Alumni Columns (Volume Spring 2014)

2014·22.7 MB·English

by  Northwestern State University

SPRING 2014
Northwestern State University Magazine
Messages
Alumni Columns
Official Publication of
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Organized in 1884
A member of CASE
Volume XXIV Number 1 Spring 2014
The Alumni Columns (USPS 015480) is published
by Northwestern State University,
Dear Alumni: Natchitoches, Louisiana, 71497-0002
Periodicals Postage Paid at Natchitoches, La.,
and at additional mailing offices.
For several years now, Northwestern State University has POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the
Alumni Columns, Northwestern State University,
placed an emphasis on service and made an effort to highlight
Natchitoches, La. 71497-0002.
the accomplishments of students and alumni whose endeavors Alumni Office Phone: [phone] and 888-799-6486
benefit the greater good. In this issue of the Alumni Columns, FAX: [phone] • E-mail: [e-mail]
you will read about several extraordinary individuals who have
NSU ALUMNI OFFICERS
dedicated themselves to improving the lives of other people President .....................Joseph B. Stamey, Natchitoches, 1983
Dr. Randall J. Webb, and the world around them. I hope their profiles will inspire 1st Vice President ........Tommy Chester, Natchitoches, 1969
1965, 1966 2nd Vice President.......Charles “Buddy” Wood, Many, 1981
you to give of yourself in your own community in your own Secretary-Treasurer .................Matt Bailey, Shreveport, 2003
President
way.
Northwestern State
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
University The university is moving forward to develop academic Assistant Vice President of External Affairs for
programs that will serve our region and state and help business University Advancement ..............Chris Maggio, 1985, 1991
and industry meet their needs. Associate Director of
Alumni Affairs ................................Haley Blount, 2006, 2007
We are excited about a new Doctor of Nursing Practice
program that we plan to begin this fall. This program is a BOARD OF DIRECTORS
practice-focused doctoral degree for nurses seeking to further Will Adams.....................................................Shreveport, 2009
Matt Bailey.....................................................Shreveport, 2003
their career in advanced nursing practice. Northwestern State
Dr. P. Cade Brumley ........................................Stonewall, 2002
will have the only program of its type in north Louisiana and we Jerry Brungart .................................Natchitoches, 1969, 1971
anticipate strong demand for the degree. Monty Chicola ....................................Alexandria, 1979, 1980
Caron Chester Coleman ...........................Natchitoches, 2000
Northwestern State Practitioner Teacher Program (PREP),
Leonard Endris ...................................Shreveport, 1974, 1975
an alternate certification pathway to teaching, will be available Allen Evans ....................................................Shreveport, 1989
online beginning this summer. PREP is a summer intensive John Evans ..................................................Natchitoches, 1992
Michael Gallien..................................................Houston, 1981
program available to individuals who have already completed Dr. Hayward Hargrove...............Black Mountain, N.C., 1964
an undergraduate degree who would like to become certified Trey Hill ............................................................Carencro, 1985
Patricia Hrapmann .........................New Orleans, 1973, 1978
to teach.
Carlos Jones......................................Round Rock, Texas, 1993
Should you be seeking to further your education in one of Gail Jones ..................................................Natchez, 1981, 1998
these fields or know someone who would benefit from being Matt Koury ........................................................Leesville, 1995
Bryant Lewis .................................................Haynesville, 1958
part of these outstanding academic programs, I hope you will
Carroll Long ................................Longview, TX, 1967m 1970
go to our website at nsula.edu and get additional information. William L. Luckie .........................................Lufkin, TX, 2008
Thank you for all you do to support Northwestern State Dr. Lisa Landry Mathews..............................Shreveport, 1992
David Morgan ...............................................Austin, TX, 1973
University.
