Alumni Columns (Volume Spring 2017)

2017·4.5 MB·

by  Northwestern State University

SPRING 2017
Northwestern State University Magazine
Messages
Alumni Columns
Official Publication of
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Organized in 1884
My fellow alumni: A member of CASE
Volume XXVII Number 1 Spring 2017
The Alumni Columns (USPS 015480) is published
I am deeply honored to serve as acting president for the next few months as we by Northwestern State University,
undergo a national search for a permanent replacement for Dr.  Jim Henderson.  Natchitoches, Louisiana, 71497-0002
Periodicals Postage Paid at Natchitoches, La.,
I would like to thank Dr. Henderson for two outstanding years of leadership and at additional mailing offices.
at NSU.  His open communication, transparent governance and focus on the POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the
Alumni Columns, Northwestern State University,
student experience have created positive momentum on campus and in our
Natchitoches, La. 71497-0002.
community.  I share his belief that our best days are ahead of us!  By working Alumni Office Phone: [phone] and 888-799-6486
FAX: [phone] • E-mail: [email protected]
collaboratively, we will maintain a positive environment that fosters excellence
for students, faculty and staff. NSU ALUMNI OFFICERS
Dr. Chris Maggio   President .........................Monty Chicola, Natchitoches, 1979, 1980
1985, 1991 The search process for NSU´s next president is underway and new leadership 1st Vice President ..................Dr. P. Cade Brumley, Stonewall, 2002
2nd Vice President...................................Caron Chester Coleman,
Acting President
should be in place by July 1. .............................................................................Natchitoches, 2000
Northwestern State Secretary................Patricia Hrapmann, New Orleans, 1973, 1978
University Treasurer......................................Mike Wilburn, Shreveport, 1975
One principle that Dr. Henderson stressed was open communication. I plan to
continue that practice and welcome the opportunity to share information that EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
impacts our university. NSU President ........................................ Dr. Jim Henderson, 1994
Vice President for External Affairs ....................Jerry Pierce, 1961
Assistant Vice President of External Affairs
In case you had not heard the good news, Northwestern State’s Spring 2017 for University Advancement ................Drake Owens, 2004, 2005
enrollment was up 540 students above last spring. We attribute this healthy Associate Director of
Alumni Affairs ....................................Vanner Erikson, 2011, 2014
growth to the university’s continued focus on recruiting, serving, educating and
retaining students. NSU is one of two universities in the state that is honoring BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wil Adams .............................................................Shreveport, 2009
the promise to students that they would be awarded a TOPS tuition scholarship Jerry Brungart .........................................Natchitoches, 1969, 1971
if they attained the ACT, GPA and curriculum standards.  Tommy Chester .................................................Natchitoches, 1969
Leonard Endris ...........................................Shreveport, 1974, 1975
Allen Evans ............................................................Shreveport, 1989
Please know that we have a strong ally in Dr. Henderson who will work in his John Evans ..........................................................Natchitoches, 1992
new role with the governor, legislature and others on behalf of NSU and the Dr. Hayward Hargrove.......................Black Mountain, N.C., 1964
Trey Hill ....................................................................Carencro, 1985
other UL System schools to search for meaningful solutions to problems that Carlos Jones..............................................Round Rock, Texas, 1993
Gail Jones ..........................................................Natchez, 1981, 1998
affect higher education. Just as important, we continue to have an opportunity
Matt Koury ................................................................Leesville, 1995
to show that, despite cuts and disinvestment in higher education over the past Bryant Lewis .........................................................Haynesville, 1958
W. Lane Luckie .....................................................Tyler, Texas, 2008
decade, our university is positioned to excel. It is important that we continue to
Dr. Lisa Landry Mathews......................................Shreveport, 1992
progress with our strategic vision and remain focused on our goal of becoming Leah Middlebrook .........................................................Dallas, 1986
Kip Patrick ...................................................Washington, DC, 1995
the nation’s premier regional university.
Cliff Poimboeuf .....................................................Shreveport, 1984
  Michael Prudhomme................................................ Natchez, 1984
Thank you for your continued support of me and of Northwestern State University. Joseph W. Schelette ...............................................Shreveport, 1969
Mark Spikes ..............................................League City, Texas, 1991
David Stamey .....................................................Natchitoches, 1982
Joseph B. Stamey ................................................Natchitoches, 1983
Glenn Talbert ........................................................Shreveport, 1964
Dear Alumni: Taylor Townsend................................................Natchitoches, 1986
Carlos Treadway .............................................Northville, MI, 1992
Marti Vienne ......................................................Natchitoches, 1982
Throughout this magazine, you can read about some of our extraordinary Ricky Walmsley .....................................................Mandeville, 1985
Dr. Leonard Williams ........................................New Orleans, 1993
alumni and what they are accomplishing in many different aspects of life. In
just a few days, we will honor five singular individuals by inducting them into STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
John Pearce .................................................Livonia, SGA President
the Long Purple Line, Northwestern State University’s Alumni Hall of Distinction.

