me a framed copy of her diploma from Louisiana State Normal College from 1941. No one had ever framed it for her over those 79 years. My brother found it in a box at my mom’s home and sent it to me for safe keeping. I knew I couldn’t keep it. I got it framed and sent it to my mom. I sent it along with graduation balloons. I wanted her to celebrate who she was and how proud I was of her. As I packed up my mom’s apartment after she died, the first item I safely boxed to be sent to my home in New York was her framed diploma. That one document will always remind me of my mom’s love, courage and greatness. How she taught me to always strive to be humble, have faith and work hard. I read the news articles all the time about famous women dying and hear all the tributes to them. While my mom was not famous, I know she was as amazing as any of them.
Homecoming Court 1941 - On the front row from left are Margaret Wood, Francis Thompson, Margaret Hughes, Betty Ann Roy, Marie Jackson, Betty Ida Wyatt and June Yarborough. On the back row are Marion Chapman, Helen Love, Grace Barrois and Marion See.
2
WINTER 2021
Alumni News Centenarian: healthy living, staying positive keys to long life Corinne Mondello Dowden has witnessed a lot in her long She went from life and has some advice for young people: “Get educated Longville to Kisatchie and have a purpose in life.” where she met and Dowden, age 101, earned a degree in home economics married S.G. Dowden. at Louisiana State Normal College, as Northwestern State After years of teaching University was then known, in 1943 and from her home in at Kisatchie and Kisatchie talked with a visitor about her student days, faculty Gorum, she retired in who were special mentors and her experiences as a young 1974 with 30 years of teacher in small rural schools. experience. The oldest child of Sicilian immigrants, Dowden graduated Thinking back on from Natchitoches High School. She was the first person in Normal days, Dowden her family to attend college, encouraged by her mother and also recalled her her high school home economics teacher Ruby Dunckelman. friendship with Dr. Dunckelman would later have a long career as chair of the Marie Shaw Dunn, Department of Home Economics at Normal. who created the At Normal, Dowden was also a student of math professor Home Economics Joe Webb, father of the late NSU President Dr. Randy Webb; Department’s chemistry professor A.L. Ducournau, whose record book she concentration in recalled being stolen by a class prankster, and Esther Cooley, early childhood who taught food science. Her family were also friends with education and the Corinne Mondello Dowden holding her Normal College graduation another Sicilian immigrant family, the Maggios, forebears of Child Development photo from 1943. NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio. Center that is named Dowden was born July 3, 1919. Education was important for her, and Minnie to her parents. As a commuter student, Dowden didn’t Lee Odom, another long-time home economics professor. participate in many extracurricular activities, but she did Dowden returned to Northwestern State College to earn her have a work-study job with Ora G. Williams, librarian and master’s degree in home economics in the early 1960s. She professor of English, repairing books has children, grandchildren, great Her advice for young people: in the library, which helped pay grandchildren, nieces and nephews tuition. who earned degrees from NSU. She recalled that at one point she Dowden and her husband, who wasn’t sure she wanted to continue were married 49 years until his her studies and intended to resign. death in 1996, had three children “I got discouraged and you had to and the family has grown to include report to the president if you wanted to resign,” she recalled. numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Last year, “A.A. Fredericks was a friend of the family and he refused she was honored with a large 100th birthday celebration, to let me resign.” With his encouragement and that of Mrs. attended by extended family, friends and former students Dunckelman, Dowden stayed in school. from through the decades. Completing her degree during World War II, Dowdon When asked what attributed to such a long life, she said, taught at Provencal and then at Longville, a small school in “practicing good health habits, eating balanced meals and Beauregard Parish where she taught science, chemistry and staying active. Also, take life day by day and have a positive home economics. attitude. I guess God just wanted me to live this long.”
“Get educated and have a purpose in life.”
NSU’s oldest living graduate celebrates 110th birthday Earline Hart Andrews, NSU’s oldest living graduate, celebrated her 110th birthday Oct. 28, 2020. Though her hearing and eyesight are poor and she uses a walker for mobility, Andrews’ memory and intellect are as sharp as ever. Andrews graduated from Louisiana Normal, as NSU was then known, in 1931, and spent 43 years teaching in Texas before retiring in 1975. Born Oct. 28, 1910, Andrews went to the polls in person to vote at her local precinct in North Richland Hills, Texas, one week prior to her birthday. An avid reader and traveler, Andrews during her life visited 48 states in the U.S., and every continent except for Antarctica and Australia. She is also a genealogist who traced her ancestors to the 500s. After living in Tyler, Texas, for several decades, Andrews relocated to the Fort Wortharea to live with a niece a few years ago.
3
WINTER 2021
Alumni News Walsh advances in government ranks Jennifer Walsh (1991) is serving as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Immediately prior, she served as the Principal Director, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction. Walsh entered federal government service in 1996 in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). She was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2010. Her OSD Policy experience includes assignments in the offices for Middle East Policy, Afghanistan/Pakistan/ Central Asia, Russia/Ukraine/Eurasia, Plans, Support to Public Diplomacy, Strategy, European Policy, Asia-Pacific Policy, Technology Security Policy and Counter-Proliferation, and the Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA). Prior to joining the Department of Defense, Walsh served as J. William Fulbright Scholar to Sweden and worked as a policy analyst for the Southern Governors’ Association in Washington, D.C. Jennifer Walsh Walsh is a 2007 graduate of the National War College (NWC) at the National Defense University and served as the OSD Policy Chair on the NWC Faculty from July 2014-June 2017. She earned a Master of Public Affairs degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State. Walsh remained engaged with NSU by creating the Animal Welfare Call to Action Scholarship to address animal welfare issues in Natchitoches and give NSU students an opportunity to develop leadership and community engagement skills. The scholarship focused on raising awareness and facilitating community action to improve animal welfare through student initiatives.
