This week brought meaningful opportunities to connect with industry partners, expand hands-on learning, and celebrate the talents and leadership of our students and staff. These activities reflect our commitment to preparing students for success while strengthening Northwestern State’s contributions to the communities we serve.
Exploring Opportunities with Applied Digital
On Monday, I had the pleasure of welcoming Gail Adams, community engagement coordinator for Applied Digital, to campus for conversations about the company’s $3.6 billion Delta Forge 1 data center campus under construction near Boyce, Louisiana. Our Regional Leadership Briefing and Faculty and Student Forum brought together community leaders, elected officials, industry partners, faculty, staff, and students to learn about the project and the opportunities it presents for Central Louisiana.
The facility will support artificial intelligence computing and is projected to employ as many as 1,000 workers during peak construction and approximately 200 permanent employees once operational. Anticipated workforce needs include engineers, electricians, plumbers, security personnel, and other professionals who will support the campus’s infrastructure and operations.
Thank you to Ms. Adams and to everyone who participated in these discussions. Special thanks to our Office of Economic Development and University Advancement for coordinating the day’s events and cultivating partnerships that help NSU respond to evolving workforce needs. We look forward to exploring how Northwestern State can prepare students for emerging careers and support the region’s economic growth.
Leadership Team Meeting
On Tuesday, my Leadership Team met to review university priorities and share updates on the focus areas of our strategic plan. The team includes all of our deans and other university leaders and meets quarterly to discuss progress, share ideas, and identify emerging needs across campus. These conversations help us celebrate university achievements, find opportunities for collaboration across divisions, and keep important initiatives moving forward. I appreciate the team’s thoughtful contributions and continued commitment to strengthening Northwestern State.
Regional Collaboration on Digital Infrastructure Workforce Needs
On Wednesday, our conversations about Applied Digital’s investment in Central Louisiana continued through an academic roundtable hosted by Louisiana Central. The meeting brought together regional education partners to discuss emerging workforce demands and opportunities for collaboration in support of the growing digital infrastructure industry. I appreciate Provost Dr. Greg Handel; Gwen Fontenot, director of institutional engagement and economic development; and Jason Parks, executive director of NSU’s Cenla Campus, for representing Northwestern State in this important discussion.
NSU will continue assessing our academic and workforce training programs, identifying gaps, and exploring opportunities to align our offerings with industry needs. Collaboration with our regional education partners will be essential to preparing students and helping Central Louisiana meet these emerging workforce demands.
Opening the Child Welfare Simulation Lab
Also on Wednesday, I was on hand to celebrate the opening of NSU’s Child Welfare Simulation Lab on the third floor of Kyser Hall. The first facility of its kind in northern Louisiana, the lab recreates a home environment where students and child welfare professionals can practice conducting home visits, assessing family conditions, interacting with clients, and making decisions in a controlled setting. Developed in collaboration with Southern University in Baton Rouge through the Louisiana Title IV-E Child Welfare Program, the lab strengthens the connection between classroom instruction and professional practice. Its living room, kitchen, and bedroom settings give students opportunities to recognize potential risks and build confidence before entering internships and careers serving children and families. The lab also supports professional development by giving child welfare practitioners a place to sharpen their skills and work through realistic scenarios they may encounter in the field.
The facility also creates opportunities for collaboration with psychology, child and family studies, criminal justice, and nursing programs, as well as community partners. We were pleased to have Ryan Furby, the newest member of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, join us for this special occasion. Thank you to our faculty, staff, and partners whose work brought this important resource to campus. Their efforts will help prepare compassionate, capable professionals to serve families across Louisiana.
Celebrating Our New Lady of the Bracelet
Thursday evening, Martha and I attended the 69th annual Miss Northwestern Lady of the Bracelet Scholarship Program in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. This treasured university tradition celebrates the talent, service, and accomplishments of our students while providing valuable scholarship opportunities. Congratulations to Aliya Green of Haughton, who was crowned this year’s winner! Aliya is a junior majoring in vocal music education with a K-12 concentration and will represent Northwestern State at the Miss Louisiana Scholarship Contest. Her community service initiative, “It Doesn’t Take the Rich, It Only Takes the Willing,” encourages young adults to serve others through acts of kindness and community involvement.
Congratulations also to first runner-up Chloe Rachal, second runner-up Meijah Cains, third runner-up Kaleigh Standley, and fourth runner-up Sariah Braxton. Chloe received the Carley McCord Miss Congeniality Award, Kaleigh earned the talent award, and Kaylee Dubroc received the Liz Carroll People’s Choice Award. Martha and I commend all 10 participants and everyone who helped make the program a success. We look forward to supporting Aliya as she represents our university in the year ahead.
Statewide Leadership at the LACRAO Annual Conference
Northwestern State was well represented at the 75th Annual Louisiana Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Conference in Lake Charles this week. Staff from Recruiting, Admissions, and Enrollment Management led four educational sessions, sharing best practices and highlighting NSU’s work in enrollment management and student success with colleagues from across Louisiana. The conference marked the conclusion of Van Erikson’s year as LACRAO president. His leadership supported statewide collaboration, professional development, and engagement among admissions, recruitment, registrar, and enrollment professionals. We appreciate his service and are pleased that he will continue contributing as past president.
