Alumni Columns - Northwestern State University Alumni

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My fellow alumni and friends,Dr. Randall J. Webb, ‘65, ‘66PresidentNorthwestern State UniversityDear Alumni:After six years of hard work by a number of peoplewith deep affection for Northwestern State University, I amextremely proud that we have met and exceeded the goalfor the university’s first-ever capital campaign with a year to go before completion.Our goal was $18.84 million and more than $27 million has been raised.This money will help all areas of the university. It will enhance academic programs,provide scholarships for students, help maintain our successful athleticprogram and more. I thank all of you who have been willing to help the university.Each contribution is important and goes to help improve Northwestern.As you receive this issue of the Alumni Columns, the fall semester hasbegun at Northwestern. We anticipate another strong freshman class this yearwith students who will become campus leaders and successful alumni.In addition to the Alumni Plaza, a number of important capital projects onthe Natchitoches campus are expected to move forward during the 2006-2007academic year. Renovation projects for Caspari Hall and Williamson Hall havereceived funding for planning and design work. The university hopes that constructioncan begin next year and the two buildings can be complete by 2008.Once work is complete, Caspari Hall will house the Office of Enrollment Services,the Registrar and Admissions Office and the Office of Financial Aid, simplifyingthe admissions process for students. Northwestern also hopes to obtainapproval for the second phase of new student housing. University Place, a 380-bed residence hall, opened last fall.I hope many of you will be able to join us for this year’s Homecoming celebration.Great things are continuing to happen at Northwestern and each of youplays a role in our continuing success.Dr. Chris Maggio, ‘85, ‘91Director of Alumni and DevelopmentIt is a wonderful time to be a part of the NSU family.The past year at Northwestern has been phenomenal onmany levels and school pride is at an all-time high. Even as our Capital Campaignexceeded all goals and expectations, the NSU family was still feeling positiveeffects of the exposure created for the school after basketball season.These and our many ongoing projects have me looking forward to Homecoming,when visiting alumni will be able to view our latest enhancement with theunveiling of the Alumni Plaza.Great events surround all of NSU’s athletic contests and provide a time forreunions, tailgating and supporting the Demons, both at home and on the road.Please continue to let us know about your milestones and accomplishments– your former classmates want to know where you are and what you aredoing. We invite you to visit campus, view the new Alumni Plaza and find thenames of former classmates, teachers and mentors among the engraved fixtures.Most of all, please continue sharing your Northwestern pride with others.The effects of positive words from our graduates can not be measured.Thank you for all you do in your continued support of our alma mater,Northwestern State University.On the cover: Funds generated through NSU’s Capital Campaign will reach students and faculty in many areas of theuniversity, providing scholarship opportunities and support for innovative programming. Thanking you for your generosityare Lane Lucky of Lake Charles, journalism; Sarah Newton of Bryan, Texas, hospitality management andtourism; Rodrique Nelson of Natchitoches, nursing; Katie Lopez of Jennings, journalism; Dr. Lissa Pollacia, professorof computer information systems, College of Business; Kevin Richardson, associate director of bands; JeremyMurray of Mansura, music education; Shanna Halford of Pearl, Miss., nursing, and Fugee Fournier of Opelousas,health and exercise science. Thank you for supporting NSU’s future.Alumni ColumnsOfficial Publication ofNorthwestern State UniversityNatchitoches, LouisianaOrganized in 1884A member of CASEVolume XVI Number 3 Fall 2006The Alumni Columns (USPS 015480) is published 4times a year by Northwestern State University, Natchitoches,Louisiana, 71497-0002Periodicals Postage Paid at Natchitoches, La.,and at additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the AlumniColumns, Northwestern State University,Natchitoches, La. 71497-0002.Alumni Office Phone: 318-357-4414and 888-799-6486FAX: 318-357-4225E-mail: maggioc@nsula.eduNSU ALUMNI OFFICERSPresident.........Jimmy WilliamsAlexandria, 1993Vice President.......K. Michael SawrieAlexandria, 1972Secretary-Treasurer.........Jerry BrungartNatchitoches, 1969, 1971Executive Director............Dr. Chris MaggioNatchitoches, 1985, 1991BOARD OF DIRECTORSBrandon Scott Andrews . . . . . . . . . .Baton Rouge, 1992Dane Broussard . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Houston, Texas, 1986Jerry Brungart . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natchitoches, 1969, 1971Tommy Chester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arcadia, 1969Leonard Endris . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shreveport, 1974, 1975Adrian Howard . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arlington, Texas, 1989Gail Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natchez, 1981, 1998Matt Koury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Leesville, 1995Bryant Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Haynesville, 1958Carroll Long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tyler, Texas, 1970David Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin, Texas, 1973Kip Patrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shreveport, 1995K. Michael Sawrie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alexandria, 1972Joseph B. Stamey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natchitoches, 1983Glenn Talbert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shreveport, 1964Ricky Walmsley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Covington, 1985Ginger Wiggins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Metairie, 1986J. Michael Wilburn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shreveport, 1975Jimmy Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alexandria, 1993Dr. Leonard A. Williams . . . . . . . . . .New Orleans, 1993STUDENT REPRESENTATIVEShantel Wempren..........ThibodauxSGA PresidentThe Alumni Columns is published inspring, summer, fall and winter.PublisherDr. Chris Maggio, 1985, 1991EditorLeah Pilcher Jackson, 1994ContributorsDavid WestDoug Ireland, 1986PhotographyGary HardamonDesign/LayoutBeth McPherson Mann, 1975NSU Press Publications OfficeNorthwestern State University is accredited by the Commissionon Colleges of the Southern Association of Collegesand Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award Associate,Baccalaureate, Master’s, Specialist and Doctoratedegrees.It is the policy of Northwestern State University ofLouisiana not to discriminate on the basis of race, color,religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its educationalprograms, activities or employment practices.