Robertson joins PNC Bank, continues to give back
Rob Robertson
Rob Robertson, a 2000 graduate of Northwestern State University’s School of Business, was appointed senior vice president, divisional territory executive for mortgage with PNC Bank, a position he began Sept. 30. Robertson joined the PNC Bank team as a territory senior executive covering North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas. He has more than 20 years of financial services experience, most recently as executive director, senior lending manager overseeing the mid-Atlantic expansion market for JPMorgan Chase. Before that, he held
senior leadership roles at Wells Fargo and GMFS. Robertson has extensive leadership experience as a culture-centric builder, change agent and P&L leader. Robertson “is passionate about building and coaching a successful team, as well as building the foundation and culture of caring. His leadership skills and ability to develop a winning culture has played a key role in his success serving in many different geographies during his leadership journey, moving from Georgia to Florida and from Florida to Virginia,” according to Pete Boomer, mortgage distribution executive. Robertson and his wife Nneka have two children, Bryson O’Connor and Boston Olivia. Robertson believes that “to whom much is given, much is required” and is honored to give back and provide mentorship. In the past, he has supported his children’s schools, served as a volunteer coach and motivational speaker and is an ordained deacon. He was a featured speaker at NSU’s annual J. Walter Porter Forum hosted by the School of Business, which encourages ethical standards in business practice. Robertson, along with two other former NFL athletes, is founder of a 501©(3) called Quest-Act, an organization designed to provide life skills for
4
WINTER 2021
youth beyond the game for “athletes on a quest to answer the call to living a purpose-driven life in building and shaping the community.” Robertson played with the NSU Demon football team and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens to play full back for two seasons in 1998-2000 and was roommates with former NFL Offensive MVP Priest Holmes. When his three years with the NFL were over, he completed his degree in business at NSU. He holds certifications in business analytics from Cornell University, executive leadership development from the Center for Creative Leadership, strategic communication management professional certification from The Complete Approach and transformational leadership certification from Wells Fargo. Robertson was inducted into NSU’s School of Business Hall of Distinction and also named an all-century Top 100 permanent football team captain. He has been nominated for the N Club Hall of Fame and is active in the NFL Players Alumni and the Ravens Legends. He is also involved with a diversity and inclusion mentorship program. “I will always be a part of the fabric at NSU,” Robertson said. “NSU gave me a chance to have an education, and I am humbly grateful for that.”
Alumni News Cosumano to receive Spirit of Independence Award women of the greatest military on earth,” said Cosumano. “I accept this award on their behalf, as it represents all their sacrifices and those of their families to keep America and the world safe.” Cosumano began his path to a military career at Northwestern State – where he earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees, while also being in the Lt. Gen. Joseph Cosumano Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. He later received his commission in the U.S. Army as second lieutenant through the program, beginning his 35 years of military service. During his career, Cosumano was involved in efforts to lead the U.S. military equipment and defenses into the 21st century. He was the chief of the Army’s Force Modernization program, where he was responsible for the requirements and funding of all Army equipment and equipping and designing all organizations of the Army. Along with that, he also was the Director of the Objective Force Task Force to develop requirements, technology and resources for the Army in the 21st century.
Northwestern State University alumnus retired United States Army Lieutenant General Joseph M. Cosumano, Jr. was named as the 44th recipient of the Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award set to be presented at the annual Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport. “General Cosumano is one of the greatest patriots I have ever known,” said Radiance Technologies CEO Bill Bailey. “I watched Joe lead the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command to accomplish amazing technologies to protect the American citizens. He very much deserves this recognition. He is a Shreveport native that has served our country with honor and distinction.” Cosumano served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 2004 and has been honored with a number decorations throughout his career. In his 35 years of service, he was honored with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star. The Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster denotes receiving each respective award multiple times. Cosumano was inducted into the NSU Alumni Hall of Distinction, the Long Purple Line in 2003. He was named Northwestern Demon Regiment Hall of Fame in 1993 in recognition of his military accomplishments and support of the regiment. “I am honored to have served with and for the men and
NSU trumpeter plays Taps for transfer and repatriation ceremonies for 36 U.S. Marines who died at Battle of Tarawa SSgt. Aaron K. Carpenter, a 2006 graduate of NSU, was a member of the MARFORPAC Marine Band stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and took part in a repatriation ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, last year. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency repatriates to the United States SSgt. Aaron Karpenter remains that are believed to be those of U.S. service members from World War II’s Battle of Tarawa, which was fought in the Pacific Theater in November 1943 on the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. Carpenter was an active member of the band, soccer team, and participated in the JROTC program while a student at Tioga High School. After graduating from Tioga, Carpenter attended and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree at NSU, where he was active in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and a member of multiple instrumental ensembles in the School of Creative and Performing Arts, including the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band and the Chamber Choir. Carpenter taught band at Pineville Junior High School for six years before joining the Marine Corps. He is the son of Karl (1979) and Terri (1980) Carpenter of Pineville and is currently stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico outside of Washington, D.C., with his wife Heather (2005) and daughter Gwendolyn. SSgt Carpenter is the enlisted conductor for the Quantico Marine Band.
5
WINTER 2021
Alumni News
Spotlights The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) announced last fall that Ken Hale, president and CEO of BOM Bank in Natchitoches was elected to the ICBA Federal Delegate Board. ICBA is the nation’s voice for community banks. Hale earned a degree in business administration at Northwestern State University in 1994 and has served as a long-time member of the NSU Foundation Board. Ken Hale In addition to helping shape and advocate ICBA’s national policy positions and programs, Hale’s duties include being a liaison between independent community bankers in Louisiana and ICBA staff and leadership in Washington, D.C. He will also work to recruit new members to ICBA. Hale’s wife, Shannon Wall Hale, earned a degree in Student Personnel Services at NSU in 1995 and is currently on faculty as an instructor in the Department of Psychology.
Earlier this year, Sharkey accepted a special assignment in Shreveport as a preload manager. Sharkey holds a master’s degree from Webster University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from NSU in 1995 and an associate degree from Mississippi Delta Community College. Danielle Mack, vice president and chief development officer at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, has been included in the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) Forty Under 40 list. The Forty Under 40 program is designed to recognize the future leaders within the health care philanthropy community. AHP is honoring these 40 young professionals because they are Danielle Mack shaping the future of the health care development industry. Collectively, they are changing the world—one campaign at a time. Mack is a 2003 graduate of Northwestern State where she earned a degree in journalism with a concentration in public relations. Mack, a Certified Fundraising Executive, has nearly 15 years’ experience building and managing fund development, volunteer engagement and special event programs. A nearly 10-year member of Mary Bird Perkins’ development team, she has provided oversight and leadership in advancing philanthropic support throughout Southeast Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi. In 2018, Mack was named Outstanding Professional Fundraiser by the Greater Baton Rouge Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, serving as the organization’s youngest recipient of this prestigious local award. She is a graduate of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s Class of 2014 Leadership Class, 2019 John W. Barton Sr. Community Leadership Program and 2019 Adweek Executive Mentee.
Frank Jabbia (1994) was named superintendent of the St. Tammany Parish School System in October. Jabbia has spent his entire 26-year career in the St. Tammany system, the last 18 at Northshore High School where he served as principal since 2013. He was named 2016-17 High School Principal of the Year and selected as a semi-finalist in the 2017 Louisiana Principal of the Year program. Last year, he was named one of St. Tammany Parish’s Principals of the Year. Jabbia earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health at NSU and a master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. The former Demon football player began his career as a coach. His father Peter Jabbia earned a degree at NSU in 1968 and served as the St. Tammany School system’s interim superintendent during the transition of administration. He has supported NSU through the years by attending teacher job fairs and recruiting prospective students for NSU’s School of Education.
