As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take a moment to reflect on another productive and exciting week at Northwestern. Our campus continues to be a hub of activity and innovation, and it is because of your dedication and efforts that we can accomplish so much.

LHSAA Cross Country Championship
We kicked off the week with a campus bustling with prospective students, athletes, and their families for the LHSAA State Cross Country Championships. The event brought hundreds of athletes and thousands of supporters to our campus, showcasing Northwestern as a welcoming and vibrant community. Special thanks to our recruiting team for engaging with prospective students and sharing the opportunities available to them at Northwestern.

ARGO Lab Tour
On Monday morning, I had the privilege of touring Northwestern’s Advanced Remote and Geospatial Operations (ARGO) Lab, which serves as our hub for drones, remote sensing, mapping, and training. The ARGO Lab supports both internal NSU initiatives and external industry and government partners. It also houses our Remote Systems Science and Technology undergraduate certificate program, providing students with hands-on training in aerial photography, data analysis, 3D modeling, and more. Special thanks to Lab Coordinator J.D. Cox and Natural Resource Specialists Addie Soileau and Travis Mitchell for organizing an informative tour and demonstrating how the lab bridges academic programs with industry needs.

Louisiana Clerks of Court Banquet
Monday evening, I attended the Louisiana Clerks of Court Banquet, where I had the opportunity to connect with key stakeholders and promote Northwestern’s role in community and workforce development. I reunited with many clerks of court from my judicial career and expressed my appreciation for the critical role they play in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of our legal and governmental processes, which are foundational to our communities’ success. Special thanks to Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court David Stamey for the kind invitation.

Advanced Manufacturing Program Briefing
On Tuesday morning, we hosted several industry partners for a briefing on our Advanced Manufacturing Program. This program is a cornerstone of our efforts to address workforce development and meet regional industry needs. It is designed for students to attend class two days a week and work with an industry partner three days a week, while receiving a competitive wage. Students who successfully complete the program will receive an Associate of Science in Engineering Technology with an Advanced Manufacturing concentration. Special thanks to Dr. Fran Lemoine, Laurie Morrow, Cole Gentry, and Craig Caskey for organizing this briefing and engaging our industry partners in this important initiative.

Faculty Senate Meeting
Tuesday afternoon, I attended the Faculty Senate meeting. I want to express my appreciation for Dr. Frank Serio and our faculty leadership for their ongoing work to address critical academic and institutional priorities. Their dedication to fostering a collaborative environment ensures that we continue to enhance the student experience, strengthen academic programs, and support faculty development as we work together to achieve the university’s strategic goals.

Leesville Campus and Fort Johnson Visit
On Wednesday, I visited our Leesville Campus, where I had the pleasure of meeting with Executive Director Martha Koury and her team. It was a rewarding opportunity to connect with dedicated faculty and staff, while gaining a deeper understanding of the critical role our Leesville Campus plays in serving both military and civilian communities in the region. Currently, 60 active-duty students are pursuing their education while serving our country, along with over 90 dependents of active-duty service members and more than 300 students utilizing VA benefits.

Following my time at the Leesville Campus, I traveled to Fort Johnson, where I met with the new commanding general, Brig. Gen. Jason Curl. While there, I had the privilege of engaging with military personnel and receiving an insightful briefing on Joint Readiness Training Center activities. Northwestern’s strong partnership with Fort Johnson underscores our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education to service members, their families, and the broader community, solidifying our role as an essential partner in the region’s academic and workforce development initiatives.

ALD Yappy Hour
Wednesday afternoon, we hosted a “Yappy Hour” for Alpha Lambda Delta at the President’s Residence. It was a pleasure to engage with our student leaders in a more informal setting. With students bringing their pets to join in the fun, Blue thoroughly enjoyed making new friends—though he’s still convinced he was the star of the show!

Senior Ring Ceremony
On Thursday evening, I was honored to participate in the Senior Ring Ceremony, celebrating the achievements of our soon-to-be graduates. It’s always inspiring to see the pride in our students as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives. It was also wonderful to meet many parents and family members, engaging with them and sharing in their excitement and joy as they celebrate this significant milestone with our students.

Dr. Neeru Deep Appointed Dean
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Neeru Deep has accepted our offer to serve as permanent Dean of the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development. Dr. Deep has served as Interim Dean since the summer of 2023, as Interim Department Head of Psychology and Addiction Studies, and as a faculty member in the same department. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a compassionate approach to this vital role as we prepare our students for successful futures in their chosen professions. I would like to extend my gratitude to the search committee for their diligent work. Dr. Deep’s appointment will be submitted to the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors for approval at their December 5 meeting.

Student Success at USITCC and ICPC
Northwestern State University students pursuing degrees in Computer Information Systems recently participated in the U.S. Information Technology Collegiate Conference (USITCC) and International Collegiate Programming Contest (IPCP) regional competitions. Brandon Jordan, Justin Dysarz, and Juan Garcia Rey represented the program at USITCC with Jordan winning first place in Cyber Security and Capture the Flag and third place in PC Troubleshooting. Shannon Boone, Natalie Sutton, and Masen Starks represented the program at IPCP, placing first in Louisiana. Their skills and dedication are a testament to the strength of our Computer Information Systems program.

Athletics Update
Our men’s basketball team, after a couple of last-second losses at Rice and Friday night to ULM, left no doubt Sunday afternoon in a convincing victory over North Alabama. Coach Cabrera leads the Demons into a Friday game at LSU before our Southland Conference season begins in December.

The women’s team went to the final seconds at North Texas, which is a very quality opponent. Coach Nimz’s squad is home Tuesday night then has two conference games on the road to begin December in what should be a very competitive Southland race.

Our football season ended Saturday at Houston Christian. Our team displayed encouraging offensive production while playing many true freshmen extensively. Coach McCorkle and his staff are to be commended for developing the foundation for future success while facing overwhelming odds this fall. Two days before the game, I again attended the Quarterback Club luncheon at Merci Beaucoup and continue to be inspired by his vision to restore our program to championship caliber. We have the right leader to realize our potential.

As we look ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to remind everyone that the university will be closed this week. I hope you enjoy a restful break filled with family, friends, and gratitude.

Fork ‘Em Demons,

President James T. “Jimmy” Genovese
Northwestern State University