Kip Patrick ...........................................Washington, DC, 1995
Cliff Poimboeuf .............................................Shreveport, 1984
Joseph W. Schelette .......................................Shreveport, 1969
Glenn Talbert ................................................Shreveport, 1964
Carlos Treadway .....................................Northville, MI, 1992
Marti Vienne ..............................................Natchitoches, 1982
My fellow alumni:
Ricky Walmsley .............................................Rogers, AR, 1985
Mike Wilburn................................................Shreveport, 1975
In the last few weeks, I have had the privilege of meeting Dr. Leonard Williams ................................New Orleans, 1993
many alumni and friends who attended our recruiting recep-
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
tions and Alumni After Hours events in all corners of the state. Kyla Winey ......................................Lafayette, SGA President

More of these events are scheduled to take place through the
Publisher .........................................Chris Maggio, 1985, 1991
rest of the spring season, so please check the back page of this Editor ..................................Leah Pilcher Jackson, 1994, 2011
magazine for a listing of After Hours events in your area. Contributors ............................................................David West
Doug Ireland, 1986
As I write this, we are in final preparations for the Presi-
Dr. Chris Maggio, Brittany Russ
1985, 1991 dent’s Command Performance, a spring gala that will honor Photography ....................................................Gary Hardamon
Assistant Vice Bill Brent as the first inductee into the Creative and Performing Design/Layout ..........................Beth McPherson Mann, 1975
President of External Arts Hall of Fame. You can read about some of Bill’s accom-
Northwestern State University is accredited by the Commission on
Affairs for University plishments in our Lagniappe section. You can also read about Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866
Advancement Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-
Dr. Stan Chadick’s selection to receive a certificate of Meritori-
679-4501) to award Associate, Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Specialist
ous Service from the Mathematical Association of America. degrees.
These are just two examples of our outstanding faculty who
This public document was published at a total cost of $15,000. 47,000
impacted thousands of students during their careers at North- copies of this public document were published in this first printing
at a cost of $15,000. The total cost of all printings of this document,
western. including reprints is $15,000. This document was published by
I hope you will make plans to visit Natchitoches during Northwestern State University Office of University Advancement
and printed by Moran Printing, Inc., 5425 Florida Boulevard, Baton
our city’s Tri-Centennial. Information about that is available Rouge, LA 70806 to foster and promote the mutually beneficial
relationship between Northwestern State University and its alumni,
on Page 16. We look forward to seeing you and, as always,
supporters and community partners. This material was printed in
thank you for your continued support of Northwestern State accordance with standards for printing by state agencies established
pursuant to R.S. 43.31. Printing of this material was purchased in
University. accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised
Statues.
Northwestern State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age 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 and Tutoring
Director, Catherine Faucheaux, at 318-357-4460. Full disclosure statement: universityplanning.nsula.edu/notice-of-non-discrimination/. *Inquiries regarding employment applications should call Business Affairs (318-357-5446).
Alumni News
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ed a Graduate Information Update form on their website. The Demon Regiment is
The form is accessible 24 hours a day seven days a week currently updating its database.
as a way for alumni to update their contact information ROTC alumni who would like to
without having to call the Alumni Affairs office or email update their contact information
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Direct access to the form can be found at [e-mail].
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Christmas Festival raffle offers a chance to win a weekend in the City of Lights
NSU Christmas Gala on Friday, Dec. 5. The package
also includes admission for two to the 88th annual
Natchitoches Christmas Festival and admission for two
to the NSU Foundation/City of Natchitoches joint private
reception at the Prudhomme-Roquier House from 10
a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.
“The Raffle ticket information is posted on our website
and people can purchase tickets there as well,” said
Haley Blount, associate director of Alumni Affairs. “When
someone purchases a ticket online, I will fill out a printed
ticket just like anyone purchasing in person. We’ll be
selling these tickets at all of our alumni events in various
cities throughout the spring.”
Northwestern State University’s Office of Alumni Tickets are $10. All proceeds will benefit the NSU
Affairs is hosting a raffle contest for alumni interested in Alumni Association.
attending the 2014 Natchitoches Christmas Festival. For more information or to purchase a raffle ticket,
The Christmas Festival raffle includes a $50 gas card, contact Blount at [phone] or e-mail blounth@
two nights (Friday, Dec. 5-Saturday, Dec. 6) at a local nsula.edu. The direct link to purchase tickets via the
hotel, admission or two to the NSU Foundation Christmas Alumni Association website, visit
Gala reception and admission for two to the 9 p.m. northwesternalumni.com/raffle14.
1 SPRING 2014
Shannon Strother is pictured wearing a bulletproof vest with members of a UNICEF security team while in the Central African Republic.
Strother was there last year when Seleka rebels took Bangui, the capital, and violence erupted.