Each person in this class of inductees has had great impact for our university and Publisher .................................................Drake Owens, 2004, 2005
Editor ..........................................Leah Pilcher Jackson, 1994, 2011
they serve as inspiration for our current students, who are, themselves, poised Contributors ....................................................................David West
to accomplish great things. Doug Ireland, 1986
Alec Horton
Drake Owens Photography ...........................................................Gary Hardamon
2004, 2005 The Long Purple Line induction will coincide with a new event we are extremely Karalee Scouten, 2015
Assistant Vice excited to present in partnership with the Louisiana Seafood Board: Flavor of Design/Layout ..................................Beth McPherson Mann, 1975
President of External Louisiana, an evening in which chefs and restaurants from around the state will
Affairs for University
offer samplings of seafood dishes, along with music and fun. We would love to
Advancement
have you join us for what promises to be a memorable event.
Northwestern State University is accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
The spring semester moves swiftly here on campus as we are in the midst of a
(SACSCOC) (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-
full schedule of events and receptions for both alumni and prospective students. 4097; telephone number 404-679-4501) to award associate,
If you are interested in becoming more involved with NSU, I urge you to do so. If baccalaureate, master’s, and specialist’s degrees.
you know of a student exploring college options, please introduce them to the This public document was published at a total cost of $17,826. 46,400 copies of
this public document were published in this first printing at a cost of $17,826.
Northwestern State family. We can help. The total cost of all printings of this document, including reprints is $17,826. This
document was published by Northwestern State University Office of University
Advancement and printed by Moran Printing, Inc., 5425 Florida Boulevard,
I thank you for your continued support of NSU and hope to see you at an event Baton Rouge, LA 70806 to foster and promote the mutually beneficial relationship
between Northwestern State University and its alumni, supporters and community
soon. partners. This material was printed in accordance with standards for printing
by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43.31. Printing of this material
was purchased in accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana
Revised Statues.
Northwestern State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy or parenting status, and veteran or retirement status in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the
Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies (i.e., Title IX): Employees/Potential Employees – Veronica M. Biscoe, EEO Officer (318-357-6359); Students – Frances Conine, Dean of Students
(318-357-5286). For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerns, contact the Disability Support Director, Catherine Faucheaux, at 318-357-4460. Additionally, Northwestern complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy & Campus Crime Statistics Act. Information about
NSU’s campus security and crime statistics can be found at http://universitypolice.nsula.edu/annual-security-report/. Full disclosure statement: http://universityplanning.nsula.edu/notice-of-non-discrimination.
Good News:
NSU records largest spring enrollment in over a decade
Northwestern State improve campus wide tutoring and Last fall, Northwestern State created
University’s spring semester academic support for students. A gift the first competency based degree
enrollment of 9,191 is an from State Sen. Gerald Long and his program in the state. The program in
increase of 540 students, or wife Rose helped fund the establish- computer information systems allows
ment of the center. students to learn and advance at their
6.1 percent, over last spring’s
own pace as they demonstrate mas-
registration count of 8,651.
tery of specific skills.
Everything that is accomplished at
This spring’s enrollment numbers A new Bachelor of Applied Science
Northwestern can be attributed to the combined
are the highest for a spring term at the in Resource Management has been
university since 2006, the first year of efforts of students, faculty, alumni, friends created, and the university has also
selective admissions, and the largest and stakeholders. When these groups with a developed post associate and post
gain in spring semester enrollment common interest in advancing our university baccalaureate certificates in qual-
since 2003. work together, we can do great things. ity control and project management
NSU Acting President Dr. Chris Mag- along with a post baccalaureate certifi-
— Dr. Chris Maggio
gio attributed the substantial enroll- cate in business analytics.
ment increase to “the university’s con- Northwestern State was ranked as
tinuing focus on academic excellence, most affordable online college in the
expanded efforts to attract and retain Northwestern has also focused United States by College Choice, a
outstanding students and an increased increased attention on realigning and leading authority in college and uni-
emphasis on meaningful and effective developing academic programs that versity rankings and resources.
student services.” give students expanded skills and Northwestern State is also imple-
Maggio said another major factor in training for high demand jobs in this menting a new Doctor of Education
the enrollment gain was Northwest- region and across the state. degree that will prepare individuals
ern’s decision “to provide full funding NSU has developed a coopera- for leadership positions that focus
for TOPS scholarships this spring to tive endeavor agreement with the on adult learning and development,
assist students in making the difficult Louisiana Department of Economic particularly in the community college
transition to reductions in the program Development to develop a trained setting.
