As we move forward with the many initiatives designed to strengthen Northwestern and promote a collaborative environment, I want to take a moment to highlight several key developments from this past week. Your dedication continues to be the driving force behind our progress, and I am excited to share these updates with you.

MOU Signing
On Monday morning, I had the privilege of joining representatives from the Natchitoches City Police Department, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Natchitoches Parish District Attorney’s Office, and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU will ensure clarity around the responsibilities of each organization while fostering the sharing of information in compliance with federal and state confidentiality laws. It is a proactive step toward addressing trends related to power-based violence committed by or against students and will help provide a safer campus environment for everyone.

Beacon Society
Later that evening, I met with members of the Beacon Society in its inaugural gathering, where I provided an update on recent university initiatives. The establishment of the Beacon Society represents a pivotal moment for Northwestern. We are drawing upon the collective wisdom and experience of our alumni, friends, and potential partners to transform the university for the better.

The purpose of the Beacon Society is to leverage the insights of our broader community to generate impactful initiatives that will propel Northwestern forward. Engaging with past friends of the university and fostering new relationships are vital as we seek to revitalize our institution and secure its future. I look forward to seeing the transformative impact of the work we will do together.

Campus Master Plan
On Tuesday morning, I had the opportunity to participate in a charrette workshop led by AQ Studios, marking the official kickoff to the development of a comprehensive campus master plan. This collaborative effort will allow us to envision the future of our campus with a focus on improving our facilities and creating a thriving environment for our students, faculty, and staff. I will keep you updated as we progress through the various stages of our campus master plan.

CLECO Partnership
Tuesday afternoon, I met with Bill Fontenot, CEO of CLECO, and NSU alumna Sybil Montegut, who serves as CLECO’s Chief Administrative and Sustainability Officer. We discussed the evolving workforce needs of the energy industry and how Northwestern can better prepare our students to meet those demands. Our discussion highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships with local industry leaders like CLECO, ensuring that our students are equipped with the skills needed to excel in today’s workforce. I am excited about the potential for further collaboration as we strive to strengthen these vital industry connections.

Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society
On Tuesday evening, I had the pleasure of hosting members of the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society at the President’s Residence for a pizza party. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Northwestern chapter’s outstanding achievement in receiving the “Maintaining the Flame” National Award. This recognition highlights the chapter’s commitment to academic excellence and leadership, and I am proud of the work these students are doing to uphold the values of Northwestern. Membership in Alpha Lambda Delta is open to students who achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher during their first year of college. Congratulations again to Alpha Lambda Delta for this national honor, and I look forward to seeing their continued success.

Fundraising
I am thrilled to announce a $100,000 gift from Ellis Coutee to establish an endowed scholarship in memory of his late wife, Juanita. Ellis and Juanita graduated from Northwestern, and their generous support over the years, including funding numerous endowed scholarships and professorships, ensures their legacy will benefit future students for generations to come.

Additionally, we were recently presented with proceeds from the “Fuel Their Future” purple pump at Shop A Lott (Chevron) in Natchitoches. Pump #1, which has been designated to support student scholarships, has seen a significant increase in sales compared to others, indicating that customers are choosing it to support Northwestern. We are deeply grateful to Lott Oil, a long-time partner of Northwestern, for their steadfast support of our students and the university.

Lastly, the Columns Fund annual giving campaign is underway, and I encourage everyone to consider contributing. The Columns Fund provides unrestricted support for our greatest needs, and your participation makes a significant difference. To contribute, please visit: https://northwesternstatealumni.com/columns-fund/.

McConathy Returns to NSU
I am pleased that Mike McConathy, a true servant-leader and mentor, has returned to Northwestern to serve as a special advisor to me and our leadership team. Mike has already begun to play a pivotal role in strengthening recruitment and building external relationships, tapping into the vast network of connections he has cultivated over his more than 40 years in coaching. He will work closely with high school personnel, coaches, alumni, and community leaders to reengage those who have been positively impacted by his leadership.

Mike’s influence stretches far beyond his 23 years as our basketball coach. Throughout his career, he has been a role model known for his dedication to community service and his ability to connect with people on a personal level. His experience will be invaluable as we work to build stronger relationships with future students and reestablish connections with alumni and other stakeholders. I have no doubt that Mike’s genuine, approachable nature will resonate with the people he interacts with, and I am thrilled to have him back at Northwestern as part of our team.

ULS Board Appointment
It is an honor to share that my college tennis teammate and longtime friend Robert L. “Skeeter” Salim, a proud Northwestern alumnus and renowned trial lawyer, has been appointed to the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors by Governor Jeff Landry. Salim, who graduated from NSU in 1972, will officially be sworn in at next Thursday’s board meeting in Baton Rouge. He will be succeeding the late Lola Walker Dunahoe, a dedicated alumna and long-time supporter of NSU, whose recent passing marked a significant loss for our community. Salim’s appointment ensures that the spirit of leadership and commitment Dunahoe exemplified will carry forward.

Salim’s steadfast support of Northwestern has already made a lasting impact, from establishing numerous endowments to significantly advancing our athletic programs. His leadership, generosity, and dedication to NSU make him a fitting successor on the UL System Board. I know that “Skeeter” will continue to champion the progress of both the university and the broader UL System in this important new role.

David Fry
It was thrilling Thursday night to watch former Demon baseball star and 2018 graduate David Fry provide another spectacular Major League Baseball moment this season for the Cleveland Guardians. David, who was chosen for the American League team in July’s All-Star Game in only his second season in the big leagues, has been a catalyst for Cleveland reaching the AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees. Thursday night he delivered a game-winning home run in the 10th inning, a week after he smacked another decisive home run that kept Cleveland alive in the AL Divisional Series. Saturday, the Yankees won in extra innings to advance to the World Series.

David is headline news on the national sports scene. We could not have a finer representative. Congratulations to him and his wife Rebekah, who is also a Northwestern graduate and a former member of our university recruiting staff.

Athletics Update
Our Demon soccer team continues its strong season. Sisters Jessica and Taylor Switzer each had goals Friday in a 3-1 win at A&M-Corpus Christi. The final two home games of the season are upcoming this Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

The football team battled admirably at Nicholls on Saturday against the defending Southland Conference champions. Every week they live up to the words in our fight song, “Northwestern Demons never yield,” in this rebuilding season. I know internal victories noted by Coach McCorkle and staff this season will lead to more apparent wins in the future.

It was exciting to have our softball team competing on its brand-new artificial turf field in fall scrimmages Friday and Sunday. We have a beautiful new field and a tremendous new coach in Jenny Fuller to give us great optimism for 2025 and beyond.

Looking Ahead
This week promises to be an exciting time for Northwestern with several major events planned as part of our annual Homecoming festivities. I look forward to seeing everyone at these events celebrating the rich history and traditions of Northwestern. For more information on these activities visit https://northwesternstatealumni.com/homecoming/.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our students and our university. Together, we are building something truly special.

Fork ‘Em Demons,

President James T. “Jimmy” Genovese
Northwestern State University