The University of Central Arkansas named Mary Bane Lackie (1987) vice president of University Advancement and president of the UCA Foundation as of Oct. 15, 2020. Lackie has more than 30 years of experience in higher education. During her career, she has held critical positions in enrollment, admissions, housing and residence life, international programs, alumni services and advancement in colleges and universities in the U.S. and in Dubai, Armenia and Poland. Lackie served as interim vice president of University Advancement at UCA from February-October 2020. Prior to that, she served as assistant vice president for Development. Before arriving UCA, Lackie was vice chancellor for University Advancement at the University of Arkansas-Fort
Neal Sharkey, United Parcel Service mid-south district Shreveport preload manager, has accepted a promotion to mid-Atlantic district historic package division manager. Sharkey began his career at United Parcel Service (UPS) in 1995 as a part-time package handler in Greenville, Mississippi. In 1998, he was promoted to a finance specialist and relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas. Later that same year, he was promoted to finance supervisor. Following rotations in finance and accounting, Sharkey was promoted to finance manager in 2004. As a manager, he accepted assignments in hub, package, preload and sales.
6
WINTER 2021
Alumni News
Smith, where she provided leadership for the UAFS Foundation, with endowments valued at over $84 million and total assets of over $88 million. She also served as the executive director of Alumni Services and Annual Giving at Arkansas Tech University and the director of Development at American School of Warsaw. Lackie oversees 30 employees in the departments of AdvanceMary Bane Lackie ment Services, Alumni Relations, Development, Marketing and Communications, and the UCA Foundation. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Arkansas Tech University, a Master of Arts in student personnel services from Northwestern State and a Doctor of Education in higher education from the University of Arkansas.
completed his rural family medicine residency in 2010 at North Caddo Medical Center in Vivian where he was chief resident. Fair’s wife of eight years, Mary Beth, is an attorney and assistant professor at NSU. They are parents to two energetic sons, Luke, 6, and Beau, 3. Interested in returning home to help his community, he joined Dr. John Hogg to form The Family Doctors of Natchitoches. He also teaches Dr. Jack Fair and mentors the next generation of doctors as a volunteer preceptor for LSUHSC-Shreveport. Fair is a past member of the Natchitoches Area Jaycees and the NSU Foundation Board. He supports local chapters of Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, National Wild Turkey Federation and the Coastal Conservation Association and sponsors area youth, high school and collegiate sports teams.
LaToria Thomas (2000) was named vice president of operations and community engagement for the United Way of Northwestern Louisiana as of Nov. 1. Thomas previously served as vice president of resource development. Thomas has nearly 15 years of experience working with nonprofits and grants management, including donor relations management for the Greater New LaToria Thomas Orleans Foundation and national grants management for the AARP Foundation. Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Northwestern State. Her new role will allow her to focus on internal procedures, engaging local nonprofits, and managing the organization’s FamilyWize and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library programs. She will also provide leadership and oversight to volunteer programs and initiatives.
David Michael Williams was elected District Judge-9th Judicial District in November, having served as the city attorney for the city of Alexandria and executive counsel to the Hon. Jeffrey W. Hall, Alexandria’s first African American mayor, and representing the Alexandria City Council. Prior to his appointment as city attorney, Williams maintained a private practice involved in an array of litigation both at the state and federal level. Williams earned academic and athletic scholarships to Northwestern State and graduated cum laude in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He graduated with honors from Southern University Law Center in 2008, passed the bar and began practice later that year. Since his career began, Williams has served or been engaged with numerous boards and philanthropies, including the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Central Louisiana Criminal Defense Bar, Pro Bono and Indigent Defense and Acadiana Legal Services. He has also been a continuing legal education instructor and is a member of the Louisiana House of Delegates for the Louisiana Bar Association. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Inc. fraternity and service organization, serves as deacon and minister of music at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and serves with Gideon’s Promise Organizational Reform for Indigent Defense. Williams and his wife Danielle Warsley-Williams are parents to four children, Noelle Faith, 12; Noble August, 10; Noa-Michelle, 5, and Nehemiah David, 2.
The Louisiana Academy for Family Physicians recognized Dr. Jack Fair as its Member of the Month for October 2020. Fair graduated from Northwestern State with honors in biology and chemistry in 2002. Fair has been a board-certified family medicine physician in his hometown of Natchitoches, for the past decade. Fair was the valedictorian of his 1998 class at St. Mary’s Catholic School where he played varsity football and baseball. He attended medical school at LSUHSC -Shreveport where he was awarded the Michael O. Fleming, M.D., Family Medicine Award and the 8th Annual Gladney Endowment by North Louisiana AHEC for his commitment and leadership in rural family medicine. He
7
WINTER 2021
Alumni News Wayne Self project wins Search for New Musicals first prize Winners of the prestigious international Search for New Musicals were announced Nov. 15 at New Musicals Inc. in Los Angeles. First prize went to “The Foursight Saga” with book by Wayne Self, lyrics by Wayne Self and Scott Wilkinson, and music by Scott Wilkinson. The Search for New Musicals accepts entrants from around the globe; winners receive awards worth up to $25,000 in workshop productions, concert readings, feedback and developmental support. “The Foursight Saga” is a time-travelling musical for two performers and nine characters, telling the story of a scientist who invents a way to go back in time to stop herself from entering into a failed marriage - but then sets off a series of time-lines that fold in on themselves until the ill-fated couple can find their way out. “The Foursight Saga” will receive a virtual workshop at NMI in the winter and spring, hopefully followed by a concert reading at the 2021 Hollywood Fringe (COVID permitting).
Information on submitting to the Search is available at www.nmi.org. Self is an essayist, playwright and composer from Black Lake who attended the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts and was a founding student in the Louisiana Scholars’ College. He has an MFA in Musical Theatre performance and has Wayne Self served as a Music Director for decades at churches across the political and spiritual spectrum. His 2013 play, “Upstairs,” was the first staged work of any kind about the deadly 1973 arson fire at a New Orleans gay bar. It premiered to a sold-out run and national coverage, and inspired Theatremania to call it “a force of nature.“ In addition to “The Foursight Saga,” Wayne is currently working on “Wise Up!,” a drag queen Christmas musical, and “Faces of Chinquapin,” a musical animated series about the lives of gay men in the rural Deep South.
Art grad wins ADDY for distilling brand
Tyler Barnes and winning label design entry
Tyler Barnes (2008), an assistant professor of art at the University of Mississippi, won a gold-medal American Advertising Award for his achievements in sales and marketing packaging. The ADDY, the Oscar of the advertising industry, is given annually by the American Advertising Federation to celebrate creative achievements in that industry – from graphic design to videography. Each year, the foundation’s regional affiliates review submissions and bestow awards. Barnes won in the Southeastern division of the competition, which was judged by the Advertising Club of New Orleans. His packaging entry showcased the new branding and label design he created for the New Orleansbased River Basin Distillery, which produces artisanal rye whiskey. A native of Alexandria, Barnes joined the Ole Miss faculty in 2016. He received his BFA in graphic communications from Northwestern State University and his MFA in graphic design from Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi. Between earning degrees, he worked as a design associate at Marc English Design and has operated as a freelancer since 2009.