enacted by the state.” workforce for CRSA, a global leader of Maggio said, “These innovative
TOPS recipients at universities state- next-generation technology services academic advancements will make the
wide received total funding for the and solutions at the Cyber Research university even more attractive to pro-
scholarships during the fall semester, Park in Bossier City. Through this spective students in the years ahead.”
but TOPS allocations were reduced by partnership, NSU will triple the size of
nearly 60 percent for the spring. the renowned computer information
Maggio noted that former NSU presi- systems program.
dent Dr. Jim Henderson, now head of The university has also signed sev-
the University of Louisiana System, eral new agreements with community
“made the decision to use funds and technical colleges throughout
from reserves, increased fall enroll- Louisiana to make it easier for students
ment revenues, private funding and with an associate degree to obtain a
other sources to honor the university’s bachelor’s degree.
commitment to TOPS student for the
spring, and that was obviously a good
investment.”
The NSU acting president said
student services were enhanced last
year with the opening of an Academic
Success Center in Watson Library to
11 SSPPRRIINNGG 22001177
Alumni News
Veteran principal turning around inner-city Houston high school
On Bertie Simmons’ first day as principal of Houston’s
Furr High School, one student threw another student
through a plate-glass window.
That was 17 years ago when the old granddaughter Ashley in a skiing
school on Houston’s east side was over- accident pushed Simmons back into
run with more than a dozen distinct the work force.
gangs. But Furr students will be moving “(Ashley’s) dream was to grow up and
into a new facility this coming school make the world a better place for all
year -- one where the walls will be com- people,” Simmons said. “She couldn’t do
pletely made of glass. Simmons and that, but perhaps I thought I could do
her staff don’t worry anymore about that.
the nonstop violence that plagued the “I wasn’t sure I would be accepted
school and the community. in a minority school and be respected
Now phrases like “Genius Time,” an with the gangs and the violence. A kid
innovative class structure where stu- was shot on campus the year before I
dents can explore topics ranging from came. Gangs had a contract out on the
climate data to iPad movie making to former principal’s life.”
Tai Chi, are the agenda items topping Simmons remembers a Houston
Dr. Simmons’ list. The 82-year-old television station interviewing a female
Northwestern State graduate shattered student and asking about her hopes
the school’s thug image and sparked and dreams.
a turnaround, resulting in Furr being “That girl said she hoped that she
named one of 10 “super schools” to didn’t get killed before the end of the
Dr. Bertie Simmons dresses up as a rapper receive a $10 million grant sponsored week,” Simmons said. “That devastated
at Furr High School in Houston as students by XQ Institute. The institute is led by me. We had to work even harder to stop
wrote a rap for a 2015 event promoting the Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple the violence.”
school’s one-to-one laptop initiative. Sim-
co-founder Steve Jobs. About two years into Simmons’
mons, a Northwestern State graduate and
Simmons said education is “frozen in tenure, a riot occurred on campus that
principal of Furr, helped her school receive a
time,” and she wants to guide students served as one of the turning points in
$10 million grant from XQ: The Super School
in developing creativity and innovation. the school. Instead of sending the 32
Project for reimagining high school.
“One of the things we’re focusing gang members to alternative school,
on is personalizing instruction,” said Simmons said she called a meeting be-
Simmons, who added the school will tween all of the school’s gang leaders,
use the $2 million received across five which was against school policy.
years in a variety of ways, including “I asked them what it would take to
constructing a community center and bring peace into their lives and peace
a health clinic. “We want to identify stu- into the school,” Simmons said. “They
dents’ passions and capitalize on those. didn’t trust anyone, not the govern-
“Our education system is producing ment, not the school system -- only
test takers. But we want to prepare our those in their gangs or their families.
students to be creative and innova- They thought that 9/11 didn’t happen,
tive to meet the demands of the 21st thought it was a movie to fool them
century. We want problem solvers, and because they are poor minorities.”
if we’re preparing for one big test, we Simmons suggested a trip to New
don’t have time to do that.” York City to see the Ground Zero site,
and after much convincing of students
Simmons, who served as an elemen- and administrators as well as scroung-
Dr. Bertie Simmons, principal of Houston’s tary school principal before eventually ing for funding, she led a trip comprised
Furr High School, meets with Houston ISD
becoming the superintendent of the of gang leaders and honor society
Superintendent Richard Carranza after her
Houston Independent School District, members, the latter group having just
school was awarded a $10 million grant from
came out of retirement in 2000 and nine members.
