I hope this message finds you well. From honoring those who have served our country, to promoting the excellence within our academic and student communities, this past week emphasized the core values that define Northwestern State University. Below are some recent highlights and updates.

Veterans Day Celebration
Last Sunday, Martha and I attended the 25th annual Veterans Day Celebration at East Beauregard High School. It was an honor to join the community in recognizing the brave men and women who have served our country. I am proud that Northwestern is part of such meaningful tributes. The event was a powerful reminder of the resilience and dedication of our veterans, many of whom are part of our Northwestern family. We look forward to honoring them tomorrow on Veterans Day.

Le Soeurs Gathering
Later that evening, Martha and I joined members of Les Soeurs for a gathering at Pierson’s Camp. It was a great turnout. We enjoyed meeting members of this remarkable group, who are committed to supporting Northwestern and empowering women in our region. The organization has established an endowed scholarship that supports female graduate students at Northwestern. We appreciate their hospitality Sunday evening and dedication to our students and community.

Faculty Reception
On Monday evening, I had the pleasure of hosting a reception at the President’s Residence for newly tenured and promoted faculty. The evening allowed faculty to connect with colleagues across disciplines, fostering a spirit of collaboration that will enrich our students’ educational experiences and strengthen our academic programs. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their dedication and contributions to Northwestern’s academic community. I look forward to the impact they will continue to make in advancing our university’s mission.

University-Wide Fundraising Efforts
On Tuesday morning, I joined staff members to discuss the coordination of university-wide fundraising initiatives. The meeting focused on ways various staff members across campus can share resources and increase communication between departments to ensure that we are providing the best possible experience for our donors. Our shared commitment to enhancing resources across campus remains strong, and I am encouraged by the progress we are making toward our goals. Special thanks to our Director of Alumni and Development, Jill Bankston, for taking the lead on this effort and to everyone involved in supporting these important initiatives.

Campus Food Service
On Wednesday morning, I met with representatives from Sodexo, our campus food service provider, to discuss ways we can enhance the on-campus dining experience for our students, faculty, and staff. From expanding options to exploring capital improvements, our goal is to ensure a high-quality dining experience that meets the needs of our university community. Special thanks to Sodexo Vice President of Operations and Northwestern alumnus Ron Guillory, and Sodexo General Manager James Charpentier, for organizing this meeting and for their continued support of Northwestern.

Strategic Planning
We received correspondence this week from the president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Dr. Belle Wheelan, notifying us that Northwestern has been approved to participate in the Differentiated Review Process for the reaffirmation class of 2027. This is great news and a testament to the University’s comprehensive and continuous approach to assessment in driving continuous improvement.

On Wednesday afternoon, I met with our Strategic Planning Team to review upcoming milestones, including our annual SACSCOC meeting in December. We discussed key initiatives and the alignment of our objectives with Northwestern’s long-term vision. I am grateful for the team’s dedication in creating a strategic path forward that supports our university’s growth and development.

NSU Theatre and Dance Production of “Twelve Angry Jurors”
Wednesday evening, I attended NSU Theatre and Dance’s impactful production of Twelve Angry Jurors at Theatre West. Directed by Pia Wyatt, the play offered a profound look at human nature and justice, as 12 jurors confront their biases and the weight of reasonable doubt. The talented cast, including Valerie Henderson, Kwincy Pierre, Damari Padilla, and others, brought powerful depth to this gripping story. I encourage everyone to attend future Theatre and Dance productions to support the incredible talent and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students.

JAM Day
On Friday, the Department of New Media, Journalism, and Communication Arts hosted the 51st Journalism and Media Day (JaM Day). This event brought together communication professionals from diverse backgrounds to inspire and inform our students about ever-evolving careers in this field. The department provides hands-on training with top-notch equipment across all media forms, preparing students for careers in TV, radio, digital journalism, marketing, and strategic communications through immersive learning and internships. I extend a special thank you to our NMJCA faculty and staff for organizing this outstanding event.

Alumni Reception
On Friday evening, prior to the NSU v. LSU women’s basketball game, Martha and I attended a reception in Baton Rouge hosted by Joe and Terri Cunningham. We deeply appreciate their generosity and hospitality in bringing together Northwestern alumni and supporters for an enjoyable evening. Events like these highlight the dedication of our alumni, who not only open their homes but also help build networks of support for Northwestern in their communities. Special thanks to Joe and Terri for making this event possible and for their commitment to strengthening our alumni connections in Baton Rouge and the surrounding region.

Athletics Update
Our basketball teams tipped off their seasons with impressive victories at home over lower-division visitors Monday and Tuesday evenings. I believe we will have a fun winter in Prather Coliseum watching these Northwestern teams compete.

I attended our women’s game Friday night at LSU and was pleased to see our team execute its offensive and defensive schemes throughout against one of the nation’s top programs. On the LSU roster is the 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year, Mikaylah Williams, whose mother LaTonya Perry Williams is a former Lady Demon player and a Northwestern graduate.

Our men’s team played quite competitively Friday night at Texas Tech and plays at Oklahoma Monday night. Our only home basketball game this week is a women’s game Tuesday night.

The soccer season ended Thursday in an overtime loss to regular-season champion Stephen F. Austin in the Southland Conference Tournament. Our soccer team had a very good year.

I was in Hammond Saturday for our football game at Southeastern, and enjoyed meeting more alumni as well as our gracious hosts. Our young men continue to face overwhelming odds and compete valiantly as more true freshmen get on the field. I hope to see you at tailgating and in the stands Saturday afternoon for our last home game against McNeese.

The volleyball team plays its final two regular-season matches at home Thursday and Saturday evenings in Prather Coliseum.

Next weekend, we will host thousands of guests on campus and in Natchitoches preparing for next Monday’s state high school cross country championships. This is a great recruiting opportunity for our university and a big economic boost for our community. Thanks to our track and field staff, and athletic administrators and staff, for their work in staging this annual event.

Know Your Story
As we continue our 140th Anniversary fundraising campaign, I encourage all faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters to get involved. You can help in two major ways: by making a contribution and by helping us tell NSU’s story. Our 140th Anniversary website includes a link to give and a “Know Your Story” section with facts and figures about NSU. We’ll be updating this page regularly with new accomplishments and accolades from across our colleges and departments. Please visit nsu.la/nsu140 to contribute and share the unique story of NSU with your networks.

Thank you all for your continued dedication to Northwestern State University. I look forward to another week of accomplishments, collaborations, and shared successes.

Fork ‘Em Demons,

President James T. “Jimmy” Genovese
Northwestern State University