Magazine Spring 2004 Magazine Spring 2004 - Northwestern State ...

Alumni NewsNSU Alumni share their love for foodNorthwestern’s alumni have proven successful in all career fieldsand areas of life. But one particular group of alumni is servingtheir communities in an entirely unique way, with food.Six of our many alumni in the restaurant business share how theyare making it in the most delicious industry.Superior Bar and Grill andSuperior SteakhouseCollege buddies and formerroommates Phil Barbaree and BobbyKirchoff have formed a successfulchain in the South. They opened theirfirst restaurant, Superior Bar and Grill,in 1983 in Shreveport. They openedsubsequent restaurants in Baton Rouge in1991, in Birmingham in 1995 and finallyin New Orleans in 1998. Just last yearSuperior Steakhouse was opened, also inShreveport.Barbaree and Kirchoff’s friendship,which began while in college, hascertainly paid off. These fraternitybrothers have had other businessestogether but use find that therelationships they built in college havehelped make their restaurants successful.“Northwestern played a big part inour success because of the contacts wemade,” said Barbaree, a 1976 graduateand member of the NSU President’sCouncil. “The people you have aroundyou in college are important. They staywith you.”“It’s the friendship and people youmeet at NSU that make a difference,”said Kirchoff, also a member of the NSUPresident’s Council and 1977 graduate.“Because of our business, we are able tomaintain contact with Northwestern andits alumni. I am proud of Northwesternand all it has accomplished. Theuniversity has played a big role in thesuccess we have had.You can find out more about eachof the Superior restaurants at www.superiorbarandgrill.com.Superior Bar & Grill owners Phil Barbaree (‘76) and Bobby Kirchoff (‘77)Chocolate Molten Soufflé from Superior Bar and Grill3 C granulated sugar16 large eggs2 lbs. semi-sweet chocolate2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)3 C all-purpose flourPreheat oven to 350°.Melt chocolate over a double boiler and gradually add butter while stirring. Whipsugar and eggs in a mixing bowl until ribbon-like stage. Slowly add chocolatewhile continuing to mix on low. Slowly fold in flour on low mixing speed. Pourinto buttered soufflé dishes or parchment-lined spring form pans. Place in oven11-12 minutes. Serves approximately 12.Alumni Columns Spring 2004/ 1

Alumni NewsLasyone’sNo one thinks of Natchitoches food withoutremembering mouthwatering meatpiesfrom Lasyone’s. Angela Lasyone, a 1986graduate, began working in the family businesswith her father in 1994.“I always liked to cook, but our wholefamily does it all,” said Lasyone. “We dothe ordering, cooking and management.When I became involved with the business,I moved it from old school to new byadding more menu selections and using acomputer system.”Some things took a while to change.The restaurant starting taking credit cardsjust two years ago. They also have cateringservices to the local industries and added abanquet room.Despite the new changes, Lasyone’sstill has a small-town, family atmospherein which you can eat breakfast, lunch or anearly dinner.The restaurant has gained much publicityand has been written about in SouthernLiving, Gourmet, The New York Times andthe Dallas Morning News. It has also beenfeatured on Home and Garden Channel and“The Today Show”. It was even the settingfor a Harlequin Romance Novel,“Jodie’sLittle Secrets” by Joanna Wayne.Many of Lasyone’s patrons, however,heard of the restaurant from friends.“You can spend a lot of money on advertising,but word of mouth is the best,” saidLasyone. “One thing I learned from NSU iswhere to put money and where not to put it.It was there that I also learned about dealingwith people and organization planning.”If you are craving a taste of your days inNatchitoches, you can order meatpies onlineat www.lasyones.com. They have shippedeverywhere in the U.S.Lasyone’s Red Beans and Sausage1 16 ounce dry red kidney beans1/2 cup vegetable oil or bacon drippings1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes10 cups water2 teaspoons sugar2 teaspoons salt2 teaspoons seasoned salt1/4 teaspoon red pepper1 teaspoon granulated garlic1 medium-sized green bell pepper,chopped2 stalks celery, chopped1 cup chopped smoked sausageCombine beans, oil or bacon dripping,parsley, water, sugar, salt, seasoned salt, redpepper, garlic, bell pepper, onion and celeryin a 4 quart stock pot. Cook, uncovered, overmedium heat for 1 1/2 hours. Add sausageand cook for an additional 30 minutes oruntil beans are tender, adding more water ifneeded. Serve with white rice. For additionalsausage, cut smoked sausage into links, panfry and place on red beans and rice to serve.Serves 10-12.Alumni Columns Spring 2004/ 2Visit our website at:

Alumni NewsTunk’sCypress InnNSU alumni from Central Louisianafrequently visit a local favorite, Tunk’sCypress Inn. Jimbo and Sandy Thiels,1973 graduates, are continuing a familybusiness built by Sandy’s father, formercattleman, E.A. “Tunk” Andries, Jr.Tunk’s laid-back atmosphere andbeautiful Kincaid Lake scenery bringpeople back again and again. ManyNSU graduates return every year for theannual alumni reception in November.“Our hospitality, family atmosphereand friendly staff are important,” saidJimbo Thiels. “We make sure to servegood, consistent, high quality foods.”Jimbo Thiels credits his collegeeducation for contributing to thedevelopment of those skills.“The college experience is not somuch curriculum, but the relationshipsyou develop with the people aroundyou,” he said. “Communication skillsmake you a well-rounded person.”You can find out more about thehistory of Tunk’s Cypress Inn as wellas view photos and menus at www.tunkscypressinn.com.Snapper Sandy from Tunk’s Cypress InnBasic Cheese Sauce:1 Tbs. butter3 Tbs. flour1/3 cup Half and Half1/2 cup Velveeta® or cheddar cheeseHeat butter to 350°, add flour and whisk to blend. Stir until flour taste is gonebut do not brown. Add Half and Half slowly while stirring. Cook a few minutesto get a smooth consistency. Blend in 1/2 cup shredded Velveeta® or othercheese. Set aside.Butter and season two snapper fillets. Place skin side down in a paper bag.Place cooked crawfish tails, cooked shrimp, lump crabmeat on top of fillets.Spoon cream sauce over contents of bag. Sprinkle with a few chopped greenonion tops. Close bag. Place on a metal pan and slide into preheated 400 °oven. Cook for 20 minutes until fish is done. Cut away top of bag and serve.www.northwesternalumni.comAlumni Columns Spring 2004/ 3