XQ: The Super School Project. Ten schools
promised the HISD she’d spend three “We signed a contract to stop the vio-
across the nation received the grant for
months at Furr until they could hire a lence if we took this trip, and the gang
reimagining high school. Simmons, a North-
western State graduate, turned Furr from a new principal. leaders helped me turn this school
dropout factory full of violence to a school She’d been in retirement five years around,” Simmons said of her early days.
that graduates more than 90 percent of its already, but the death of her 16-year- “If you show respect, you get respect.
students. Photos courtesy of Houston ISD.
2 SPRING 2017
“I think it helped me that I was older. I think her elementary education and English degrees.
they see me as a grandmother figure. They see “I worked my way through college and took summer
classes, too,” Simmons said. “It’s not necessarily how smart you
me as somebody who trusts them, so they in
are, it’s how hard you’re willing to work and the effort you put
turn trust me. We couldn’t get to academics if
into it.
we first didn’t stop the violence.” “Instead of saying, ‘Look at my grades, I must be smart,’ it’s
When Simmons took over in 2000, less than half of Furr stu- about having a growth mindset. When a student comes in and
dents were graduating from a high school where 95 percent says he or she doesn’t get Algebra II, I tell them that they don’t
of the kids are on free lunch. The economics haven’t changed, get Algebra II -- yet. It’s a whole different way of thinking.”
but the outcomes have. The graduation is above 90 percent The former Demon may come from humble beginnings in
now. Furr High is buried in a pollution-heavy area of Houston, Depression-era rural Louisiana, but the Simmons-led turn-
so environmental and social justice were tangible topics out- around of Furr High School has garnered national and interna-
side of a traditional classroom curriculum. tional attention.
Furr established a Green Institute three years ago in which Simmons has visited with reporters from the New York
students participate in planting trees and gardening as well Times and National Public Radio to filmmakers from France
as communicating environmental sustainability to its commu- and Spain regarding the school’s recovery. And the 82-year-
nity as part of the Houston Greenbelt. Other successes include old who’s already spent five years of retirement in her 60s says
the creation of a fine arts magnet complete with music, she can’t see an end in sight.
theater and dance to a school that didn’t have a band when “I fell in love with these students,” said Simmons, who’s the
Simmons arrived. Culinary students run a coffee shop that oldest principal in Texas and possibly the entire country. “I
is the setting for twice-monthly parent meetings at a school cannot tell you how excited I am to move into our new school
which previously had little to no parental involvement. building this coming fall that will be updated with the latest
The next step is the implementation of “Genius Time,” which technology. It will be the highlight of this side of the city. The
allows students to identify topics of interest which can be building will have all glass walls so you can see what’s going
teacher-led or even student-operated. on in every classroom.”
“It’s part of trying to give students a choice. We want them
to have a voice and have a choice,” said Simmons, who teaches
a class on social understanding social justice through rap and
hip hop. “We started Genius Time this year, and what’s hap-
pening is that students are taking over and starting to teach
their own topics.
“I had two senior girls that wanted to start a ‘Someone to
Run To’ mentor program for freshmen girls. Another two stu-
dents wanted to start a debate team, except they wanted to
run it and be in charge. There’s a lot of different things where
kids are assuming responsibility for their own education, and
that’s what I want to happen.”
Simmons, who said she’s always been an “outlier,” also has
different ideas on punishment. Furr rarely suspends students,
instead giving fellow students a say in the ‘Ye Olde Thinkery.’
“We want to implement restorative justice and rebuild
those relationships,” Simmons said. “We want to resolve prob-
lems in this student court of sorts. Furr used to be a pipeline
from the high school to prison. Now other schools are coming
to visit us and implement our systems and ideas.”
Simmons is a product of rural Jackson Parish,
graduating from Chatham High School before
attending Northwestern State. She graduated
college in 1955, taking just three years to obtain
3 SPRING 2017
Alumni News
Five distinguished alumni will be inducted into Long Purple Line
Northwestern State University Bailes has become a leading Delaney, a Haughton native, was
will honor five graduates figure in the field of sports-related a two-time All-America running back
concussion research in 1979-80 for the Demons, and joined
by inducting them into the
A world-renowned neurosurgeon, Mark Duper, Victor Oatis and Mario
University’s alumni hall of
Bailes is an advisor to the NFL Johnson on the Demons’ 1981 NCAA
distinction, the Long Purple
Players Association, the NCAA’s championship 4x100 meter relay team,
Line. The 2017 inductees are Competitive Safeguards and Medical earning All-America honors.
