Since 1990, Northwestern State University has honored outstanding former students with induction into its Hall of Distinction, or Long Purple Line. The noteworthy achievements of those alumni reflect the success and accomplishments of countless others across the nation and world who prepared for lives and careers at NSU.
Congratulations to the 2026 Inductees
Bryan David Arceneaux
Arceneaux, a 1985 graduate of Northwestern, was a four-year letterman in football and an All-Conference player.
He founded Louisiana Spring Water in 1989, growing it into a successful water distribution company serving south Louisiana. He has built a highly successful career in transportation and environmental services. Arceneaux is owner and CEO of Louisiana Southwest Transportation, Tank Specialties and Louisiana Environmental Transportation (LET). His companies provide transportation, tank rentals and oilfield-related support services to refineries, industrial facilities, and energy-sector clients throughout the Gulf Coast. Under his leadership, these businesses have grown from just a handful of employees to more than 140 team members.
At NSU, he had the honor of playing alongside his high school teammates Bobby Hebert and Edward Ogregon from South Lafourche High School. Arceneaux was a key member of the 1984 Gulf Star Conference Championship team under Coach Sam Goodwin. Twice during that season, he was named Demon Defensive Player of the Week in recognition of his toughness, leadership and impact on the field. He was a student coach at Northwestern in 1985.
Arceneaux’s has kept his strong commitment to Northwestern. He serves on the board of the Demon Brothers Booster Club and has been instrumental in planning, fundraising and supporting Demon athletics through community engagement. His leadership has played an important role in events such as the Joe Delaney Memorial Spring Game and Crawfest. In recognition of his dedication and service to the university, Arceneaux received the Legendary Link Award from the Northwestern Athletic Department in 2017.
Edwin Dunahoe
Dunahoe is a 1971 graduate of Northwestern in mathematics. He is a 1974 graduate of LSU Law School where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and was named to the Louisiana Law Review, Dunahoe is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Blue Key Honor Fraternities.
Dunahoe began practicing law in Natchitoches in 1974. He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the Natchitoches Parish Bar Association. He has served on the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board and the Local Indigent Defender Board. He has been selected as one of the “Best Lawyers in America.”
Dunahoe has been a member of the Louisiana Association for Justice serving as its president in 2020-21. He has been selected to be a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an organization limited to one percent of the attorneys in the United States.
He has been a member of the First Baptist Church since 1974, serving as a deacon and in leadership roles.
Dunahoe was a charter member of the Natchitoches Historic Foundation and was president of the organization. He has been a member of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society for over 50 years. Dunahoe has served as a member of the Natchitoches City Planning and Zoning Commission and co-chairman of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival Committee.
He and his family established a scholarship in the name of his mother, Janetha June Dunahoe. They created an endowed chair to honor his late wife, Lola W. Dunahoe (one of only four Endowed Chairs at Northwestern).
Harrington has served as the district attorney for the 10th Judicial District of Louisiana since 2017. Before taking office, he spent 27 years as an assistant district attorney. As District Attorney, he is responsible for prosecuting all criminal cases in Natchitoches Parish and representing public bodies, agencies and commissions.
Billy Joe Harrington
Harrington has served as the district attorney for the 10th Judicial District of Louisiana since 2017. Before taking office, he spent 27 years as an assistant district attorney. As District Attorney, he is responsible for prosecuting all criminal cases in Natchitoches Parish and representing public bodies, agencies and commissions.
Harrington is the past president of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory and is a member of the Louisiana Drug Control and Violent Crime Policy Board, which keeps him engaged in statewide conversations on drug enforcement and treatment access.
He is an active voice on criminal justice issues and victims’ rights across Louisiana, regularly appearing before legislative committees to offer testimony in support of victims, the rule of law and the fair administration of justice. Harrington is a frequent presenter at legal seminars on criminal justice issues and recent legislation.
In the community, Harrington is a former president of the Natchitoches Area Jaycees, and has served as chairman of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival and chairman of the Natchitoches Area Ducks Unlimited and many other boards and committees.