Alumni NewsGerald Savoie’s RestaurantGerald Savoie, 1977 graduate, had a slightly differentbusiness venture in mind when he came into the restaurantindustry in 1982.“My intention was to be a large seafood market with a smallrestaurant,” he said. “But I ended up being a large restaurant witha small seafood market.”Savoie was one of the first people in North Louisiana to serveboiled crawfish. His main business focused on boiled seafoodincluding crawfish, shrimp and crab. In his first year, he sold50,000 pounds of crawfish. The next year he tripled his business.Now he sells between 300,000 to 400,000 pounds every year.In 1983, Savoie and his partner branched out to catering andmade it a separate business in 1990. He bought out his partner in1998.Savoie learned the restaurant lifestyle while playing footballat Northwestern.“In this business you have to work long hours,” he said. “Youhave to be working while other people are out having fun, likeon Friday nights. It was the same in sports. When everyone washaving fun going to pep rallies, we had to meet curfew and be athome waiting for the game.”Savoie hosts an annual Shreveport alumni reception and is acontributor to NSU Athletics.For information on Savoie’s Catering and Gerald Savoie’sRestaurant go to www.geraldsavoie.com.Other NSU Alumni restaurant ownersBurgerbeesNatchitochesMike Hinds (’03)burgerbees@cp-tel.netCotton Patch & MageesPatio CaféNatchitochesGeorge and Coneil (’61)CellesCrawfish HoleNatchitochesWilliam Carnahan (’83)Natchitoches MeatPie CompanyRobelineDonald Horton (’67)and Lynn McCain (‘73natchitochesmeatpies.comNicky’s MexicanRestaurantNatchitochesCasey Hendricks (’98)and Terry WrightCrawfish Etouffee from Savoie’s Catering1 bell pepper1 onion2 stalk of celery2 lbs. crawfish tails8 oz. cornstarch1/2 lb. margarinesalt (to taste)black pepper (to taste)red pepper (to taste)granulated garlic (to taste)Alumni Columns Spring 2004/ 4First chop vegetables and sauté inmargarine. Next, add crawfish tailsand rinse bag to get fat and flavor out.Add seasonings to taste and a quartof water. Bring to a boil. Using a pintof cold tap water, mix in cornstarch inseparate container. Turn off heat andcontinue stirring continuously addingcorn starch and water mixture until it’sthe consistency you desire, thin or thick.Process should take about 20-25 minutesand will feed between 6 to 8 guests.Crawfish Hole IIMindenLawrence “Bush” Carnahan(’84)Dine for TwoLos AngelesRyan Glorioso (’03)dine42.comDominic’s ItalianRestaurantNatchitochesJohnny (’68) and Merle(’79) AntoonDudley’sLongview, TexasDudley Lang (’74)J & T’s Crawfish ShakLeesvilleJames Shapkoff (’91), TonyShapkoff (’98) and JasonShapkoffLouisiana National GuardFood Service ProgramCamp BeauregardGW4 Paul Gilmore (’97)Merci BeaucoupNatchitochesJohnny and Rose Cox &Johnny Cox (‘93)Papa’s Bar and GrillMama’s OysterHouseNatchitochesClay (’88) and Jana(’74) MayeauxSpirits WestLeesvilleTony McDonald (’96)SteamboatWarehouseWashingtonFrankie (’68)and Mary Eldersteamboatwarehouse.comThe Wooden SpoonBossierHenry L. Burns (’70)Tin HouseBar-B-QueNatchitochesC.B. Morrison (’61)University ClubShreveportBobby Shields (’74)u-clubshreveport.comThis is a smallrepresentationof the variety ofrestaurants owned byNorthwestern alumni.Visit our website at:

Campus NewsNSU enrollment sets recordNorthwestern StateUniversity’s enrollmentincreased by 154 studentsfor the spring 2004semester as a record9,881 students registered for classes.Last spring’s enrollment was 9,727.The biggest increase in enrollmentwas at off campus sites and by electronicdelivery. This semester, 1,728 studentstook classes at other sites compared to1,560 last spring.“The increase in enrollment is apositive sign for the university,” saidNorthwestern president Dr. RandallJ. Webb. “This shows our efforts toattract and retain better students aresuccessful. Because of new admissionsstandards which take effect in the fall of2005, we expect the period ahead to bechallenging. But those challenges shouldmake Northwestern a better university.”The university hosted its firstFulbright Scholar in Residence duringthe fall. Italian archeologist Dr.Vincenzo Di Giovanni was at NSUthrough December and will spend thespring at the University of Louisianaat Monroe. Di Giovanni is co-directorof New Archeology, a cooperative ofprofessional archeologists who excavatesites in Campania, in south central Italywhere Naples is the principal moderncity.‘This prestigious opportunity wasbeneficial for our students and was areflection on the quality of our academicprograms,” said Webb. “The recognitionwe received was valuable and will helpus obtain similar opportunities in thefuture.”Northwestern was the first publiccollege or university to receive 100percent accreditation of eligibleacademic programs and each programcontinues to work to meet the higheststandards, Webb said. Recently, theROTC program at NSU was rankedamong the top 10 percent in the nation inannual rankings by the U.S. Army CadetCommand.The university rededicatedtwo academic buildings, theFamily and Consumer SciencesBuilding and Morrison Hallwhich is home of theLouisiana Scholars’ College.Webb said Northwestern’s efforts toreach out to surrounding communitiesare helping the university. NSU’s SmallBusiness Development Center is havinga positive impact on the area’s economy.SBDC staff assisted entrepreneurs andsmall businesses in Central Louisianasecure more than $22 million incapitalization during the past year.“Part of Northwestern’s mission isto play a role in this region’s economicdevelopment,” he said. “We want to useour experts to help area communitiescreate new jobs and become moreprosperous.”Northwestern will also host the firstLouisiana Rural Economic DevelopmentConference Feb. 9-11.A long awaited project should becompleted this fall when construction iscompleted on the $6.9 million Wellness,Recreation and Activity Center inthe heart of the NSU campus. TheCenter should be a tremendous assetto Northwestern and should aid theuniversity in attracting students.Northwestern is also seeking capitaloutlay funds for the renovation ofWilliamson Hall and Caspari Hall whichwould provide the university with newuses for two important campus buildings.Morrison Hall, Louisiana Scholars’ CollegeWellness, Recreation and Activity CenterWilliamson HallCaspari Hallwww.northwesternalumni.com Alumni Columns Spring 2004/ 5

CampusNewsNCAA gives ‘fully certified’ seal of approvalto NSU athletic programNorthwestern State has received the highest possiblerating, “fully certified,” from the National Collegiate AthleticAssociation, affirming that Northwestern operates its athleticprogram in substantial conformity with operating principlesadopted by the NCAA Division I membership.The NCAA Division I Committee on AthleticsCertification made the announcement following an extensiveyearlong “second cycle” review of Northwestern’s athleticprogram. Certification is the NCAA’s equivalent to academicaccreditation, designed to ensure integrity in the institution’sathletic program and to assist institutions in improving theirathletic departments.NCAA legislation mandating athletic certification wasadopted in 1993. Northwestern received full certification in itsinitial review by the NCAA in May 1996.“We’re extremely proud that our athletic program onceagain has been fully certified. After experts from the NCAAthoroughly reviewed the yearlong self-study that was carefullyprepared by a team of dedicated university personnel, thisunconditional certification is the definitive seal of approvalfor the way we operate in athletics at Northwestern StateUniversity,” said university president Dr. Randall J. Webb. “Itreflects our continuing commitment to excellence and integrityin every aspect of our university community and goes hand-in-hand with our 100percent accreditationof our eligible academicprograms.”Greg Burke, director ofathletics at Northwestern since August of 1996, called theannouncement “a proud achievement” for Northwestern’sathletic program.“This official approval by the NCAA represents adedicated level of commitment by the University and theathletic department to have a program which enjoys a highlevel of success at the Division I level while also meetingand exceeding operating principles which are paramount tooperating an athletic program in an efficient and productivemanner,” he said.“Successfully completing the NCAA certification processreflects a high level of commitment by many individuals datingback to October of 2001 when the initial orientation meetingwas held. The co-chairs — Dr. Patrice Moulton and Dr. ChrisMaggio — along with the sub-committee chairs and members, aswell as the staff, coaches, and student-athletes within the athleticdepartment are all to be commended. Also noteworthy is thesincere level of interest and support the athletic program receivesfrom the University administration on an ongoing basis.”Jason Tinsley tohead UNCP men’sbasketball programJason Tinsley has beenappointed head coach of theUniversity of North Carolinaat Pembroke men’s basketballprogram. Tinsley was anassistant coach with NSU from1996-1999. He graduated witha bachelor’s in 1989 and withhis master’s in 1997.Chris Roper MemorialGolf TournamentIn honor of the top golfer on the 1981 NorthwesternState University Demon Squad, the 22nd Annual ChrisRoper Memorial Golf Tournament is being held onSaturday, April 24 at the Robert W. Wilson RecreationComplex located on the campus of NSU.Lunch will be served at 12 p.m. with tee off beginningat 1 p.m. Entry fee is $45 per player and cart rental is $7.50per player. Participants may sign up individually or as ateam.Mulligans are $2 and they are unlimited. Mulliganscan be purchased in the Pro Shop prior to the tournament.Prizes will awarded for first, second and third place teams.The tournament is a four-man scramble. Other eventshosted include the Closest to the Hole contest and the LongDrive contest.Roper was killed in a traffic accident over theChristmas holidays in 1982. He was a native of Camden,Arkansas and was a member of the Trans-American AllConference team placing ninth in the League Tournament.For more information on the tournament, please callHall Adams at (318) 357-3207 or email Cindy Davis atcindyd@nsula.edu.Alumni Columns Spring 2004 / 6Visit our website at:

Alumni EventsAlumniReunionNursingReunionThirty-three graduates, three faculty attended the College of Nursing 43 rd yearclass reunion on September 20-21, 2003.Reunion committeefor the College ofNursing 43 rd yearclass reunion included(front row) VeldaWade Watson, ElaineBrouillette Pritchard,Amelia Pickett Weldon,Jackie Naylor Howard,(back row) CarolynBarnett Warren, CarolGoldstein Allen Petersand Kay Bryant Allen.LafayetteRecruitingReceptionNew Orleans AlumniRecruiting ReceptionNSU alumni Nick Darbonne (’02) MarkDeshotel (’99) and Chad Givens (’00& ‘01) attended the Alumni RecruitingReception in Lafayette.Dickey (’90) and Valerie (’93)Marze hosted the Alumni RecruitingReception in Lafayette this spring.Edie Sirmon and Johnny Carmouche shared their lovefor Northwestern with prospective students during theNew Orleans alumni and recruiting reception hosted byCarmouche.Alumni Columns Spring 2004 / 8Visit our website at:

Alumni Events& ReceptionsBaton RougeAlumni ReceptionJune Boucher (’42) and Pauline Jobe(’42) caught up with each other at theBaton Rouge alumni reception held atMike Anderson’s.Dan (’57) and Lilly Chase opened theirhome for the annual alumni reception inBaton Rouge.Jason St. Germain (’03), Lindsey Wright Wilson(’01), Cory Wilson (’01), Richard Armstrong (’01)and Jourdan Raacke (’02) reunited during theBaton Rouge alumni reception this spring.Kenny Guillot (’67) received the’“N”thDegree from President Randall Webbduring the Baton Rouge alumnireception held at Mike Anderson’s.Baton Rouge alumni gathered at the home of Dan andLilly Chase.Covington AlumniRecruiting ReceptionAlumni Reception /Texas Music EducatorsAssociation ConferenceRicky (’85) and Julie Messina (’89) Walmsleyonce again opened their home to prospectivestudents in Covington.Adam Bird (’94), Tommy Moore (’87)and Louis Robinett (’89) attended thealumni reception in conjunction withthe Texas Music Educators Associationconference.www.northwesternalumni.comAlumni ColumnsSpring 2004/ 9

Alumni NewsAlumni Set Up EndowedProfessorship in MathNSU’sCapital Campaignready to kickoffThis spring marks the public phaseof Northwestern State University’s firstcapital campaign. This event will becelebrated with an Inauguration hostedby President and Mrs. Randall J. Webband the NSU Office of Alumni andDevelopment on Saturday, May 15 atthe NSU President’s Residence.“This is the kickoff of thepublic phase of our first evercapital campaign,” said Director ofDevelopment and Alumni AffairsChris Maggio. “We have alreadyraised over $12 million of our $18.84million dollar goal. The focus of ourfundraising is to help endow chairs,professorships and scholarships.”The proceeds of the Inaugurationwill establish an endowed scholarship.Cost of the coat and tie event is $60per person. For more informationcontact Kelly Kay at (318) 357-4248or kayk@nsula.edu.Ellis Coutee and his wife, Melva Juanita MartinezCoutee are strong believers in giving back to their alma mater,Northwestern State University.The Coutees of Baton Rouge have established twoendowed scholarships and have continued their generositywith a gift to the NSU Foundation to set up the Ellis Couteeand Melva Juanita Martinez Coutee Endowed Professorshipin Mathematics. The professorship will be set up over threeyears with gifts from the Coutees and matching gifts from theExxonMobil Foundation. The $60,000 gift will be matchedwith $40,000 from the Board of Regents Support Fund tocreate a $100,000 endowed professorship. This endowedprofessorship willbe the 23rd at NSUand the first inmathematics.“We hope thisaction will whet theappetite of otheralumni and causethem to take asecond look at theircapability of giving,”said Ellis Coutee.Ellis (’60) and Juanita (’58 & 60) Coutee wererecognized for their generosity by President RandallWebb during the Baton Rouge alumni reception.“We hope thestudents and facultyin mathematicscan benefit fromthis professorship.Northwestern gave each of us what we needed when we neededit. Northwestern was the springboard to success.”A portion of the interest generated by the endowmenteach year will be used to fund classroom instruction, facultyresearch, purchase needed software and hardware and coverneeded travel to professional conferences. The remainingportion will be used to build up the endowment.“The Department of Mathematics is honored and delightedby the generosity of Ellis and Melva Coutee,” said Dr. FrankSerio, head of the Department of Mathematics. “This firstendowed professorship in mathematics will strengthen ourprogram through expanded research and travel opportunities.Since faculty-student collaboration is an integral part ofour mathematics curriculum, this gift will also enhance theeducational experience of all our students.”Ellis and Melva Juanita Martinez Coutee are bothNorthwestern alumni. Ellis Coutee, a 1960 graduate inaccounting, is a native of Alexandria. While a student, he was amember of the honorary business fraternity, Tau Kappa EpsilonFraternity, the Newman Club and was on the InterfraternityCouncil for two years. Ellis Coutee is a former senior revenueagent and life insurance specialist with the U.S. Department ofthe Treasury. He is in the consulting business with Coutee andCoutee Tax Consultants.www.northwesternalumni.com Alumni Columns Spring 2004 / 11

