Alumni Columns - Northwestern State University Alumni

Magazine Winter 2008Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Dr. Randall J. Webb, 1965, 1966President, Northwestern State UniversityDear Alumni:This has been an outstanding semester forNorthwestern State University, and I have several wonderful things to tell youabout. Each of these items will have a lasting, positive impact on the university.Northwestern’s fall enrollment is 9,111. It is the first time fall enrollment hasgone up at Northwestern since the implementation of selective admissions in2005. The university had an almost two percent increase in student retentionthis fall from 65.7 percent to 67.6 percent. These are positive trends forNorthwestern in what continues to be a competitive environment.In October, Northwestern received $4.4 million from a mineral lease on 366acres of university property in DeSoto Parish donated by the late John HenryCrow in 1972. We have established the John Henry Crow/Art Allen Scholarshipand the John Henry Crow/Art Allen Faculty Award to assist students andpromote faculty research. A $2.4 million endowed scholarship fund and $1million faculty award fund have been established. The remaining $1 million willbe used for capital projects and acquisitions to enhance the campus. We areoptimistic that Northwestern will receive additional payments from royalties, orif production does not begin within a specified time period. The university iscommitted to using this money in a way that helps our students and faculty.In January, our Department of Engineering Technology will move back to anewly rehabilitated Williamson Hall. Work on this $5.6 million project has beenprogressing for two years.Thank you for all you do to support Northwestern. I wish you and yourfamily a happy holiday season.William Drake Owens, 2004, 2005Acting Director of Alumni and DevelopmentDear Alumni,It is truly an exciting time to be a part of NorthwesternState University as we celebrate our 125th anniversary.We look to 2009 as a year in which we as alumni not only reflect on the richhistory and tradition of our alma mater, but also reconnect with our institutionand former classmates and friends.We at the Office of Alumni and Development are striving to make it easierfor you to stay involved with Northwestern no matter where you are. We areproud to unveil a new and more user-friendly website that will allow you to viewphotos of alumni events, read news and announcements about the universityand provide ways for you to support and promote Northwestern. Most of all, wehope that it will be an avenue through which you reconnect with friends throughour on-line community, whether you graduated this past year or 50 years ago.Our mission is to foster a sense of camaraderie among all Northwesternalumni, friends and supporters. Please call us with questions, or if visitingcampus, do not hesitate to visit the Office of Alumni, where we are dedicated tothe past, present and future of Northwestern State University.Alumni ColumnsOfficial Publication ofNorthwestern State UniversityNatchitoches, LouisianaOrganized in 1884A member of CASEVolume XVIII Number 4 Winter 2008The 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: mccotterk@nsula.eduNSU ALUMNI OFFICERSPresident.........Jerry Brungart,Natchitoches, 1969, 1971Vice President......Joseph B. Stamey,Natchitoches, 1983Secretary-Treasurer.........Dr. Lisa Mathews,Benton, 1992Executive Director............W. Drake Owens,Natchitoches, 2004, 2005BOARD OF DIRECTORSJerry Brungart . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natchitoches, 1969, 1971Tommy Chester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arcadia, 1969Leonard Endris . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shreveport, 1974, 1975Adrian Howard . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arlington, Texas, 1989Patricia Wiggins Hrapmann . . . . .Destrehan, 1973, 1978Gail Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natchez, 1981, 1998Matt Koury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Leesville, 1995Bryant Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Haynesville, 1958Carroll Long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tyler, Texas, 1970Dr. Lisa Mathews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Benton, 1992David Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin, Texas, 1973Kip Patrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shreveport, 1995Joseph B. Stamey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natchitoches, 1983Glenn Talbert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shreveport, 1964Ricky Walmsley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Covington, 1985J. Michael Wilburn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shreveport, 1975Dr. Leonard A. Williams . . . . . . . . . .New Orleans, 1993STUDENT REPRESENTATIVECody Bourque..........Splendora, TexasSGA PresidentThe Alumni Columns is published inspring, summer, fall and winter.PublisherW. Drake Owens, 2004, 2005EditorLeah Pilcher Jackson, 1994ContributorsDavid WestDoug Ireland, 1986Amy WernerPhotographyGary HardamonDesign/LayoutBeth McPherson Mann, 1975NSU Press Publications OfficeNorthwestern State University is accredited by theCommission on Colleges of the Southern Association ofColleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur,Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) toaward Associate, Baccalaureate, Master’s, Specialist andDoctorate degrees.On the cover: Eve Cox Mitchell (1995) and Jenny Prudhomme (1993) find friends from their college daysutilizing an updated website launched by the NSU Office of Alumni. (Photo Illustration)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 itseducational programs, activities or employment practices.

ALUMNI NEWSStay connected to NSUFind classmates and friends with new Alumni websiteYou may look back at your timeon NSU’s campus as some of the bestyears of your life - the years you metfriends who were going to last foreveror the years you were encouraged tobroaden your horizons by thoughtprovokingprofessors. You probablykept in touch with those friends for awhile, but after two or three movesand a couple of children, you losttouch. You kept in touch with thatprofessor for a while, too, but somehowlife managed to get in the way.That’s all about to change.Northwestern State University’sOffice of Alumni and Development ishelping you reconnect to NSU and allthose friends you’ve lost touch withthrough NSU’s new online community,the university’s updated websitefor our alumni and friends. You canlook up an old classmate, learn aboutevents and happenings at NSU andlearn about alumni events that may begoing on in your area. We’ll alsopost news articles about things happingaround campus and with alumnito help keep you up-to-date. Just typein www.northwesternalumni.com,and the Demon world is at your fingertips.The online community is alsoembracing online ventures morerecent alumni are familiar with,including the chance to add blogs,create message boards and post groupor event photos. Alumni can buy abrick at Alumni Plaza, donate to theannual fund or become a member ofthe President’s Council. There isalso a spot to view past and currentissues of the Alumni Columns.When visitors first log onto thesite, they will be welcomed by theOffice of Alumni and Development.The right side of the screen will showa calendar of upcoming events.There will also be a log-in section.This site is for Demon alumni andfriends, so Alumni and Developmentwants to keep some informationavailable only to those people. Onceyou’ve logged in, the entire site isyours to navigate.Not only is the online communitya great way to learn about what’s happeningat NSU, it’s also a way for usat Alumni and Development to learnwhat’s happening in your life. Classnotes can be updated online and notescan be added to the next issue ofAlumni Columns.Please take a few moments to visitthe NSU’s new online community atwww.northwesternalumni.com,log in and take a look around. Youwill agree this a great way to reconnectwith old friends and your time at NSU.Alumni Columns Winter 2008 / 1

ALUMNI NEWSSix Northwestern State University graduates were selected as the 2008 inductees into the Alumni Hall of Distinction,the Long Purple Line. The honorees were, from left, Dr. Melissa Lynn of Shreveport, Dr. Tom Paul and MaxineSoutherland of Natchitoches, Alvin Moreau Jr. of Baton Rouge, Dr. Robert Brown of Russellville, Ark., and the lateSpeedy O. Long, who was represented by his son, David Long. They were congratulated by NSU President Dr.Randall J. Webb. The inductees were honored at the annual Homecoming Banquet on Friday, Oct. 24 and at theHomecoming football game against Sam Houston on Saturday, Oct. 25. Out of more than 75,000 Northwesternalumni, only 93 people have been chosen for this honor.Six distinguished alumni inducted into Long Purple LineSix NSU graduates were selectedas the 2008 inductees into the AlumniHall of Distinction, the Long PurpleLine. The honorees, Dr. Robert Brownof Russellville, Ark., the late Speedy O.Long, Dr. Melissa Lynn of Shreveport,Alvin Moreau Jr., of Baton Rouge andDr. Tom Paul and Maxine Southerlandof Natchitoches, were honored duringHomecoming festivities in October.Out of more than 75,000 Northwesternalumni, only 93 people have been chosenfor this honor.Brown, a 1967 graduate of Northwesternin economics, has been presidentof Arkansas Tech University since1993, developing and implementing 41new programs of study. Enrollment atArkansas Tech has grown 77 percentunder his leadership, the institution’soperating budget has grown from $31million to more than $100 million andnew records in private fundraisinghave been set.As president, Brown initiated andarranged funding for more than $80million in campus improvementsincluding a library and student center.He also led Arkansas Tech’s athleticprograms from the NAIA to NCAADivision II status.Long, a 1951 graduate of Northwestern,was in the Louisiana StateSenate for two terms and was a memberof the U.S. House of Representativesfrom 1965 to 1973. While inCongress, Long’s subcommittee heldhearings that discovered why the M-16rifle was failing in combat conditions.The Pentagon then made changes inammunition used and cleaning proceduresand the weapon has performedwell since then. He was also creditedwith convincing the Pentagon to makeFort Polk a permanent military installationand convincing the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers to undertake developmentand control of the Red River.He retired from Congress in 1973and served as district attorney from the28th Judicial District covering LaSalleand Caldwell Parish from 1973 until1985. In 1994, he was appointed JudgePro Tem of the 28th Judicial Districtuntil a judge could be elected the followingyear.Long died in 2006.Lynn, an Alexandria native, is a1985 graduate of Northwestern and a1989 graduate of the LSU School ofMedicine. She is a diplomat of theAmerican Board of Internal Medicine,Nephrology Subspecialty. Lynn taughtat the LSU Health Sciences Center in1994 and from 1996-2001.She is an active associate at ChristusSchumpert Health System andWillis-Knighton Health System and aconsultant at Lifecare Hospitals,Dubuis Hospital, Cornerstone Hospitaland Promise Rehab Hospital. Lynn isco-director of Shreveport RegionalDialysis Center and 10 regional dialysiscenters.Moreau was a coach at CatholicHigh of Baton Rouge, Northside Highof Lafayette and Redemptorist High ofBaton Rouge then became a claimsadjustor for State Farm Insurance. Hethen entered the School of PhysicalTherapy at the University of AlabamaBirmingham, graduating in 1974.In 1977, he opened the firstMoreau Physical Therapy Clinic inZachary and now has four clinics in theBaton Rouge region. He is a memberof the State Board of Physical TherapyExaminers. Moreau also served on theZachary Chamber of Commerce Boardof Directors.Maxine and Tom Paul Southerlandwere recipients of the President’s DistinguishedService Award in 2003.Both have been honored with inductionin the NSU Hall of Distinguished Educators.Maxine Southerland received herbachelor’s degree from Louisiana StateNormal College and a master’s atNorthwestern and did master’s plus 30work at NSU and LSU. She taught andheaded home economics departmentsat several high schools and was anassociate professor of home economicsat Northwestern.A graduate of Louisiana State NormalSchool, Tom Paul Southerlandearned a master’s and doctorate atAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 2Visit our website at:

ALUMNI NEWSLong Purple Line continuedLSU. He was an administrator atNorthwestern from 1966 until hisretirement in 1986 and came to NSUafter serving four years as assistantsuperintendent for instruction for theRapides Parish School Board.Southerland was the university’s deanof the College of Education from 1966until 1975 and dean of the School ofGraduate Studies and Research from1975 until 1978. In 1978, Southerlandwas appointed vice president for AcademicAffairs and was named executivevice president in 1982. He wasnamed vice president emeritus in1987.Tom Paul Southerland was instrumentalin establishing admissionsstandards for teacher education anddeveloping 14 new programs for theCollege of Education as well as securinga specialist and doctorate program.He led the College of Education to fullaccreditation by the National Councilfor Accreditation of Teacher Education.Under his leadership, NSU constructedthe Teacher Education Center,the Middle Lab School and the Healthand Human Performance Building.ROTC HonoreesBaileys recipients of President’sDistinguished Service AwardDoyle and BarbaraBailey of Natchez werenamed recipients of the2008 President’s DistinguishedService Award.“Doyle and BarbaraBailey are exemplars ofthe volunteering communityof people who willinglygive of themselvesand their resources to helpothers,” said NSU PresidentDr. Randall J. Webb.“Both Doyle and Barbaraare retired from caringprofessions and couldrelax and enjoy life afteryears of serving others intheir professional roles.But, ‘retirement’ to themis yet another phase intheir work lives in whichthey continue to contributeto the overall welfare of our city and region.”NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb, right,presented Doyle and Barbara Bailey with the2008 Distinguished Service Award.VIP participants who took part in the annual ROTC open house on Homecoming Daywere, from left, LTC (Ret) Fred N. Terasa (1982), BG (Ret) James Bonsall (1953),Nick Pollacia (1968, 1994), LTC (Ret) Sandy McNeely (1964), LTC (Ret) TrumanMaynard (1959), Drake Owens (2004, 2005), LTC Leon E. Pennington, LTG (Ret)Joseph M. Cosumano Jr. (1968, 1970) and NSU President Randall J. Webb (1965,1966). The gathering took place in the recently renovated cadet dayroom at NoeArmory in front of a wall painting of the Demon Regiment flag. The 59th on the flagindicates that the senior ROTC cadet class in session is the 59th Battalion of theDemon Regiment. Each year is a separate battalion of the regiment which is thealumni organization for the NSU Army ROTC battalion.According to Webb, Doyle and Barbara Bailey were instrumental inestablishing a memorandum of understanding between NSU and the NatchitochesEmergency Response Crisis Counselor Team earlier this year. Theagreement establishes the framework of collaboration and coordinationbetween these agencies forthe provision of crisis interventioncounseling servicesduring emergencies on theNSU campus. Webb saidthe agreement set up amodel program thataddresses the Board ofSupervisors for the Universityof Louisiana Systeminitiative for mental healthservices during emergencieson university campuses.In 2005, the Baileys setup the Rev. Doyle and BarbaraBailey Family Scholarshipfor a third yearstudent at Northwestern.Recipients are selected bythe NSU Foundation inassociation with the BaptistCollegiate Ministry atNorthwestern.www.northwesternalumni.comAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 3

ALUMNI NEWSCollege of Education recognizes Distinguished EducatorsThe Northwestern State University College of Education inducted outstanding alumniinto the Hall of Distinguished Educators during Homecoming festivities Oct. 24-25.This year’s Distinguished Educators were, from left, Dr. Jerry Payne of Marshall,Texas; Dan Chase of Baton Rouge, John Dilworth of Montgomery, Ala.; Hershel M.Machen Jr. of Winnfield and Connie Gaines Buck of Baton Rouge. They wererecognized during a brunch hosted by the College of Education and honored for theirleadership and contributions to education.The NSU College of Education inducted five outstandingalumni into the Hall of Distinguished Educators duringHomecoming. This year’s Distinguished Educators are ConnieGaines Buck and Dan Chase of Baton Rouge, John Dilworth ofMontgomery, Ala., Hershel M. Machen Jr. of Winnfield and Dr.Jerry Payne of Marshall, Texas.Buck earned a bachelor’sdegree in business education in1971, a master’s in business educationin 1973 and +30 in businesseducation in 1978. She began hercareer as a business teacher atBossier High School before joiningthe Department of Education for 22years as program manager andexecutive officer.Chase graduated form Northwesternin 1957 with a degree inhealth and physical education andearned a masters in educationadministration at NortheasternState College in 1964. He beganhis career as a teacher and coach inConcordia Parish and later workedas a graduate assistant at the Universityof Arkansas before returningto Louisiana as a teacher andcoach in East Baton Rouge Parishand the Louisiana State School forthe Deaf.Dilworth earned undergraduateand master’s degrees in educationat Northwestern and completedpost-masters study at NSU, LSU-Shreveport, Louisiana Tech andGrambling. He is currently thesuperintendent of MontgomeryPublic Schools in Montgomery,Ala., where he is the instructionaland operational leader forAlabama’s third largest school district.Machen graduated from Northwesternin 1959 with a degree inhealth and physical education and aminor in math. He earned a master’sdegree in education fromNortheastern Louisiana Universityin 1966 and completed +30 at NSUin 1974. He began his career as amath and P.E. teacher and coach atthree schools before moving toWinnfield in 1966, where he was afootball coach and P.E. and mathteacher at Winnfield Jr. High andWinnfield High School. He servedas principal at Winnfield SeniorHigh from 1975-1992.Payne earned bachelors andmasters degrees in music educationfrom NSU in 1957 and 1968, specialistin education in 1969 anddoctorate in education in 1973. Ina career spanning 45 years, Paynewas a music educator for 20 yearsin Louisiana and 25 years in Texas,including four years as director ofbands at NSU. During that time,Payne led his bands in numerousoutstanding competitive performancesand was recognized with severalprofessional honors.Alumni Columns Winter 2008 / 4Visit our website at:

ALUMNI NEWSSP TLIGHTSBrian Coatney (2001), directorof orchestras at Plano, Texas, SeniorHigh School, won Honor FullOrchestra class 5A High School forthe state of Texas. Only one orchestraper year is selected for this honor.Brian’s orchestra will perform at theTexas Music Educators AssociationConference in San Antonio in February2009.Brian’s father Royce Coatneywon the same honor two years ago.Royce didn’t attend NSU, but he sentall of his children to Northwestern fortheir education.Robert C. Crosby (1961) wasinducted into the C.E. Byrd HighSchool Alumni Association’s Hall ofFame in October. Crosby, who graduatedfrom Byrd in 1957, is a privateinvestor, certified public accountantand president of Crosby Enterprisesin Shreveport. He manages realestate development, residential andlight commercial construction,accounts receivable factoring, manufacturingand oil and gas developmentand operations.Crosby earned a bachelor of sciencedegree in accounting at NSU.ValueOptions, Inc., the nation’slargest independent behavioral healthcare provider, has named Eddy D.Broadway (1988) chief executiveofficer of ValueOptions New Mexico.Broadway will start his new positionby April 21.Broadway most recently held theposition of deputy director for theArizona Department of Health Services.In that position, he oversaw theoperations and administrative managementof the Community BehavioralHealth System and Children’sRehabilitation Services program,which provides services to more than150,000 individuals.Previously, Broadway wasadministrator for Behavioral Healthand Children’s Rehabilitation Servicesfor the Arizona Health CareCost Containment System. In thatposition, he had oversight of behavioralhealth and children’s rehabilitationservices contracts.Prior to that, Broadway held theposition of division chief for Qualityand Utilization Management Operationsfor the Arizona Department ofHealth Services.Broadway has also held hospitalsenior management positions atMemorial Hospital/Sand Hill BehavioralHealth in Gulfport, Miss.; aswell as at Brentwood Hospital andCaddo Oaks Hospital, both in Shreveport,La.Broadway is a member of the ArizonaBehavioral Health PlanningCouncil. He is an ex-officio memberof the Arizona Department of JuvenileCorrections Advisory Board andthe Arizona Substance Abuse Partnership.He is an advisory board memberfor the Arizona State UniversitySchool of Social Work.In addition to earning an undergraduatedegree at Northwestern, heholds a master’s degree in healthadministration from Tulane Universityin New Orleans and a master’sdegree in social work from GramblingState University.A research paper by Dr. DanielHellman (1990), a faculty member atMissouri State University, has beenpublished in Update: Applications ofResearch in Music Education. Thepeer-reveiwed article “Do MusicEducation Majors Intend to TeachMusic? An Exploratory Survey,”appears in the fall/winter 2008 editionof Update. Update is the leading journalfor music educators whose focusis to bring current research to bothscholars and practitioners in musiceducation; the journal is published theMusic Educators National Conference.Crystal Mallett has been recognizedby Kappa Delta Pi InternationalHonor Society in Education as aTeacher of Honor. The new Teacherof Honor recognition program honorspracticing teachers with three or moreyears of professional experience whodemonstrate commitment to continuousprofessional growth and integrityin the classroom. Mallett is an Englishteacher at Pineville High School.A three-year educator, she has servedas Pineville’s representative to IMACtraining, which educates and trainsteachers to be mentors and coachesfor technology innovations. Mallettwas instrumental in developing curriculumguidelines for her schools’English Language Honors and Giftedprogram. Mallett was one of nineteachers nationwide to receive thehonor. She created a portfolio of letters,pictures and other evidence toshow her involvement in her school,students and community.Mallett graduated from theLouisiana Scholars’ College at Northwesternin 2005 with a bachelor ofarts degree in elementary education.She then taught gifted and honorsclasses at Pineville Junior High forthree school years. During that timeshe completed a master’s of educationdegree with a concentration inspecial education and gifted at NSU,graduating earlier this year.www.northwesternalumni.comAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 5

ALUMNI NEWSDeville designer ofChristmas Festival posterDenise Deville (1993) is the artist of the 2008Natchitoches Christmas Festival poster, unveiledin October. A native and resident of Natchitoches,Deville is a self-employed artist working throughher business, Art by DeVille, specializing fleur delis and Louisiana scenery. She also does commissionwork for individuals and businesses and,catering to sports fans, has a line of NorthwesternState, LSU and New Orleans Saints theme paintings.Her work is included in private collectionsand can be seen on exhibit at businesses in Natchitoches.Christmas Festival posters are for sale throughthe Natchitoches Arts Council. Proceeds help tofund art programming in the Natchitoches area,including a scholarship for an NSU art student.DevillePiehler recognized as top conservationistSenior environmental specialistChris M. Piehler (1980, 1983)with the Louisiana Departmentof Environmental Quality (DEQ) washonored in March 2008 with the Governor’sAward for conservationachievement. The award is presentedannually by the Louisiana WildlifeFederation to the person or organizationdeemed to have made the mostoutstanding contribution toward theprotection and wise use of the state’snatural resources – air, soil and minerals,forests, waters, fish and wildlife– during the previous year fromamong nominations submitted by thepublic. The selection for this andeight other awards was made by apanel of independent judges withexpertise in a wide range of conservationfields.Piehler was presented with a statuetteof a bald eagle during the 44thPiehlerConservation Achievement RecognitionBanquet in New Iberia where theLouisiana Wildlife Federation convenedfor its 69th meeting. Theawards were presented by Secretaryof the Louisiana Department ofWildlife and Fisheries RobertBarham, representing Gov. BobbyJindal and Dr. Earl Matthew, RegionDirector of the National WildlifeFederation.Piehler of Baton Rouge was recognizedfor his outstanding performancein managing the DEQ’s MercuryProgram and developing the state’sMercury risk Reduction Plan, includingabatement measures that will helpreduce mercury contamination in theenvironment and citizen exposure totoxic levels and forms of this commonearth element. Through hisefforts, the public is much moreaware of Louisiana’s mercury problemand the state has taken significantsteps to address it.Piehler earned an undergraduatedegree in wildlife management atNSU in 1980 and a masters degree inbotany in 1983. He began his careerwith Civil Service in 1982 andworked with several state agencies,specializing in aquatic resourcemanagement.Alumni Columns Winter 2008 / 6Visit our website at:

ALUMNI NEWSMiss NSU-LOBmarking 50thanniversaryAll previous recipients ofthe Miss Northwestern-Lady ofthe Bracelet title are invited tobecome part of this year’s pageantand be presented on stage.This year’s competition willbegin at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 inthe A.A. Fredericks Fine ArtsAuditorium.For more information or toRSVP, call the Student ActivitiesOffice at (318) 357-6511 byJan. 25.Neva Norsworthy Guinn shows Frances Conine and Chris Maggio her IM badgesas they look through Potpourri yearbooks from Guinn’s college days. Guinn iswearing the purple jacket she wore as a member of Purple Jackets, which shealso donated to the organization, along with other Northwestern memorabilia.Purple Jackets gets memorabilia donationNeva Norsworthy Guinn (1947)donated her Purple Jacket, her Potpourriyearbooks and other memorabiliato Purple Jackets. She includedtwo badges she received for participatingin women’s intramural sports.Guinn fondly recalled Catherine Winters,her Purple Jackets sponsor, andher chemistry teacher Dr. Joe Webb,father of Dr. Randy Webb.Guinn attended high school at Mt.Carmel near Florien in Sabine Parish.She was married to the late Dr. EarlGuinn, former president of LouisianaCollege. She was a science and chemistryteacher at the high school andcollege level and later spent much ofher time supporting her husband in hiscareer.Mrs. Guinn was one of seven childrenwhose mother was a teacher whohad attended the Louisiana NormalSchool. Although her mother nevergraduated, her dream was that her childrenwould earn college degrees. Mrs.Guinn and two of her sisters attendedNorthwestern.During her student days at Northwestern,Mrs. Guinn worked in thecafeteria to pay her tuition. Sheremembered fondly the days when theboys came home from World War IIand talked about the excitement stirredon campus when they all returned.She loved serving the uniformed boys,who winked and smiled.She remembered Purple Jackets asone of the great honors of her life andtalked of the many dear friends shehad in the organization.Purple Jacketfrom the late1940’s.Alumni BandReorganizingApproximately 50 formerNorthwestern Band membersgathered on campus prior to theNSU football game on Sept. 27in an effort to bring back theNSU Alumni Band Organization.During a lunch and businessmeeting, the groupdiscussed the purposes andorganization of the group anddetermined that members willpay $40 annually towards membershipin the NSU AlumniAssociation and NSU AlumniBand Association.Additional plans were madeto have at least two weekendactivity days each fall with onein September and the other onthe Homecoming day as definedby the University.A reception was held in theOrville Hanchey Art Galleryprior to the football game.If you would like to join theAlumni Band Organization,please contact Bill Brent atbrent@nsula.edu for additionalinformation.www.northwesternalumni.comAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 7

ALUMNI GATHERINGSAlumni Golf ScrambleBaylor Tailgate PartyFirst place winners in the NSU Alumni golf scramble onOct. 24 were Francis DeLoney, David Wright (1970),Stuart Wright (1977) and Jay Bankston.Second place winners in the Homecoming golfscramble were Jake Bray, Robert Leavines, TylerTrichell and Drew Coombs.Amelie Wilson learns to cheer for the Demons at theNSU-Baylor tailgate party. Joining Amelie are hergrandmother, Aimee Wright (1976), Jacque Crew(1965) and Amelie’s mom Lindsay Wright Wilson(2001).Louisiana Saturday NightNew YorkThird place winners were Hall Adams, James Barriosand Levi Barry. Not shown is Thomas Hilton.Homecoming ReunionLouisiana Saturday Night was held at Live Bait in NewYork on Sept. 27. Joining the group were, above,Jessica Marasco (2004), Bruston Manuel (2003),Himanshu Singh (1999), Drake Owens (2004, 2005)and Sloan Snow (1997). Below are Michael Chance(1973) and Tom Berti (1969).Several graduates of 1960 gathered duringHomecoming weekend for a cocktail party and dinner.From left are Drake Owens Doyle Williams (1960), KarlMoore (1960), Linda Moore, Ellis Coutee (1960),Juanita Coutee (1958, 1960), Marlene Muse and BillMuse (1960).Alumni Columns Winter 2008 / 8Visit our website at:

FOUNDATION NEWSNorthwestern gets windfall from mineral leaseFunds will be used for scholarships and faculty awardsNSU has honored the donor of 366acres of DeSoto Parish farmland andthe faculty member whose work over anumber of years led to the gift.NSU has established the JohnHenry Crow/Art Allen Scholarship andthe John Henry Crow/Art Allen FacultyAward to assist students and promotefaculty research. The $2.4 millionendowed scholarship fund and $1 millionfaculty award fund were set upwith funds Northwestern recentlyreceived from a mineral lease on propertyCrow donated to Northwestern in1972.Northwestern received $4.4 millionfrom the lease and will spend $1 millionon capital projects and acquisitionsto enhance the campus. The $4.4 millionpayment has been invested in aninterest-bearing bank account.University officials hope Northwesternwill receive additional fundsfrom the mineral lease negotiated bythe State Mineral Board. Vice Presidentfor University Affairs Marcus Jonessaid the university would also receive25 percent of royalties on natural gasA scholarship has beenestablished in memory of Dr.Ray Baumgardner, a formerfaculty member and deanprovostat Northwestern StateUniversity’s Fort Polk campusand assistant to the vice presidentfor academic affairs. Hiswife, Mrs. Sherry Baumgardner,established the $10,000Baumgardner scholarship through a donationand pledge to the NSU Foundationto endow the Dr. RayBaumgardner Memorial Scholarship in Science. Thescholarship will benefit students involved with the military.Other requirements include a 2.5 grade point averageand a financial need.A native of Colorado, Baumgardner came to Northwesternas an assistant professor of biology in 1965. Heretired in 1996, having served as head of the Departmentproduced on the property. Should productionnot begin within one year,Northwestern would receive an additional$2.2 million and will receiveanother $2.2 million payment if productiondoes not begin within twoyears.Allen, a retired professor of biologicalsciences, worked with Crow at hispecan orchards using more modernmethods to develop pecans that werelarger and more resistant to disease.Allen, who now lives in Maine,visited Crow on his farm once or twicea week during the growing season.Crow had no heirs.“We were sitting on the back of hispickup truck having lunch and out ofthe blue he said ‘What am I going to dowith all this land, the pecan trees, thepasture,’’’ said Allen. “I was caught soflat-footed, I asked him to considerdonating the land to the university foruse as a place for students to do fieldstudies. I think he was interested inwhat I said, but we dropped that subjectand started talking about other thingsand never discussed it again.”Crow died in 1972. Allen said thenews of the mineral lease and subsequentestablishment of the scholarshipand faculty award fund were pleasantsurprises.The university hopes to awardabout 30 scholarships each year of $500per semester. The number of scholarshipscould vary based on interestearned. The scholarships can beawarded for up to four years. Recipientsmust meet one of the following characteristics:achieved academic excellence;demonstrated integrity and perseverancein overcoming adversity; have anoutstanding record in co-curricular orcommunity activities, demonstratedfinancial need; exhibit qualities of truth,courage or fellowship or seeking reentryinto the work force or advancementwithin a career field. Studentsreceiving the scholarship must alsomaintain a 2.5 grade point average.Criteria for the John HenryCrow/Art Allen Faculty Award arebeing established.Memorial scholarship established to honor former deanof Biological Sciences, registrar, dean/provost of NSU’sFort Polk campus and assistant to the vice president foracademic affairs.He was the second dean and provost for the NSU EducationCenter at Fort Polk after the university establishedthe center in 1976. The NSU Fort Polk campus sawtremendous growth in enrollment during his service there.He returned to the Natchitoches campus to work from1994 until his retirement. Baumgardner died in 1999.“Northwestern was his life,” said Mrs. Baumgardnerof her husband’s commitment to the university. “He alsohad a lot of respect for the military and he himself hadattended college on the GI Bill.”“Dr. Baumgardner personified the great traits of ouruniversity. He cared so much about his students,” saidNSU Sports Information Director Doug Ireland, a goodfriend of Baumgardner.Contributions to the scholarship can be made to theNSU Foundation by contacting Jill Bankston by calling(318) 357-4241 or e-mailing bankstonj@nsula.edu.www.northwesternalumni.comAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 9

FOUNDATION NEWSGrant will help expand nursing program to rural areasNorthwestern will make nursingeducation more accessible to north andcentral Louisiana through a grant fromthe U.S. Department of Education. TheUniversity has received a $191,593 tofund “Bridging the Gap in Health Carein Selected Rural Communities inLouisiana.”According to Project Director Dr.Darlene Williams, the vice president forTechnology, Research and EconomicDevelopment at Northwestern, the goalis to expand access to associate, baccalaureate,masters and continuing educationprograms in nursing to selectedrural communities in Louisiana via distancelearning technologies.The Spirit of Northwestern isabout halfway towards its goal in the“Close the Gap” campaign, which isseeking funds to replace the band’stattered uniforms. New uniforms areset to debut in Fall 2009.“We really appreciate those folkswho have supported us in this campaign,”said Bill Brent, director ofbands and coordinator of Creativeand Performing Arts. “The studentsare pumped about getting new uniforms.Ours are now worn and manyare faded. These new uniforms willalso help recruiting and retention.”The SON’s current uniforms arenearly 13 years old, five years olderthan the average lifespan of a uni-Northwestern delivers academicand other services to satellite campusesin Shreveport, Leesville and Alexandriaand smaller campuses located inJonesville and Ferriday. The primarypurpose of this project is to support thenursing curricula offerings.Funding will be used for the acquisitionof distance learning and relatedcomputer equipment to enhance thesites in Shreveport, Natchitoches, andFerriday with contemporary technologyto support student instruction andlearning; related software, supportequipment and supplies will completethe project.“This upgraded instructional infrastructurewill accord our students inremote and rural learning sites withequitable learning, library and resourcesupport within their local communities,”said Dean of the College of NursingDr. Norann Planchock.Williams said the proposed systemis composed of video and web-basedtechnologies. The system will includestate-of-the-art multimedia, video teleconferencingclassrooms located inShreveport, Natchitoches and Ferriday.Instructional courseware will be used todeliver instruction via video teleconferencingand hypertext protocols.Spirit of Northwestern’s campaign for new uniforms continuesform. The cost of each uniform is$400 and Spirit of Northwesternalumni and friends have been encouragedto help meet the fund raisinggoal.“The band is the largest spiritgroup on campus and we try to sendrepresentatives to several eventsthroughout the year other than footballgames, including basketball,baseball and even soccer games fromtime to time,” Brent said.For more information, contactBrent at (318) 357-4522 or e-mailhim at brent@nsula.edu. Informationis also available on the band’shome page, nsula.edu/demondband.Six outsanding members of the NSUfaculty were recognized for their contributionsto the university and their individualcolleges as recipients of thisyear’s Excellence in Teaching Awards.The teachers were selected by theirpeers and were recognized duringHomecoming. From left are DrakeOwens congratulating Dr. Zafer Hatahet,Dr. Marcus Jones, Dr. Karen McFerrin,Dr. Wade Tyler and Dr. Lisa Wolffe. Notshown is Dr. Susan Pierce.Alumni Columns Winter 2008 / 10Visit our website at:

ACADEMIC NEWSNew communications degree will be available in 2009NSU will begin offering a Bachelorof Arts in Communication degreeprogram this spring.The program will be housedwithin the Department of Languageand Communication. According toDean of the College of Liberal Artsand Head of the Department of Languageand Communication Dr. LisaAbney, the program will have severalpositive impacts.“We are delighted to be able tooffer such a unique and versatile program.This should be yet another wayto assist in the training of Louisiana'sworkforce,” Abney said.The degree program will havethree concentrations: organizationalcommunication, health communicationand rhetoric.In the study of rhetoric and publicaddress students will learn the historyand theory upon which persuasiveskills are based. These skills areappropriate in any discipline, butessential in pre-law, political science,journalism, public administration andan array of areas within business.The organizational communicationconcentration examines theeffects that organizational structureand membership have on humancommunication. This concentrationwill help students develop verbal andwritten communication skills vital tounderstanding organizational communicationincluding critical thinking,problem solving andunderstanding human behavior in anorganizational culture. Organizationalcommunication emphasizes communicationtheories, strategies and tacticsessential to corporate success.The health communication concentrationfocuses on communicationin a variety of contexts within thehealth care environment. Studentsstudy communication interactionbetween health professionals andpatients/clients and health promotioncommunication strategies. Studentsare also prepared for working withindividuals from diverse backgroundsand within the health education field.For more information contactAbney at (318) 357-4330 or visit theNSU Department of Language andCommunication Web site atwww.nsula.edu/langcomm.African American family donates wartime letters to libraryNorthwestern State University’sCammie G. Henry Research Centerreceived a donation from a Natchitochesfamily that will be included inarchives relevant to the history of theAfrican American community inNatchitoches.Grace Baptiste Thomas donateditems relating to her brother CharlesRay Thomas, a U.S. Army Private inthe 644th Transportation Corps TruckCompany, who was stationed at FlakCaserne, Munich, Germany, when hewas shot and killed in a rifle accidentRepresentatives from the Pôle Universitaire Léonardde Vinci in Paris visited Northwestern State recently aspart of a statewide tour to strengthen higher educationrelations between France and Louisiana. The Universityof Louisiana System has created a partnership with PôleUniversitaire Léonard de Vinci that includes student andfaculty exchange opportunities.The partnership covers students in business,engineering, technology, computer science and visual arts,and includes the reciprocal exchange of faculty, staff andstudents; development of international student programs;hosting of visiting scholars and study tours/summerin 1946.The donation includes Thomas’sportrait, three letters to his mother,Sarah Polk, and the certificate ofhonor signed by President Harry Truman.“These items bring the tragicstory alive and the documents are partof the Thomas family and the historyof the African American communityin Natchitoches,” said Mary LinnWernet, NSU archivist. “The donationof these family papers to NSUwill allow researchers from this areaand from the rest of the world to readthe papers and write about thisevent.”The donation is the first to theResearch Center from an AfricanAmerican family, Wernet said.“The Cammie G. Henry ResearchCenter envisions the day when theAfrican American Museum is openand the portrait and accompanyingdocumentation is offered as a lot to theAfrican American Museum,” she said.ULS initiates exchange program with French universitysessions; and organization of joint academic and scientificactivities such as courses, conferences, seminars,symposia or lectures. The partnership also includesenrollment of highly qualified students in undergraduateand/or graduate studies and development of textbooks,journal articles, or other scholarly publications.Pôle Universitaire Léonard de Vinci is within Paris’business district, La Defense, and has three schools:engineering, management and multimedia. The Frenchuniversity has international partnerships with universitiesin Spain, China, Canada, Korea, Italy, Australia, SouthAfrica, Switzerland and the U.S.www.northwesternalumni.comAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 11

ATHLETICSSixty years later, memories still strong for 48-49 teamClaude “Jodie” Stoutamire andBernard “Tussie” Waggonerwere the leading scorers for thelegendary 1948-49 Northwestern StateDemons basketball team, but that’s nothow they remember it.Savoring the 60th anniversary of a23-5 season that saw the Demons reachthe national semifinals, they couldn’tcare less about their statistics. They areproud of the team’s accomplishments,but their real treasures are the lifelongfriendships among their teammates andthe memories of the coaches who weretheir mentors.Each of them enjoys occasionallooks at a black and white team photograph,a copy of which is framed andmatted, hanging on the wall outside theDemon basketball offices near the frontdoors of Prather Coliseum.“They were my best friends then,”said Stoutamire, a Tallahassee, Fla.,native and lifelong resident, except forhis military service and college years.“They are still my best friends today.”“I was lucky to play with a group ofyoung men with high character, aboveWagonneraverage talent and great determination.Each of them was very successful laterin life. I’m very thankful to have beenassociated with that group,” he said.It’s a sentiment shared by all of thesurviving players, a tight-knit groupthen and now.“It was a great group of guys whoplayed together,” said Waggoner.“Sometimes that togetherness gets overshadowed,but it’s so important to success.We didn’t worry too much aboutwho scored. It was always a team effort.We just wanted to win.”The team came together in the wakeof World War II. Some players weremilitary veterans. In Stoutamire’s case,being in the Army carried him awayfrom an offer to play for the FloridaGators following the war. Stationed atCamp Claiborne south of Alexandria, heplayed on a team that visited Northwesternto take on the Demons.“In those days, we played the militaryteams. They were full of talentedplayers, at Fort Polk, Barksdale, LakeCharles,” said Waggoner. “That’s howCoach (H. Lee) Prather saw Stoutamire,when Camp Claiborne came to play us.”“That game at Northwesternchanged my life,” rememberedStoutamire. “When we went up to playthere, I was able to spend some timewalking around the campus and town,and I just fell in love with Natchitoches.That’s the reason I went to Northwesternwhen Coach Prather asked me,instead of staying home in Florida.”Nearing the end of his 36 seasons asthe Demons’ coach, and about tobecome the university president a shortwhile later, Prather was a revered figureon campus.“He was a remarkable fellow. Hewas a lawyer and taught pre-law classes.He was the Dean of Men,” saidStoutamire. “As the coach, he wasstrictly business. He wanted you to practicejust as hard and as well as youplayed in the games.”“Coach Prather didn’t mince anywords,” echoed Johnny “Hound”McConathy, a reserve forward in hissophomore season in 1948-49, when hisolder brother J.L. was one of theDemons’top performers. “Nobody evergave a thought to breaking the trainingrules. Practices were basically scrimmageseach day. We played a gameevery day, and when you got into a realgame, there weren’t many surprises.“He used reverse psychology with alot of us, and that was certainly true forStoutameyerAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 12Visit our website at:

ATHLETICSme. He’d challenge you, tell you that you didn’t seemgood enough to help the team. If you’re a competitor,that would be all the push you needed.”Waggoner sees lots of Prather in McConathy’s sonMike, who is beginning his 10th season as the Demons’most successful coach since, well, Prather himself.“Coach Prather was what I consider Mike to belike. The style isn’t quite the same, but Mike is no nonsense.He has high standards for his players. CoachPrather was a Christian man and whatever he told you,we could believe. I enjoyed playing for him, and we alldid.”The winter months were thrilling times for Natchitochesand NSC 60 years ago.“The gym was packed. If you weren’t early, youcouldn’t get in. The spirit was so much a part of ourcampus. That was our life. There weren’t dozens of TVchannels, all the entertainment options the kids havenow. Cars were a luxury. Hardly anyone had one,” saidWaggoner. “I didn’t have any way to get home to Tullosother than riding a little ole bus.”There was no bus ride as the Demons prepared fortheir third straight National Association of IntercollegiateBasketball tournament in Kansas City.They boarded the Southern Belle Railroad for thetrip north with a full head of steam. The Demons hadwon nine straight games, capturing the Gulf StatesConference championship and the regional title with atwo-game sweep of Centenary. They toppled PugetSound 70-58 in their first game in Kansas City, thenscored a stunning 59-57 triumph over the tournament’stop seed in the national quarterfinals.“Beating Brigham Young, that was a big thrill.That wasn’t supposed to happen, and it did,” said Waggoner.“The following game (against Regis College)came down to the wire, but we weren’t so fortunate.”Today, to borrow a famous line by Lou Gehrig,they feel like the luckiest men on the face of the earth.“It doesn’t seem like 60 years has passed, but itcertainly has. I’m just proud to have been part of it,”said McConathy. “We were a competitive bunch andwe had great support on campus and in town.”That squad stands alongside the 2005-06 Demons,who won 26 games and defeated 15th-ranked Iowa inthe NCAA Tournament, regarded as the most accomplishedteams in nearly a century of basketball traditionat Northwestern.“We never thought about how we’d be remembered.We were having so much fun,” said Stoutamire.“It was simply the time of our lives.”N Club InductionThe Graduate N Club Hall of Fame ceremonies wereheld during Homecoming 2008 to honor prominent figuresin Northwestern’s athletic history. Among the participantswere, front row from left, Robyn Justin, Dr. E.Loneta Graves, Randy Hilliard, along with Graduate NClub secretary Gil Gilson. Standing are SelvestionJimes, Thomas Foster, Jack Rogers, Mike Brown,Harold Gene Smith, Jack Bice and Coach Walter Ledet.Not shown is Demons football head coach Scott Stoker,who left after his induction to prepare his team for their34-16 victory over Sam Houston State. Graves receivedthe LIfetime Achievement Award. Foster was presentedhonorary Graduate N Club membership and Jimes,Rogers, Ledet, Bice and Smith were recognized as partof the 1955-58 mile relay teams honored with the inauguralDream Team Award.In September, descendents of Coach H. Lee Prathervisited Natchitoches and spent time with Coach MikeMcConathy at Prather Coliseum. Shown along withMcConathy — whose father played for Coach Prather in1948-49 — are great grandson William Prather, center,holding his son, Evan Crisp Prather, and William’s wifeWendi, with their infant daughter. A portrait of CoachPrather hangs in the background.www.northwesternalumni.comAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 13