Dr. Julian Bailes of Chicago, Safety Committee, the Southeastern Delaney was selected in the second
Conference and Pop Warner football. round of the 1981 NFL draft and was
the late Joe Delaney, Dr. James
In the recent movie “Concussion” the 1981 AFC Rookie of the Year for the
Henderson and Gerard F.
starring Will Smith as Bailes’ colleague Chiefs and played in the Pro Bowl.
Thomas Jr. of Natchitoches
Dr. Bennet Omalu, award-winning Delaney died June 29, 1983, trying
and Lenn Dohmann Prince of actor Alec Baldwin portrayed Bailes in to save three children from drowning
Ruston. a film that brought sports concussion in a pond at an amusement park in
issues to a mainstream audience Monroe. One of the three survived.
Honorees will be honored at
spurring discussions of the safety and His No. 44 Demon football jersey
a luncheon on April 7 at 11:30
future of American sports. was retired at halftime of his final
a.m. in the Friedman Student
Bailes has testified in front of game at NSU. Since his death, no
Union Ballroom. Tickets are Congress regarding safety aspects of Kansas City player has worn his No. 37.
$20. For more information, sports, particularly football from the He is immortalized in several ways at
Pop Warner level up to the NFL, and Northwestern State, including plaques
call [phone] or go to
has taken bold positions related to at Turpin Stadium and the Ledet Track
northwesternalumni.com/lpl17.
safety of competitors. He has been Complex, and with the permanent
Since 1990, 120 NSU alumni
instrumental in implementing return- football team captains receiving Joe
have been named to the Long to-play protocols in all 50 states and Delaney Memorial Leadership Awards
Purple Line. internationally. annually. The Demons’ spring football
Bailes is chairman of the game has been known as the Joe
Department of Neurosurgery and Delaney Bowl since 1989 and the Joe
co-director of the Northshore Delaney Distinguished Supporter
Neurological Institute in Chicago. Award goes each year to a leading
Bailes is a founding member and backer of NSU Athletics.
director of the Brain Injury Research Delaney was posthumously awarded
Institute, which focuses on the study the Presidential Citizen’s Medal from
of traumatic brain injuries and their President Ronald Reagan, presented
prevention.  His research has been at his funeral by then Vice President
instrumental in the understanding George H.W. Bush to the Delaney
of the clinical evidence of Chronic, family. Delaney is enshrined in the
Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a N Club Hall of Fame, the Ark-La-Tex
progressive, degenerative disease Museum of Champions, the Louisiana
found in individuals who have been Sports Hall of Fame, the College
subjected to multiple concussions or Football Hall of Fame and the Chiefs’
sub-concussive blows. Ring of Honor at Arrowhead Stadium
He is a 2016 recipient of the Dave in Kansas City.
Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership His story was told in the 2015 ESPN
Award presented by the Louisiana film “Delaney.”
Sports Hall of Fame.
4 SPRING 2017
Bailes Delaney Henderson Prince Thomas
Henderson became president of Louisiana Department of Labor. several states, including nursing and
the University of Louisiana System on Henderson was in the private sector rehabilitation centers, pharmacies and
Jan. 1. He oversees one of the largest for 10 years in hotel management. therapy companies, as well as Port au
university systems in the United States Prince restaurant on Lake Claiborne
with more than 90,000 students on Prince is a native of Opelousas and Port au Prince Cross Lake.
nine campuses. who began studies at Northwestern She was inducted into the Mrs. H.D.
Henderson was president of State in 1972, where she was a Dear Sr. and Alice Estelle Dear School
Northwestern State for two years. member of the NSU Chorale and of Creative and Performing Arts Hall of
In that period, NSU increased played French horn in the NSU Fame in 2016.
overall enrollment and improved its Orchestra. She was a member of Delta
retention rate. Enrollment in the fall Zeta Sorority and represented NSU Thomas earned a bachelor’s
2016 semester increased by seven in the 1974 Miss Louisiana Pageant degree from Northwestern State in
percent to 9,819, the highest total as Miss Northwestern-Lady of the 1943. He was on active duty in the
since selective admissions were Bracelet. She graduated in 1975 United States Marine Corps from 1943
implemented in 2005. Northwestern with a bachelor’s degree in vocal to 1946. Thomas received a degree
State worked to strategically develop performance education and later from LSU Law School in 1948.
new programs that give students earned a master’s degree in vocal He became a highly regarded
access to high demand skills and give performance form the University of attorney with the firm of Thomas,
employers in the region a competitive Louisiana at Monroe. Dunahoe and Gregory practicing
advantage. While living in Albuquerque, New primarily in the field of negligence,
As NSU’s president, Henderson Mexico, Prince continued her vocal workman’s compensation and general
worked closely with students, faculty, studies with teacher and pedagogue trial practice. Thomas was selected by
staff, alumni and stakeholders Jane Snow, performing in many his peers to appear in the publication,
to strengthen the university. He vocal ensembles in Albuquerque and “The Best Lawyers in America.”
