Northwestern State University

Main entrance to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana

Northwestern State University stands on ground that has been dedicated to learning for well over a hundred 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. The campus, developed upon rolling hills and high river bottomland, is acknowledged to be one of the most spacious and attractive in the South. Long the home of a major Indian tribe for which it was named, the French fortified Natchitoches in 1714 as an outpost of their New World Empire facing Spanish Texas to the west.

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 Normal 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 the 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.[6]

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 his memory.

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 forty-five years at the institution, from 1963 until her sudden death in 2009.

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, 5 men's teams and 7 women's teams.[13]

The Lady of the Bracelet pageant (commonly referred to as LOB) is a long-standing competition which scholarships are awarded to female students. The first-place winner of the pageant is awarded the title of "Lady of the Bracelet" for one year.

The program is under the direction of the Director of Student Activities and the Assistant Director of Student Activities of Northwestern State University. Contestants compete in several categories including interview, evening wear, and swimsuit competition. In addition to being bestowed the title of "Lady of the Bracelet" for the following year, the first place contestant receives a full scholarship and goes on to compete in the Miss Louisiana pageant, which can ultimately result in a berth to the Miss America pageant. It is traditionally held on the first Friday in February.

In the early 1920s, the Potpourri, Northwestern State's yearbook, sponsored the first beauty pageant held on the university campus. The contestants were selected from photographs submitted to well-known producers for judgment and were chosen for their charm and beauty. In 1958, Miss Kahne Dipola was crowned the first Miss Lady of the Bracelet and she received a gold bracelet to wear when she represented the university in public. Over the years, the bracelet has been passed down to each holder of the title.

Through the efforts of Mr. Robert W. Wilson, Sr., the Student Union Governing Board purchased the first franchise from the Miss Louisiana Pageant in 1971, enabling Northwestern State's Lady of the Bracelet to enter the state contest. The Student Activities Board, formerly the Student Union Governing Board, has continued the tradition of sponsoring the Lady of the Bracelet Pageant for the enjoyment of the Northwestern State community. The Lady of the Bracelet pageant has gained state recognition for production, scholarship, and quality of contestants.

With an agreement signed between Northwestern State College and the Department of the United States Army, an anti-aircraft field artillery unit of the Reserve Officers Training Corps was established in the fall of 1950. In August 1950, the building to house the ROTC unit was authorized. The new military science program, under President Prather, enrolled its first students in the fall of 1950 with one officer and five enlisted men on the staff. By the end of the 1950–51 academic year 220 men had selected military training and the future of the program looked promising. In 1965, NSC under President Kyser signed an agreement with the department of Army stating that the Military Science Senior ROTC program would be provided with a university secretary, armory, and utilities. The NSU ROTC Department and the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana mutually support Cadet Command by identifying quality soldiers with officer potential and in assisting them in transition from active duty under the college ROTC Green to Gold program. The NSU ROTC Demon Battalion has commissioned nearly 1000 Second Lieutenants into the United States Armed Services. Quite a few graduates have become distinguished Army Officers, including several General Officers.

A Hall of Fame was begun in 1983. Portraits and biographies of the Hall of Fame members are on permanent display in the ROTC office foyer. NSU ROTC cadets have been selected to attend specialty schools in Germany and at West Point. Cadets have also participated in ceremonies commemorating the Bataan March in New Mexico, and supporting the Habitat for Humanity and Loggers Conventions. During the past two years, several renovation projects have been completed. The cadets have been able to enjoy a TV lounge, kitchen area and game room to include a billiards, ping pong, and foosball. Notably, five NSU ROTC commissioned officers have been inducted into NSU's highest Hall of Distinction, the Long Purple Line.

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;[15]James B. Aswell, Kate Chopin, Robert DeBlieux, Caroline Dormon, and the Cane River.[16]

