Official Publication of Northwestern State University Natchitoches, Louisiana
Organized in 1884
Dear Alumni,
As we move into the heart of summer, Northwestern State University continues to build momentum across every aspect of our mission. From legislative victories that strengthen our ability to serve students and communities to innovative educational initiatives and the generosity of supporters who invest in future generations, Northwestern is helping shape Louisiana’s future.
Whether advancing workforce development through legislative initiatives, creating innovative learning environments for children and future educators or providing scholarship support that changes students’ lives, the efforts of our faculty, staff, alumni and partners contribute to a brighter future for our university and our state. Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and our mission. We are “moving the needle.” I hope each of you has a productive and enjoyable summer.
Jill Bankston (1997) Director Alumni Affairs
Dear Alumni Family,
As the late President Randy Webb often said, “Great things are happening at Northwestern State University,” and they truly are! There are many exciting opportunities to reconnect with NSU in the coming months. Join us for the football home opener on Aug. 27, Wrecking Tech on Sept. 5, the Top of the Boot Country Music Festival on Oct. 16–17 and Homecoming on Oct. 22–24. We’ll also celebrate Natchitoches’ 100th Christmas Festival in December. Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to announce Golden Jubilee for the Class of 1977 in May 2027 and an alumni travel experience to Hawaii to cheer on the Demon Football Team as they take on the University of Hawaii, Sept. 2–7, 2027.
President Genovese, the Alumni Associate Board and the NSU faculty and staff recognize the vital role our alumni play in the university’s success. Your pride, engagement and support continue to elevate Northwestern and strengthen our future.
Because alumni are so important to our mission, the Office of Alumni Affairs is growing. Please meet our newest team members (see page 16). We are committed to serving our alumni by revitalizing chapters and interest groups, expanding events, supporting student recruitment, strengthening alumni connections and creating more opportunities for engagement.
As we begin the 2026–27 academic year, we want you to know how grateful we are for your service, loyalty and generosity. We hope you feel an even deeper connection to your alma mater and the spirit that makes Demonland so special.
Please let us know how we can be of service to you.
A member of CASE
Volume XXXVIII Number 2 SUMMER 2026
The Alumni Columns (USPS 015480) is published by Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana, 71497-0002
ALUMNI OFFICE
520 University Parkway • Natchitoches, LA 71457 318-357-4241 • bankstonj@nsula.edu • www.nsula.edu
NSU ALUMNI OFFICERS
President Scott Repp, McKinney, Texas, 1988 1st Vice President Virginia Monceret, New Roads, 2001
2nd Vice President Camille Nunez Blanchard, Slidell, 2001
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. Complaints or inquiries related to Title IX should be directed to the Director of Student Advocacy and Title IX Coordinator, Julie Powell (318-357-5570). For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerns, contact the Accessibility and
James T. Genovese (1971)
President Northwestern State University
Northwestern’s pipe organ is getting a glow up. You can help.
Magale pipe organ restoration seeks to preserve NSU’s artistic legacy
A Message from First Lady Martha Genovese:
Many of you have attended performances in Magale Recital Hall and experienced the magnificent pipe organ that graces its stage. Built by the Reuter Organ Company of Lawrence, Kansas, this instrument was installed in 1983 in the newly opened Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts Building at a cost of $300,000, equivalent to $976,271 today, a 225% increase due to inflation.
After four decades of dedicated service, the organ’s internal components, particularly the windchests and leather elements, have begun to deteriorate. Without restoration, we risk losing this irreplaceable instrument.
We now have a rare opportunity to restore the organ to its original glory while expanding it with digital technologies and additional pipe ranks for $286,000, remarkably below the original installation cost. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss. I invite you to join me in preserving this treasure for future generations.
Naming Gift - $125,000+
The Magale Recital Hall organ will be named in honor of the donor or a designee. A commemorative plaque will be affixed to the organ console and displayed at the entrance to Magale Recital Hall recognizing the named instrument.
Platinum - $10,000+
Diamond - $5,000+
Emerald - $2,500+
Gold - $1,000+
Donors at the above levels will be recognized on a permanent plaque displayed at the entrance to Magale Recital Hall.
Other giving opportunities:
Purchase a “key”: $1 to $100
Purchase a “rank”: $101 to $250
Purchase a “stop”: $251 to $500
Purchase a “pipe”: $501 to $999
Donors at these levels will be recognized in a special printed program for the GALA CONCERT of the restored Magale Recital Hall organ and will receive an invitation to the GALA Concert Reception with the guest artist. (TBA)
Make your contribution online through the NSU Alumni Organ Restoration Fund (northwesternstatealumni.com/ organrestoration/).
Donations can also be mailed to: Office of Alumni & Development Natchitoches, LA 71497
Make check payable to “NSU Foundation” and write “Organ Fund” in the memo.
For additional information, please contact Bill Brent at brent@nsula.edu or (318) 357-4248.
The Magale Recital Hall pipe organ embodies our institution’s history and artistic legacy. With your support, we can sure that students and community members continue experiencing its powerful, beautiful sound for generations to come.
The pipe organ was dismantled in May and will be reinstalled later this summer.
BCM will celebrate 100 years of ministering to NSU students
Baptist Collegiate Ministry (formerly Baptist Student Union) at NSU has operated continuously since June 1926. Founded during the Louisiana State Normal School years and continuing through the institution’s name changes to Northwestern State College and Northwestern State University, the ministry’s purpose has remained consistent:
w To know Christ and make Him known
w To grow in a relationship with Christ
w To guide students in discovering their place of service in Christ’s Kingdom
That mission has been carried forward by directors supplied through Louisiana Baptists, financial support from Louisiana Baptist churches within the Natchitochesarea District Eight Baptist Convention and many gifted student leaders who have chosen to engage in this recognized student organization of the university.
Over the years, thousands of students have participated in student-led Vesper and worship services, Bible studies, mission trips, service-learning projects, intramural sports, homecoming events, university-sponsored activities, parties and fellowship gatherings. One longstanding goal has been to create a sense of family for students away from home while helping them thrive during their college years.
Numerous directors, associate directors and staff members who have served the organization have provided guidance to students and student leaders, offered spiritual counseling and provided mentorship beyond what the university itself could supply.