was honored at the spring 2016 Santa Fe and with the Southwest As an attorney, Thomas devoted
commencement ceremony with a Opera Chorus in Albuquerque. While countless hours to the profession
resolution from Northwestern State’s working towards her master’s degree, through his activities in professional
Faculty Senate for his “multiple Prince was awarded a scholarship from organizations. He was state
creative and innovative efforts to the University of Miami to study in committeeman for the American
revitalize the life of the university.” Salzburg, Austria, during the Salzburg College of Trial Lawyers and American
Henderson was chancellor of Bossier Opera Festival where she studied and Trial Lawyers Association and
Parish Community College from 2009 was coached by numerous world- president and state committeeman of
- 2014. In that time, BPCC grew its renowned opera performers and the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association.
enrollment by more than 84 percent teachers. Thomas served as a member of the
and increased annual certificate and After moving to Ruston in 1992, Louisiana State Bar Association House
degree completions by 90 percent. He Prince was host for many years to of Delegates, chairman of the State
was senior vice president, workforce Northwestern State’s north-central Bar Association section on negligence,
and economic development/career & Louisiana recruiting reception in worker’s compensation and admiralty
technical education for the Louisiana her home. She was also a member and president of the LSU Law School
Community & Technical College of the Ruston Masterworks Chorus Alumni Association. He was a member
System from 2005 to 2009. and the soprano soloist for many of the Judiciary Commission of
From 2001 to 2005, he was director performances. Louisiana from 1983 to 1987, serving
of administration and director of Prince and her husband Danny own as chairman in 1987.
workforce development for the and operate several businesses in
5 SPRING 2017
Alumni News
Spotlights
NSU alum Charles McDuffie was ana Supreme Court 3rd District. received many honors as an engaged
one of six Texarkana citizens rec- Genovese took his oath of office, student.
ognized during the 12th annual Dr. which was administered by U.S. 5th NODA is the professional association
Martin Luther King Jr. Purpose Driven Circuit Court of Appeal Chief Judge for orientation, transition and reten-
Acts of Kindness Gala. The awards cov- Carl Stewart, in front of a crowd of tion in higher eduation. The mission
ered various public service categories nearly 1,000 people, including Louisi- of NODA is to provide education,
inspired by the slain civil rights leader’s ana Gov. John Bel Edwards. leadership and professional develop-
life and legacy. Genovese received his bachelor’s ment in the fields of college student
The categories were Education, degree from Northwestern State Uni- orientation, transition and retention.
Spirit, Leadership, Business, Service, versity in 1971 and his juris doctorate The organization strives to create a
Community Involvement, Volun- from Loyola University in New Orleans community of practice that defines
teerism, Justice, Individual and Drum in 1974. The Opelousas-native served and enriches the fields of orientation,
Major. as a judge ad hoc for the Opelousas transition, and retention.
McDuffie received the Acts of Kind- City Court from 1975-1989 and was
ness Justice Award. He attended NSU a Louisiana state district court judge Coach Ed Orgeron was named
from 1985 to 1987 and he has served from 1995-2004. He has served as a head football coach at Louisiana State
as a law enforcement officer since judge for the Louisiana 3rd Circuit University last fall.
2005. He currently works as a campus Court of Appeal since 2005 and is cur- Orgeron played as a defensive
police officer for the Liberty-Eylau rently serving on multiple committees lineman at Northwestern State from
Independent School District. He’s been for the 3rd District Court of Appeal 1981-84 before moving into a 33-year
married to Lisa McDuffie for the last 25 including the Information Technology coaching career. Before his tenure at
years, and they have a daughter, Kris- Committee, Costs Committee, Security LSU under Coach Les Miles as de-
tin. Since starting his career, McDuffie Committee, Building Committee and fensive line coach, his coaching jobs
has earned the Mental Health Police Continuity of Operations and Emer- included a stint at USC as a defensive
Officers Certification, Self Defense gency Preparedness Committee. coordinator and an interim head
Instructors Certification and Homeland coach. He served as the head coach at
Security Certification, and he currently Ole Miss from 2005-07 and a defensive
serves on Bowie County Child Welfare line coach for the Saints in 2008.
