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Northwestern State University

Coordinates: 31°45′00″N 93°05′50″W / 31.750°N 93.0972°W / 31.750; -93.0972
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"Northwestern State" redirects here. For the former administrative division of Nigeria, see North-Western State.
For universities with a similar name, see Northwestern University (disambiguation).

Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Former names
Louisiana State Normal School (1884–1944)
Northwestern State College of Louisiana (1944–1970)
MottoDedicated to one goal. Yours.
TypePublic university
Established1884; 140 years ago (1884)
Parent institution
UL System
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
Endowment$18 million (2020)[1]
PresidentMarcus Jones[2]
Students11,081 (2018)[3]
Location
Natchitoches
,
Louisiana
,
United States

31°45′00″N 93°05′50″W / 31.750°N 93.0972°W / 31.750; -93.0972
CampusRural, 916 acres (371 ha)
ColorsPurple and White
Orange accent[4]
     
NicknameDemons / Lady Demons
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I FCS – Southland
MascotVic the Demon
Websitewww.nsula.edu

Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) is a public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.

The Friedman Student Union Building is named for the late Louisiana State Senator Sylvan Friedman of Natchitoches.
The NSU Business Building
Fournet Hall at NSU is the center of instruction in chemistry and physics.
Culinary Arts Building at NSU
John S. Kyser Hall, named for the NSU president John S. Kyser from 1953 to 1966, houses a variety of academic programs, including history, mathematics, and journalism.
Williamson Hall houses the NSU engineering program.
NSU Wellness Recreation and Activity Center
The three columns of Northwestern State University

NSU was founded in 1884 as the Louisiana State Normal School. It was the first school in Louisiana to offer degree programs in nursing and business education. NSU, along with numerous other state colleges, gained university status in 1970 during the administration of President Arnold R. Kilpatrick, a Northwestern State alumnus who served from 1966 to 1978. Kilpatrick succeeded the 12-year president, John S. Kyser, a native of El Paso, Illinois.[5]

NSU was one of the first six colleges to enter into NASA's Joint Venture Program. Students worked with NASA scientists to help analyze data and do research for the 1996 Space Shuttle Columbia shuttle mission. NSU also hosts the Louisiana Scholars' College, Louisiana's designated honors college in the liberal arts and sciences. The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, a state-supported residential high school for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, is also located on the campus. It was a brainchild of former State Representative Jimmy D. Long of Natchitoches, who also attended NSU.

NSU offers more than 50 degree programs. Fall 2018 total enrollment was 11,081, the largest in the university's 133-year history,[3] although the school saw enrollments decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, which hampered recruitment efforts.[6] NSU also claims more than 70,000 alumni.

History

Main entrance to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana

Northwestern State University stands on ground that has been dedicated to learning for well over 100 years. Prior to the American Civil War, a portion of the present campus was the property of the Bullard family of Natchitoches. As early as 1856, the Bullard mansion was in use as a convent by the Religious Society of the Sacred Heart. The following year, a school building was erected at the convent, and in 1884, the town and parish of Natchitoches purchased the property. Three of the four great white columns that once supported the east gable of the mansion still stand on "The Hill" and serve as the unofficial symbols of the university.[7]

In 1884, the Louisiana State Legislature by Act 51 created the Louisiana State Normal School for the preparation of teachers. Shortly thereafter, a freshman member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Leopold Caspari of Natchitoches, offered the convent site as a campus for the school with the anticipated approval of the citizens of Natchitoches. The offer was accepted, and from 1885 to 1918, the school offered two years of study for the training of teachers. Baccalaureate programs were inaugurated, and the Louisiana Constitution of 1921 changed the name of the school to Louisiana State Normal College. The resources and curricula of "Normal" grew steadily to meet the increasingly diverse requirements of Louisiana's expanding population. In 1944, the institution's excellent service in its broader role was accorded formal recognition by Act 326 of the Legislature, which changed its name to Northwestern State College of Louisiana.

Northwestern State maintained and strengthened its long tradition of leadership in public service and academic endeavor and became, in 1954, the first college under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana State Board of Education to offer a master's degree. The Specialist in Education degree was first offered in 1966 and the Doctor of Philosophy in Education degrees were authorized in 1967. On June 18, 1970, Governor John J. McKeithen signed a legislative act that brought the old campus its greatest distinction, changing its title to Northwestern State University of Louisiana. In 1980, the old campus quadrangle where the columns stand was entered into the National Register of Historic Places under the title "Normal Hill Historic District."