Actor, director, choreographer Polanco Jones Jr. wins Big Easy Award Polanco Jones, Jr. hasn’t let the pandemic slow him down. Jones, a New Orleans based actor, director and choreographer and 2015 theatre graduate, was recently named Theatre Person of the Year as part of the annual Big Easy Awards presented by Gambit, a weekly publication in New Orleans. Gambit said over the past year, Jones has produced music videos and completed his master’s in museum studies. He joined the New Orleans Jazz Museum, focusing on theatrical inclusion and museum innovation and helping launch a Hispanic Heritage Festival. Jones choreographed projects and joined a local burlesque company as creative director. He directed and choreographed Cameron-Mitchell Ware’s one-man show “The Wake-Up Call,” slated to be presented by InFringe Fest in December. The variety of projects Jones has been involved with has shown his versatility which continues to pay dividends for him. Jones said Northwestern State’s theatre and dance program provided him with an important foundation. “Northwestern taught me not to put myself in a box nor limit my potential,” he said. “I learned to stand up for myself and my art. The university provided a playground to implement creative problem solving with a diverse choose your own adventure style of curriculum that encouraged versatility.”
Jones has also created, produced and toured with original dance work “FEAST: A fully immersive dance art exhibition” that was nominated by Gambit for best full-length dance work and picked by the Scranton Fringe Festival. He co-conceived, choreographed and directed the theatrical installation “Excuse Me Hello” featuring Vogue Cover Model Andre J. presented by 651 Arts at The Brooklyn Academy of Music of World Pride. Jones is resident choreographer for Delfeayo Marsalis Uptown Music Theater and Juke Box Castle Productions, overseas choreographer for the Downtown Kingston Music Theatre, a project supported by the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, and was a featured guest artist for the Prime Minister of Jamaica. He received awards for outstanding production from iTheatrics in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020 and for excellence in dance in 2017 and 2019. Polanco Jones, Jr.
8
WINTER 2021
Alumni News Breaux inducted into CMA Hall of Fame Northwestern State alumnus Jeff Breaux was inducted as the 41st member of the College Media Association Hall of Fame. Breaux is the assistant director of student media at Vanderbilt University. A 1993 graduate in advertising design, Breaux is a native of New Iberia. He earned a Master of Media Arts from the University of South Carolina and served as the art director for the Atlantic Records recording artist Hootie & the Blowfish. Breaux served as Director of Student Media at Tulane University in 1996-1997. Breaux served as editor/designer for CMA’s Best of Collegiate Design, art director for College Media Review and as CMA’s Spring National College Media Convention publicity/ services coordinator. He has received numerous CMA presidential and board of director’s citations. He also was honored as CMA’s Distinguished Four-Year Business Adviser in 2001 and was the first CMA member to receive the Ronald E. Spielberger Service to CMA Award in 2004. Breaux has been at Vanderbilt University since 1998. He works with 15 student media outlets including a student newspaper, two radio stations, television, two recording studios and several specialty publications. Vanderbilt’s student media staff works with approximately 600 students a year. According to Breaux, he has always had to keep up with technological changes in his field. “Technology has changed my work every year since my freshman year at NSU,” he said. “As a section editor of the Potpourri, I was forced to learn how to use a Mac from day one. NSU was ahead of the curve on utilizing computers for publication design and I was lucky enough to get to work with
the excellent equipment they provided.” Breaux said it has “been both fun and challenging to keep up with the advances in technology.” He said he continues to learn from his students. “They have stayed ahead of the curve on new technologies and have helped introduce new techniques and software to me,” said Breaux. Jeff Breaux “The changing technology keeps our work, learning and media fresh and forces us to not be stagnant.” Breaux said NSU was the perfect place for him because of the faculty and opportunities the university provides for students. “I loved my time in Natchitoches and was able to learn so much to prepare me for my career,” said Breaux. “The art department taught me countless techniques and skills that I have used every day of my career. The journalism department provided me with training on the most-current computers and software and I learned so much there that has helped me throughout my career. The Potpourri was the most important ‘class’ I ever took. It has given me a career that continues to provide for me and my family. I could not have asked for a better combination of departments, advisers/instructors and peers for my undergraduate career.”
Burrell pens book on racial reconciliation A book by Northwestern State University alumna LaToya Jones Burrell was released Nov. 1. “Be Bold: How To Prepare Your Heat and Mind for Racial Reconciliation” was inspired by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last year. Burrell is a resident of Minneapolis where she is dean of Graduate Education and Accreditation at North Central University, a Christian institution. “This wasn’t the first racial injustice that I have witnessed, but something felt different this time. I knew I had to do something,” she said. “With a heart after Christ and ultimate goal of racial harmony, I believe that racial reconciliation will take place when we humble ourselves and are open to have courageous conversations. When we are willing to humbly step into a place of openness and listen and learn, true exploration of self and healing can begin and we can all boldly walk into
our purposes.” Burrell earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with honors at Northwestern State in 2005. She went on to earn her law degree from Southern University Law Center, graduating in the top of her class. During law school, she was involved in several organizations, including the Moot Court Board, the Journal of Race, Gender & Poverty and the American Trial Lawyers Association’s Mock trial team. She has practiced law for several years and is licensed to practice law in both Louisiana and Minnesota. Burrell also earned a master’s degree in business administration at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota. “Be Bold” can be ordered online
9
WINTER 2021
LaToya Jones Burrell at Burrell’s website, www.theboldlatoyaburrell.com where more information is available. She is also available for motivational speaking and lectures, group training and workshops in leadership, ethics, diversity and inclusion and business and legal consulting.
Alumni News Hill recognized as SWASAP TRIO Achiever Demetri M. Hill has been selected as the 2020 Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs (SWASAP) TRIO Achiever Awardee for Louisiana. Each year, SWASAP recognizes one TRIO alumnus from each state who has made significant civic, community or professional contributions and show that participation in the TRIO programs had a significant impact on the candidate. Hill was recognized at the SWASAP virtual conference Nov. 11 and gave a short speech on how the TRIO program impacted his life. Hill, 25, uses a Nelson Mandela quote as one of his life mottos: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Hill has been a biology teacher at Mansfield High School since 2018. He graduated from Mansfield High in 2013 and enrolled at NSU where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2017. As an undergraduate, Hill worked as a supplemental instruction leader, a job similar to a tutor, except students attend the classes they tutor
and work closely with the instructor so that tutorial sessions are relevant to the material covered. He also landed two prestigious research assistant positions at UMass Boston in 2015 and McGovern Medical School in Houston in 2016. He is currently working toward a Master of Arts in Teaching through NSU’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development and plans to pursue a doctorate in education policy and leadership. For the last two years, Hill has served as the Mansfield High Beta Club sponsor and has been recognized by the National Beta Club organization for his beneficence. He was awarded the National Beta Club Educator of Distinction Award for two consecutive years and his school has been recognized as a National Beta Club School of Distinction for two consecutive years. During the 2019-2020 school year, he was hand-selected by the Desoto Parish School Superintendent to sit on the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council and has been an active mem-
ber of the Louisiana Science Teacher Association since 2018. Hill is also a current TRIO Upward Bound Desoto-Red River staff memDemetri Hill ber, serving as the program’s ACT prep instructor. Upward Bound is one of eight TRIO programs, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs. He attributes an incalculable portion of his success as both a student and a teacher to the TRIO Upward Bound Program which helped to cultivate in him a value system that thoroughly prepared him for the volatility of post-secondary schooling and the real world.