Street. That facility was later sold, and Baptists constructed a 13,000-square-foot center on University Parkway (then called College Avenue), across from Watson Library. In 2000, Louisiana Baptists changed the name from Baptist Student Union to Baptist Collegiate Ministry to better reflect the organization’s focus on reaching college students.
The BSU/BCM initially met in a university-provided religious space on campus before purchasing a large house on Second
When the ministry was asked to move back onto campus in the early 2000s, the University Parkway facility was sold to help fund construction of a new building. Construction was delayed by the historic Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, resulting in the organization meeting for four years in “The Alley”—the former bowling alley in the basement of the Friedman Student Union. The new facility, which contributed to the development of Organization Row, was completed in 2009.
The BSU/BCM has maintained a university charter throughout its history and continues to enjoy a positive relationship with the university, taking pride in helping make NSU one of the leading regional universities in the country.
Alums of the BSU/BCM serve around the world in education, allied health, business and many other professions, as well as in vocational ministry as missionaries, pastors, church staff members and campus ministers. Many also serve faithfully as lay leaders in their local churches. Thanks to the longstanding cooperation between NSU and Louisiana Baptists, the influence of Northwestern State’s BCM extends far beyond campus—and in many ways, the sun never sets on its impact.
BSU/BCM directors over the past century
Brother Bill Collins retired after 37 years as director of Northwestern State University’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry. Collins and his wife Phyllis, his partner in ministry, will continue their work as he pastors Cypress Baptist Church south of Natchitoches and serves as president of the Paisano Baptist Encampment in the Pecos region of Texas near Alpine. Collins handed the reins over to Austin McCurry, a Haynesville native and 2016 NSU graduate who was a leader in the BCM and interned there after graduation. Haidyn Brossett of Natchitoches is assistant director. Bill and Phyllis were honored with a reception April 11. Among the more than 200 guests were students from through the decades, many who now work in ministry, Baptist colleagues and numerous friends. Information on NSU’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry is available on the NSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry website (nsulabcm.com).
Open to anyone and everyone
The primary Centennial Celebration will be from noon-2 p.m. Saturday, October 10, at the NSULA BCM Building. All BSU/BCM alumni, local church staff and members, university faculty and staff and community members who love and support the BSU/BCM are invited.
On Saturday, October 24, all former BSU/BCM presidents and their families, spouses, children and grandchildren are invited to a meal at the BCM at noon before the Homecoming game. At the game, the former BSU/BCM presidents will be recognized on the field as a group to honor BSU/BCM’s centennial.
Alumni are welcome to stop by any time they are in town to visit the BCM and walk down memory lane.
For more information and updates, scan the 100th anniversary QR code below. Alumni can also visit the Northwestern State University BCM Alumni Form (nsu.la/AlumniBCM) to update their information. Email the BCM at nsulabcm@gmail.com or mail us at NSU Box 3384, Natchitoches, LA 71497.
The NSU BCM is grateful for 100 years of serving Northwestern and looks forward to 100 more years.
Austin McCurry 2026
Faculty book centers on healing, resilience and service learning
NSU faculty Dr. Christy L. Hornsby and Dr. Laura B. Norman, assistant professors in the Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development, released a new book titled “The Broken Bowl Project,” an innovative service-learning initiative that blends wellness, reflection and community engagement.
“The Broken Bowl Project” is both a hands-on workshop experience and a meaningful outreach effort designed to support individuals navigating stress, loss and life transitions. The initiative is grounded in a central question: Have you ever felt broken or hopeless and not sure what to do next? From the loss of relationships and opportunities to grief and uncertainty about the future, the project acknowledges the very real challenges individuals face and offers a structured, reflective pathway toward healing.
At the core of the workshops is a symbolic, experiential activity. Participants are invited to break a bowl, decorate its pieces, and carefully put it back together. The bowl serves as a metaphor for the individual experience, representing how life’s challenges can fracture one’s sense of self, yet also create opportunities for growth, resilience, and transformation. Through this process, participants come to understand that while brokenness may change them, it does not define them.
The book expands on the philosophy and practice behind these workshops, offering insight into the reflective process and the deeper meaning that emerges through participation. As emphasized in the text, “You were never meant to hide your broken pieces. In the hands of the person who puts themselves back together, they become part of something beautiful. You may be broken, but you are not defined.”
with meaningful service opportunities.
Workshops have been conducted on the Northwestern State campus, through the Center for Positivity, Well-Being and Hope as well in the Natchitoches community, and in surrounding parishes. The initiative has reached diverse groups, including teacher in-service programs, grief support groups and church-based small groups, demonstrating its adaptability across educational, professional and community settings. Hornsby and Norman have also been invited to be keynote speakers at a leadership conference next year.
“The Broken Bowl Project” is both a hands-on workshop experience and a meaningful outreach effort designed to support individuals navigating stress, loss and life transitions.
Beyond its conceptual foundation, “The Broken Bowl Project” is intentionally designed as a service-learning model. Students are encouraged to contribute by donating workshop supplies, allowing Hornsby and Norman to extend the experience to broader audiences. This model reinforces NSU’s commitment to community engagement by connecting student involvement
Through this work, Hornsby and Norman exemplify the mission of the Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development by integrating teaching, scholarship and service in ways that create lasting impact. Their book not only documents an innovative approach to well-being but also serves as a guide for others seeking to implement reflective, healing-centered practices within their own communities.
“The Broken Bowl Project” is available on Amazon (a.co/ d/02T6oFeF). To book a speaking engagement, contact Hornsby at hornsbyc@nsula.edu
Dr. Laura B. Norman and Dr. Christy Hornsby’s new book titled “The Broken Bowl Project” documents an innovative approach to well-being.