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

• William B. Atkins (born 1947), member of both houses of the Louisiana legislature from 1980 to 1988 from Catahoula Parish[17]
• Larry Bagley (born 1949), Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 7; graduate study in education at NSU[18]
• Robert W. Bates (born 1941), agent of the United States Secret Service from 1965 to 1976; commercial horticultural nurseryman in Forest Hill in Rapides Parish[19]
• Thomas "Bud" Brady (1938–2011), Class of 1962, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from La Salle Parish from 1976 to 1988; radio personality, real estate appraiser[20]
• Henry Burns (born 1947), bakery owner and Republican former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Bossier Parish, obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in upper elementary education from Northwestern State.
• Monnie T. Cheves (1902–1988, Class of c. 1923), alumni and NSU education professor, and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1952 to 1960[21]
• Kenny Ray Cox (born 1957) state representative for Natchitoches, DeSoto, and Red River parishes; retired United States Army lieutenant colonel residing in Mansfield, NSU graduate[22]
• Robert C. Culpepper (Class of 1896, 1873–1950), educator, lawyer, politician; state senator for Jackson and Ouachita parishes from 1908 to 1912 and judge in Alexandria from 1924 to 1942[23]
• Charles Milton Cunningham (1877–1936), educator, attorney, publisher of The Natchitoches Times, and member of the Louisiana State Senate from 1915 to 1922[24]
• William Tharp Cunningham, judge of the 11th Judicial District in Natchitoches and Red River parishes, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Natchitoches Parish from 1908 to 1912[25]
• Israel "Bo" Curtis (1932–2012), was an African-American Democrat member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Alexandria from 1992 to 2008 and the Rapides Parish School Board from 1976 to 1992; received master's degree in education from NSU[26]
• Jackson B. Davis (born 1918), former state senator from Shreveport; attended NSU from 1934 to 1935[27]
• Robert DeBlieux (1933–2010), was an historical preservationist who developed the Natchitoches Historic District and served as mayor from 1976 to 1980
• Virginia deGravelles, Louisiana Republican national committeewoman from 1964 to 1968, began her studies at Northwestern State in 1931 but graduated from Louisiana State University.
• Joe Delaney, NFL running back for the Kansas City Chiefs and 1981 Rookie of the Year, who died in 1983 attempting to rescue three children from drowning.
• Historian Henry C. Dethloff, author of more than two dozen books on American business, the space program, agriculture, petroleum drilling, and the history of Texas A&M University obtained his Master of Arts degree from Northwestern State in 1960.
• Herbert B. Dixon, African-American Democrat member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Alexandria from 2008 to 2014; member of the Rapides Parish School Board from 1992 to 2008; received master's degree from NSU[28]
• William J. "Bill" Dodd, former Louisiana Lieutenant Governor and Education Superintendent, graduated from then Louisiana Normal in 1934, the year that A.A. Fredericks became the president.
• Everett Doerge (1935–1998) and his wife, Jean McGlothlin Doerge, graduated from NSU. Each has served as a state representative from Webster Parish and were formerly on the faculty of Minden High School.
• Lindsey Evans, model, known for being in the music video Blurred Lines[29]
• James R. Fannin, Louisiana state representative from Jackson, Bienville, Ouachita, and Winn parishes, began his studies at NSU in agriculture education but graduated in that same field from Louisiana Tech University.
• Dan Flores, Natchitoches native and an historian of the American West, received his Master of Arts degree from NSU prior to 1980.
• Paul Lee Foshee, Sr., retired crop duster, served in both houses of the Louisiana legislature, the House from 1960 to 1964 and the state Senate from 1972 to 1976.
• John B. Fournet, Speaker of the Louisiana House during the Huey Pierce Long, Jr., impeachment case of 1929 and later lieutenant governor and associate and Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, received his teaching degree from Northwestern State in 1915.
• H. M. "Mutt" Fowler, a former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Coushatta, dropped out of NSU in March 1941 to enter the United States Army.[30]
• Jerry Marston Fowler, nephew of H. M. Fowler and Louisiana commissioner of elections from 1980 to 2000, also attended NSU and was a Demons football player.
• A.A. Fredericks, former NSU president and a state senator, procured his teaching credentials from NSU in 1912. The A.A. Fredericks Auditorium is named in his honor.
• Gordon Gunter (1909–1998), B.A. in Zoology 1929, influential fisheries scientist who pioneered the study of fisheries in the northern Gulf of Mexico
• Robert Harling (born 1960), movie screenwriter, producer and director.[31][32]
• Lance Harris (born 1961), Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Rapides Parish since 2012, attended NSU, dates unavailable[33]
• Donald G. Kelly, former State Senator, NSU alumnus. He then procured his law degree from LSU.
• Bobby Hebert, current New Orleans radio personality and former NFL Quarterback for the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons.
• Donald Gray Horton (1945–2013), Demons football player and long-term president of the NSU Athletic Association, practiced law in Coushatta, half-owner of The Famous Natchitoches Louisiana Meat Pie Company[34]
• Carolyn Huntoon, scientist with NASA and the first woman director of the Johnson Space Center, received her undergraduate degree from NSU in 1962[35]
• Guy A. J. LaBoa, Lieutenant General in the United States Army who commander the 4th Infantry Division and First United States Army[36]
• Malcolm Lafargue, U.S. attorney in Shreveport during the 1940s; defeated U.S. Senate candidate in 1950[37]
• Gerald Long, rare Republican member of the Long political dynasty.