NSU ensemble joins global #musicdoesntstop performance Dr. Masahito Kuroda, associate professor of euphonium, tuba and sound technology in Northwestern State’s Department of Music, completed a short video project called “Song for Health,” featuring current studio students, alumni, faculty and friends of NSU Euphonium-Tuba studio. The video can be viewed at nsu.la/SongForHealth. “The piece is called ‘Song for Health’ originally written by a Dutch composer, Steven Verhelst,” Kuroda explained. “He and his musician friends in Europe started this project called ‘Song for Health – Connect The World Through Music’ initiative. The composer dedicated this short and beautiful music to ‘our great health care and social workers at the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and removed all the copyright from this piece, so that anyone in the world could arrange, perform and share their performance videos to express appreciation to our health care and social workers, keep making music, feel connected and share support to each other in musical way.” Last summer, one of Kuroda’s former students, NSU alum Byron Walters, informed him of the project and sent him a link to the website. Walters was part of another project in 2012 called “Song for Japan” dedicated to people affected by the massive earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident there.
Performers include the following: On euphonium are current students Colten Denning, Jake English, Emily Grant, Cody James and Lucy Stark; NSU alumni Joseph Casselberry, Mark Dorsey, Brandon Legnion, Byron Walters and Fernando Zuniga; local professional musician Ernest Bott (Rapides Symphony Orchestra) and NSU faculty Kuroda and Dr. J. Mark Thompson, professor of trombone and low brass. On tuba are current students Taylor Carrell, Gustavo Corrales, Justin Garretson, Ivan Longoria and Nathan Nors and NSU faculty Kuroda and Thompson. On piano is alumnus Kazue Seo and Kuroda. Kuroda is also conductor and producer of the video.
10
WINTER 2021
Alumni News Local school districts recognize outstanding educators professionally and where all stakePamela March, holders work together as a team principal of G.W. to meet the educational needs of Carver Elementary all students,” she said. in DeRidder, was selected as the 2020She believes her most impor2021 Beauregard tant role as principal is finding Parish Elementary ways to improve the student exPrincipal of the Year. perience, to encourage parental March has been involvement, and to build staff an educator for 28 morale. years. She earned She began her career as a her Bachelor of Arts teacher because she loves interfrom Northwestern acting with children engaging Pamela March State University in them in conversation. 1991and her Master of Education from Her favorite question to ask is, ‘What McNeese State University. do you want to be when you grow up?’ She is certified in elementary grades because she always gets interesting 1-8, as a supervisor of instruction grades responses. 1-12, and in educational leadership. She began her teaching career at Crystal Underbakke, East BeaureWest Leesville Elementary where she gard High School’s seventh grade Engtaught third grade for eight years before lish/language arts teacher, was named moving to Beauregard Par2020-21 Beauregard ish as a teacher at G.W. Carver Parish Middle School Elementary. Teacher of the Year and She taught third grade all EBHS Middle School subjects at Carver for nine years Teacher of the Year. and then served the parish as She has been a an instructional data coach for classroom teacher for one year. eighteen years. She Her philosophy of teaching taught at DeRidder is to create an environment Junior High School where students feel safe and where she served as the where they can grow socially ELA Department Head and mentally. and at DeRidder High March became principal School before movCrystal Underbakke of G.W. Carver Elementary in ing to East Beauregard 2010 and has been administrator at High School six years ago. At EBHS, she that school for the past ten years. She has taught English I & II, Speech I, Gifted is focused on creating a positive school and Talented classes and middle school culture that promotes academic success English and math. She also serves as the for students. EBHS JR. Beta Club sponsor. “I want to create a school atmosphere Underbakke earned her Bachelor where teachers are encouraged to grow of Science in General Education from Katelyn DeLaune, a ninth grade English teacher and English I honors teacher, was named Terrebonne High School’s Teacher of the Year in November. DeLaune earned a master’s degree through the School of Education’s Alternate Certification Program in May 2019. “I learned so much from the professors there that helped me to become a better teacher and, in turn, receive this honor. I want to say thank you for providing an amazing program. I am proud to be a product of Northwestern State University,” DeLaune said. At Terrebonne, DeLaune is also assistant volleyball and track coach, senior class sponsor and sponsor of the Student Advisory Committee.
11
WINTER 2021
Northwestern State in 2003. She is certified in grades 1-12 and Special Education Mild/Moderate. She is also trained in Jane Schaffer Writing Techniques. Underbakke has three goals every year for her classroom: establishing an inviting learning environment where all children feel like that are an integral part of the classroom, motivating students to learn and developing life-long learners. I teach because it’s what I love to do,” concluded Underbakke. “I feel like teachers really do make a difference in the world.” Kayla Joseph was named Evangeline Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year. Joseph is a 7th grade reading, English language art, and social studies teacher at Chataignier Elementary. Joseph has been teaching in Chataignier since January 2020 after teaching high school social studies, reading and English language arts in St. Landry Parish. She taught at Northwest High School from 2016-2019 before teaching at Opelousas High School in 2019. During her time in St. Landry Parish, she was responsible for a 92% student growth in English I in 2018-2019. That same year, her students scored 3+ on the AP United States History Exam increased 5% to 10% earning college credit and her US History LEAP 2025 students’ proficiency rate was 61% that surpassed the district’s and state’s proficiency rate of 59%. Over the 20172018 school year, notably 36% of her students passed United States History CLEP I exam earning college credit and her US History LEAP 2025 Students’ Proficiency Rate was 72% surpassing the district’s proficiency rate of 62%. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Northwestern State in 2006 and began taking classes for her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in curriculum specialty in January of this year at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Among her community activities are Pink Goes Red Stepping for Heart Health, Shoes for Souls Collections, Christmas Gift Drive, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, homeless care packages and free gumbo meals, and educational blog “Kaylable.”