Board and the Texarkana Teen Court. In January, he was named one of
Louisiana Life magazines Louisianians
Lola Dunahoe (1971) of Natchi- of the Year for 2016.
toches was appointed by Louisiana
Governor John Bel Edwards to serve Natchitoches native Lt. Col.
on the Board of Supervisors for Jonathan D. Lloyd took command of
the University of Louisiana System, the Louisiana National Guard’s 165th
the group responsible for manag- Combat Sustainment and Support
ing Northwestern State, Grambling, Battalion during a ceremony in Bossier
Louisiana Tech, McNeese, Nicholls, City in January. The battalion, which
Southeastern, the University of has assisted in during Hurricanes
Louisiana-Lafayette, University of Katrina, Rita, Ike, Gustav and Isaac,
Louisiana-Monroe and University of helped distribute resources during
New Orleans. She will serve as an at- Quincy Spencer Louisiana’s devastating floods in March
large member of the board. and August of 2016, as well as served
Dunahoe is office manager for the Quincy Spencer (2005), director of after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Dunahoe Law Firm in Natchitoches. New Student & Family Programs at the in 2010. Units from the battalion have
She earned a Bachelor of Science University of Arkansas, was elected also supported Operation Desert
degree at NSU and holds a lifetime as the National Orientation Director’s Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom
teaching certificate. Association (NODA) president-elect. and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spencer is a former Freshman Connec- The battalion will deploy to Afghani-
Judge James “Jimmy” Genovese tor and coordinator of New Student stan at the end of 2017.
took oath in January as the newly- Orientation at NSU. He was Mr. NSU Lloyd received his commission from
elected associate justice of the Louisi- 2002, NSU Homecoming King and the Louisiana Officer Candidate School
Continued on page 7
6 SPRING 2017
Alumni News
in 1996, earned a bachelor’s degree and related or unexplained conditions.
at NSU in 1997 and is a graduate of Last December, she moved to a new
Armor Officer Basic Course, Maneuver office space in Rockwall and engaged
Captains Career Course, Intermediate another rheumatologist to join the
Level Education and Air Assault School. practice.
In addition to seeing 500 patients
“Stealing Sunrise 2: Malibu Trail,” an per month, Hennigan is the only
action drama film starring NSU alum rheumatologist with privileges at Texas
Rhett Crosby, premiered in Decem- Health Presbyterian Hospital. She is
ber. Set in 1995, the film is a sequel the author of several articles on the
to a 2015 film in which two strangers subject and speaks to physicians and Kayla Ashford of Baton
interconnected to violent events from residents of assisted living facilities on Rouge, a senior who graduated
9 years earlier team up to hunt down symptoms, diagnosis and treatments last December, was the first
the person responsible. of rheumatoid diseases. Northwestern State University
The original film, set in 1986, tells Hennigan and her husband Ted student to receive her NSU class
the story of four friends who embark Brockway have a 4-year-old daughter. ring in an evening ceremony on
on a crime spree in an attempt to After earning her degree in liberal Normal Hill last fall, presented
escape their dreary city and retire arts with a concentration in chemistry by past president Dr. Jim Hen-
in Malibu. The recent sequel begins derson. Rings were stored in a
nearly a decade later with unresolved historic trunk and guarded on
business, characters from the past and campus by ROTC Cadets prior to
a chance to make right their earlier the ceremony, which began in
crimes. Turpin Stadium. The rings were
Crosby attended NSU from 1994-99 carried in a procession through
where he was starting defensive tackle campus to Normal Hill, accom-
for three seasons and earned a degree panied by graduating seniors,
in journalism. Always passionate about their guests, NSU administrators
theatre and the arts, he gained experi- and a ceremonial drum escort.
ence in stage acting and performing NSU class rings and jewelry
and, after working with professional are available to graduates and
actors, agents, casting directors, transi- alumni through Josten’s. Rings
tioned to professional commercial and are numbered sequentially,
film work. He is skilled at voices, ac- beginning with Ring #1 that
cents, sounds and impersonations and was presented to Henderson, a
can be seen in dozens of commercials, 1994 graduate, last summer by
TV shows and films. the staff in Alumni and Devel-
Stephanie Hennigan
opment. His wife Tonia Hen-
and daughter Fiona
Dr. Stephanie Hennigan was fea- derson, a 1993 NSU graduate,
tured in a business profile for Buffalo was presented with a matching
Creek Magazine, a newsletter for her at NSU, Hennigan earned her medical necklace pendant. Six NSU
community near Dallas. Hennigan, a degree from LSU New Orleans where class ring options are available.
Natchitoches native and 1999 gradu- she developed an interest in immunol- Graduating seniors can order
ate of the Louisiana Scholars’ College, ogy, a subset of internal medicine. She their rings, along with gradua-
is a rheumatologist with the Texas completed her three-year residency in tion invitations and other items,
Rheumatology Institute in Rockwall, internal medicine at the Medical Uni- during Grad Fest each semester
Texas. versity of South Carolina and began a and receive their rings during
Hennigan began her rheumatology fellowship at the University of Califor- a ceremony just prior to com-
practice in Richardson, Texas in 2008 nia at San Diego. mencement. Alumni can order a
and moved to Rockwall in 2011. Texas In her free time, Hennigan enjoys class ring or other NSU jewelry
Rheumatology Institute addresses hunting with her husband and is an by visiting Jostens.com and
the needs of all rheumatic patients, extreme couponer, which benefits her selecting Northwestern State
which includes diagnosis and treat- local food pantry. University as the user’s school
ment of arthritis, lupus, scleroderma group.