Alumni panel share tips for success at Career Connections program
Honors Week, “A Celebration of NSU Honor Societies,” at NSU included several programs to recognize student leadership and academic success, including a Career Connections panel in which NSU alumni and industry professionals shared experiences, career journeys and tips for success after graduation. From left are Paxson Guest (2015), a Baton Rouge attorney with Phelps Dunbar LLP; his wife Lakyn Ward Guest (2017), an occupational therapist and NFL cheerleader; Tyler Rapp, (2019) a project manager for Stewart Development and Construction; Ryan Owens (2013), product manager for Louisiana Blue; Kaitee Basco Aldecoa (2014), founder of The Signature Brokerage, Alexandria; Brian McCoy (2002), Sigma Supply of North America, and Zack Breaux (2020), director of film and production for The Savannah Bananas. LeighAnn Westfall (2017), director of Legacy Giving, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, was moderator. The panel was sponsored by the Alumni Association.
Top of the Boot on-campus music festival set for Oct. 16-17
The Northwestern State athletic department is bringing one of country music’s biggest hitmakers of the past decade and an emerging force in the Texas country/Americana scene to headline the two day Top of the Boot Music Festival Oct. 16-17.
Lee Brice, who had a string of eight No. 1 country singles as a performer from 2012-21, will co-headline Day 1 of the festival with Bastrop native Dylan Scott. Flatland Calvary, an ACM Group of the Year nominee, will headline the Day 2 lineup.
The Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce and Cane River National Heritage Area are helping to fund the event.
The festival will take place behind the NSU Soccer Complex, located along Tarleton Drive on the Northwestern State campus, and will feature two nights of music, local food trucks and merchandise vendors.
Two-day festival passes are available for $179 for VIP access and $89 for general admission. VIP access includes admission to areas closest to the stage as well as VIP bars and restrooms. Tickets are on sale now at the Top of the Boot website (topofthebootmusicfest.com). Fans also can purchase VIP suites through the website.
Fans can visit the site for more updates about the festival, including schedule updates and additional performers, which will be announced as plans are finalized.
Roper Tournament includes lab naming, special honors for family
Since 1983, Rick and Mary Roper have been the driving force behind the annual Chris Roper Memorial Golf Tournament that has raised thousands of dollars in scholarships for Northwestern State University students.
During this year’s 44th annual tournament, NSU’s School of Kinesiology, formerly the Department of Health and Human Performance, publicly thanked the Ropers by naming an important facility The Roper Biomechanics and Movement Analysis Lab. The surprise announcement took place April 24 during a tournament kick-off party where friends, previous scholarship recipients and faculty from the School honored the Ropers for their years of work to honor Chris by helping students who aspire, as he did, to become coaches.
NSU’s School of Kinesiology announced the naming of The Roper Biomechanics and Movement Analysis Lab April 24. From left are Terry Wilson and Cristy Bernard with Alumni Affairs, School of Kinesiology faculty Dr. Haley Blount, Dr. Lauren Mitchell and Dr. Tara Tietjen-Smith, director; Rick and Mary Roper, Cindy Loudenslager, NSU President James Genovese and Jill Bankston, Alumni Affairs.
“Rick and Mary Roper, their family and Chris’ teammates have been some of the most supportive long-term friends of NSU,” said Jill Bankston, Alumni Affairs. “I’ve been involved with the Chris Roper Tournament since I began working at NSU and on behalf of the Northwestern family, I offer gratitude and appreciation for what the Ropers have done by providing an opportunity for our students for 44 years.”
Chris Roper grew up in Camden, Arkansas, and attended NSU on a golf scholarship. He lost his life in a car accident while returning home for Christmas break in 1982. The following spring, his parents organized the Chris Roper Memorial Golf Tournament and established the Chris Roper Memorial Scholarship. Teammates and friends joined the cause, contributing money and prizes for the tournament since its inception. As a result, two students have been selected annually to receive $5,000 each for the academic year.
“Over the years, this scholarship has done far more than provide financial assistance. It has opened doors,” said Dr. Tara TietjenSmith, director of the School of Kinesiology. “For many students, it has eased the burden of tuition and allowed them to focus more fully on their education, their academic experiences and their professional growth. It has helped shape future coaches, physical therapists, athletic trainers and sports professionals, individuals who carry forward the values that Chris Roper represented: dedication, leadership and a commitment to others.”
NSU Alumni Affairs staff Terry Wilson and Cristy Bernard were instrumental in organizing this year’s tournament and pre-party.
“Looking to the future, the Chris Roper Memorial Scholarship will continue to be a catalyst,” Tietjen-Smith said. “As the fields of kinesiology and sport evolve, so too will the opportunities for these students. This scholarship will help ensure that talented, passionate individuals can step into those opportunities and lead. It will continue to allow NSU and the School of Kinesiology to invest in people who will go on to improve lives, advance the profession and strengthen communities.”
Friends can continue to contribute to the Chris Roper Memorial Scholarship by donating on the website (northwesternstatealumni.com/roper-scholarship).
Information about NSU’s School of Kinesiology is available on the NSU School of Kinesiology webpage
Chris Roper
Wreck Tech - NSU @ LA Tech on Saturday, Sept. 5
Game tickets and a fan bus will be available, along with an alumni tailgate. Details will be forthcoming as plans are finalized.
Homecoming 2026: Celebrating America 250 October 23-24
Golden Jubilee celebrating the Class of 1977 Reunion May 11-12, 2027
50+ Luncheon – May 12, 20927
NSU Demons in Hawaii Trip 2027
The Northwestern State Demons will travel to Honolulu for a Sept. 4, 2027, matchup with the Rainbow Warriors of University of Hawai’i at Manoa. Demon fans are invited to join the Labor Day weekend trip that is being organized through the Office of Alumni Affairs. More information will be available as details are finalized. Travel Dates will be September 2-7, 2027, Email bankstonj@nsula.edu for more details.
THURSDAY, OCT. 22
Quarterback Club Lunch
11:30 a.m. – Merci Beaucoup Restaurant
FRIDAY, OCT. 23
Long Purple Line
11:00 a.m. – Doors open, Natchitoches Events Center Noon – Long Purple Line Luncheon & Induction
Parade of Champions
5:00 p.m. – Homecoming parade begins on campus, followed by Pep Rally on the riverbank
SATURDAY, OCT. 24
8:00 -11:00 a.m. Homecoming Reception for individual colleges
9:00 a.m. – N-Club Ceremony
9:30 a.m. – College of Business and Technology continental breakfast, to be followed by an induction program for COBT Hall of Distinction
10:30 a.m. -Reception for Hall of Distinguished Educators inductees, followed by the induction ceremony at 11 a.m.