Congratulations to Emily Miller McPherson, who received LACRAO’s Mid-Level Professional Award in recognition of her leadership and contributions to the profession. Congratulations also to Danielle Cabrera on being named to the Executive Board as vice president of administration and finance. Thank you to all our staff who participated and represented Northwestern State so well. Their involvement reflects the expertise and commitment they bring to serving our students every day.
Military Appreciation Day
On Saturday, I was honored to welcome Staff Sergeant Rebecca Maurer of the Louisiana National Guard to our Military Appreciation football game. I appreciate the work she does on our campus to help NSU students learn about opportunities to serve in the Guard.
It was a privilege to recognize the men and women who serve our country and thank them for their service. Northwestern State values its relationships with the Louisiana National Guard and Fort Polk, and we remain committed to supporting service members, veterans, and their families through educational opportunities and community partnerships. We are proud to count them among our Demon family.
Athletics Update
The Demon soccer team wrapped up the regular season with an exciting 2-1 home victory Thursday over UTRGV, earning the third seed in this week’s Southland Conference Tournament in Commerce, Texas. Coach Ian Brophy’s team faces No. 6 seed McNeese on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. A win would advance the Demons to a Thursday semifinal against regular-season champion Lamar at 3:30 p.m., with a berth in next Sunday’s championship game at stake.
Although Saturday’s football result against UTRGV was disappointing, we appreciated the opportunity to honor our Armed Forces on a beautiful afternoon in Turpin Stadium. I hope you will join us this Saturday at 1 p.m. for the final home game of the season. Come support the Demons and our spirit groups and enjoy the Spirit of Northwestern marching band’s final football performance of the year.
The NSU volleyball team earned an important, hard-fought 3-1 victory Saturday at UTRGV, winning 25-22, 26-24, 21-25, and 26-24. The Demons rebounded impressively from a Thursday defeat at A&M-Corpus Christi, and Coach Ben Kaszeta’s team is now on the brink of securing a Southland Conference Tournament berth. The regular season concludes with two matches against East Texas A&M, which is also seeking a tournament spot. Our team hosts the Lions on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Prather Coliseum before traveling to Commerce for a Saturday afternoon rematch.
The Demon basketball team hosts Millsaps on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Prather Coliseum before traveling to Little Rock on Saturday. The Demons competed hard against Baylor and Murray State on the road last week and also fell at Mississippi State.
Following a noteworthy season debut, the Lady Demons travel to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State on Monday at 11 a.m., then head to Ruston to play Louisiana Tech on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. In last Monday’s season opener at Prather Coliseum, newcomer Chloe Donnell tied the NCAA Division I record for three-pointers made in a game, sinking an incredible 14 on her way to a 46-point performance. Her achievement brought national attention to Northwestern State through ESPN’s SportsCenter and numerous other media outlets. It was one of several milestones in the Lady Demons’ 120-40 victory over Ecclesia College. On Friday, NSU held Arkansas to 38 percent shooting but could not keep pace with the Razorbacks.
Congratulations to our distinguished alumnus David Morgan, who held the winning ticket in the Rhodes Properties Demon Dream Home drawing. Supervised by a local accounting firm and televised live on Shreveport’s KSLA-TV, the drawing was the centerpiece of a Friday evening gathering celebrating this innovative Demons Unlimited Foundation fundraiser. Thank you to everyone who supported the project, especially Justin and James Rhodes for initiating it.
Looking Ahead
The NSU Jazz Orchestra will present a free concert Monday, November 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Under the direction of Associate Professor of Music Galindo Rodriguez, the orchestra will perform jazz selections and seasonal favorites featuring student soloists. The concert is open to the public and will also be livestreamed.
On Saturday, November 14, we will welcome prospective students and their families for N-Side View Day. This event offers a firsthand look at university life, with opportunities to explore academic programs, meet student organizations, learn about admissions, and hear helpful advice from faculty and current students. Thank you to everyone helping our guests discover the opportunities and welcoming community that await them at Northwestern State.
Please also make plans to attend the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts’ 38th Annual Christmas Gala. Performances will take place December 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. and December 4 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Directed by Dr. Shane Thomas, the Gala will bring together more than 300 students, faculty, and staff in a celebration of music, dance, and holiday traditions. This year’s production will honor the 100th Natchitoches Christmas Festival and showcase the talents that make CAPA such an important part of our university and community. Tickets are available online.
For information about additional events and activities, visit What’s Happening at NSU.
Thank you for the care, energy, and expertise you bring to Northwestern State. Your work makes these opportunities possible and helps our students see what they can accomplish. Martha and I wish you a productive and rewarding week.
Fork ‘Em Demons
President James T. “Jimmy” Genovese
Northwestern State University