Courage, dedication motivate nurse to pursue
relief work despite often dangerous conditions
“Everything we do is impor- practices to allow children to be chil- Its hard work to change the context
tant, one way or another. It dren and have their basic rights filled.” and thinking of a country but it is ter-
might be changing a life one at The team recently helped the ribly humbling and I learn every day.”
government pass a law to make the Strother’s career in international
a time or changing laws that will
recruitment of children into armies ille- humanitarian work has taken her to
protect children moving for-
gal and is now working to change the some of the world’s most dangerous
ward.”
legal age of marriage from 12 to 17. and unstable locales, places ravaged
So says Shannon Strother, currently
They are also working with the govern- by political unrest or natural disasters.
working in the war-torn Republic of
ment to make sure children can attend Prior to the post in Mali, she worked
Mali, a poverty-stricken West African
school and get medical treatment for closely with displacement camps,
nation recovering from a 2012 military
commonly fatal diseases. hospitals, nutrition centers and with
coup that left hundreds of thousands
“I travel to the field to work with the survivors of violence, but is now work-
of displaced people facing a food crisis
governors and their teams on mak- ing at a higher level with government
and ongoing concerns about security.
ing sure that they are providing basic officials “to change the larger picture
Strother works with UNICEF, the United
services to children and that these chil- and to make sure children have what
Nation’s Children’s Fund, currently
dren are receiving the best they can, they need to survive. But for the first
leading a team of professionals in
but saying this, less than 50 percent 10 years, I was in the trenches.”
social policy.
of children have access to schools, 97 Strother grew up in Shreveport and
“We work closely with the govern-
percent of girls and women have expe- earned a nursing degree from North-
ment, non-governmental organiza-
rienced female genital mutilation and western State in 1995.
tions and communities affected by the
there are an estimated 16,000 street “I never thought I would be a nurse,
drought, conflict and jihadists in Mali,”
children in Mali. We work to make much less a pediatric nurse -- which
she said. “The most interesting thing
sure that these children at least get a I purposefully tried to avoid -- but I
is working to change laws, policy and
chance at a good, safe, productive life. ended up doing an internship at LSU-
continued on page 3
2 SPRING 2014
Shannon Strother continued from page 2
Shreveport in the pediatric emergency
room and outpatient clinic in my last
semesters in nursing school in Shreve-
port,” she said. “After graduation I
moved in New Orleans and worked
at Ochsner Hospital in the pediatric
intensive care unit (PICU). After about
1-1/2 years in the PICU I decided I
wanted to move overseas and change
lives.”
While working fulltime at the PICU,
she completed coursework for a mas-
ter’s degree from the Tulane University
School of Tropical Medicine and Public
Health in 1998, then volunteered with
the Peace Corps.
“When I got back from the Peace Strother is pictured with the Minister of Territorial Administration and his staff
Corps I had decided working over- with her team of social policy professionals in Mali.
seas was for me and I was particularly
interested in emergency health and tocol for the identification, reference, “You can imagine that working in
nutrition,” she said. “I had my eye treatment and follow-up of children these types of environments can be
on Sudan, where there was a severe suffering from acute malnutrition. very stressful – from seeing extraordi-
nutrition crisis and children were dy- “These are the kids you see on TV nary suffering and poverty every day,
ing. I applied and was hired by Action that are starving to death. This proto- everywhere, to managing security
Contre la Faim (ACF) or Action Against col was important because, prior to incidents such as jihadist blowing up
Hunger which is a French international this, in DR Congo, kids that were dying UN staff to hundreds of thousands
non-government organization who from malnutrition were considered to of people being displaced by armed
is the world leader in emergency or be pregnant, cursed, sorcerers, etc., so fighting. When I was in the tsunami, af-
humanitarian nutritional programs. it was a real success to have the gov- ter 2 months of being there, they were
Specifically, they work in saving lives ernment to recognize this was needed still finding approximately 800 bodies
of children who are literally dying from and have it done to save lives.”  per day and that is only one example
being malnourished in developing Strother stayed with UNICEF from of the kinds of things I have seen. You
and humanitarian contexts – including 2001-08, working in conflict countries have to find how you can manage with
those countries that are impacted by like Haiti’s 2004 coup d’etat and in all sorts of stuff.”
natural disasters like Haiti or the Philip- Ivory Coast, Liberia, DR Congo and  She is constantly humbled by what
pines or conflict zones like Democratic Uganda. She provided support to the she sees.