ALMUNI NEWSOur Brighter TomorrowCapital Campaign reaches individuals, provides pathways to the futureShane Creppel isn’t waiting to showhis thanks for the assistance he hasreceived in attending Northwestern StateUniversityCreppel, a freshman from Natchitoches,is the recipient of the Joe SampiteFamily Scholarship and the J.W. JohnsonKiwanis Scholarship. Creppel, the firstperson in his family to go to college, saidgetting involved is one way to acknowledgethe support he received and be asuccessful student. He is a HospitalityManagement and Tourism major andserves as a senator for the Student GovernmentAssociation.“It’s up to us to get involved andmake the university more competitive,”Creppel said. “Students should getinvolved and give back. It gives the universitya better image.”Creppel is among the students whohave benefited from Northwestern’s firstCapital Campaign. The campaign beganin 2000 with a goal of $18.84 million bythe end of 2007. But with more than ayear to go, the university has raised morethan $27 million to enhance academicprograms, provide scholarships and assistthe NSU athletic program.“I have had complete confidencefrom the time this campaign was envisionedthat our alumni and friends wouldshow their support for Northwestern in anunprecedented way,” said NSU PresidentDr. Randall J. Webb. “Those associatedwith Northwestern know that this institutionis a special place. They are willing togenerously support the university whenasked to do so.”NSU has received donations for itsfirst three $1 million endowed chairs. TheErbon W. and Marie Wise EndowedChair in Journalism, the Charles RagusFamily Endowed Chair in Business andthe Melba Law Steeg Endowed Chair inEducational Technology Leadership,were established with a gift of $400,000to the NSU Foundation, which wasmatched with $600,000from the Board ofRegents Support Fund.Endowed chairs allowNorthwestern to provideresearch funding andsupport for a nationallyrecognized scholar.The university alsohas more than 30endowed professorshipsworth $100,000 each.Interest generated by theendowment will fundfaculty research anddevelopment along withneeded equipment.“This campaign hasraised awareness amongour alumni and friendsabout the importance ofprivate giving in assistingNorthwestern,” saidDirector of Alumni andDevelopment Dr. ChrisMaggio. “The universitycan no longer rely on juststate allocations to carryout its mission, but needs donors to augmentsalaries, provide faculty and programsupport and create scholarships forstudents.”Maggio said this campaign haschanged perceptions about those whosupport Northwestern.“In the past many people thoughtNorthwestern alumni and friends couldn’tor wouldn’t give to the university in amajor way,” said Maggio. “This campaignhas shown what our supporters cando as a group. Each gift has been importantas we worked to meet and exceed ourgoals. We have built momentum in thearea of fundraising and will build on thatmomentum.”NSU’s College of Nursing has benefitedfrom two joint ventures which willbe worth approximately $5.5 million overfive years. Because of the support, Northwesternhas expanded opportunities fornursing students in Shreveport andAlexandria.“Gifts that we have received duringthe Capital Campaign have helped theCollege of Nursing in a major way,” saidDr. Norann Planchock, dean of the Collegeof Nursing. “Because of limitedresources, we had to limit the number ofstudents in the program. These joint ventureshave allowed us to hire additionalfaculty and increase enrollment.”The College of Nursing was able toenroll 50 additional students because ofthe gifts it received. One donor also provideda stipend for students. This type ofsupport in addition to private scholarshipshas allowed a number of students tocontinue their education.“A number of our students have atough time making ends meet while theyare trying to earn a degree,” said Planchock.“Without the generosity of individualswho contribute toward scholarships,they would not be able to continuetheir education. Any type of financialhelp eases a burden on them.”Northwestern’s athletic program hasalso been a major part of the capital campaign.According to Director of AthleticsSee Capital Campaign Page 2Alumni Columns Fall 2006 / 1
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