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – Tailgating 11:45 a.m. – Football Team Walk Through Noon – BCM Luncheon
1:30-2:00 p.m. Pregame show
2:00 p.m. Game Kick-off
Approximately 3:45 p.m. – Halftime program featuring the Spirit of Northwestern and presentation of the Homecoming Honor Court and Long Purple Line Inductees
Road leads home for Dr. Heather Havener
Dr. Heather Jarrell Havener returned to northwest Louisiana this past spring, rejoining the Natchitoches community as an OB/GYN at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.
A Sabine Parish native, Havener graduated from Negreet High School in 1997 and from NSU in December 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in chemistry and was a member of Purple Jackets and Beta Beta Beta. She earned her medical degree at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.
Havener also served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps as a Naval medical officer and physician, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Following her military service, she practiced in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for over 12 years. She is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
As the spring came to an end, Havener was getting reacquainted with the Natchitoches community, settling into her job and preparing her new home for the arrival of her family. She and her husband, Sam, a mechanical engineer, married in Natchitoches in 2009 and have two children, Isabella, 14, and Henry, 12, who finished the school year in Mansfield, Texas, before making the move to Natchitoches. Havener has a large extended family in the area and a camp on Toledo Bend.
She took time to visit with NSU about the transition from the big city back to Natchitoches and her desire to support women’s health at every stage of life. The conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
When did you decided to go into medicine?
When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. I didn’t know what kind, but I knew I wanted to be a doctor. Those little schools in the parish aren’t known for their STEM courses, but I had some really good teachers. Christine Tarpley (1986) was my biology teacher. I had Beverly Salley (1975) for math. A lot
of people thought she was too hard, but I thought she was really good. And my Momma Betty Jo [Oxley] (1969). Momma Betty was the one that pushed me and said “You’re smart. You’ve got to do more than everybody else.”
You come from a family of educators and had some classroom experience yourself. Can you talk about that?
When I graduated in 2000 there was an opening at Many High School for a physical science and chemistry teacher. I had just graduated from NSU and took over after Christmas break. It was really fun. I knew a lot of the kids’ older siblings and so that was a bit awkward because they would call me Heather. That’s where my family came in with “You have to lay down the law with discipline and come in strong from the beginning and make sure they respect you.” I had already applied for medical school, so I knew it was just going to be that one semester. I still see some of the kids that I taught that year and talk to them.
Tell us about your military service.
When I was in college, I worked at Sabine State Bank. They opened the branch in Natchitoches when I started at NSU and I worked part-time there during the school year. Mr. Roger Williams (1963) was the branch manager, and he was prior Navy. As soon as I started talking about medical school, he said I should think about the military. I had scholarships to pay for everything at Northwestern and the thought of taking out $200,000 in student loans made me very nervous. Overall, it was a very positive experience. I got to live in Italy for a few months so that was fun. When I did my active duty years, I was mainly at an academic hospital, the big Naval hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, so I was teaching medical students and teaching residents. It was a nice transition to go from being a resident to academic medicine and then starting private practice.
What drew you back to Louisiana?
When I left for medical school, I thought I would never come back here. I like the
Dallas and traveled a lot with the military. Sam’s family is in Dallas/Fort Worth and it made more sense to go where I trained and had a lot of connections in the medical community. I had a really successful practice. But Mansfield the suburb had grown drastically since we moved there in 2013 when the population was around 50,000. Now it’s 90,000 and the traffic had just gotten so much worse. It was becoming suffocating, and I had just started to get homesick. I never saw my family. We weren’t sure where we were going to send the kids for high school and that had been a stressor.
Then the job opportunity came up and it just kind of seemed perfect and I don’t think this was going to come up again. We were continuing to look at options and praying about it. Then I got a text from a recruiter and it said, “Looking for female OB/GYN in historic riverfront town in Louisiana”and ironically we were in New Orleans that weekend for my 20-year medical school reunion. It just seemed really good for me work wise. It’s what I was looking for, full scope OB/GYN but less busy than I was in Mansfield, less corporate.
Everybody at the hospital has been really nice. I hope that I can take care of patients from Sabine Parish, too. I’m hoping that now that I’m here, more people will come to Natchitoches versus
Muriel Bailey earns ABBY for outstanding broadcast work
Muriel Bailey was honored as Alabama’s Best News Anchor at the 2026 ABBY awards by Alabama Broadcasters Association 2026 Best in Broadcasting, Television News Anchor, ABC 33/40 in Birmingham.
She is a 2008 graduate of NSU.
“My award for Alabama Best News Anchor came with a lot of work and dedication,” Bailey said. “In 2008 It was hard to get a job on air because of the recession and most stations were laying people off. So I worked behind the scenes at WWL as an associate producer in New Orleans for 2-1/2 years on the morning show. I learned the editing system and went out with photographers to keep my reel updated in the meantime.”
In 2011, she landed a job as a reporter/producer in Dothan, Alabama. She later worked at WAFF in Huntsville, Alabama, as a morning reporter where she perfected her live shot skills. She then worked four years in Mobile reporting nightside before moving to Birmingham in 2019 as a weekend anchor, working up to a spot as anchor. “While at NSU, Mary Brocato [former instructor in the Department of Journalism] was my go-to person. Even when I wanted to change my major at one point, she convinced me to keep going after broadcast journalism. Once I graduated, I would send her updated reels for critique. Even now She still follows my work and supports me.
“Having the studio and student newscast at NSU was a great introduction to it all for me! I anchored it for two semesters and it was great hands on experience!”
Sarah Trichel selected as 2026 Louisiana state conservationist
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the selection of Sarah Trichel (2012) as the new Louisiana State Conservationist. Trichel, a native of Natchitoches, brings more than 16 years of dedicated service and leadership in conservation.
“It is an honor to be selected as the next State Conservationist of Louisiana. I am looking forward to serving our amazing farmers and producers and working together with our dedicated NRCS team and partners to continue our conservation efforts to protect the natural resources of our great state,” she said.
