Alumni Columns - Northwestern State University Alumni

CAMPUS NEWSWhere to Retire Magazine listsNatchitoches as among mostdesirable college townsNatchitoches was listed among eightsmall cities in Where to Retire Magazine’sarticle “Captivating Towns withCollege Spirit.” The article appears in theJuly/August edition of Where to Retire.The cities were selected for their “laidback,culturally diverse and intellectuallystimulating” environments that appeal toretirees with consideration to cost of living,housing, scenery, and variety ofleisure activities.The article describes the quaint Europeanambiance found in Natchitochesalong with the cultural activities supportedthrough Northwestern’s presence, suchas the symphony and theatre, the numerousfestivals held in the area and the mildclimate.Other cities listed were Las Vegas,N.M.; Chico, Calif.; San Marcos, Texas;Flagstaff, Ariz.; Boone, N.C.; Gainesville,Fla., and Durango, Colo.“People who are natives of Natchitochesor who have lived here a long timeare well aware of its allure, and knew itlong before the city’s increased visibilitywithin the past couple of decades,” saidNSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb. “It isgratifying that people, including magazinewriters from far-flung places havecome to appreciate Natchitoches as anhistoric city with special charm, quaintnessand fine people.”According to Webb, “the increasedexposure reminds prospective Northwesternstudents and their parents that we havean outstanding university with a nationalreputation in a city that is known nationallyas well.“In view of the fact that NSU hasbecome a leader in distance education, wenow attract students from all over theworld,” he said. “The more opportunitiesthey have to learn about Natchitoches andits partnership with the university, regardlessof the source, the greater the likelihoodthat more discerning students willmake this their university of choice.”The city of Natchitoches also enjoys itsworking relationship with Northwestern.Reprinted with permission from Vacation Publications Inc.“We feel the university creates a specialatmosphere in our community thatcannot be found in other small towns,”said Natchitoches Main Street ManagerCourtney LaCour Hornsby (NSU 1999)“Inclusion in this national publication willlet people know that Natchitoches is awonderful place to retire and, thanks toNorthwestern, our city has ready access toquality education programs, entertainmentand athletics.”Spotlight■ Dr. Willie Hey (M.ED. 1987), aMarthaville native who is currently professorof health education within theDepartment of Health, Physical Educationand Recreation at Jacksonville StateUniversity in Jacksonville, Ala., was recognizedas the Health Education Professionalof the Year for Colleges and Universitiesby the American Association ofHealth Education (AAHE). He receivedthe award at the April AAHPERD nationalconference in Salt Lake City.The national award is presentedannually to recognize an individual whohas made substantial contributions as apractitioner to professional practice ofhealth education at the college/universitylevel.■ Normal School alumna NoraTrosclair celebrated her 100 th birthdayon June 27. Mrs. Trosclair attended theNormal School in the summers of 1924-26 and took correspondence courses toobtain her teaching certificate. She taughtfor 11 years and worked for the LouisianaState Department as a caseworker for 18years.■ Jim Hawthorne, a 1967 graduate ofNorthwestern widely recognized as thevoice of LSU sports, has penned a bookentitled “The Man Behind the Voice.”Hawthorne got his start in sports broadcastingdoing Demon games with NormFletcher and one chapter of the book isdevoted to Hawthorne’s years as a Demonbroadcaster. The book was published byDr. John Price and his Southern LegaciesPress and by Moran Imprint in BatonRouge. An accomplished singer,Hawthorne has also recorded a CD.■ NSU freshman distance runner CadeGentry is the third generation of his familyto attend NSU and contend as an athleteat Northwestern. His grandfather, RoyGentry, attended NSU on a footballscholarship and graduated in 1940. Dr.Roy Gentry Jr., Cade’s father, was along-time professor at NSU, who receiveda scholarship to play football in 1960.Cade began his career this semesteras a member of the NSU cross countryteam and will compete as a middle distancerunner on the track beginning in thespring.www.northwesternalumni.comAlumni Columns Fall 2006 / 7