He is a 1982 graduate of Northwestern State with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. For 10 years, he was an adjunct professor at NSU in criminal law and legal research.
Harrington is a member of the Northwestern State Beacon Society, the President Elite Counsel and Chair of the Legislative Committee, He established the Billy Joe and Donna Harrington scholarship.
Trey Hill
Hill began his career with Atmos Energy through a predecessor company immediately upon graduation from NSU as a manager trainee. He rose through the ranks with leadership positions in Texas and Louisiana spanning almost 35 years until his retirement as vice president of Regulatory and Public Affairs in 2019.
He started Trey Hill Consulting in January 2020, providing governmental consulting and lobbying services to clients in the utility and energy sector.
Hill received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from NSU in 1985. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and was named Phi Mu’s Man of the Year.
Hill served on the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board for the NSU School of Business and was a member of the NSU Alumni Association Board of Directors. The School of Business inducted Hill into its Hall of Distinction.
He was on the Board of Directors for the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) and the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR). He held numerous leadership positions, including serving as president of the LA Gas Association. Hill is a member of the Association of Louisiana Lobbyists.
Throughout his career, Hill has served his community. He held leadership positions in Kiwanis Clubs in Louisiana and Texas, serving as president of the Kiwanis Club of Pineville. Hill was involved in United Way throughout his career with Atmos Energy, serving as a Loaned Executive and various campaign cabinet positions. Hill served as president of the PTC and chairman of the School Board at Sts. Leo-Seton Catholic School in Lafayette.
Dr. Ronald Owen McBride
McBride is a three-time graduate of NSU, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education (1970), a Master of Arts in Design (1972), and a Master of Education in Educational Media (1973), later completing an EdS.in Communications and a Ph.D. in Communications and Media Management from Georgia State University. He returned to NSU in 1991 and served in numerous leadership roles, including director of Telecommunications and Distance Learning, head of the Department of Journalism and Telecommunications, professor of educational technology, and coordinator of Educational Technology. He also served as the inaugural holder of the Melba Law Steeg Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Educational Technology Leadership.
McBride played a foundational role in advancing distance learning at NSU, including the design and development of the Louisiana Instructional Satellite and Telecommunications Network (LISTN). His work not only expanded access to education across the state but positioned NSU as a leader in educational technology. McBride received the College of Education and Human Development Excellence in Teaching Award and was inducted into the Hall of Distinguished Educators.
In the Natchitoches community, he has served as president of the Natchitoches Rotary Club, the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Natchitoches Northwestern Symphony Society. His leadership of the Natchitoches Tri-Centennial Celebration stands as a defining achievement—overseeing more than 150 events and nearly 90,000 attendees in a year-long celebration that garnered national recognition as a “must-see” event.
Brenda Williams Webb
Webb served alongside her husband, Dr. Randall J. Webb, the longest serving president in NSU’s history, from 1996-2014. In that role, she represented the university at numerous functions, spoke to various groups about the university’s accomplishments and hosted community and campus events at the President’s Home.
She earned a Master of Arts in Student Personnel Services from NSU in 1992 and received a bachelor of science from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Webb worked as an academic and personal counselor in the Office of Student Support Services at NSU. She was an educator at the kindergarten through university levels. Webb was executive director of the Tangipahoa Parish United Way and worked for IDS as a financial planner.
She served as president of the Campus Women at Northwestern and was on the · Natchitoches–Northwestern Symphony Society board. Webb was a member of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches. She was a member of the Louisiana Association of Counseling and Development, Kappa Delta Pi, Pi Tau Chi and is an alumnae of Kappa Delta Sorority.
Webb was recognized by the City of Natchitoches with its Treasures Award and was made an honorary member of the Purple Jackets Honor Society. She was recognized for her leadership, educational advocacy and lifelong dedication to student development and community service.
The Long Purple Line Luncheon
Friday, October 23, 2026
Natchitoches Events Center
Doors Open – 11:00am
Lunch served – 11:30am
Induction Ceremony – 12:00pm
Business Casual Attire
$50 per Person
$500 for a Table with eight seats