Sarah began her journey in conservation as an NRCS Earth Team Volunteer in 2007. She advanced through several key positions including Soil Conservationist, District Conservationist and State Program Specialist. Her commitment and expertise led her to join the Louisiana State Leadership Team as Assistant State Conservationist for Programs in 2020.
In 2023, Sarah extended her impact to the national stage, serving as the Conservation Stewardship Program Team Lead in the Financial Assistance Programs Division at the NRCS National Office. Throughout her career, Sarah has demonstrated a passion
for conservation and a strong commitment to Louisiana’s agricultural and natural resources communities.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Northwestern. She and her husband, Daniel, are proud parents to Alden and Brynlee. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family outdoors hunting, fishing and hiking, as well as supporting her children’s many athletic activities.
going to Shreveport or Alexandria to get their normal screenings and things like that. In Texas, I took the kids to school and then went to work which was about 45 minutes to an hour roundtrip. I get to work in about five minutes here.
What do you plan to do with your spare time? We like to travel. I like to cook. Football season we like to have
people over for games. I am looking forward to being part of a community where we’ll be a little more known, we’ll see people that we know all the time. We can walk downtown. I walked to church last weekend. I’m hoping the kids make friends quickly. I like to be the house where the kids come to hang out. My sister Holly [Cameron] (2007) stops by randomly. I feel good about giving back to this community that did so much for me.
Dr. Heather Havener continued
Sarah Trichel
Muriel Bailey
76th Demon Regiment inducts Col. Muse into Hall of Fame
Northwestern State University’s Demon Regiment hosted the 79th Demon Battalion Military Ball April 11, an occasion in which senior ROTC cadets were recognized and Col. Gayland D. Muse was inducted as the newest member of the Demon Regiment Hall of Fame.
Muse was unable to attend. Maj. (R) Richard Hooter, Marketing Officer for the Demon Regiment Executive Council, accepted the award on his behalf.
Muse was commissioned as a U.S. Army Infantry officer upon graduating from Northwestern State in May 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management. He later earned a Master of Science degree in International Studies from Troy State University in 1984. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Course, the Ranger Course, the Airborne Course, Initial Entry Rotary-Wing Aviator Course, Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Pathfinder Course, Foreign Area Officer Course, Spanish Language Course, Colombia Command & General Staff Course, UH-60 Blackhawk Transition Course and the Defense Institute for Security Assistance Management Course.
He retired from active duty in 2004 after over 29 years of service, which included over 13 years in overseas assignments. He earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, two Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and over 24 other medals and badges indicating a distinguished service and accomplishments.
Next year’s ball will be held Saturday, April 11, 2027.
Nominations open for Hall of Distinguished Educators
Northwestern State University’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development is seeking nominations for the 2026 Hall of Distinguished Educators, Outstanding Young Professionals and the Friend to Education Award.
The Hall of Distinguished Educators is the highest honor bestowed by the School of Education. Nominees must have earned an education degree from Northwestern State University, must have a minimum of 30 years of service in the field of education and must have made significant contributions to the field of education and/or the larger community at a local, state, national or international level. Nominees may be living or deceased.
More than 100 educators have been honored with the Hall of Distinguished Educators award since 2000.
Outstanding Young Professionals in Education must have earned an education degree from NSU and have a minimum of 10 years of service in the field of education. Nominees must have made significant contributions to the field of education and/or the larger community. Nominees must be 45 years old or younger.
The Friend to Education award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of education, the Northwestern State University School of Education, the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development and/or the university as a whole. Nominees for this award are not eligible for consideration for the Hall of Distinguished Educators. Individuals may be nominated regardless of whether they are living or deceased.
Applications are due by Aug. 5, 2026, and are available now at 2026 Nominations (nsu.la/DistEdNominations). For more information, contact Dr. April Jessup Giddens at giddensa@nsula.edu.
Individuals selected will be honored with a reception and induction program during Homecoming festivities Oct. 23-24.
Col. Gayland D. Muse
Art students named winners of Borders scholarships, Meraki Award
Theo Hemphill of Sterlington is this year’s recipient of the Lisa Chesser Borders Endowed Scholarship and Meraki Award, presented to a student pursuing a degree in Fine and Graphic Arts. Artist James Borders, and Judge Desiree Dyess, established the scholarship in memory of his wife, the late Lisa Chesser Borders, in 2019.
“The selection committee was unanimous in recognizing Theo Hemphill for his outstanding body of work, enthusiastic presentation and exceptional technical skill, particularly in painting. His ability to combine craftsmanship with passion set him apart,” Borders said.
The word meraki is derived from Greek and means “labor of love, creative task done with absolute devotion and undivided attention to detail; to infuse passion, soul, and one’s essence into the work.”
Theo Hemphill is this year’s recipient of the Meraki Award, presented to a student pursuing a degree in Fine and Graphic Arts at Northwestern State University.
From left are NSU President James Genovese, Hemphill, Cristy Bernard, associate director of Alumni and Development, and James Borders.
“Since its inception, the scholarship has recognized students at Northwestern State who embody these values through their artistic pursuits and personal character,” Borders said.
The presentations took place in the Lisa Chesser Borders Permanent Student Art Collection, housed on the first floor of Eugene P. Watson Memorial Library, with a large crowd of friends and family in attendance.
Hemphill is pursuing a degree in Fine and Graphic Art with a minor in business.
Sarah Mayeaux of Loranger was named winner of the Avis Borders Fletcher and Margaret Pauline Chesser Art Award. She is pursuing a degree in studio art with a minor in biology. Mackensie White of Covington is winner of the Jerry Chesser and Lisa Ates Borders Art Award. She is a double major pursuing degrees in studio art and musical theatre. Both awards recognize the students’ promise and professionalism while honoring the memory of members of the Borders and Chesser families.
Students were selected by a committee upon faculty recommendation and were required to present a cohesive body of studio work, which could include painting, printmaking, sculpture, metalwork or ceramics. Applicants presented their work professionally and delivered an oral presentation discussing their
Anna MacDonald, a selection committee member. “He displayed strong technical skills and a confident, masterful approach to painting. His portfolio was exceptional, showcasing a diverse range of works and mediums, all presented with a high level of professionalism.