Foundation News Two students named recipients of Poche Scholarship Alyssa Taylor of Charleston, Tennessee, and Kolton Splettstosser of Jasper, Texas, are this year’s recipients of the Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Fishing Scholarship. Taylor, who is pursuing a degree in nursing, is the first female angler to receive the scholarship. Splettstosser is pursuing a degree in mass communications. The students were recognized by the Poche family during a socially distanced scholarship presentation Monday. Taylor and Splettstosser were awarded $4,500 each. The remainder of funds go to the Fishing Team’s general fund to help defray expenses as they attend tournaments around the country. “Although COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the annual Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Fishing Tournament earlier this year, the Poche family was able to continue their support of members of the fishing team through these scholarships,” said Director of Development Jill Bankston, CFRE. “They are very committed to raising money for this Alyssa Taylor special scholarship.” Next year’s tournament is set for March 27, 2021, on Toledo Bend Lake. The Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Fishing Scholarship was established by Poche’s parents, Burt and Shelley Poche and Misty Ott. Poche was a 2015 graduate of Natchitoches Central High School and an avid outdoorsman. He excelled at tournament fishing and was a member of the NCHS 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 Kolton Splettstosser 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. 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/.
Terry Edwards Memorial Scholarship A scholarship has been established in memory of Terry Edwards that will benefit a student pursuing a career in industrial technology or counseling who maintains a 2.5 grade point average. A native of Coushatta, Edwards earned a degree at Northwestern State in 1965 and moved to Baton Rouge where he worked as the assistant commissioner of elections of Louisiana, later becoming a real estate appraiser. Edwards was a parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 8601, a minister of the Eucharist and participated in prison ministry. He was also a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. He passed away Aug. 20, 2020. His wife of 48 years, Judy Gowland Edwards (1965), created the scholarship. Friends who wish to contribute to the scholarship can do so by visiting www.northwesternstatealumni.com or contacting Jill Bankston, CFRE, at bankstonj@nsula.edu or call (318) 357-4241.
Criteria set for John G. Williams business scholarship A resident of Natchitoches Parish majoring in business administration at Northwestern State will benefit from a scholarship established by the family of the late John Garland Williams, who passed away May 24. Criteria for the endowed scholarship is a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for a junior or senior level student. Williams, who taught business law, was a member of Northwestern State’s faculty for 47 years. He was an adjunct faculty member for 19 years and became a full-time faculty member for 28 years and was a professor of business. Williams also maintained a law practice in Natchitoches and was first assistant district attorney for Natchitoches Parish. Williams’ wife, Suzanne, is teacher certification coordinator for NSU’s School of Education. Friends who wish to contribute to the John G. Williams Memorial Scholarship in Business may do so through the NSU Foundation, 535 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71497. Donors can also visit northwesternstatealumni.com and specify their gift under the Give Now tab. John G. Williams
12
WINTER 2021
Foundation News BCBS of Louisiana Foundation contributes to storm relief funds The Northwestern State University Foundation was able to help students affected by Hurricanes Laura and Delta by distributing relief funds to address a number of expenses related to the impact of the category 2 storm that struck the state in August, followed by Hurricane Delta in September. The Hurricane Relief Fund garnered donations from many sources, including an award from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, which contributed $50,000 in assistance. “The needs ranged from some students who completely lost their homes to those with damaged homes,
those needing help with this semester’s tuition or help with bills because of loss of wages or parents’ loss of jobs, living expenses that resulted from students having to leave their residence for a number of days and loss of food from power outages that lasted for a number of days,” said Erin Dupree, NSU’s assistant director of donor relations. “The first round of assistance went out in early September to those who completely lost their homes.” The NSU Foundation established a hurricane relief committee to research submitted requests, determine an appropriate amount to be distributed to
the applicant and expedite funds in a time-sensitive manner to best serve the people of Northwestern State. “This grant had a tremendous impact on the assistance the NSU Foundation was able to provide for students affected by Hurricanes Laura and Delta,” said Director of Development Jill Bankston, CFRE. “Students’ whose homes were destroyed and those with long-term power outages are incurring expenses in relocating, replacing books and technology and other unexpected needs. We did everything we can to help ease the burden these students are facing.”
Alliance Compressors supports NSU Foundation Alliance Compressors of Natchitoches presented an annual donation of $5,000 to the Northwestern State University Foundation. The donation was made through the Emerson Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Alliance’s parent company, Emerson, which is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Alliance is a long-time industry partner with Northwestern State, having previously supported scholarships, STEM initiatives, student internships, mentoring, hiring graduates and providing input on industry needs. “Alliance supports organizations and institutions that play roles in enhancing the quality of life in the local community,” said Brian Brock, Alliance plant manager.
From left are Brian Brock with Cristy Bernard, Erin Dupree, Jill Bankston and Jared Boydstun representing the NSU Foundation, and Michelle Brundige, Alliance human resources manager.
NSU among regional universities to benefit from BGC Focus on the Future Scholarships Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) announced the establishment of the Focus on the Future scholarship program in partnership with more than 40 college and universities in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, including Northwestern State University. The company is disbursing more than $1 million to represent “BGC’s dedication to education and giving back to those who aspire to build a better future in the communities it serves.” The NSU Foundation received a $25,000 donation from the company to create an endowed scholarship that will be awarded to multiple students majoring in business, computer information systems, communications or marketing. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or better.
“Brookshire Grocery Co. has been a community partner to NSU for many years, supporting Athletics, registered student organizations and numerous campus philanthropies,” said Erin Dupree, NSU’s assistant director of Donor Relations. “We are grateful that this regional company is committed to supporting students in a tri-state area, including the many Northwestern State students pursuing careers in the specified disciplines.” The Focus on the Future program is designed to reward students in BGC’s market areas for their dedication, hard work and outstanding academic achievements. The Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods “Focus on the Future” scholarship will provide tuition assistance to graduate and undergraduate students
13
WINTER 2021
enrolled in the participating institutions starting in fall 2021. Requirements will vary by school, but the program intends to reward recipients based on financial need and leadership. The majority of the scholarships are established in perpetuity to be annual scholarships. Applicants can find a complete list of schools with the Focus on the Future scholarship program at Brookshires.com/scholarship.
Athletic News Demons will play six spring games in unconventional schedule
2021 Northwestern State Spring Football Schedule DATE
Feb. 20 March 6 March 13 March 20 April 1 April 10
OPPONENT
LOCATION
Lamar Beaumont, Texas Nicholls Turpin Stadium Southeastern Louisiana Hammond McNeese Turpin Stadium Sam Houston State Turpin Stadium Incarnate Word San Antonio, Texas
Brad Laird (center) and Northwestern State open the spring football season Feb. 20 at Lamar.
The Northwestern State Demons will play six football games against Southland Conference foes in the spring of 2021. The team will play three games at home and three on the road in the first spring schedule in program history. In addition to the unconventional timing of the season, the six-game Southland slate will be played in a nineweek window. Two of the Demons’ three open weeks come ahead of home games and the third is set for the week before the NCAA FCS playoffs begin. For NSU fans who purchased season tickets for the 2020 season, those tickets remain valid. Those season-ticket holders also will be rewarded with VIP parking for the three spring home games. New ticket packages for the three-game spring season are on sale now, and it is expected that COVID-19 guidelines with regards to seating capacity and social distancing will still be in place in the spring. For ticket information, contact the NSU Athletics Ticket Office at 318-357-4268 or log onto www.NSUTickets.com.