Class Notes/ProfilesProfileAfter winning re-election lastfall, State Rep. Joe Salterknew he would be busy for thenext four years. He had no idea aboutthe challenges that would face him.Salter, a 1965 graduate ofNorthwestern in education, was chosenby his colleagues to serve as Speaker ofthe Louisiana House of Representativesin January. As speaker, Salter’s dutiesinclude overseeing operations ofthe 105-member Louisiana House ofRepresentatives, making committeeassignments, presiding over the Houseand serving on various boards andcommittees.Salter admits he was surprised whennewly elected Gov. Kathleen Blancocontacted him as he was returning from aconference in South Carolina and askedhim to seek the position.“I had never given any thought tobeing speaker,” said Salter, who is fromFlorien. “After talking with my familyand praying about it, I told her I wouldtoss my hat in the ring.”An educator for 33 years, Salterhas been a member of the Legislaturesince 1986. He also received a master’sat Northwestern in education and didadditional postgraduate work. His wife,the former Bettye Lilly, is a 1965 graduateof Northwestern in education. She is aretired teacher.Salter represents Sabine and RedRiver parishes along with part of DeSotoand Vernon parishes. In his opinion, hispast experiences and service in the Housewill help him be an effective leader.“I have been working with the publicall of my life, so I have had experience atworking to bring people together to reacha consensus,” said Salter. “It is easier toget things accomplished when peoplework together. I have always tried to workhard and convince people to do their jobsand do the right thing.”Salter knows that reaching aconsensus on some important issueswill be difficult when dealing a diversegroup of elected officials from a varietyof backgrounds with different politicalphilosophies.“I have always tried to treat peoplefairly and be tolerant of the opinions ofothers,” he said. “I know people havediffering opinions and have respectedthose. It’s good that the Legislature isn’torganized along party lines, so legislatorswith good ideas are heard.”Since being elected as speaker,Salter spends more time doing mediainterviews and his comments carry extraweight. He has also been the subject ofpositive stories in newspapers aroundLouisiana.“I guess I am not really consciousof that,” said Salter. “It has been good toread some of the nice things people havesaid about me.Making the decision to attendNorthwestern was easy for Salter, whogrew up in Sabine Parish.“It was close to home and most ofmy friends were attending Northwestern,”said Salter, who was a member of BlueKey while an undergraduate. “Going toNorthwestern was a great experience forme. I met a lot of great people and hadsome wonderful instructors, who preparedme to go into the field of education.“Northwestern wasn’t too largeand the classes weren’t too large. Theinstructors had a connection with thestudents. They took time to get to knowanybody.”Salter was a teacher, principal andassistant superintendent in the SabineParish school system.Because of term limits, Salter is inhis last term in the House. He plans towork with Blanco to improve educationand health care and develop new jobs.NSU isn’t in Salter’s district, but heknows how important the university is tonorth and central Louisiana.“Northwestern has been a bighelp to me,” he said. “It has been veryimportant to Natchitoches and thesurrounding parishes.“The university has not been gettingits fair share. Because of Northwestern’sgrowth, it is not where it needs to becompared to other institutions. I amgoing to take every opportunity to voicemy concerns and continue to supportNorthwestern.”1937Ora Dell Frazier Zubrod is retired and livesin Houston.1950Betsy Nina Smith Morris is retired and livesin Green Bay, Wis.Audrey Smith Maxwell is retired and lives inJena.1952H. Philip Pfost is a retired faculty memberfrom the University of South Florida, marriedand lives in Wesley Chapel. Fla.1954MaryAnn Cronin Stephenson is retired,married and lives in Overland Park, Kan.1959Roger Ray Moore is retired, married and livesin Phenix City, Ala.Leslie L. Lott retired from Boeing Companyas a procurement agent and lives inMansfield.1961Curtis Joseph Paul is retired, married andlives in Alexandria.1964Wilton Edward Hearron retired from CaddoParish School Board as executive director andis currently superintendent of Calvary BaptistAcademy. He is married to Lucy Hearron(’63) and lives in Shreveport.1967Francisco H. “Pancho” Perez is generalcounsel for the Louisiana Department ofHealth and Hospitals, married and lives inBaton Rouge.Ronald P. Roan is a retired AVP and trustofficer from Hibernia National Bank. He ismarried to Kathy J. Gaddis Roan (’67) andlives in Lake Charles.1970Bradley John Manuel is a visiting associateclinical professor at Texas Women’sUniversity College of Nursing, HoustonCenter.Dr. Barbara Coatney, former departmenthead of family and consumer scienceswas awarded Professor Emeritus Status, ismarried and lives in Lake Charles.Alumni Columns Spring 2004 / 12Visit our website at:

Class Notes/Profiles1971Larry W. McKenzie is the owner ofMcKenzie’s Embroidery, Inc., married andlives in Monroe.Sherry Lynn Strickland Stewart is a biologyinstructor at Navarro College. She is marriedand lives in Corsicana, Texas.Carol Ann Chaney Keys is a technicalassistant at NAPCA at EPA in Corvallis, Ore.and lives in Albany, Ore.1972Charles Kelley is a self-employed contractorand lives in Pineville.1974Carol J. Repulski Dahle is the director ofchoral activities at Hudson Middle School,married and lives in Hudson, Wis.Stephen Wells is a musician and lives inNatchitoches.1976Ryan Wallis is employed by Abbott, Simses& Kuchler as a lawyer and lives in NewOrleans.James Gibbs is employed by the LouisianaState police in communications, married andlives in Leesville.1977Michael Wayne Cooper is the executivedirector of Cedar Lake Bible ConferenceCenter, married and lives in Cedar Lake, Ind.1978Donna M. Kirkland Reed is a chemistryteacher at Pineville High School, married andlives in Deville.1979Amie Clifford is the assistant director ofnational programs for the National College ofDistrict Attorneys and lives in Columbia, S.C.Terry M. Ruddell is the operations managerfor Baxter Sales and Chem. Station, marriedto Becky Guidry (’79) and lives in Longview,Texas.1980Robbie B. Lee Williams is employed by theLouisiana Department of Health & HospitalsOffice of Mental health as a mental healthspecialist, married and lives in Minden.1981Donna Lynn Elliot is employed by the UnitedStates Army as a Ltc. Army Nurse Corps,married and lives in Upper Marlboro, Md.1982Jesus Rodriguez is the export manager forLos Angeles Supply and lives in Miramar,Fla.Peggy Fitt is a kinesiology instructor atWharton County Junior College and lives inSugarland, Texas.1983Haywood Joiner is the chairman of theAllied Health Sciences Department at LSUA,married and lives in Boyce.1984Kerry Colleen Hopes Peterson is a pediatricnurse practitioner for BCA MedicalAssociates, married and lives in Roswell,N.M.1985Kathryn Jenney Lesko recently garneredfour awards, two on the state level and twoon the national level in marketing excellencecompetitions. She is the director of publicrelations at Clara Maass Medical Center inBelleville, N.J.Mandy Jones is employed by BeaumontIndependent School District as a teacher andlives in Beaumont, Texas.Renee Richard is a history teacher at McGillToolen Catholic High School and lives inMobile, Ala.1988Kenneth Campbell is the minister of music atGonzalez Baptist Church, married and livesin Gonzalez, Fla.Daniel Anderson is a sales representative forBearing Service Supply Inc., married andlives in Bossier City.Dr. Caprice Brown Ieyoub is employedat Ieyoub & Wyble & LLC as an attorneymediator, married and lives in Baton Rouge.1989Toni Angela Distefano Stroud is ahomemaker, married to Michael “Mickey”Stroud (’87) and lives in Dallas, Texas.Jeffrey Zeringue is the executive editorfor the Daily Comet, married to MaryKay McClung Zeringue (‘85) and lives inSchriever.1990Tim Keeley is a district manager for SherwinWilliams and lives in Greensboro, N.C.Brad Ferguson is the broker and owner ofBrad Ferguson Real Estate and FergusonVentures. He is married to Amelia WarrenFerguson (’95) and lives in Natchitoches.1991Tricia Benny Castille is a productionspecialist for Rhodia and lives in BatonRouge.Joe M. Brister is a component lab supervisorfor American Red Cross and lives in St.Louis, Mo.Sandi Polk Morris is employed by HawaiiManagement Alliance in investigations andlives in Wahiawa, Hawaii.William P. Johnson is a waterfowl biologistfor Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,married and lives in Canyon, Texas.1992Melinda Rathburn is a laboratory assistant atWillis Knighton Medical Center and lives inHaughton.1993Lawrence Earl Johnson is a dealer supportmanager for Nissan North America, marriedand lives in Flower Mound, Texas.Estelle Gravois Murr is the chairman of thedance department at Joshua High School,married and lives in Fort Worth, Texas.Tina Foret Bonstaff is a marketing managerfor Ericksen, Krentel & LaPort LLP, andco-owner of Mike Bonstaff Academy ofTae Kwon do. She is married and lives inMetairie.Harlan Dickson Hughes is a financial advisorfor Morgan Stanley and lives in Shreveport.Brad Sievers is the owner of Sievers HoldingsInc., married to Brandie St. Pierre (’95) andlives in Rayne.1994Paul Saunders is the owner of TexasWarehouse Furnishings, and lives in Dallas.Rebecca Hall Hayes is a computer teacher atWest Wilson Middle School, married to MarkHayes and lives in Mount Juliet, Tenn.Richard Allen Brown is a registered nurse atLSUHSC, married and lives in Bossier City.Stephanie Annette Richardson Sandwell isa teacher at Harlingen High School, marriedand lives in Harlingen, Texas.www.northwesternalumni.com Alumni Columns Spring 2004 / 13