“This year also marks a major step forward for the scholarship program. For the first time, the Meraki Scholarship will award $1,000, reflecting the growth of the endowment and the increasing support from the community,” Borders said. “While one student is selected as the primary recipient, the ceremony continues to emphasize encouragement and support for all finalists. This year, all three participating students received $400 in gifts and gift cards, thanks to generous annual donors.
“More than a financial award, the Lisa Chesser Borders Meraki Scholarship remains an investment in students, in the university and in the broader community. It continues to grow as a tradition rooted in faith, creativity and service. As each new recipient is added to the legacy, the mission remains the same: to inspire students to pursue excellence, uplift others, and carry forward the spirit of Lisa Chesser Borders in everything they create.”
Borders said he hopes to establish a second endowment in the future to ensure the scholarship’s long-term sustainability and impact. Contributions to the scholarship can be made through the Lisa Chesser Borders Scholarship webpage (northwesternstatealumni.com/lisa-borders).
Joe and Pat Pierson Scholarship acknowledge couple’s service to Northwestern and the Natchitoches community
Pat Pierson of Natchitoches, and the late Joe Pierson Jr., along with their extended family, have a long history of public service and supporting civic, educational, economic and conservation endeavors in Natchitoches, with Northwestern State University a central part of the family.
Earlier this year, Pat and Joe were surprised by the board of directors of City Bank and Trust with the creation of the Joe and Pat Pierson Endowed Scholarship to commemorate Joe’s retirement after 53 years of leadership and service to the bank and the community. The scholarship will benefit a student majoring in business, hospitality management and tourism or kinesiology at NSU.
Pat said she and Joe were humbled and honored that City Bank employees and directors established the scholarship and she appreciates how many NSU students will benefit from the scholarship for many years to come, a lasting legacy for which she and Joe were very grateful.
Joe graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1968, attended LSU briefly and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969. He went on to receive an Honorable discharge as a Specialist 5 in 1971. He was deeply proud of his military service.
He then enrolled at NSU and played on the NSU Golf Team which went to the NAIA National Tournament three consecutive years. He graduated with a B. S. in Business Administration and a minor in economics in 1974. He also began his banking career at City Bank & Trust Co. and worked there, holding various positions until 1987, when he and Pat relocated to Greenville, North Carolina, where he was employed by Wachovia Bank and she was the head women’s basketball coach at East Carolina University. After five successful years in each of their careers, they returned to Natchitoches and Joe assumed the role of president and CEO at City Bank, where he served until his retirement from that position in 2015. He continued
serving as chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors until this past February. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Louisiana Banker’s Association for 53 remarkable years of service to the banking industry.
Joe was involved in civic and community organizations throughout his life. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church and a longtime member of Rotary International, recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the Agitator’s Club, the Monday Lunch Bunch group, a former president of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce and served on many boards and committees in those various organizations.
Joe’s lifelong love of duck hunting was a prominent focus and passion for him. Working as a partner in his beloved Bayou Pierre Wildlife, LLC, was his favorite pastime and a source of pride that he generously shared with fellow hunters, friends and family.
Joe passed away June 12.
Dr. Patricia Nolen Pierson was a successful coach, teacher, professor and administrator at Northwestern. She grew up in Pitkin and began her association with Northwestern as a Lady Demon basketball player, one of the first female athletes ever awarded an athletic scholarship to NSU. She was a team captain for the 1976-77 season and the Academic Award Winner for four years. Following her graduation, she coached at Pitkin High for one year, leading her team to a 31-11 mark and into the Sweet Sixteen tournament.
Pat earned a bachelor’s degree at NSU in 1977, a master’s at NSU in 1980 and a doctoral degree at LSU in 2001. She was Northwestern State’s women’s basketball coach for nine years, winning three conference titles, leading the Lady Demons to the finals of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament and coaching multiple all-conference and academic All-American players. Her 1985-86 team won 25 games, the most in school history. She won more than
Last year, the Pat and Joe Pierson family gathered to celebrate the 98th birthday of Margie Pierson, seated. Standing from left are John Fidanza, Will Harris, Alicia Pierson Fidanza, Joe, Pat, Anna Margaret Harris, Camille Pierson, Calan Pierson, Josh Pierson and fiancé Dr. Haley Blount.
Vaughn Scholarship recipient changing careers to help others
Alexander Guillory of Natchitoches is the 2026 recipient of the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Scholarship presented to a student enrolled in the accelerated BSN program at Northwestern State University’s Cenla campus.
The scholarship is supported by the Lauren Vaughn Foundation established by the Vaughn family three years ago. This year, the Lauren Vaughn Foundation added $30,000 to the endowment through proceeds hosted by the LV5K on Easter weekend, an event that celebrates Lauren Vaughn’s life while raising money for the scholarship and awareness of the dangers of drunk and impaired driving.
Her mother Bridget Vaughn speaks to 10th graders in the Sudden Impact Program, an initiative of the Louisiana State Police to educate teens about the consequences of reckless driving, encourage healthy behaviors and discourage poor decisionmaking behind the wheel.
“Since Lauren’s death I definitely have a mission,” she said. “Our goal is to raise awareness about impaired driving. The issue isn’t ‘Do you drink.’ The issue is if you’re going to drink how are you going to find the way home. I tell the kids you’ve got to make a plan. You’ve got to have a Plan A and a Plan B, because there are so many times that Plan A goes wrong. What are you going to do to get home safely? It has to be with the sober driver.”
Guillory is the third recipient the scholarship. He grew up in Natchitoches, graduated from Northwestern State in 2020 and taught for five years before deciding “to shift careers in a direction to help others and ‘be the change,’” he said. A 4.0 student, he spent the last year, while teaching fulltime, taking science courses on-line to earn the prerequisite credits required for nursing. He plans to become an intensive care unit nurse or a cardiovascular nurse.
Last year’s recipient, Jesci Lord of Ball, was also recognized. She will complete her final semester this summer and go to work in a medical-surgical unit at CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria.