Joe Delaney honored as Indy Bowl Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year Thirty-seven years after his tragic death, NSU Demons No. 44 and Kansas City Chiefs No. 37 Joe Delaney was set to be honored as the 2020 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year. The game, as of press time, was schedule for Dec. 26 in Shreveport. “Joe represents everything the Sportsman of the Year embodies. He was the best athlete I’ve ever seen and carried that to the highest level of his profession. Every time he touched the ball you knew it could be a highlight reel moment,” said 2016 Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman Eric Barkley.” Barkley was a teammate of Delaney’s during the 1980 season at Northwestern State. Delaney, a Haughton, native, was a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs for two seasons from 1981-1982 and was also a two-time AllAmerican at Northwestern State before being drafted in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. Delaney tragically passed away on June 29, 1983, at the age of 24 while attempting to rescue three children in a pond in Monroe’s Chennault Park even though Delaney himself could not swim. He was inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2004 and no player has donned the no. 37 since his passing. This past June, a monument was dedicated to Delaney at Chennault Park. The path to stardom began at Haughton High School for Delaney, where he played wide receiver and gained attention from multiple division one schools. He ultimately attended Northwestern State from 1977-1980 and became a two-time All-American running back for the Demons.
Delaney ranked eighth in the country in all-purpose yards his senior year, and he completed his NSU career with 3,047 rushing yards, 31 touchdowns and 188 points scored. Delaney was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997. Delaney’s no. 44 was retired in the fall of 1983 following his passing. At NSU, Delaney also starred on the track team – winning the NCAA 400-meter relay in 1981 and holding the NSU 200-meter record with a time of 20.64 seconds. Following his tremendous college career, Delaney was selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He enjoyed a recordbreaking season in his rookie year in Kansas City, breaking the Chiefs record for most yards in a season (1,121), most yards in a game (193 vs. the Houston Oilers), most consecutive 100-yard games (three) and most 100-yard games in a season (five). Delaney’s rookie season earned him the United Press International (UPI) American Football Conference (AFC) Rookie of the Year Award and earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl. In his second NFL season, an eye injury and strike-shortened season limited him to just 380 rushing yards. He registered 1,811 all-purpose yards during his career. Delaney’s impact still rings loud to this day. The Delaney 37 Foundation was created in the legacy of Joe Delaney, and the mission of the foundation is to mentor, educate, promote leadership development, teach financial literacy and promote water safety to youth.
14
WINTER 2021
Athletic News Former hooper becomes first female head coach in men’s The Basketball League When Angela Davidson Weathers huddled her Dallas Skyline team for the first time and saw nothing but men’s faces staring back, it wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling. The former Northwestern State basketball star accepted the head coach/ general manager position Angela Davidson Weathers with the Skyline, becoming the first female head coach in The Basketball League. Before an NSU career in which she was named Southland Conference Player of the Year and picked to the league’s 2000s All-Decade Team, the Leesville native was usually the only female on the court at Fort Polk in a sea of boys. “(Playing with the boys) was in my blood growing up playing on Fort Polk,” Davidson Weathers said. “Even at NSU, I’d stay after practice and train with the guys, asking them if I could participate in their drills. “There’s a lot going on in the world, and in the sports world for women, and I’m honored and humbled to be a part of this great movement of women in the men’s game. It’s been a long time coming, and for me, it’s humbling. It adds more intentionality to this move because I can be a voice for women in sports while also helping these young
men navigate through the thought process and professionalism that is needed to go on to their desired levels.” Davidson Weathers’ journey started as a touted recruit who started her college career at Ole Miss before returning to her home state in the welcoming arms of legendary NSU coach James Smith. But her involvement in youth sports is largely responsible for her path to the Skyline in the TBL, a 24-team league that spans across the country. After a two-year professional career, including becoming the first black female to play in the Trocal League (encompasses four Southern European countries, including her team in Macedonia), Davidson Weathers helped start a nonprofit that morphed into Train Up A Champion. One of her former youth players, Preston Mack, bought the Dallas Skyline and asked her to be the head coach. “The team’s season had been shut down early in the pandemic, and he shot me a text that he was looking for a coach,” said Davidson Weathers, who was also the director of player development for the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Academy. “It was an intentional move on my end because of what I had been doing and having an impact on women breaking into the sport.” While Davidson Weathers said she prefers the men’s game, she’s kept the pipeline to NSU women’s basketball open. Her youth programs produced recent Lady Demons like Nautica Grant and Jocelyn Scott.
Ryan Scholarship is latest permanently endowed NSU grant-in-aid When family and friends gathered in October at the Collins Pavilion, they did so to honor the life of Demons Unlimited Foundation board member Craig Ryan. Because of their financial generosity, Ryan’s memory will live on within the Northwestern State baseball program. Just shy of 18 months after the creation of the Ryan Family Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a Demon baseball student-athlete, the grant-in-aid became the 67th permanently endowed Northwestern State athletic scholarship, reaching the benchmark $10,000 level this past weekend. Even as he battled cancer, Ryan remained a devoted DUF board member and a proud NSU alumnus. Contributions were made by fellow board members, fraternity brothers, members of the Black Alumni Alliance, family and friends, and that number does not include the number of
individuals who purchased “Craig Ryan Day T-shirts,” made by fellow Demons Unlimited Foundation Board member Nicole Gray, to help raise money for the scholarship. Ryan’s legacy of service was NSU Director of Athletics Greg Burke, Deputy Athletic Director honored by his Dr. Haley Taitano, Craig Ryan and NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio, friends and family, from left, posed after Ryan announced the creation of the Craig who helped make Ryan Baseball Scholarship in the spring of 2019. his Demon dream and in baseball, spending 12 years as a come true. scout for the Houston Astros. Ryan established the scholarship in Ryan’s scholarship was established May 2019 despite never playing for the through the “Perpetually Purple” Demons because of a career-ending program, which is managed by the knee injury that happened two days Demons Unlimited Foundation. Its into his first practices at Northwestern goal is to grow the endowment, State. through outright donations or Despite the injury, Ryan remained deferred gifts, to more than $5 million. active in the university community
15
WINTER 2021
Students pen notes of gratitude on Thank A Donor Day Northwestern State celebrated an important annual tradition Nov. 5 when students took time to write thank you letters to those who support students and student-athletes. This year’s Thank A Donor Day was held on the Kyser Hall Brickway where students penned notes of gratitude to those who have contributed to scholarships and other funds that assist students through the NSU Foundation and the Demons Unlimited Foundation. Erin Dupree, NSU’s Assistant Director of Donor Relations, organizes fundraisers and activities where students can physically go to their donor’s homes and thank them in person. They haven’t had the opportunity to meet face-to-face since March, so Thank a Donor Day allows everyone at NSU to reaffirm their gratefulness. “We want our donors to know that we haven’t forgotten about them,” Dupree said. “We obviously thank them every time we get a donation in, but today allows us to bring in our students and for the donors to get hand-written letters from the students who receive scholarships from their donations.” For freshman basketball player Osha Cummings, Nov. 5 represented her first encounter with the event. While she has been here for only a few months, Cummings understands the impact NSU donors have for her team and university. That’s precisely why she didn’t hesitate to send out some words of appreciation. “This day and these letters show the people that give to us that we care,” Cummings said. “We appreciate what they’re doing.” The day stood as Deputy Athletic Director Dr. Haley Taitano’s seventh Thank a Donor Day. She knows how crucial NSU supporters are for the Demons and Lady Demons to be successful in each of their athletic endeavors. “The donors are a huge part of our success both on and off the field or the court of play,” Taitano said. “I also think it’s really important of our student-athletes to get in the habit of thanking the people that donate to their programs, especially the juniors and seniors. Those are the ones that turn around and become donors when they graduate.”