Republic of the Congo, Syria or Mali.  tsunami ground zero in Indonesia, “The coping mechanisms that moth-
“With ACF I ended up being sent to worked in Madagascar following Cy- ers use to keep their children safe and
work in Eastern Democratic Republic clone Ivan, the Liberia crisis and most alive like selling mangos or bananas
(DR) of Congo, where they were in the recently was in Bangui, Central African to making their food stretch beyond
middle of a new rebellion and actually Republic during the 2013 coup d’etat, what we would think is normal. In
lived in Bujumbura Burundi, which is managing the emergency program for Mali, over 1.4 million children under
just across Lake Tanganyika from East- UNICEF as the Seleka rebels took the five years old live in households that
ern Congo. I continued to work with country and it fell into chaos. earn less than $1.25 a day – can you
ACF until 2001 in eastern DR Congo, She left UNICEF from 2008-2011 imagine? For a family, that is maximum
Angola, western DR Congo. When I and worked at an emergency and $37.50 a month. I don’t know how
was sent to work in the Democratic homeland security research institute at they do it. They are amazing and we
Republic of Congo in 1998, I did not University of Louisiana-Lafayette and are working to help lessen the load a
speak French and ended up using a later with Tulane University’s resil- bit.”
type of charades to learn French and ience masters program and research Strother said her family, particularly
Swahili so that I could communicate institute. her mother, has always supported her,
with my Congolese team, community “Now I’m back to UNICEF.  I have encouraging her to seek ways to make
leaders, mothers of malnourished literally run from lava in Congo, hidden the world a better place.
children and the children themselves under my bed in Angola as rebels were “I learn everyday something new.
– needless to say, it was an interesting attacking our village, and been ‘held’ I am consistently challenged and
and frustrating time.” by rebels for two days – its been a trip.” humbled and I consider it an honor to
In 2001, Strother was recruited by To cope with those hardships, be able to serve people in all sorts of
UNICEF in Kinshasa where she had just Strother recharges by listening to mu- contexts. I have been lucky to fall into
assisted the government of DR Congo sic, reading, swimming and meditat- a career that makes me feel profes-
in writing a national nutritional pro- ing. sionally and spiritually full.”
3 SPRING 2014
CAP volunteer Stephanie Guffey Nelsen knows what art means to
child cancer patients -- she was one herself
The work is especially meaningful for 1974 with a degree in geography and
Nelsen, herself a former cancer patient, anthropology. As a child, she divided
diagnosed in May 1982 at age 11 with her time between Houston and Lees-
osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in ville until her stepfather took a job in
her left tibia. Nicosia, Cyprus, where she finished high
“I went through 18 months of chemo- school at the American International
therapy, which was scary and no fun at School before enrolling at Northwestern
all. By September 1982, just four months State. She earned a bachelor’s of social
later, I had lost 70 percent of my hearing work degree in 1993 and continued on
due to nerve damage from the chemo. in pursuit of a master’s degree through
At the time it proved to be a real chal- a CAP Graduate Scholarship.
lenge because technology back then “I am forever grateful that they award-
didn’t help much. Not so now. Digital ed it to me. I graduated May 8, 1998,
hearing aids and other equipment have with a Master of Arts in Student Person-
given me my life back.” nel Services. During graduate school I
While many was a graduate assistant and intern to
Stephanie Guffey Nelsen poses in front of osteo patients Dr. Sue Weaver at the General College. I
the Children’s Art Project float in Houston’s have amputa- was in charge of Disability Services, and
Thanksgiving Day Parade. tions or limb that is why I got the SPS degree at first. I
Stefanie Guffey Nelsen is devoted salvage surgery loved doing that.”
to making life better for children with in which the After grad school, she moved back
cancer and has for the last nine years bone is re- to Houston and, despite the challenges
volunteered with the MD Anderson moved, Nelsen presented by her hearing loss, eventu-
Cancer Center Children’s Art Project. The had neither. ally began working as an academic
Children’s Art Project (CAP), formerly the After finishing advisor at the University of Houston.
Stephanie at age 11
Children’s Christmas Card Project, began chemotherapy, She married her husband Matt in 2011
during cancer treatment
in 1973 and provides cheer and comfort she underwent and the two enjoy Li, their Shih Tzu,
to children battling cancer while fund- an allograft procedure in 1985 in which whose adoption was arranged through
ing patient-focused programs at MD a portion of her tibia was removed and a friend and fellow survivor Nelsen met
Anderson. a donor bone implanted. The bones as a child at MD Anderson.