ATHLETICSDemon Athletes’GPAs highest in stateNorthwestern State officials werepleased upon the release of the NCAA’s2008 Graduation Success Rates (GSR)study showing NSU is Louisiana’shighest-ranking public institution in thereport with across-the-board strong performancesin each of its sports.Northwestern posted an overall 75percent GSR score, topping all publicinstitutions and trailing only Centenary(86 percent) and Tulane (81 percent)among the state’s 13 NCAA Division Iathletics programs. That score alsoplaced Northwestern third among the12 Southland Conference member institutions,topped only by 78 percent GSRscores by Texas A&M-Corpus Christiand Texas State.Eight of Northwestern’s 10 sportsrecorded all-time high scores in the2008 report released by the NCAA inOctober.“This most recent GSR report is atestament to the emphasis on academicachievement that has been in place atNSU for many years. Priority numberone within the NSU athletic program,and something which is emphasized toboth current and prospective studentathletes,is for them to earn a degreewhich will have a positive impact ontheir future,” said Director of AthleticsGreg Burke.“It is a credit to all involved – academicsupport staff, faculty, coachesand student-athletes – that the graduationrate at NSU continues to rise inrecord-setting fashion. It’s also importantto note that the many donors to theNSU Athletic Association play a vitalrole in this success story. It’s their backingand donations that fund scholarshipsand academic support serviceswhich have helped us achieve at a relativelyhigh level,” Burke said.NSU alumnus Kenta Bell, left, a member of the U.S. track and fieldteam at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, received anNth Degree award from Director of Athletics Greg Burke duringHomecoming Festivities Oct. 25. Bell, a native of Kilgore, Texas,was a three-time All-American in the triple jump for the Demonsbefore graduating in 2000 with a business degree. He was part ofTeam USA at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, wherehe finished ninth the triple jump. He is the only two-time Olympianin Northwestern history. The Nth Degree is presented toindividuals who have brought great credit to the university throughtheir service and accomplishments.Joseph Dow (1963), owner of Dow Fencing Company in Houston,was recognized at halftime of the Oct. 25 Homecoming game asan honorary letterman in recognition of the assistance he providedfor the Second Century Circle fencing project. Dow’s company,which also created the gates at four campus entrances, helpeddefray the cost of fencing materials and installation for the football,baseball, softball, track and soccer facilities. From left are NSUAthletic Director Greg Burk, Dow, Associate Athletic DirectorWilliam Broussard and NSU President Randy Webb.Alumni Columns Winter 2008 / 14Visit our website at:

ATHLETICSCook, Willis baseball jersey retirements setFeb. 7Two of the greatest baseball players in school historywill be honored with the retirement of their jerseys on theevening of Saturday, Feb. 7, as the NSU Demon baseballprogram celebrates the upcoming season with the LeadoffDinner.Billy Roy Cook and Jim Willis will join Jim Wells andBrian Lawrence with their jerseys shown on the outfieldwall at Brown-Stroud Field.Cook was a record-shattering pitcher for the Demonswho had 29 victories form 1956-59, still a school record50 years later. He was a dominating factor in Gulf StatesConference play.Willis was a two-sport competitor who became thefirst Northwestern baseball player to reach the MajorLeagues. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs in 1952-53 andwas also a standout basketball player on the 1948-49 teamthat reached the national semifinals under coach H. LeePrather.For more information about the Leadoff Dinner andceremonies honoring Cook and Willis, contact baseballcoach J. P. Davis at 318-357-4139 or check thewww.nsudemons.com website.Basketball reunions set Feb. 14, March 7Former team members of the NSU basketball programshave their annual reunions upcoming, on Saturday,Feb. 14 for the Lady Demons and Saturday, March 7 forthe Demons.The reunions will take place at Prather Coliseum inconjunction with 2 o’clock home games for NSU. GraduateN Club Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will also beheld honoring basketball players at each reunion.For more information on the Lady Demon reunion,contact Mandy Walmsley at 318-357-5891 or write coachJennifer Graf at grafj@nsula.edu via e-mail.To get details on the Demons’ reunion, contact ColeneBonnette at 318-357-4274 or coach Mike McConathy atmikem@nsula.edu via e-mail.Additional information, including the announcementof the Graduate N Club enshrinees, is available atwww.nsudemons.com on the internet.Former players for both sports should receive informationabout the reunion in early January.Southland Conference Tournament March11-15 in metro HoustonNorthwestern supporters are encouraged to convergeon Katy, Texas, and the Merrell Center alongside I-10west of downtown Houston for the 2009 Southland ConferenceBasketball Tournament presented by State FarmInsurance from March 11-15.The Demons are aiming for their record fifth consecutiveSLC Tournament championship game appearanceand their second NCAA Tournament berth in four seasons.The Lady Demons hope to make their 11th appearancein the women’s championship game, their first undercoach Jennifer Graf.Tickets are available exclusively through the NSUathletic ticket office for seats in the Northwestern sectionat the Merrell Center. Contact the ticket office at 318-357-4268 or e-mail ticket manager Zach Williams atwilliamsj@nsula.edu for more information, or visitwww.nsudemons.com to make secure online purchases.Baseball, softball reunions set for samemid-April weekendFor the first time, the annual reunions for NSU baseballand softball teams will be held on the same weekend.Both NSU teams have home series on the April 17-19weekend against Texas State.The baseball reunion will begin with the Friday nightseries opener and continue with single games each daythrough Sunday. The softball reunion will officially beginwith the Saturday, April 18 doubleheader and wrap up thenext day.Both reunions will include postgame meals with thecurrent teams at the field after the Saturday games. Formore information including game times, checkwww/nsudemons.com online or call the NSU athleticsdepartment at 318-357-5251.Alumni Columns Winter 2008 / 15

ALUMNI UPDATESAlumniUpdates1940Eva Odell DowdenBurch is retired andlives in DeRidder.1948Betty Jayne MillerHardin is retired andlives in Magnolia, Ark.1950Joe Melancon is aretired fighter pilot,married and lives inColorado, Springs,Colo.1957Karl P. Kammer isretired and lives inNaples, Fla.1958Melba Jean BaudrySmith is retired andlives in Pineville.1961Gordon Solliday isretired, married andlives in Mission Viejo,Calif.1967Cliff Mugnier isemployed by LouisianaState University’sDepartment of CivilEngineering as theChief of Geodesy-C4Gand lives in BatonRouge.1969Renee’ Bates Mayheris retired, married andlives in Cookeville,Tenn.1970Cyndee OsborneRanes is a smallbusinessadministration loanofficer for the UnitedStates Government,married and lives inArlington.1971Robert L. Gates is theprincipal at SouthCrowley Elementary,married and lives inCrowley.Linda Phillips James isa retired teacher,married and lives inLufkin, Texas.1972Clinton Womack isemployed by Nev.Department ofCorrections as asubstance abusecounselor and lives inCarson City, Nev.Milton (Mick) J.Lacefield is retired andlives in Frisco, Texas.1974John S. Robinson is apartner in theaccounting firm ofMarcus, Robinson &Hassell, CPA, marriedto Vicki RabalaisRobinson (’74) andlives in Monroe.1975Ellan Griffin Baggett issupervisor ofpersonnel for AcadiaParish School Boardand lives in Crowley.Belinda Flowers Birchis retired and lives inJonesboro.Barbara CampbellDodge is a clinicaldirector for the State ofLouisiana - DHH andlives in Eunice.1976Cecilia Bess CarsonMiller is currently ahomemaker involved inmedical auxiliary work,Wilson N. JonesPhysicians SpousesAssociation andSpecial Olympics. Sheis married and lives inSherman, Texas.1977Zandra Haymon Gradyis an eighth gradeEnglish language artsteacher at Leesville Jr.High and lives inAnacoco.1978Thomas JeffersonPhillips II is a chiefengineer, married andlives in Many.1980Col. James FerdinandBowie is employed atCamp Beauregard asan inspector generalfor the state ofLouisiana, married andlives in Alexandria.1981Donald Ray Webb isemployed by BrooksFood Group as amanager, married toLinda Louise BasshamWebb (’80) and lives inMonroe, N.C.Bill Timon is a generalmanager at LascoServices, Inc., marriedand lives in Austin,Texas.1982Melaney MydlandStein is a programmanager for NorthCarolina Division ofServices for the Blind,married and lives inApex, N.C.1986Patricia Carroll Tayloris employed by theCity of Shreveport as adeputy marshal in thegarnishment division.She is married andlives in Shreveport.1987Patricia SanMiguel is apayment reviewer forthe state of Nebraskamedicaid system,married and lives inLincoln, Neb.Lemuel Marshall Jr. isan operationssupervisor at ATXGroup and lives inGrand Prairie, Texas.Marion Joy MatlockJenkins is a staffregistered nurse/ccueducator at ChristusSchumpert Highland,married and lives inPlain DealingAnthony DeanThompson is anassociate professor atEast CarolinaUniversity, married andlives in Greenville,N.C.1988Monte’ JohnsonWoods is employed byBeauregard ParishSchool Board as ateacher and lives inDeRidder.1989Melissa Cox Latvala isdirector of sales &catering for AllianceHospitality and lives inHilliard, Ohio.1990Renee GuillorySimoneaux is directorof adult services atThe Frazer Center andlives in Woodstock, Ga.Felicia Hardey is aprogrammer analyst atComputer ResearchInc. and lives inNorthglenn, Colo.1992David Middleton Greenis a senior accountingmanager at VanderbiltHome Care Services,Inc. and lives inHendersonville, Tenn.Tanya FreemanBillings is stay-at-homemom, married toRonald “Rusty” CoburnBillings (’96) and livesin Bossier City.Rachel PennyCunningham isemployed by theNatchitoches ParishSchool Board as amaster teacher,married and lives inNatchitoches.Lura Jean EllisonBrezina is the PCC ofstaff development atWillis Knighton South,married and lives inShreveport.Michael Dwain Guilloryis director of outpatientservices/ASU atRapides RegionalMedical Center,married and lives inMarksville.1993Lawrence Johnson isemployed by NissanNorth America as thesenior manager ofglobal infiniti marketingand lives in Franklin,Tenn.1994Janis Metoyer Barbinis employed by CentralControl LLC as anaccountant and lives inMarksville.Shannon Bolin Ebarbis employed byCommunity ISD as aspecial educationteacher and lives inLavon, Texas.Kelvin Pierre is aprogram manager forHewlett-Packard andlives in Ponchatoula.1995Lisa Marie Moehrle isa certified registerednurse anesthetist andlives in Broken Arrow,Okla.Jennifer Lyn RowlandAtwater is a librarytechnician at JMF St.Mawgan StationLibrary, married andlives in England.Eve Cox Mitchell isemployed byNatchitoches ParishSchool Board as ateacher, married toLuke Mitchell (’03) andlives in Natchitoches.1996Nikole N. Mock is atechnical supportspecialist forMediaFLO USA andlives in San Diego,Calif.Cassondra SavoyGuilbeau is employedby the American HeartAssociation as a seniorregional director andlives in Lake Charles.Casey Capel Vercheris employed by AcadiaParish School Boardas a curriculumfacilitator and lives inCrowley.Shea Eaves is aresearchassistant/animal careat the Institute forMarine MammalStudies and lives inGulfport, Miss.Ronald “Rusty” CoburnBillings is employed byState Farm Insuranceas an agent, married toTanya FreemanAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 16Visit our website at:

ALUMNI UPDATESBillings (’92) and livesin Bossier City.1997Sherre Annette MitchellMorse is a counselorat Oak Hill HighSchool, married andlives in Hineston.Stacey Burford Capp isa registered nurse atEast Texas MedicalCenter, married andlives in Tyler, Texas.1998Kimberly MarlerSumrall is employed byCVS Pharmacy as aphoto lab supervisor,married and lives inAlexandria.Shantura StephensPayne is a file clerk atPeoples State Bank,married and lives inNatchitoches.Brandi Rene’ DeVoreLacey is a registeredvet technician atSulphur Animal Clinic,married and lives inSulphur.Delores Miller is ateacher at MansfieldElementary MiddleSchool and lives inMansfield.1999Mandy Allen Knight isemployed by St.Landry EMS as anEMT-basic and lives inLafayette.Jana Whitehead isemployed by RapidesParish School Boardas a pupil appraisalsocial worker and livesin Pineville.Emily Tracy isemployed by Daiichi-Sankyo inpharmaceutical salesand lives in Alexandria.2000Lori Anne Anzaldua-McKay is an instructorof Fine Arts andEducationalTechnology at NSU.Michella Amos Youngis an instructor for PCCenter and lives inDesoto, Texas.2001Jessica Quigley is aprogram therapist atNorthPointe FamilyCenter and lives inCarrollton, Texas.Leonard J. Jones is asenior functionalanalyst at GeneralDynamics and lives inFayetteville, N.C.2002Ashlee Freeman Milleris employed as a SVPin strategic businessdevelopment at SWSGroup and lives inFrisco, Texas.Crystal RobbinsRoberts is in privatepractice as a licensedprofessional counselorand lives in Biloxi,Miss.Julia Higginbotham is ayoga teacher, massagetherapist and, musicianand lives in Austin,Texas.Dr. Cade Brumley isthe principal atConverse High School,married to Toni LynnVail Brumley (’02) andlives in Converse.Toni Lynn Vail Brumleyis a counselor at NorthDeSoto High School,married to CadeBrumley (’02) and livesin Converse.Stephanie MartinChamberlin is a funeralAlumni ProfileDetris Anderson (1993)believes that the success of childrenfalls on all of our shouldersand high expectations need to beevident regarding their education.“Children learn best whenthey are in a learning environmentthat has been shaped bydevelopmentally appropriateand research-based practices,”she said. “I believe that strongleadership is a critical componentof that success.”Anderson is utilizing thisphilosophy in her first year asprincipal of Lucy ElementarySchool in Millington, Tenn., asuburb of Memphis. Anderson isthe former assistant principal atDexter Middle School inMillington.After graduating from NSU,Anderson worked in Shreveportfor one year before moving toMemphis. She was a ShelbyCounty middle school teacherfor 10 years, teaching reading,social studies and computertechnology before becomingassistant principal at DexterMiddle for three years. Duringthat time, she earned a master’sdegree from the University ofMemphis and is currently workingtowards her doctorate.She plans to emphasize familyand community involvementto improve the school, improveDetris Andersonteaching and learning andexpand the school’s fine artsdepartment.Anderson is a native ofNatchitoches and graduatedfrom Natchitoches Central HighSchool in 1983. Although nolonger married, she traveled forseveral years with her husband,who was in the military andlived in New Jersey, Californiaand Alaska. She has two children,Sharita, 23, and James, 19.Her hobbies include all types oftechnology, reading, bowling,listening to music and watchingscience fiction. She is a memberof Delta Sigma Theta, Iota MuChapter at NSU.Anderson said her time asassistant principal at DexterMiddle prepared her for her newrole as principal at Lucy.“Lucy is a great school,” shesaid. “It’s a community school.There’s a lot of pride here; theydo a lot of great things.”Anderson is hoping that parentinvolvement with the schoolwill increase as more familieswitness the area’s communityinvolvement with the school.“I want this to continue to bea great school, and to make thathappen we’re going to need thefamily involvement,” she said.“I want them to soar high abovethe rest. I want them to standout.”www.northwesternalumni.comAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 17

ALUMNI UPDATESAlumni ProfileDr. Gayle JuneauDr. Gayle Juneau describes hereducational pathways as accidental,but said that during her time atNSU, she had many mentors“cheering me towards success duringmy years as a student.” Shedescribed her education as transformationaland says that throughempowering internship experiencesand NSU’s robust academic program,she was well equipped tocompete and advance in her field ofacademic advising.Juneau, a native of Moreauville,earned a degree in generalstudies at NSU in 1995 and a master’sin student personnel servicesin 1997. After graduation, she washired as an admissions counselorfor the University of West Florida.Two years later, she was promotedto the position of academic advisorfor the university and eventuallyhired to serve as director in the creationof the Professional StudiesStudent Center for academic advising,recruitment and retention ofstudents in the College of ProfessionalStudies. She is currently theexecutive director of AcademicAdvising at University of Nevada -Las Vegas.“In my position as executivedirector of Academic Advising, Iam responsible for the leadership ofUNLV’s 11 academic advising centers,”she said. “Specifically, I workwith policy creation and implementation,assessment of academicadvising, budget for hiring and professionaldevelopment, generaleducation and transfer committeeleadership.” She also directs theschool and college AcademicAdvising Council as well as theseven academic advising commissionssponsored by UNLV. She isactively involved with the nationalacademic advising association,NACADA, in terms of presentationsand publications.“Growing up in a workingclass family, I had no frame of referencenor were there expectationsfor me to earn a graduate degree,”Gayle said.She first enrolled at NSU as asecondary education major, but herinterest quickly faded in an era ofshifting accountability. She consideredoptometry, but was too far intoher curriculum to graduate in a reasonableamount of time, so sheopted for general studies andfocused on graduate school.“By way of my work in StudentSupport Services, I met graduateassistants in the StudentPersonnel Services program whoencouraged me to consider the program.It was a turn-of-events thathas shaped the entirety of my professionalcareer,” she said.At NSU, Gayle found mentorsby way of her student work assignments.“During my undergraduatedegree, I was encouraged by GailJones and Don Barker in StudentSupport Services and Dr. VirginiaCrossno in home economics,” shesaid. “These individuals inspiredacademic enthusiasm in me longbefore I understood the connectionwith transformational educationand professional opportunities.During my tenure as a graduate student,I was extremely fortunate tohave Dr. Neelam Kher as a mentorwho taught me discipline and passionfor higher learning as well asstrategic planning for professionaladvancement.”During her years at UWF,Gayle taught introduction to diversitycourses for College of Educationstudents.“Concurrent with the completionof my doctoral degree, I washired by the UNLV to serve as theuniversity’s first executive directorof Academic Advising,” she said.“In addition, I am a part-time facultymember in the Department ofWomen’s Studies.”Gayle remembers a specialmoment in Natchitoches.“I remember the day inDecember that I turned in mypaper-in-lieu of thesis to my graduateadvisor, Dr. Neelam Kher.Elated, I realized I was going tograduate with a master’s degree.As I left the building, it startedsnowing lightly - a rare, rare experiencein Natchitoches. To me, itwas a sign from above about dedicationleading to celebration!”Alumni Columns Winter 2008 / 18Visit our website at:

ALUMNI UPDATESdirector at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home,married to RobChamberlin (’03) andlives in Coushatta.Wes Hardy isemployed byPasadena ISD andlives in Deer Park,Texas.2003Luke Douglas Mitchellis an attorney, marriedto Eve Cox Mitchell(’95) and lives inNatchitoches.2004Melissa Gilliam is amarketing coordinatorat Brooklyn BotanicGarden, percussionand piano teacher. Shelives in Brooklyn, N.Y.Victoria WhitlockBrakhage is aparalegal at CarrAllison Law Firm andlives in Sterrett, Ala.Joseph Brakhage is aprogrammer analyst atSunGard DataSystems and lives inSterrett, Ala.Chasity SummervilleJones is a loancounseling specialist atGMAC Rescap,married and lives inLancaster, Texas.Latosha Simpson is ateacher at LiederElementary School andlives in Katy, Texas.Christy Groves is afourth grade teacher atPulaski HeightsElementary and lives inBenton, Ark.2005Tracy Leeper isemployed by StateFarm as a systemsanalyst and lives inNormal, Ill.Jessica Mary Carmanis a fifth grade teacherat Northwood HighSchool, married andlives in Pineville.Shandee Niswander isthe owner of The PageTurner and lives inDeRidder.Robin Mire isemployed in accountspayable at TidewaterMarine and lives inMorgan City.2006Ella Bridges Owen isan administrativeassistant at AmeripriseFinancial, married toJustin C. Owen (’02)and lives inShreveport.Steven Mack is anexecutive assistantmanager at Walgreensand lives in Edinburg,Texas.John Smith isemployed by TempleIndependent SchoolDistrict as an Englishteacher and basketballcoach and lives inKilleen, Texas.Rebecca WithersBurch is employed byDesoto Parish Office ofCommunity Servicesas a child welfarespecialist-foster care,married and lives inGrand Cane.Veronica LongworthMay is employed byUniversity Hospital inthe Neonatal ICU as aregistered nurse andlives in Cibolo, Texas.Emily Bass is aterritory manager/representative forNestle and lives inShreveport.2007Shadana RelifordPalmer is a warboardclerk at Pilgrim’s Pride,married and lives inCoushatta.Jamie L. Cherry is ahistocompatibilitytechnician for OchsnerMedical Center andlives in River Ridge.Amber WallaceFreeman is a rad techat NatchitochesRegional MedicalCenter and lives inNatchitoches.Rachal Liberto Thorneis in the acceleratedBSN/MSN program atthe Medical Universityof South Carolina andlives in Johns Island,S.C.Denise Green Garlandis an instructor/advisorfor NSU’s Office ofStudent SupportServices and lives inNatchitoches.Christian AbshireLeBrun is employed byCITGO Petroleum as alaboratory analyst andlives in Sulphur.2008Angela Finimore isemployed by BossierParish School Boardas a third gradescience teacher andlives in Bossier City.Shawna Miller is a CITfor the first JDC CaddoDrug Court and lives inFrierson.Alison L. Holmes isemployed by NorthropGrumman as afinancial analyst andlives in DeRidder.Sara Welch is asoftware/systemsengineer III for USAAand lives in SanAntonio.In MemoryDr. Clifford Hargis, January 6, 2003Harry L. Kirk III, MD, September 24, 2008Bronis Gray Moody, Enid, Oklahoma,October 8, 20081948 - Catherine Bondurant Prince,February 9, 20081952 - James Kenneth Howard, Shreveport,October, 5, 20081962 - Robert Escude, Mansura, March 31, 20081962 - Carmen Peevy Wingate, Baton Rouge,December 10, 20071966 - Jimmie Dale Johnson, Mandeville,September 10, 20081972 - R. Lyle Christensen, Jr. Ph.D, Austin,Texas, August 22, 20081974 - Bert Smith, Pineville, July 2, 20081979 - Paul Allen Porterfield, Shreveport,August 29, 2008www.northwesternalumni.comAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 19

ALUMNI NEWSSixty years ago, Prather was thecoach and McConathy was a sophomoreforward, and NorthwesternState was a brand new name. By theend of the 1948-49 season, fans notonly around Louisiana, but manythroughout the country knew aboutNorthwestern State Demon basketballthanks to the exploits of what is consideredthe best of the 36 teams coachH. Lee Prather fielded at the collegeknown until the mid-1940s as“Louisiana State Normal.” The 1948-49 Demons won the Gulf States Conferencetitle and roared into the NAIAnational tournament in Kansas City,reaching the semifinals with athrilling 59-57 victory over BYU.Regis College nipped Northwestern52-51 to deny the Demons a shot atthe national title. Coach Prather’steam finished 23-5, which remainedthe most wins in a season at Northwesternuntil 2005-06, when MikeMcConathy, whose dad JohnnyGuess Who?Members of the 1948-49 team were, front row from left, Jodie Stoutamire,George Morris, Dan Poole, Buddy Bates, Lynwood Outz and HerschelMcConathy. On the back row are DeWitt “Peewee” Patten, Johnny McConathy,Leslie McConathy, Artie Ranew, Bernard Waggoner and Jim Willis.played on the 1948-49 team, led theDemons to 26 wins, including a perfect14-0 mark in Prather Coliseum.Coach Prather retired as coach in1950 as the dean of USA basketballcoaches and America’s winningestcollege coach at the time, with 473victories. He became the college’spresident not long afterward andserved four years. Prather Coliseumwas dedicated in his memory in 1965,a year after his passing.Congratulations to the following individualswho correctly identified the members of the1968 football team who earned honors at theN Club awards banquet. They were seatedfrom left, Tony Papa, Ken Hrapmann, DavidCentanni, Wayne Estay and Lester Latino.Standing were Don Durham, Shelley Dickie,head coach Glen Gossett, Don Guidry,Sterling Baldwin and Mark Nyvall.Under the name Student Body Association, the Student Senate andExecutive Council as organized by the revised SGA constitution went intoeffect during the 1971-72 academic year. Their efforts includedsponsorship of political speakers, to inform the students on the upcomingelections, relaxing of rules for women on campus, trying to gain studentdiscounts in the community and other services designed to benefit andinform the students. Can you name the senators-at-large from the 1971-72 Student Body Association? The first five readers to call the AlumniCenter at (318) 357-4414 will win a prize.Vallie Anderson--1983Shreveport, LAJo Ann Dombrowski--1970Bonita Springs, FLZella Green--1984Shreveport, LABrett Knecht--1979Natchitoches, LAGene Knecht--1962Natchitoches, LABrenda Milner--1985Natchitoches, LAWilliam Myers--1969Maurice, LARosalind Patterson--1983Shreveport, LAJohn Ropp--1958Natchitoches, LAAlumni Columns Winter 2008 / 20)

Visit our website atwww.northwesternalumni.comand click on “Update our files”or use this printed form.Please fill this page out as completely as possible. We are constantly revising our records and yourinformation updates are vital to making the system work. The information from this form is also usedfor entries in the “Alumni Updates” section. Please make a copy of this page and give it to any NSUgraduate who may not be on our list. We can't keep in touch with you if we can't find you! Thank you.Date_____________________Name: (Miss, Mrs. Mr.)______________________________________________________________________________________Please Circle Last First Middle MaidenCurrent address:__________________________________________________________________________________________City:________________________________________________________State:_____________ Zip:_______________________Phone:_____________________________________________________E-Mail:________________________________________NSU undergraduate degree(s):______________________________________________Year of graduation:__________________NSU graduate degree(s):___________________________________________________Year of graduation:__________________During which years did you attend NSU?________________________________________________________________________Which organizations were you involved in while a student at NSU?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Place of employment _______________________________________________________________________________________Job title:____________________________________________________Work phone:___________________________________Spouse’s name:___________________________________________________________________________________________Is your spouse an NSU graduate? ____Yes ____ NoIf yes, what degree(s) did he / she earn?Spouse’s undergraduate degree (s) _________________________ Year of graduation_________Spouse’s graduate degree (s) ______________________________ Year of graduation________Do you have children who are potential Northwestern students?Please tell us their names, contact information, and what high school they attend.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Please return to: Alumni Center • Northwestern State University • Natchitoches, LA 71497If you would like information from Admissions, Financial Aid orthe NSU Athletic Association, you can contact them at the following address:University RecruitingSouth HallNatchitoches, LA 71497(318) 357-4503 or 800-327-1903www.nsula.edu/enrollmentservices/recruitingFinancial AidRoom 109, Roy HallNatchitoches, LA 71497(318) 357-5961www.nsula.edu/financialaidAthletic DirectorRoom 101C,Athletic FieldhouseNatchitoches, LA 71497(318) 357-5251www.nsudemons.com

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