Class Notes/ProfilesProfileGail Stephenson,administrative generalcounsel for the FirstCircuit Court of Appeal in BatonRouge, Louisiana, and 1976 NSUgraduate, has been named thenew director of legal writing at theSouthern University Law Center.Stephenson, who has been anadjunct instructor in the law center’slegal writing lab since January of2003, began the new position inMarch. She is also on tenure track asan assistant professor of law.Stephenson is director-atlargewith the Baton Rouge BarAssociation, a member of theassociation’s Publication Committee,and a member of the Louisiana StateBar Association’s editorial board1995Leighton M. Colbert is a United Statesprobation officer for U.S. District Court,married and lives in Florissant, Mo.Kimberly Jean Horton Rich is a registerednurse at Willis Knighton Pierremont Hospital,married and lives in Bossier City.Robert Macfarlane Bishop is the generalmanager for Berthelot’s on the River, marriedto Alana Lynn Mack Bishop (’94) and lives inPort Vincent.David A. Goldsmith is employed by VividEntertainment as an actor, married and livesin Shreveport.1996Kevin Jones is an applications engineer forCrestron Electronics, married and lives inLewisville, Texas.of the Louisiana Bar Journal. Hercolumn “Gail’s Grammar,” has been amajor feature in the Baton Rouge Barmagazine, Around the Bar, since 1994.“At Northwestern I blossomedfrom a shy country girl into a confidentyoung woman,” said Stephenson.“The liberal arts education I receivedat NSU allowed me to compete on anequal footing with graduates of otheruniversities, both public and private, inlaw school.“ My professors in politicalscience, English, and philosophy allrequired term papers in their classes,which was excellent training for all thewriting lawyers have to do.”The Campti native is a 1984graduate of the LSU Paul Hebert LawCenter, where she was Order of theCoif and member of the Louisiana LawReview. She was inducted into the LSULaw Center Hall of Fame in 1987. Shetaught appellate advocacy as an adjunctinstructor from 1997-2001 at LSU.One of Stephenson’s favoritememories is about an activity thatchanged her life.“I’ll always be grateful to CoachHowell for requiring his Health 102students to pair up and collect for theArthritis Foundation in lieu of takinga final exam in the fall semester of1973. Joe Stephenson and I collectedfor the Arthritis Foundation together,dated for the next three years, and onJanuary 8 of this year we celebrated our27th wedding anniversary.”Joe Stephenson is a 1975 graduate.Kelle P. Hinson Lyles is a law clerk for theNinth Judicial District Court, married andlives in Bunkie.Dale Newton Montgomery is employed byBossier Parish District Attorney’s Office andCook Law Firm as an attorney, married andlives in Bossier City.Tammy Blankenship Curry is an operator atInternational Paper Company in Mansfield,married and lives in Pleasant Hill.Sharon Swains O’Neal is the owner of Bestand Swains Insurance Agency, married andlives in Alexandria.Brad Thomas Thibodaux is an accountexecutive and morning show host forGuaranty Broadcasting of Houma Radio,married and lives in Houma.Gavin Vitter is employed by LewisvilleIndependent School District as an assistantband director and lives in Lewisville, Texas.Brandi Raquel Brumley Skains is ahomemaker, married and lives in Cypress,Texas.Melissa K. Randall is an actress, married andlives in Glendale, Calif.1997Rebecca Eileen Sylvester Funderburk is athird grade teacher and lives in Opelika, Ala.James “Jimmy” Robert Miller is a medicalrepresentative for Athlon Pharmaceuticals,married and lives in Round Rock, Texas.Theresa Ann Guillory Seaton is a salesrepresentative for Russell Stover Candies,married and lives in Pineville.April Dawn Wilson Allen is a homemaker,volunteer children’s music director at churchand collegiate coordinator for Tri Sigma inthe southeast area, is married and lives inMansfield.1999Chad H. Mills is the minister of students atEastwood Baptist Church, married to AngelaPine-Mills (’00) and lives in Haughton.David Michael Toledo is an associate ministerof music at First Baptist Church and lives inKeller, Texas.David Deggs is an education programcoordinator for the Louisiana Department ofEducation and lives in Baton RougeKenny Watts is a computer programmer forLouisiana Farm Bureau Insurance, marriedand lives in Baton Rouge.Julie Christine Bedard Burns is a specialevents manager for the Juvenile DiabetesResearch Foundation, married and lives inHaughton.Robert Dale Landstad is a marketing directorfor Delta Medical Consulting, married toAnnie James Landstad (’95) and lives inCorinth, Texas.Casey Shawn Williams is a doctoral studentat Texas State University department ofAquatic biology, married to Carla J. HassanWilliams (’99) and lives in San Marcos,Texas.Sheila Edwards Long is the owner anddirector of Sheila Daycare Preschool, marriedand lives in Cape Girardeau, Mo.Alumni Columns Spring 2004/ 14Visit our website at:

Class Notes/Profiles2000Branden Johnson is employed by SabineValley Carpenter as an MH Professional. Heis married to Tabitha Johnigan Johnson (’01)and lives in Longview, Texas.Jody A. Gowdy Weierholt is a homemaker,married to Peder Weierholt (’02), an armylieutenant, and lives in Fort Riley, Kan.Christopher Pinder is a recycle & recoverytechnician for Weyerhaeuser Industries,married to Roxie Thompson Pinder (‘02) andlives in Montgomery.John D. Foster is a claims specialist forA.I.G., married and lives in Baton Rouge.Kelly Louise Horton Dunn is an adaptive P.E.teacher for Red River Parish School Board,married, and lives in Natchitoches.2001Katie Summerell Bernard is the salesmanager for Cypress Bend Golf ResortConference Center, married and lives inNatchitoches.Amy Marie Slayter Hale is a mathematicsinstructor at LSU at Alexandria, married andlives in Pineville.Robert Lee Browning is a percussionist forthe U.S. Air Force Band of the West and livesin San Antonio, Texas.Laura Catherine West is an instructor of thearts at Dansaton Dance Center and lives inLynnwood, Wash.Mary F. Gates Guin is a medical socialworker at Kennewick General Hospital,married to Jerrod Cane Guin (’02) and livesin Richland, Wash.Pamela Dorris Freeman is a medicaltechnologist in microbiology at Christus St.Francis Cabrini Hospital, married to GarrettSteven Freeman (’00) and lives in Otis.David D. Morgan Jr. is a regional vicepresident for Association Member BenefitsAdvisors, married to Leslie Kaylo Morgan(’01) and lives in Michigan.Leslie Kaylo Morgan is a sixth grade teachermarried to David D. Morgan Jr. (’01) Theyare expecting their first child in late August.2002Shannon Williams Maxey is a projectcoordinator at Louisiana Technical College inNatchitoches and lives in Natchitoches.Chris Rondeau is an instructor at BossierParish Community College and lives in PlainDealing.Shannon Carol Williams Cox is a projectcoordinator at Louisiana Technical Collegein Natchitoches, married and lives inNatchitoches.2003Cecil Sprague III is employed by Halliburtonas an accountant and is currently working inIraq.In Memory‘35 Frances Carroll Hagler, February 5,2004, Logansport‘35 Mack Buddy Maxwell, Sr.Bossier City‘38 James Earl Hilborn, Shreveport‘42 Elizabeth Burford Dady Pabody,January 1, 2004, Shreveport‘48 Frank M. Lampkin, Bossier City‘50 Patsy Powell Graves, Gulfport, Miss.‘52 Richard Lewis Carly, September 20,2003, Zimmerman‘63 James R. Machen, November 1, 2003,Winnfield‘89 Carla Beth Lofton KeeleyPatsy Barnes, October 23, 2003, MetairieDavid Vernon Dupree, January 15, 2004,Baton RougeCarrie Lee Christian, January 19, 2004,ShreveportChlotilde Onie Brown Ordoyne,December 22, 2003, PonchatoulaWiley L. Osborne, January 16, 2004,Clairmont, Calif.Corrie V. Perry, February 7, 2004,ShreveportMary Janet Ray Shockley, December 10,2003, VivianRalph M. Young, December 6, 2003,Houston, TexasJamie Marie Frasier is a graduate assistantat the University of Arkansas and lives inFayetteville, Ark.Jeremiah Hunter Newsom is a first yearstudent at LSU Health Science Center,married to Marion Yelverton Newsom (’03)and lives in Shreveport.Mindy Cole Mixon Hinderberger is arecruitment specialist for Clinical One,married and lives in Austin, Texas.Mary Esther Roberson, formerassociate professor of home economicspassed away on November 24, 2003.Miss Roberson served on the homeeconomics faculty from 1951 untilher retirement in 1975. She taughtclothing and textiles and sponsoredthe Euthenics Club. She was a chartermember of Beta Kappa Chapter ofthe Delta Kappa Gamma SocietyInternational. She made her home inArcadia after retiring from NSU.Riley (R.J.) Stoker, past president ofthe NSU Alumni Association passedaway on January 8, 2004. Stoker wasa 1932 graduate of Northwestern. Hewas a principle in Sabine Parish beforebecoming state director of school foodservices and commodity distributionfor the state of Louisiana. He wasinducted into both the NorthwesternState University Athletic Hall of Fameand the Louisiana High School AthleticAssociation Coaches’Hall of Fame.www.northwesternalumni.com Alumni Columns Spring 2004 / 15