“We just celebrated our 40th an- were slow to attach, so during two more Although she is not directly involved
niversary of helping ‘make life better operations, bone chips from her hips in working with the pediatric cancer
for children with cancer,’ which is our were packed between the donor bone patients, Nelsen said no task is too small
motto,” Nelsen said. and the natural bone to tighten the gap and she finds it rewarding to meet other
Through CAP, the artwork and draw- and force them to grow together. The volunteers who share her passion, as
ings of child cancer patients is featured third surgery was a success and recov- well as the CAP staff. She was also able
on note cards, gift items and other ery followed quickly. to meet some of 2013’s star designers at
merchandise that returns more than “During my time at MD Anderson Houston’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
$30 million to programs that benefit I got to make designs for the Christ- “CAP made a float and the kids rode
pediatric cancer patients and their fami- mas cards for what was then still The on convertibles and waved to the
lies. But the program’s highest priority Children’s Christmas Card Project. My crowd. They also got to be on TV as the
is ensuring that young patients have designs were never chosen for the news crews talked to them on camera.
opportunities to live a more normal cards that were sold, but it was fun to I know that was cool for them. My
childhood. Nelsen plays a behind-the- make them. Just for a little while we husband and I marched in front of the
scenes role that began with packaging had markers and crayons and a great float and carried the banner for them.
online orders for shipping and prepar- creative distraction from being a cancer We are very much a family at CAP, the
ing merchandise for sale. patient,” she said. “For Christmas 1982 staff, volunteers, kids and their families.
“Now I work fulltime so I can’t devote CAP asked me to be the representative It really makes things awesome.
as much of my time as I would like to child in The Children’s Christmas Card “CAP is rewarding to me because I
them, but I volunteer at the CAP Bou- Project TV commercial and of course know every single thing I do no matter
tique at Uptown Park in Houston during I was happy to do it. CAP has meant how large or small is going to benefit
the holiday season and am part of the the world to me ever since then, and I those kids at MD Anderson,” Nelsen said.
Adopt-A-Display program,” she said, ex- always knew I’d eventually go back and “I was once one of those kids, and once
plaining that CAP places merchandise in volunteer for them.” you have been there you know what
displays all over the country and relies Nelsen’s family is from Leesville and they are going through. If I can help
on volunteers to oversee and replenish. her late grandfather, Charles Guffey Sr., make their lives just a little bit brighter
“Since CAP is a non-profit we depend drove the NSU commuter bus between while they are going through all that,
heavily on volunteers, so I feel like Leesville and Natchitoches in the 1970s and after then that is my reward.”
anything I can contribute is better than and 1980s. Her father, Charles Guffey For information on CAP, visit
nothing,” she said. Jr., graduated from Northwestern in childrensart.org.
44 SSPPRRIINNGG 22001144
On the Bookshelf
Lakeisha Gray published her first children’s
book, “Cankeyo.”
“This book is about three young girl friends that
aspired to dream big and achieve their dreams,”
Gray said. “Even in the midst of tests and trials
such as being raised in single-parent homes, fam-
ily issues or school-related issues, they still desire
to dream. Becoming a nurse, lawyer and teacher
was a real dream for these girls and they felt as
if when their dreams were fulfilled they could
impact, affect and help their community more.”
More information about the book is available
at cankeyo.com, where autographed copies are
Former Demon Rob Robertson, living and giving
available for purchase. Users can also leave com-
ments, suggestions and feedback on the site.
ob Robertson (2000) gives back to his community by
“This book has a great reading message and will
mentoring youth and supporting non-profits through a
encourage readers to have dreams, to dream big
matching program with his employer, Wells Fargo. Rob-
and not let anything or anyone stop them from
erts is a branch manager for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in
Atlanta, Ga., a member of the Leader’s Club, which recognizes dreaming,” Gray said.
the company’s top loan officers nationwide, and am ambas- Gray graduated from Northwestern State’s
sador in his area for Wells Fargo’s Live and Give Campaign. criminal justice program in 2007 and received the
Through the Live and Give Campaign, Robertson made con- Outstanding Alumnus Award from the criminal
tributions to his children’s school. justice program in 2012. She graduated from
“It’s a program that Wells Fargo does annually to give back
Southern University Law Center in 2011 and prac-
to the community,” he said. “It allows them to use the gifts to
tices law in Monroe, representing children who
expand or add something to the facilities. In my case, it helps
have been neglected or abused.
the school with academics and things for the kids to grow and
equip themselves with new technology.”
Fletcher McHale has released her debut
In addition to giving to the school, he also donated tickets
to a Baltimore Ravens/Pittsburgh Steelers game. novel, “Save Us A Seat.”
Robertson played with the NSU Demon football team and McHale studied history at Northwestern State-
was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens to play full back for two and currently lives on her century-old family farm
seasons in 1998-2000 and was roommates with former NFL in central Louisiana. She enjoys family, writing,
Offensive MVP Priest Holmes. football, baseball and raising a variety of animals.