Although primarily a regional institution, Northwestern State also offers an opportunity for education at satellite locations, including Leesville, Shreveport, and Alexandria. In addition to academics, these centers are also developing student-life programs. The Nursing Education Center, located in Shreveport, provides the educational environment for nursing majors enrolled in clinical courses, as well as general education courses. The center houses departments administering masters, baccalaureate, and associate degree programs. The campus includes academic facilities, office space for faculty and staff, a bookstore, and facilities for activities and organizations.[8]

A. A. Fredericks was president of NSU from 1934 to 1941. He was later a member of the Louisiana State Senate and the private secretary on two occasions to Governor Earl Kemp Long. Fredericks obtained his teaching credentials from Northwestern Normal in 1912. The A. A. Fredericks Auditorium on campus commemorates him.

Eugene P. Watson of Natchitoches, for whom the NSU library is named, was head librarian and professor of library science from 1940 until his death in 1964. He founded Alpha Beta Alpha, the national library science fraternity. The group held its first biennial convention on the NSU campus in 1952.

The centennial history of NSU (1884–1984) was published by the NSU Press in 1985 by the historian Marietta LeBreton, who taught 45 years at the institution, from 1963 until her sudden death in 2009.

Vic the Demon

On November 8, 1922, by proclamation of President V. L. Roy and Coach H. Lee Prather, all athletic teams became known as the Demons. The name was decided upon by a contest open to all students, with a grand prize of $10. A committee was appointed by the president to narrow down the names submitted by the student body. The final selection was decided by a vote of the students. The two most popular choices were Braves and Demons. Among other names submitted by students were Sharks, Daredevils, Musketeers, Pelicans, Prather's Ground Hogs, Bloodhounds, Cyclops, and Serpents. The official winners were Aileen Ritter and Truett Scarborough.

On September 22, 1984, the Demon received his official given name by means of another contest sponsored by the athletic department. The contest was open to faculty, staff, and students. The objective was to find a name for the Demon. Over 300 entries were submitted to the committee. The grand prize was an all-expenses-paid weekend at the Louisiana State Fair Classic. Ray Carney, an alumnus of the university, was the official winner with "Vic", which is short for "Victory".

Jim Croce

Singer-songwriter Jim Croce died in a plane crash hours after finishing a 1973 concert on the NSU campus.[9]

Student media

Newspaper and yearbook

Northwestern's online news source with occasional printed special editions, The Current Sauce, was founded in 1914.[10] In 2021, the newspaper and campus radio station, KNWD, merged their news operations into a shared digital platform, "Purple Media Network."[11] Its annual student-run yearbook is called The Potpourri.[12] Northwestern has digitized its archives of Current Sauce, Potpourri, and other publications to make them more easily accessible.[13]

Radio and television

The student-run radio station is The Demon (KNWD 91.7 FM)[14] and a faculty-administered and student-operated local television station is NSU22, on which can be found biweekly student-produced newscasts.

Literary magazine

NSU's literary magazine is called The Argus. It is student-run and published during the spring semester. The magazine content is provided by competitions in various fields of writing and artwork.

Athletics

Main article: Northwestern State Demons and Lady Demons

The Northwestern State athletic teams go by the Demons, with women's athletic teams generally called the Lady Demons, and its mascot is Vic the Demon. The university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and competes in the Southland Conference at the NCAA Division I level. Northwestern State sponsors 12 varsity athletic teams, five men's teams and seven women's teams.[15]

Greek life

Sororities

National Panhellenic Conference affiliates

National Pan-Hellenic Council affiliates

Music sororities

Fraternities

National Pan-Hellenic Council affiliates

North American Interfraternity Conference affiliates

Music fraternities

Academic and professional

Archive

NSU maintains an archive through the Cammie G. Henry Research Center. Collections cover a diversity of individuals and topics. Materials may be accessed on such figures as Ethma Odum, the pioneering woman television personality at KALB-TV in Alexandria;[17] James B. Aswell, Kate Chopin, Robert DeBlieux, Caroline Dormon, and the Cane River.[18]

Notable alumni

The former "Line Avenue School" now houses part of the Northwestern State University nursing program in Shreveport.