Class Notes/ProfilesSoftball celebrates 25 yearsNorthwestern State University’s softball team has reacheda milestone in its history. The team celebrates its 25 th yearanniversary this season, taking time to reflect on teams fromthe past and look ahead to teams of the future.In 1979, head coach Pam Carey went 10-14 with the firstever softball team at NSU. Back then, the team played atHighland Park on Texas Street. These days, the softball teamcalls the Demon Diamond home. The current softball park isa 1,000 seat facility that has gone through major renovationsover the past year and will continue to change until it is one ofthe best facilities in the Southern Conference.Carey stayed with the Lady Demons for a year and wasfollowed by Debra Pheil in 1980, whose team record was 11-15. In 1981, James Smith began coaching the team where heaccomplished a winning season streak for three years. CoachSmith still remains on NSU’s athletic staff and serves as headcoach of the Lady Demon basketball team.“When I coached, kids played two or three sports, now it’smore specialized,” said Smith. “I was lucky to find someonewho pitched fast, now they have four or five of strong pitcherson the roster.”The NSU softball team wontheir first Southland ConferenceChampionship in 1991 under RickeyMcCalister. The team’s overall recordin the Southland Conference was 18-5. Players Rhonda Rube and GingerCraig were named 1991 NCAA All-Americans, one of the greatest honorsa college athlete can accomplish. Theuniversity has since retired both of theRickey McCalister women’s jerseys.Another six years went by before the softball teamwould win another Southland Conference title. In 1998, GayMcNutt’s team captured the SLC Championship and competedin the NCAA Softball Tournament. McNutt would go on towin the SLC Championship in 1999 and 2000. For the firsttime in history, the NSU softball team was 3-peat champs.Members of the 2000 Southland Conference Championship softball team.Ty Singleton coached the Lady Demons for the 2001 and2002 seasons. His team picked up another SLC Championshipand appeared at the NCAA tournament.In 2003, Eileen Schmidt took over the role as head coachwhere she hopes to return the girls to a championship season.“There’s a rich tradition of strong softball here atNorthwestern and I’m hoping to continue that throughout theSouthland Conference and the region,” said Schmidt.The first weekend in April, the softball team will host a 25-year reunion inviting past players and coaches who participatedin the program.Guess Who?Can you guess the names of the 1953-1954 Student Council officers? If so, please contact the Office of Alumni Affairsat (318) 357-4414 or (888) 799-6486. The first five people to call with the correct answers will win a prize!Alumni Columns Spring 2004 / 16

Alumni Information UpdatePlease fill this page out as completely as possible. We are constantly revising our records and your informationupdates are vital to making the system work. The information from this form is also used for entries in the“Class Notes” section. Please make a copy of this page and give it to any NSU graduate who may not be on ourlist. We can’t keep in touch with you if we can’t find you! Thank you.Date_____________________SSN:_________________________________Name: (Miss, Mrs. Mr.)___________________________________________________________________________________Last First Middle MaidenPlease CircleCurrent 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 or the NSU Athletic Association,you can contact them at the following address:Director of AdmissionsNorthwesternState UniversityRoom 103, Roy HallNatchitoches, LA 71497(318) 357-4503800-426-3754 (Louisiana)800-327-1903 (out of state)Director of Financial AidNorthwesternState UniversityRoom 109, Roy HallNatchitoches, LA 71497(318) 357-5961Athletic DirectorNorthwesternState UniversityRoom 101CAthletic FieldhouseNatchitoches, LA 71497(318) 357-5251

Thurman Baptiste (‘72), Bill Stewart (‘60), Mickey Crnkovic (‘58), Joan Darbonne Thornton (‘81) and Tracy Taylor Langston (‘84) wereinducted in the Graduate N Club Hall of Fame at the Fifth Annual Basketball Homecoming Celebration on Feb. 21 at Prather Coliseum.Alumni ColumnsNorthwestern State UniversityNatchitoches, LA 71497-0002PeriodicalsPostage PaidPostal PermitUSPS 015480