“We did a lot in the community with the kids and giving
“Save Us A Seat” tells the story of Carrigan
back during speaking events, etc.,” he said. He is an active
Whitfield whose days revolve around having fun
member of the NFL Retired Players alumni and maintains a
with her two best friends until a shocking and
good relationship with Ravens executives. “I go back to a game
unexpected discovery turns her perfect life into
once per year to see the team. I do an annual father/son trip
a tumultuous storm. “Save Us A Seat” is the story
to Baltimore to take my son with me.”
After football, Robertson returned to Northwestern State to of a brutally honest, no-holds-barred, fiercely
finish his degree in business administration in 2000. loyal friendship between three women. Readers
Today, he is an ordained deacon in his church and a vol- will experience a roller coaster of emotions as the
unteer coach, leading a little league Pop Warner team of 27 friends navigate the sometimes hilarious, often
9-year-olds last fall. touching and always loyal road of friendship and
“Time is the main challenge,” he said. “But the rewards are
the joys and trials it brings.
when you see the light bulb go off and a kid is excited about
The book is available on Amazon.com. More
making a difference on the team. I think my main impact to the
information on McHale is available at fletcherm-
kids is being a role model and leading with character and integ-
chale.wordpress.com.
rity. Giving back to those kids is fulfilling and to see them unite
as one team working hard as young men was very uplifting.”
Robertson and his wife Nneka have been married 11 years
and have two children, Bryson O’Connor and Boston Olivia.
“We love life, we love to travel and to have quality family
time.”
5 SPRING 2014
Wayne Williamson’s line of work is finding work for others
Wayne Williamson has a talent for finding the right people
for the right job and giving them wings. With more than 40
years of experience in the personnel industry and an entre-
preneur with a hand in other ventures, Williamson’s energy
and work ethic have seen him through the highs and lows of
a long career in the business of putting people to work.
“Every day is a challenge,” said Williamson, who on a
recent busy morning was wearing many hats at the office of
Diversity One Staffing in Monroe, a business he runs with his
wife Kathy.
“My talent is taking people who never thought they
could become anything and seeing them grow their
business. There are many cases of me helping oth-
ers become successful business people. Exceptional
people do exceptional things when you give them a
chance,” he said.
Williamson, who earned his accounting degree at North-
western State in 1961, is currently writing a book about his
personal history, his boyhood in Montgomery, his love of
baseball, his years at Northwestern State and “things that
would be of interest to my grandkids.”
At NSU, he was freshman class president, business
manager of The Current Sauce and active in Blue Key when
the chapter was brand new. He also participated in ROTC “I’d never heard of an employment agency,” he said, but
and served in the Army for two years after graduation. His realized there could be a market an opportunity for such a
roommate and close friend was William “Billy” Muse, “a high business in north Louisiana.” He quickly gathered the funds
achiever who helped me get involved,” he remembered. to apply for a franchise and, through hard work, opened his
But before that, Williamson attempted a career in base- first office in 1968.
ball. “With people who joined me, over the next few years, we
“At that time, [NSU baseball] Coach Cracker Brown did opened 38 offices across 12 southern states,” he said.
not play freshmen,” he said. “I had been scouted by several Not all his endeavors were successful. A venture in a
major league clubs.” After the spring season, he tried out computer business in the late 1970s left him in debt and he
for the Shreveport Sports as a catcher in 1958. He was later sold all but two of his employment offices to partners. After
sold to the Kansas City Athletics, then sent to Class D Farm in working as a senior vice president for Snelling in the 1980s,
Plainview, Texas, until being cut that June. he was terminated. He had been running 450 Snelling of-
“So, I decided to get my education. I went back to Mont- fices and got 10 free franchises as severance.
gomery and went back to school and loved every minute of By 1990, he began opening offices without partners,
it,” said adding that, with only about 3,000 students “every- which grew to 38 offices in 20 states. He went indepen-
body knew everybody.” Williamson later earned an MBA dent in 1999 and sold to a Japanese company in 2003. He
from Pepperdine University. His roommate, Muse, went on continued to run the company, which eventually sold again,
to a distinguished career in higher education, serving as at which point he was laid off. For about two years, he was
president of the University of Akron and Auburn University primarily engaged in running a property location, lease and
and chancellor of East Carolina University, among other high development business, before joining Vistage International
administrative positions at universities around the country. as chair of a peer advisory group. In that capacity, he serves
“He put me in his book, so I’m returning the favor,” Wil- as a coach and mentor for CEOs and business owners seek-
liamson said. ing to improve their business performance. Last year, he
Williamson began his college career as a chemistry major and his wife Kathy opened Diversity One Staffing, where he
and admits he almost flunked out, but found his niche in serves as vice president.
accounting. Upon graduation, he went to work for a New “I don’t do small,” he said. The company has two offices
Orleans CPA firm, then was called to serve in the Army, and 17 employees in Monroe and Lafayette that engage in
stationed for two years at a missile site that protected executive search, local hire and temporary placement.