Notable faculty and administrators

References

  1. ^ https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/northwestern-state-university-of-louisiana-2021 [bare URL]
  2. ^ Holdiness, Timothy; James, Tyrenisha (November 17, 2021). "Marcus Jones chosen as 20th president of NSU". Purple Media Network. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "NSU | News | Fall enrollment is over 11,000 for first time". News.nsula.edu. September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  4. ^ Northwestern State University Visual Branding Guidelines (PDF). May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  5. ^ Kyser, John S. "A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography". lahistory.org. Louisiana Historical Association. Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  6. ^ James, Tyrenisha (November 8, 2021). "NSU records nine percent decrease in enrollment". The Current Sauce. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  7. ^ Stevens, Christopher (2006). Cultural Landscape Report for National Center for Preservation Technology and Training: Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana (PDF) (Report). Boston, Massachusetts: Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation, National Park Service. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "NSU Student Handbook". nsula.edu. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  9. ^ "Jim Croce Biography". Biography.com. A&E Television Networks. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  10. ^ Portillo Cantarero, Lia (May 31, 2023). "Letter from The Current Sauce: Welcome to NSU". Purple Media Network. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  11. ^ Jackson, Leah (September 27, 2021). "NSU Student Media transitions to Purple Media Network". Natchitoches Times. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  12. ^ "NSU Student Media: Potpourri". NSU Student Media. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  13. ^ Kirby, Clay. ""Steel Magnolias" scrapbook digitized, available through NSU". KTBS-TV. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  14. ^ "Home". knwdradio.org.
  15. ^ "Northwestern State University Athletics". Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  16. ^ "Sigma Alpha Iota". Archived from the original on January 31, 2010.
  17. ^ "Ethma Odum Collection". Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  18. ^ "Cammie G. Henry Research Center". library.nsula.edu. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  19. ^ "Larry Bagley". Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  20. ^ "Obituaries: Thomas "Bud" Brady". meaningfulfunerals.net. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
  21. ^ "In Memoriam: Monnie T. Cheves". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. August 17, 1988. p. D3. Archived from the original on September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  22. ^ "Charles Milton Cunningham". familytreemaker.genealogy.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  23. ^ "Israel "Bo" Curtis obituary". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. February 24, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  24. ^ "Louisiana: Davis, Jackson Beauregard", Who's Who in American Politics, 2003–2004, 19th ed., Vol. 1 (Alabama-Montana) (Marquis Who's Who: New Providence, New Jersey, 2003), p. 775
  25. ^ Li, David K. (October 19, 2008). "Beauty and the Bust". New York Post.
  26. ^ "H. M. "Mutt" Fowler". The Shreveport Times. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  27. ^ Hubbard, Kim (January 25, 1988). "Robert Harling, Author of a Hit Comedy Based on a Family Tragedy". People. Vol. 29, no. 3.
  28. ^ Reed, Julia (December 2012 – January 2013). "The Interview: Robert Harling". Garden & Gun.
  29. ^ "Lance Harris's Biography". Project Vote Smart. May 27, 2015.
  30. ^ "Longtime NSU booster Horton dies, June 6, 2013". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  31. ^ "Carolyn L. Huntoon". energy.gov. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  32. ^ "Distinguished Alumni Honored". Alumni Columns. Natchitoches, LA: Northwestern State University Alumni Association. Winter 1992. p. 17.
  33. ^ "ACLU of Louisiana: Abortion Protests: Free Speech, Privacy and Clinic Access: Centenary Political Science Honor Society Sponsors Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at Centenary, October 9, 2002". Centenary College of Louisiana. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  34. ^ "Moffett biosketch on the ULS web site". ulsystem.net. Archived from the original on March 24, 2009. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  35. ^ Matt McKinney (January 17, 2015). "Mary Evelyn Parker, longtime Louisiana treasurer, dies at age 94". Baton Rouge Advocate. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  36. ^ "Tom Kelly, New trade school OK'd in Winn: 'Gold Star' in career, says retiring State Senator Mike Smith". thepineywoods.com. Retrieved October 29, 2009.
  37. ^ "House District 35", Louisiana Encyclopedia (1999)
  38. ^ "Raymond Strother: Political Strategist/Author (1940)". Museum of the Gulf Coast. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  39. ^ "About Ollie Tyler". ollietylerformayor.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
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