In Memory 1939 – Doris Butter Denmon, Nov. 2, 2020, Forest 1942 – Carolyn Cook Bookout, Aug. 30, 2020, Houston 1949 – John Glyn Jackson, Nov. 24, 2020, Winnfield 1950 – Joseph Charles Anthony Maggio, Aug. 11, 2020, Nederland, Texas 1952 – Henry “Hank” Camp, Nov. 7, 2020, West Monroe
1959 – Judith “Judy” Elaine Hubley Sluppick, Nov. 7, 2020, Natchitoches 1961 – Paul Lee Foshee Sr., Nov. 8, 2020, Natchitoches 1962 – Ida Elizabeth “Beth” Crawford Swanson, Oct. 11, 2020, Morgan City 1963, 1990 – Dr. James Aubrey Guin, Nov. 22, 2020, Ashland
1980 – Ann Gibson Duke, Oct. 12, 2020, Natchitoches 1982, 1983, 1984 – Betty Ivy Nielsen, Oct. 11, 2020, St. Amant 1991 – Jeffrey Daniel Williams, Nov. 27, 2020, Saline, Texas 2001 – Craig Ryan, Sept. 24, 2020, Lake Charles 2013 – Cassidy Brooke Byles Price, Oct. 1, 2020, Many
1953 – Annie Ruth Taylor Byrd, Nov. 8, 2020, Chelsea, Alabama
1963 – Percy Clio Curtis, Sept. 13, 2020, Minden
1954 – Daisy Cox Moore, Nov. 13, 2020, Many
1963 – Levi Joseph Thompson Jr., Nov. 5, 2020, Natchitoches
Dr. William “Bill” Hunt, Sept. 26, 2020, Georgetown, Texas
1954 – L. Claire Parsons, Oct. 11, 2020, Tucson, Arizona
1964, 1965 – Herman Eugene LaForge, Aug. 20, 2020, Sugar Land, Texas
Gatha Jean Heart Smith, Oct. 6, 2020, Minden
1954 – W.F. “Freddie” Whitford, May 7, 2020, Baton Rouge
1966 – Kelly L. Peterson, Dec. 2, 2020, Katy, Texas
Randy “Big Ran” Carl Gibson, Oct. 15, 2020, Orange, Texas
1956 – Betty Joe Thornhill Iles, Sept. 29, 2020, Natchez, Mississippi
1969 – Jonnie Georgean Henderson Till, Sept. 21, 2020, Purvis, Mississippi
Barbara J. Abraham, Nov. 9, 2020, Mexia, Texas
1957 – James “Red” McNew, Oct. 18, 2020, Shreveport
1970 – Gordon Langford, Nov. 12, 2020, Allen, Texas
Wyatt Ricks, Nov. 27, 2020, Bossier City
16
WINTER 2021
Franklin Gilchrist, Sept. 17, 2020, Salina, Kansas
Looking Back
The Fall Alumni Columns featured this photo.... Mr. and Mrs. NSU pictured in the 1975 Potpourri were Oben Jones and Helen Coutee.
The Student Union Governing Board was oriented toward service for the entire student body in the form of campus-wide activities, according to the 1971 Potpourri. The SUGB’s Research and Development Committee promoted plans for enlarging and improving the NSU campus and spearheaded the development of the NSU Recreation Complex, shown here at the Rec Complex groundbreaking.
Guess Who
Those who guessed correctly are as follows. Carmen Jones (1975), Waco, Texas Andrew Morning (1977), Minden Jo Ann Nelson (2017), Shreveport Veronica “Kaye” Hart Phillip (1977), Shreveport Dock Voorhies (1976), Shreveport Charlene Voorhies (1978), Shreveport Willard Brown (1975), Pineville Chris LaCour (1974), Montclair, Virginia Cody Dean Whitaker (2015), Winnfield David Van Dyke (1974), Shreveport Andrea Below, Natchitoches Juanita Bell Hilt (1975), Shreveport Judith Moran, New Orleans Leonard Ford Jr. (1973), Alexandria Jill Metzger (1975), Bossier City James (Jay) Young (1975), Hoover, Alabama Anthony Robinson (1975), Alexandria Ricky Christopher (1978), Dallas, Texas Betty Sawyer Smith (1979), Natchitoches Cheryl Williams Timberlake (1975), Saginaw, Michigan Linda Jones Frazier-Taylor (1972), Baton Rouge
The 1961 Potpourri featured that year’s Miss Potpourri and her court, selected each year by the yearbook staff from junior and senior girls. Miss Potpourri was chosen based on leadership and service to the Northwestern State College campus. Each member of the court was most outstanding in her category. Can you name them? Send answers to jacksonl@nsula.edu and include your city of residence and year of graduation.
Receive these benefits:
Join or renew your membership using ENCLOSED ENVELOPE or go ONLINE at NorthwesternStateAlumni.com/membership
• NSU Membership Card and Pocket Calendar • Annual subscription to the Alumni Columns quarterly magazine • Discounts with various corporate partners and travel partners • Discounted access to tailgates at the Collins Pavilion during all home football games • Discounted admission and other perks applicable to various alumni events • NSU Member Decal • Access to exclusive GoNext Vacations, Trips and Cruises • University store discount – 25% off of spirit gear • Discounted GEICO Insurance rates • Discounted hotel stays and car rentals AND much more! Visit the website for a full list of perks and benefits.
17
WINTER 2021
Northwestern State University Alumni Columns Natchitoches, LA 71497-0002
d n e k e e s t n e v W E e g i n O ree B Th
Mark your calendars for April 9-11, 2021!
The Greek Centennial Weekend will be held in conjunction with the Long Purple Line induction ceremony and Flavor of Louisiana, NSU’s popular spring seafood extravaganza.