Barksdale Air Force Base. Williamson worked part time at a Williamson has been recognized by the Northeast Loui-
hospital in Shreveport and connected with the owner, who siana Business Association, Monroe’s Downtown Develop-
also owned a life insurance agency, which Williamson saw as ment Commission and other civic groups for leading the
an opportunity. He obtained a license and sold life insur- charge to revitalize downtown Monroe. He and Kathy are
ance, later going to work for All State, where he excelled in active in First Baptist Church-West Monroe and together
sales management. have four children. Both of Williamson’s adult children are
In the late 1960s, Williamson visited a friend in Metairie who entrepreneurs who got their start without his help.
had just purchased a Snelling and Snelling staffing franchise. continued on page 7
6 SPRING 2014
Spotlights
Jennifer Gray ‘Florida Insider Fishing Report’ for Sun safety performance, profitability and
(2002) joined CNN Sports and ‘Beyond The Reef’ in con- operational efficiency through better
as an Atlanta-based junction with the Guy Harvey Ocean tools and processes. Dr. Ramsey and
meteorologist late Foundation, raising awareness of his wife Patricia live in Helotes, Texas,
last year. Gray, who conservation issues facing the oceans near San Antonio.
is a member of the National Weather and Florida’s fisheries.
Association and has earned the AMS Gloria Jean Jackson Jennings, who
Seal of Approval from the American Dr. John Ramsey (1968, 1971) an- earned an associate degree in Child
Meteorology Society, will be based in nounced plans to retire from Tesoro Development in 1998, completed a
Atlanta at the network’s global head- Retail Marketing where he most re- general studies degree with add-on in
quarters.  cently was vice president. Tesoro is one elementary education at NSU in 2000.
Prior to joining CNN, Gray was the of the largest independent refiners In 2013, she completed a graduate
weekend morning show meteorologist and marketers of petroleum products degree at Grand Canyon University in
and a feature reporter for WTVJ, the in the U.S. Dr. Ramsey worked for Teso- K-6 education and is a teacher with the
NBC affiliate in Miami, where she cov- ro for 14 years and a total of 34 years Cumberland County School System.
ered severe weather in the field and in the industry. He joined Tesoro in She lives in Fayetteville, N.C. with her
helped produce specials that focused 2000 after distinguished careers in aca- husband Bruce Edward Billings Jr.
on hurricane preparedness and safety.  demia and at Texaco and led Tesoro’s
She co-hosted and co-produced retail marketing efforts in improving
Wayne Williamson continued from page 6
Williamson likes to work. “I can’t stay home and putter. I
try to enjoy what’s left of life.” Last year, Kathy gave him a
week with the New York Yankees at the Yankee’s Fantasy
Camp, where he played with several ex-Yankees as he played
catcher in eight games over four days.
Northwestern State University will become a tobacco free cam-
pus effective August 1. The new policy will prohibit tobacco use on
Advice he would give to aspiring business students:
all Northwestern State campuses.
• “Be prepared for the ups and downs and understand According to Vice President for University Affairs Marcus Jones,
you’re only as good as you perform. Your selection of the policy will cover all interior spaces on Northwestern State’s
business should be informed, but most entrepreneurs Natchitoches campus and branch campuses, properties leased or
are opportunists.” operated by the university, all campus housing, indoor and outdoor
athletic facilities, vehicles owned or leased by the university and
• “If you think you want to be in business, get your personal vehicles on the Northwestern State campus whether they
degree in accounting. I had the rare combination are moving or parked. The policy will apply to Northwestern State
of an accounting degree and a mentor in sales faculty, staff, students and visitors to campus including contracted
management so I learned to understand and can personnel, contractors and vendors. The policy applies to all univer-
teach sales management.” sity events and events held in university facilities.