NSU’s accelerated BSN program is an intensive track in which students who already have a bachelor’s degree can complete the required nursing courses needed for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 16 months. Students must complete all general education classes required for the BSN prior to beginning the nursing courses. The Vaughn Scholarship is awarded for four consecutive semesters beginning and ending with the summer semester to a student attending NSU’s Cenla’s campus.
200 games as a collegiate head coach, serving five seasons at East Carolina where she won a regular season conference championship and Coach of the Year honors in 1992. In 1984, she was the first female to be inducted into the NSU’s Athletic N-Club Hall of Fame.
Pat joined Northwestern’s faculty in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences in 1992. She later became head of the department and helped create the bachelor’s program in hospitality management and tourism. Under her leadership, the program achieved national accreditation.
She was a two-time recipient of the College of Science, Technology and Business Excellence in Teaching Award and was selected as Academic Advisor of the Year at NSU. In 2015, she was awarded the status of Department Head Emeritus by the College of Science, Technology and Business. She was inducted into the Long Purple Line, the university’s alumni hall of distinction, in 2019.
Guillory, right, was named the 2026 recipient of the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Scholarship, presented to a students enrolled in NSU’s accelerated BSN program at the Alexandria-Cenla Campus. Bridget Vaughn, center, presented the award and recognized last year’s recipient Jesci Lord, left, who will graduate in August.
Vaughn, a 2018 graduate of Alexandria Senior High School, became interested in medicine on a high school field trip to LSU Medical Center and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Louisiana Tech. She was enrolled in NSU’s accelerated BSN program and scheduled to graduate in August 2023. On March 31, 2023, Vaughn was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nurses. She passed away just a few days later on April 7, 2023.
Bridget Vaughn said it’s important to support students attending NSU’s Cenla campus to help individuals in the Alexandria community.
To learn more about the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Foundation, visit the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Foundation website (lv5k. com) or the LV5K Facebook page (facebook.com/LV5KALEX).
Friends can contribute to the Lauren Vaughn Scholarship by visiting the Lauren Vaughn Scholarship donation page (northwesternstatealumni.com/vaughn-scholarship/).
Information on degree programs offered through Northwestern State’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health is available at the NSU CONSAH page (nsula.edu/nursing). Information about NSU’s Cenla campus can be found on the NSU Cenla page (nsula. edu/cenla).
Pat is also a member of First United Methodist Church, Fisherwomen Sunday School Class and Les Soeurs and is a Service Leage Sustainer. She is an avid tennis player.
After retirement, Joe and Pat enjoyed traveling -- pheasant hunting in South Dakota in October, duck hunting in Louisiana in January, August trips to Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia -- all spent with special “hunt group” friends. Additionally, they enjoyed many Alaska fishing trips with dear friends.
Last year, the Pierson family created the Joe and Margaret Pierson Family Scholarship to honor his parents on the occasion of Margie Pierson’s 98th birthday. Mrs. Pierson passed away this past February.
Friends who wish to contribute to the Joe and Pat Pierson Endowed Scholarship may do so by visiting the Joe and Pat Pierson Endowed Scholarship page (northwesternstatealumni.com/joepat-pierson-scholarship).
Alexander
Pierson Scholarship continued
Northwestern is the right fit for new head WBB coach Alan Frey
After more than 20 years of coaching, new Northwestern State head coach Alan Frey found the right fit and is excited to build on the program’s tradition.
During Frey’s introductory press conference April 5, he reflected on his journey to achieve this moment, one that he didn’t know would come.
“I am so honored and proud to be here,” Frey said to the assembled NSU fans, media members and university staff. “This is a moment I have been waiting for a long time, so this is very special to me that I have this opportunity. This opportunity is something you work for your whole life for, and you don’t know if it’s ever going to happen.”
While this is his first head coaching job, Frey has more than 20 years of experience as an assistant coach and associate head coach, much of which was at the Division I level.
He was previously an assistant coach at a Loyola in New Orleans. Last season, he helped lead the Wolf Pack to a 25-5 mark and a trip to the NAIA Tournament.
As a Louisiana native, he wants to build the team through his native roots, recruiting mostly in-state, high school players.
“If you look at the Southland Conference first and second team selections, most of them came through high school,” Frey said. “In this time, the portal and JUCO has to be a part of our make-up here, particularly during coaching changes.
“Texas will be a big part for us, but I really want to hone in on Louisiana. One of the reasons I am here right now is because I have all these roots in Louisiana. Kids from the state will be our foundation as we move forward because I think that is what
works.”
Coming from New Orleans, he has always known about the southern hospitality. However, coming to Natchitoches, he gained a whole new appreciation for the town and residents in Louisiana’s oldest city.
Like most coaches, Frey is extremely thankful for his family, throughout this journey to becoming a head coach.
“My wife Karen and I have been married for almost 35 years, and we are so excited to be members of this community. The football coach literally texted me as I was walking in saying ‘I have the tennis connection for her’ since Karen likes to play tennis.”
NSU names Jason Anderson school’s 14th head softball coach
NSU Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian announced the hiring of one of college softball’s most accomplished coaches, naming Jason Anderson the 14th head softball coach in program history.
Anderson arrives in Natchitoches with 796 career victories, the second-most among active NCAA Division II head coaches and the 16th-most among active coaches across all NCAA divisions. Over 19 seasons as a head coach, Anderson has compiled a 796-233 (.774) record while building championship programs at every stop of his career.
Anderson comes to NSU after a remarkable 12-year run at Southern Arkansas that included seven Great American Conference championships, five consecutive appearances in the GAC Tournament championship game from 2022-26, 10 consecutive NCAA regional appearances and a pair of Division II Women’s College World Series trips.
Northwestern Oklahoma State, Anderson guided North Alabama to a 40-win season and an NCAA Regional appearance in 2013, establishing multiple program records in the process.
Anderson began his head coaching career at Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas, where he compiled a 226-38 record in five seasons. He led the Mustangs to a National Christian College Athletic Association national championship in 2010 after a remarkable 52-1 season and earned NCCAA National Coach of the Year honors.
Prior to Southern Arkansas, Anderson spent one season at Northwestern Oklahoma State in 2014 and engineered one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the country. Before his stint at
Anderson was also a five-time NCCAA Regional Coach of the Year and won at least 50 games in each of his final three seasons at Central Baptist.