• U.S. Representative and State Senator Speedy O. Long graduated with his bachelor's degree in history from NSU in 1951. He later procured his law degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Mr. Long was inducted posthumously into Northwestern State University's "Long Purple Line" on October 24, 2008. Northwestern State University established The Long Purple Line in 1990 to provide recognition and appreciation to former N.S.U. students whose career accomplishments or service to their fellow man have enhanced the reputation of the university.
• John McConathy (1930–2016), NSU basketball player, professional basketball player, superintendent for the Bossier Parish School Board; son Mike McConathy, a Louisiana Tech graduate, has been the NSU basketball coach since 1999.
• Billy McCormack, Southern Baptist pastor in Shreveport, and one of four national directors of the Christian Coalition of America, received bachelor's and master's degrees from NSU.[38]
• Garnie W. McGinty, Louisiana historian graduated from NSU and served as NSU president on a one-year interim basis. Most of his career was at Louisiana Tech University.
• Joe McPherson, Louisiana State Senator, represented Rapides Parish from 1984 to 1996 and again since 2000, graduated from NSU.
• Harry Middleton, famed outdoor writer.
• Newt V. Mills, U.S. representative from Louisiana's 5th congressional district from 1937 to 1943, studied professional education at NSU and taught in Morehouse Parish from 1921 to 1932.
• Randy Moffett, president of the University of Louisiana System (ULS) and formerly president of Southeastern Louisiana University received his master's degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana.[39]
• Sammy Joe Odom (1941–2001), football star at NSU in 1962 and 1963, later played with the Houston Oilers. At the time of his death, he was the administrator of the De Soto Parish Police Jury. He was among the 100 Top Football Players at NSU, as announced in July 2007 as part of the centennial celebration of the football team.
• Ed Orgeron played football at Northwestern State University after transferring from Louisiana State University in 1978. He later went on to be on coaching staffs at Northwestern State University, McNeese State University, University of Arkansas, University of Miami, Nicholls State University, Syracuse University, The University of Southern California, The University of Mississippi, the New Orleans Saints, and the Tennessee Volunteers. He is currently the head coach for the Louisiana State University football team.
• Mary Evelyn Parker (Class of 1941, 1920–2015), state treasurer from 1968 to 1987[40]
• Morgan D. Peoples, Louisiana historian who co-authored with Michal Kurtz a definitive study of Governor Earl Kemp Long, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from NSU, and later taught for twenty years at Louisiana Tech University.
• John S. Pickett, Jr. (Class of 1942, 1920–2014), member of the Sabine Parish School Board 1960 to 1968, state representative 1968 to 1972, and state court judge in Many from 1972 to 1990[41]
• Terry Reeves, district attorney for Winn Parish (1991–2005)[42]
• Barry Rubin (born 1957), Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League
• Joe R. Salter, former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Sabine Parish and current lobbyist for the state Department of Education, graduated from NSU in 1965 and later procured a master's degree from the institution.
• Jane H. Smith is the first woman to have served as a principal, school superintendent, and a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Bossier Parish. A Sabine Parish native, she received bachelor's and master's degrees in education from NSU.
• Kenneth Michael "Mike" Smith, former state senator (1996–2008) graduated from NSU in agribusiness in 1970. He is co-owner of P.K. Smith Motors in Winnfield.[43]
• Victor T. "Vic" Stelly (born 1941), former Republican state representative from Calcasieu Parish and author of the Stelly Plan, received his Bachelor of Science in education from NSU in 1962.[44]
• Raymond Strother, regional and national political consultant, attended NSU from 1958 to 1960[45]
• Thomas Taylor Townsend, state representative from Natchitoches Parish from 2000 to 2008, received a Bachelor of Science degree from NSU.
• Ollie Tyler (Graduate studies), mayor of Shreveport; former interim state superintendent of education, former Caddo Parish school superintendent[46]
• William Stewart Walker, United States Army officer during World War II and a Republican candidate for the United States House of Representatives in 1964. He also taught military science at Northwestern State during the early 1960s.
• Darryl Willis (1991), BP vice president in charge of claims in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill who is featured in many BP commercials.
• Ernest Wooton (born 1941), state representative from Belle Chasse and an Independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010, attended NSU.
• Successful athletic alumni are Terrence McGee, David Pittman, Craig Nall, Gary Reasons, Kenta Bell, Bobby Hebert, Jackie Smith, Brian Lawrence and Dennis Duncan.

• James B. Aswell, president of NSU from 1908 to 1911, was the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 8th congressional district (since defunct) from 1913 until his death in office in 1931.
• Thomas Duckett Boyd (1854–1932), president of NSU from 1888 to 1896; president of Louisiana State University from 1896 to 1926, professor of English and history
• Medford Bryan Evans (1907–1989), English professor and conservative activist, at NSU from 1955 to 1959
• Julie Kane (born 1952), poet
• J.E. Keeny (1860–1939), on NSU faculty from 1900 to 1904; later president of Louisiana Tech University[47]
• Marietta LeBreton (1936–2009), Louisiana historian
• Jay Luneau (born 1962), Alexandria lawyer and state senator; adjunct professor at NSU[48]
• Donald Rawson (1925–2014), historian of the 19th-century United States; professor (1960–1980) and Dean of the Graduate School at NSU (1980–1984)[49]
• Ralph L. Ropp, professor of speech and head of the forensics department, 1923–1949; president of Louisiana Tech University from 1949 to 1962
• Dale Thorn (1943–2014), former NSU vice president for academic affairs; earlier press secretary to Governor Edwin Edwards[50]

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