7 SPRING 2017
Alumni News
Sands publishes third novel in ‘Alabama’ series
On the Bookshelf:
“Forever, Alabama,” the third installment in a book series My books aren’t heavy literary fiction, but they are escapism
by Susan Noel Sands, was released in March from the Tule reading. Sometimes we need that in today’s world.”
Publishing Group and is available in digital and print formats Sands graduated from NSU in 1989 with a B.S. in elementa-
at all major online distributors and some bookstores. Sands’ ry education. She met her husband, Doug Sands, who gradu-
novels explore romance and self-discovery in a small south- ated with a physical education degree in 1989, also at NSU.
ern town with a strong dose of humor. She credits a lifelong love of reading and growing up in the
“I’ve never aspired to be an academic, but I craft smartly- small town of Negreet for feeding her desire to write small-
written, Southern, family-involved women’s town Southern fiction.
fiction/romance with lots of humor,” she said. She lives in Johns Creek, Georgia, with her
“They are fun with substance.” husband and their teen daughter. She has a son
“Forever, Alabama” and Sands’ previous two attending college at Kennesaw State Univer-
books, “Again, Alabama” (2015) and “Love, Ala- sity—Southern Polytechnic, and one who is an
bama,” (2016), are set the same small Alabama employed graduate of the University of Geor-
town, and although independent stories, share gia’s Terry College of Business.
characters from the same family. As a published author, Sands appears at book
“I grew up in a small Southern town, so I’m festivals and book events for signings and ap-
intimately familiar with the dynamics of the pears on panels with other authors. She also
culture. Close family ties, tiny schools, a high gives talks at women’s groups and local book
interest in the doings of others within the com- clubs. With book release events planned for this
munity and so forth. I use my own experiences spring, she will be featured at the Dahlonega
without revealing individuals from time to time. Literary Festival and will appear at a multi-au-
I mean, some of it is just too perfect not to,” she said. thor event at FoxTale Book Shoppe (foxtalebookshoppe.com/
Reviews from Sands’ first two books were positive, both events) on April 29.
earning over four-star average ratings on Goodreads and “Music of all kinds, cooking, reading great stories and
Amazon, which encourages her in writing the next story. watching movies are just a few things that get my creativ-
“The most satisfying responses I’ve received have been ity flowing. I’m also inspired by other writers and individu-
from readers who reach out to let me know that my sto- als who refuse to quit when their journey seems impossible,”
ries have gotten them through trying emotional times,” she Sands said. “I’m such a late bloomer. I started writing at forty.
said. “One reader read my book aloud to her mother during This has been such a challenging and rewarding journey, so I
her last days. I was incredibly touched to share that with her. encourage everyone at any age to go after your dreams.”
Dillon Roy part of archaeology team to discover shipwreck
Northwestern State University alumnus Dillon Roy was part of a
team of student/staff field archaeologists from the University of West
Florida that discovered a shipwreck near Pensacola, Florida, last year.
Roy, a graduate student, was among the divers who discovered the
ship, referred to as Emanuel Point III, covered with sand in seven feet
of water. The ship was part of a fleet that in 1559 brought Conquista-
dor Don Tristan de Luna and his army to what is now suburban Pen-
sacola, site of the first European settlement in the United States. Most
of that fleet sank during a hurricane that struck the coast shortly after
Luna’s arrival.
The Emanuel Point Shipwreck Site, Florida’s oldest, was first dis-
covered in 1992 when the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research
conducted an underwater inventory of Pensacola Bay and searchers
located the remains of a Spanish galleon. Experts suspected that
other vessels from the Luna fleet were submerged in the bay and
NSU Alum Dillon Roy retrieved artifacts from a ship located EP II in 2006. EP III was discovered about 200 meters from
that sunk in Pensacola Bay in 1559. Roy was one of a shore, which could indicate it was a small vessel and possibly one of
team of University of West Florida students and faculty the earliest ships built in the New World.
who discovered and excavated the shipwreck site. Roy was one of the divers who returned to the surface with artifacts
in their hands. The team from the UWF archaeology program discov-
ered ballast stones, iron concretions, an articulated hull of the ship with
frames and hull planking and remnants of ceramics carried on the ship.
Continued on page 9
8 SPRING 2017