Northwestern State has had a smoke-free campus policy, which
• “I’ve had several businesses that didn’t make it, some prohibits smoking within 25 feet of campus buildings and at out-
lost overnight. Some looked good on the surface but door athletic facilities.
didn’t work. The things you can’t see down the road “This policy is designed to create a healthier environment for
are the ones that bite you. But remember the words students, faculty, staff and visitors on Northwestern State’s campus
of Winston Churchill, ‘Never, never, never give up.’” by minimizing tobacco use,” said Jones. “We hope to prevent or
reduce exposure of individuals to secondhand smoke and help
reduce tobacco use among NSU students, faculty, staff and campus
He grades his education at Northwestern State as first rate, visitors.” Under Act 211 of the 2013 session of the Louisiana Legisla-
ture, all public post-secondary institutions in Louisiana are required
offering practical experiences – keeping the books for The
to be smoke free. Each institution has the option to become
Current Sauce, working with the paper’s advertising and lay-
tobacco free. The policy covers all tobacco derived or containing
out and penning sports articles – which gave him valuable
products, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars and cigaril-
experience with sales, writing and management. los, pipes, hookah-smoked products, oral tobacco and e-cigarettes.
“I consider myself blessed. I’ve had ups and downs, I’ve Those who violate the policy are subject to a fine.
survived, prospered and always bounce back. You will have The policy will be communicated through orientation sessions
defeats but you have to move forward,” he said. “I’m happy for new students, safety meetings, internal communications and
with my life.” mail outs to alumni and athletic ticketholders.
7 SPRING 2014
Writing angles career of a lifetime for Bassmaster editor
Dave Precht (1973) would be the first to say he is Northwestern State encouraged him to enroll at NSU,
the luckiest guy in the world, having enjoyed a long, where he majored in journalism and was editor of The
productive career as a writer and editor for Bassmaster Current Sauce from 1968-1969. He resigned The Current
Magazine and other publications produced by B.A.S.S., Sauce during his second term as editor to run for presi-
the professional bass fishing organization for which dent of the Student Government Association. He was
Precht serves as editorial and communications vice also a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
president. Precht, who lives in Birmingham, Ala., where “I learned more on the job and as editor of The Cur-
B.A.S.S. is headquartered, is a member of the B.A.S.S. rent Sauce and working with the Jennings paper and
Fishing Hall of Fame and recipient of numerous pro- the Natchitoches Times,” he said. “The hands-on experi-
fessional honors. His career has allowed him to travel ence taught me more than my journalism classes.”
extensively, meet and write about celebrity anglers, pro- After graduating from Northwestern, he covered hard
mote conservation and document professional fishing’s news with the Lafayette Advertiser and the Houston
growth in popularity. Post and became the Post’s outdoor editor. He joined
Bassmaster Magazine is the largest fishing maga- B.A.S.S. in 1979. He ran the B.A.S.S. Communications
zine in the world with both print and digital editions. office from 1979-90, edited Southern Outdoors from
Precht directs a large stable of freelance writers -- most 1984-2003 and remains editor in chief of Bassmaster.
of whom are serious fishermen -- and knowledgeable First published in 1968 as the newsletter for the newly-
editors to cover bass tournaments and professional formed Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, Bassmaster is
anglers in what has grown into a multi-billion dollar today regarded as the bible of today’s bass fisherman.
industry. He also edits Bass Times, a tabloid for a subset “It’s been fun,” he said. “I always had people to help
of Bassmaster readers, and oversees the organization’s me out and point me in the right direction.”
print media and public relations. Professional fishing began in the summer of 1967
Precht’s aspirations to write about the outdoors be- with the first big tournament in Arkansas funded by
gan during his youth in Jennings. B.A.S.S. From those first tournaments the sport and
“I knew from early childhood growing many supporting industries in technology, boats
up on a farm, I loved the outdoors and and equipment mushroomed. With growth
always wanted to be editor of a hunt- in numbers and advances in technology, the
ing or fishing magazine,” he said. professional fishing environment has changed
He got a job as a printer’s devil and considerably since it began, but Precht believes
“gopher” at the Jennings Daily News as better lures, better techniques and good prac-
an 11th grader. Having some experi- tices in ecology have made
ence with photography through work fishing better.
at a photo studio, he began covering “Bass is the most
high school football games. One night, popular type of fish-
the sideline reporter handed Precht his ing and fishing is
notebook and left. Precht wrote the the third most
story and from then on was the popular sport,”
paper’s sports writer. During Precht said.
his junior and senior years at “We’ve been on
Jennings High School, he a roll the last
worked at the paper before few years and
school laying out pages the popular-
and after school covering ity of fishing
ball games. An English continues to
teacher who attended grow.”
continued on page 9
8 SPRING 2014