Throughout his 19-year coaching career, Anderson has won 40 or more games 12 different times, guided his teams to 14 national postseason tournaments and never finished a season with a record below .500
Anderson is a 2001 graduate of Arkansas Tech and 2005 graduate of Webster. He and his wife, the former Renee Byford, have two children, Addison and Kyler.
Athletic Director Kevin Bostian and WBB Coach Alan Frey
Demon Dream Home Giveaway will support student-athletes
The Northwestern State athletic department and Rhodes Properties and Development have partnered to create a unique opportunity for fans and supporters of Demon athletics.
The two entities have combined to present the 2026 Rhodes Properties and Development Demon Dream Home giveaway – a raffle that will see the winner collect a brand-new Rhodes-built home in the Hidden Oak subdivision in Natchitoches, located along Louisiana Highway 3191.
Raffle tickets will be sold for $100 each and can be purchased through Northwestern athletes or online through the NSU Demons website (NSUDemons.com). The live drawing will take place Nov. 6 at Riverside Reserve in Natchitoches with additional prizes awarded at the event.
Proceeds from the raffle will go toward the Northwestern athletic department in support of its student-athletes.
The home, valued at $265,000, is a three-bedroom, twobathroom, 1,450-square foot heated building in one of Natchitoches’ newest subdivisions that Rhodes Properties and Development and Rhodes Realty began developing in early 2026. Hidden Oak subdivision is located near Sibley Lake, west of Louisiana Highway 1 in Natchitoches.
Dupuy rejoins Northwestern State as Associate AD
Jordan Dupuy, who coached the Northwestern women’s basketball program for three-plus seasons, joined the athletic department as its Associate Athletic Director of External Relations, overseeing NSU’s corporate sponsorships and development, ticketing, marketing and communications.
“Adding Jordan Dupuy strengthens our administrative staff,” Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian said. “Jordan brings a wealth of experience in college coaching, which will translate to this role. There are many similarities between this role and coaching, especially the parallels between it and recruiting. Jordan has sold his vision for Northwestern State before, and he will do so again just in a different realm. His ability to connect with people and show them what he envisions for Northwestern will resonate with our current and future corporate partners and donors.”
Dupuy can be reached at dupuyj@nsula.edu.
Jordan Dupuy
Office of Alumni Affairs We focus on friend raising.
Office of Economic Development & University Advancement
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Laurie Morrow Executive Director of Economic Development & University Advancement and Executive Director of the NSU Foundation
We focus on fund raising. Affairs for Chapters, Merchandise & Reunions
1948 – Colleen Lancaster, March 24, 2026, Natchitoches Dr. Lancaster was a professor of dance at Northwestern from 1956-1986 and a member of the School of Creative and Performing Arts Hall of Fame.
1950 – Helen Carter Graham, May 9, 2026, Natchitoches
1957 – Frances Hayes, April 9, 2026, Zwolle
1957 – Arthur “Sonny” Seward, April 11, 2026, Dry Prong
1959 – George Donald Rucker, M.D., May 19, 2026, Shreveport
1973 – David Marion Wilcox, May 16, 2026, Denham Springs
1974 – Joseph H. Pierson Jr., June 12, 2026, Natchitoches
2001 – Jonathan Burnham, May 5, 2026, Neenah, Wisconsin
Judy Arlene Penrod, May 18, 2026, Natchitoches
Patricia O’Brien Donahue, May 28, 2026, Covington
Reet Thomas Lawhon III, June 9, 2026,
Shreveport
Raegan Washington Assistant Accountant/Board Services Manager Business Manager & Operations
Kayla Dunagan Assistant Director of Foundation Scholarships
Gwen Fontenot Director of Institutional Engagement & Economic Development
Director of Development
Corporate Relations Engagement & Stewardship
Director of Alumni Affairs
Cristy Bernard Associate Director of Alumni Affairs
Jared Boydstun Web & Database Specialist
Savannah Struppeck Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs for Marketing, Membership & New Alumni
In 1995-96, Northwestern State underwent a massive campus-wide computer upgrade bringing the latest technology to students’ fingertips: email, the internet and cutting-edge software for departmental computer labs, including a new graphic design lab in the Art Department. Can you name the faculty pictured in the upgraded art design lab? Email jacksonl@ nsula.edu with your name, the year you graduated and your city of residence.
From the Spring edition: Sandra Martin, a primary education major from New Orleans, was the 1966 Miss Potpourri. Those who guessed correctly are as follows.
Fun and games were the order of business from June 29-July 1, 1976, during Uncle Sam’s Garden Party, sponsored by the Student Union Governing Board. The Bicentennial celebration began with a concert featuring Billy Pendleton and Earth, Ron Anderson and Fat Chance. A picnic supper was served during intermission.
A day of games and contests took place June 30 in the valley behind Iberville with egg-throwing, three-legged races and tug-of-war, a watermelon eating contest and a penny hunt. The Music and Films Committee hosted a showing of “1776” in the Arts and Sciences Auditorium.
Uncle Sam’s Garden Party ended July 1 with a dance in the Student Union Ballroom. Crosswinds provided the music.
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The class of 1976 was honored during this year’s Golden Jubilee with the presentation of 50-year diplomas during spring commencement. On the front row from left are Ed Thompson, Frank Trammel, Reneva Carnahan Trahant, Rose Thomas Turner, Gail Sweeney Stephenson, Pam Walker, Vickie Procell Weeks, and Karen Yeomans. On the second row are Katherine Pierson Lovelace, Susan Lirette Massia, Angela Maggio Mayeaux, Cecelia Carson Miller, Hilton Verrett, Marsha Parham, Sally Tanner Namie and Frances McFarland Morgan. On the third row are Patricia Gallien Chandler, Doris Davis Claiborne, Sandra Garner Coleman, Leo Gatson Jr., Ronnie Evans, and Larry Joseph Ehrhardt. On the top row are Dock Voorhies, Patrick Douget, Burley Johnson and Bill Hochstetler. Next year’s Golden Jubilee celebration honoring the class of 1977 will be May 11-12, 2027. Details will be shared as plans are finalized.
